How to Change DNS Settings on Amazon Fire Stick

Fire Stick is a great device to operate when you’re a constant streamer. However, as excellent as it may be, there’s no avoiding the problems that your internet connection might face. Or is there? In this tutorial, you’ll learn how to change your DNS settings on Fire Stick in order to circumvent your ISP’s internet throttling and bypass geo-restrictions. Follow my lead.

How to Manually Configure DNS on Amazon FireStick

Before you change your DNS settings, make sure to write down the current server addresses or settings on a piece of paper. It is very important that you keep these numbers for backup purposes, in case you need to revert to them at any time. If the process of changing DNS seems overwhelming, you can also install a VPN on your Fire Stick instead.

You may use Google’s public DNS. It’s very reliable and free.

• 8.8.8.8
• 8.8.4.4

Now, just like I previously covered Xbox One and PS4‘s DNS configuration, here’s how you change your DNS settings on FireStick:

1. Turn on your Fire Stick.
2. Head over to Settings -> My Fire TV -> About.
3. You’ll see your connection’s details. Note them down.
4. Now, go to Settings -> Network again.
5. Click on your wireless connection and hit Forget Network.
6. Rescan for your connection and tap on it.
7. Enter your Wi-FI password but press on Advanced this time.
8. Remember the note you took before, yeah time to type it in:
   • IP address
   • Gateway
   • Subnet Mask (If the last digit was 0, then input 24. If it’s 255, then 32 is your number).
9. Enter the new Primary and Secondary DNS (You can use Google DNS or OpenDNS)
10. You’re done.

Switching DNS Servers – Why?

It gets too frustrating when you can’t tap into the full potential of a device such as Fire Stick. The platform has a lot to offer when it comes to streaming. From Amazon Prime Videos to BBC iPlayer, all can be available provided you live in their respective country of origin. Not only that, but during peak times, it’s next to impossible to watch a video without suffering from buffering issues.

As much as you like to stream content, your ISP’s daily habit is to monitor your activities and throttle your connection. I’m going to talk about this in depth next, keep scrolling.

IMPROVE CONNECTION SPEED

The moment an ISP provides you with an internet connection, you get assigned a server to use automatically. Remember, you’re not the only one using the server. The problem here is that these servers get overloaded and might function slower as time goes by.

Luckily, by changing your DNS settings, you might avoid this issue. Once you tamper with your DNS, you may end up connecting to a server with low ping, which is considered to be very good. That way, you can workaround the slow connection that’s been imposed on you.

Circumvent Geo-restrictions

The essence of Amazon FireStick is that it’s a streaming device. However, what good is a streaming platform if you can’t access the good stuff? Ever wondered why you can’t watch BBC iPlayer outside the UK? Well, in this industry, that’s called regional restrictions.

Don’t fret. You’re here to learn and I’m here to guide you. You can easily circumvent the geo-blocks wherever you are if you make use of a Smart DNS provider. It’s an easy task if you know your way around. There are dozens of providers that offer Smart DNS services like Unlocator, BulletVPN, and ExpressVPN.

Here’s how all this works. Smart DNS tampers with the URLs that showcase where you are at the moment. Once what’s exposing your location is changed, you’ll appear to be browsing elsewhere. That way, you can stream geo-restricted content regardless of where you might physically be.

What About Safety?

Changing your DNS doesn’t encrypt your data or hide your IP address. This means that you’re still on your ISP’s radar no matter what. So, in short, changing your DNS is not safe or in other words, doesn’t get you an extra layer of security.

That’s the job of an internet tool called a VPN. So, if you want to protect yourself while online, then better invest in a Virtual Private Network. On the other hand, I mentioned 2 VPN providers above that include Smart DNS in their services. You can use those if you want the best of both worlds no? In case you don’t know your way around it, here’s how you can install VPN on Fire Stick.

Remember, you can’t use the two services at once. Do you want security and privacy? Then pay up with internet speed. Need to bypass restrictions with an untampered-with connection? Then expose yourself if you’re not that security minded. To guard yourself while using FireStick, check out these best VPNs in the following table.

Smart DNS Service Providers

When you operate with a Smart DNS service, your connection to a streaming website is sent via a proxy server. At the moment, your real location becomes obscured, qualifying you as an internet user where the server you connected to is located. Through that, streaming media services can be tricked.

For example, if you connect to a Smart DNS server in the US, you’ll have full access to American channels. It’s that easy, trust me. Now, here are my top Smart DNS providers:

ExpressVPN

It’s quite possible that ExpressVPN is the fastest VPN out there. This, combined with its spectacular unblocking capabilities, definitely makes it my first choice when it comes to streaming. That’s talking about it’s VPN features. How about MediaStream? This VPN has its own Smart DNS that’s almost capable of unblocking any streaming service desired.

BulletVPN

BulletVPN is an Estonia-based VPN provider that has become a favorite in just a short period of time. It has emerged as an outstanding VPN solution the internet users. But what’s really catchy here is that even though it’s new in the scene, it provides users with Smart DNS. A lot of servers, top unblocking capabilities, and the best security measures – well done BulletVPN.

SurfShark

When you download Surfshark on your FireStick, you’re basically ensuring yourself top-level security and privacy. Not only that, but within the app, you can choose servers located in over 65 countries, making it easy for you to unblock content on your device regardless of your location.

You can also configure Surfshark’s Smart DNS if security is not your priority. That way, you get to access restricted content while maintaining excellent speed rates.

Unlocator

Unlocator is a pure Smart DNS service that only sends DNS traffic related to geolocation to the needed location. No speed will be reduced when connected and it works on several platforms including PC, Mac, Apple TV, Roku, PS4, Xbox One, Phones, and even FireStick.

NordVPN

Finally, we have NordVPN. This service is by far the biggest in terms of server distribution. As NordVPN claims, it has more than 5000 servers scattered across 59 countries.

It unblocks major streaming services like Hulu, Netflix, and Amazon Prime Video, which is what you may be looking for if you’re using Amazon Fire Stick.

Aside from that, you have SmartPlay, NordVPN’s own Smart DNS that can be easily configured on your device. You can follow the setup guides provided on the service’s website.

Configure DNS on FireStick – Summing Up

This is a really simple guide, you guys. All you have to do is follow what I had to say carefully and you’ll witness a whole different FireStick experience. Don’t let your ISP’s throttling ruin your streaming mood. Not even geo-restrictions can cancel your binge-watching plans.