Network Troubleshooting - Changing your DNS Settings via Network Locations

In certain circumstances, you may be successfully connected to a wifi network but still be unable to load any webpages. When this happens, a common troubleshooting step is to change your DNS settings and try again. Your DNS settings manage which service your computer uses to translate website URLs (www.google.com) into IP addresses (142.251.16.100). These settings are automatically defined by your computer, the network you're connecting to, and sometimes 3rd-party DNS filtering and security apps. 

1 - Change network locations

Macs can have multiple network locations configured. Locations are groups of settings you can quickly swap between on demand. To do so, click on the Apple menu > Location and select a different Network Location than the one you're currently using. In the above screenshot, you can see a "DNS Fallback" location you can switch to. Change locations and then try reloading the webpage. 

2 - Create a new network location and edit your DNS settings

If your Mac doesn't have multiple locations configured, we'd recommend creating a new one for troubleshooting purposes. By doing so, you can retain and switch back to your previous settings. You must be an administrator (or have admin credentials) on your computer to proceed.

1. Click on the Apple Menu and select System Settings
2. Click Network, then click the ellipsis button ("...") > Locations > Edit Locations:
   
3. Click the plus button to create a new location. Give it a recognizable name, like "Test", and click Done. You may be prompted to enter your admin password to proceed.
   
4. If you now click on the ellipsis button and view Locations, make sure your new location is checked:
   
5. In this new location, you can now edit your settings without disturbing your original configuration. Click on the interface you're using to get online (usually Wi-Fi), then click the Details button:
   
6. Click on the DNS tab to view your list of DNS servers. These are the default DNS servers your Mac is using based on information provided to it by the current wifi network:
   

7. Click the plus button to override the default list and type in the desired DNS server you'd like to use.
   
   Some common options include:
   1.1.1.1 (Cloudflare)

   8.8.8.8 (Google)

   9.9.9.9 (Quad9)
    

8. Once you've made your selection, click OK. Try to reload your web browser.

With this new network location in place, you can test the network again. And if you want to switch back to your original settings (if you're traveling, for example), you can change back to your original network location at your convenience.

Do you not have administrative privileges on your Mac? Contact Ntiva for assistance - we can help preconfigure network locations for your team so you can quickly switch back and forth between presets without needing an admin username and password.