adguard only looking at local dns server

Yulia Chive

3 min read

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08-12-2024

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AdGuard Only Using Local DNS Server: Troubleshooting and Solutions

Many users rely on AdGuard for robust ad blocking and privacy protection. However, sometimes AdGuard might unexpectedly only utilize your local DNS server, bypassing its own DNS filtering capabilities. This can lead to ads reappearing and a diminished level of privacy. This article will explore why this happens and provide practical solutions to get your AdGuard back to its full potential.

Understanding the Issue: Why AdGuard Might Stick to Local DNS

Before diving into solutions, it's crucial to understand the root causes. AdGuard, like many DNS-based ad blockers, requires proper configuration to effectively intercept and filter DNS requests. If it's only using your local DNS server, it's likely because something is interfering with AdGuard's ability to manage DNS. Potential culprits include:

• Incorrect AdGuard Settings: The most common reason. Check your AdGuard settings to ensure the DNS filtering feature is enabled and correctly configured to use AdGuard's DNS servers.
• Conflicting Network Configurations: Other network software or settings might be overriding AdGuard's DNS settings. This is especially prevalent if you're using VPNs, proxy servers, or other network management tools.
• Firewall Interference: Your firewall or antivirus software could be blocking AdGuard's access to the internet or interfering with its DNS management.
• Router Configuration: Your router's DNS settings could be forcing devices to use a specific DNS server, overriding AdGuard's configuration. This is a less common but possible cause.
• Operating System Issues: Rarely, a glitch in your operating system's network settings could be the culprit.

Troubleshooting Steps: Getting AdGuard to Use its DNS Servers

Let's address these potential issues systematically:

1. Verify AdGuard's DNS Settings:

• Open AdGuard's settings: The exact location varies depending on your AdGuard application (desktop, mobile, browser extension). Look for a section relating to "DNS," "Network," or "Privacy."
• Check the DNS server selection: Ensure that AdGuard is set to use its own DNS servers or a custom DNS server of your choice. Don't select "Automatic" or "System DNS" unless you intentionally want to use your ISP's DNS.
• Restart AdGuard: After making changes, restart the application to ensure the new settings take effect.
• Restart your device: A simple reboot can sometimes resolve minor software glitches.

2. Address Conflicting Network Configurations:

• Temporarily disable other network tools: If you're using a VPN, proxy server, or other network management software, temporarily disable them to see if this resolves the issue. If it does, you'll need to configure these tools to work alongside AdGuard, potentially by setting exceptions or prioritizing AdGuard's DNS settings.
• Check your network adapter settings: In your operating system's network settings, verify that no other DNS server is explicitly configured.

3. Check Firewall and Antivirus Software:

• Add AdGuard to exceptions: Temporarily disable your firewall or antivirus software to test if they are interfering. If the problem goes away, add AdGuard as an exception in your firewall and antivirus settings.

4. Review Router Configuration:

• Access your router's settings: Consult your router's manual to learn how to access its administrative interface. This usually involves entering an IP address in your web browser.
• Check the DHCP settings: Ensure that the router isn't forcing a specific DNS server on your devices. You might need to set it to "Automatic" or "Obtain DNS automatically."

5. Consider Operating System Issues:

• Run network troubleshooter: Most operating systems have a built-in network troubleshooter. Run this utility to detect and potentially fix any network-related problems.
• System Restore (if applicable): If you recently made significant changes to your system, a system restore to a previous point might resolve the issue. This is a last resort.

Advanced Troubleshooting:

• Flush DNS cache: In your command prompt (Windows) or terminal (macOS/Linux), use the appropriate command to flush your DNS cache. This clears any stale DNS entries that could be interfering.
• Check for conflicting DNS entries in your hosts file: This is a less common scenario, but a manually modified hosts file could be causing problems.

Prevention:

• Clean installation: If you encounter repeated problems, consider uninstalling and reinstalling AdGuard for a clean slate.
• Regular updates: Ensure both AdGuard and your operating system are up-to-date to benefit from bug fixes and performance improvements.

By systematically working through these steps, you should be able to identify the root cause and regain full functionality of AdGuard, ensuring effective ad blocking and privacy. Remember to consult AdGuard's official support documentation for specific instructions related to your device and AdGuard version.