How to Set Up FirewallDNS on Chromebook
By [FILL IN], [FILL IN] · Last updated
ChromeOS supports custom name servers per network and a system-wide secure DNS setting. Managed Chromebooks may have these settings locked by the school or company administrator.
Requirements
- A FirewallDNS account with your public IP address registered in the dashboard
- Your FirewallDNS addresses, shown under [VERIFY: dashboard menu name where these values are shown]
- A Chromebook that is not locked by device management
- Optional: your DoH URL
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Step by step
1.Select the time in the bottom-right corner, then select Settings.
Image placeholder: screenshot of step 1 on Chromebook [VERIFY] 2.Select Network, then select the connected Wi-Fi or Ethernet network.
Image placeholder: screenshot of step 2 on Chromebook [VERIFY] 3.Open the Network section and scroll to Name servers.
Image placeholder: screenshot of step 3 on Chromebook [VERIFY] 4.Choose Custom name servers.
Image placeholder: screenshot of step 4 on Chromebook [VERIFY] 5.Enter [VERIFY: FirewallDNS primary DNS address] and [VERIFY: FirewallDNS secondary DNS address].
Image placeholder: screenshot of step 5 on Chromebook [VERIFY] 6.For encrypted DNS, go to Settings > Privacy and security > Security and turn on Use secure DNS.
Image placeholder: screenshot of step 6 on Chromebook [VERIFY] 7.Choose With: Custom and enter [VERIFY: your personal DoH URL from the dashboard].
Image placeholder: screenshot of step 7 on Chromebook [VERIFY] 8.Disconnect and reconnect the network.
Image placeholder: screenshot of step 8 on Chromebook [VERIFY]
How to verify it works
- Visit a few websites in Chrome.
- Open the query log in your FirewallDNS dashboard and confirm that new lookups from your network appear within a few seconds.
How to revert
- Settings > Network > your network > Name servers > Automatic name servers.
- Settings > Privacy and security > Security > Use secure DNS: choose the default or turn off.
Troubleshooting
- Settings are greyed out
- The Chromebook is managed. Ask the administrator to set DNS via the admin console or the network.
- Lookups bypass custom name servers
- Secure DNS may be using another provider. Set it to FirewallDNS or turn it off.
- Android apps behave differently
- Android apps normally follow the ChromeOS network settings; restart the Chromebook.
FAQ
Can schools set DNS for all Chromebooks?
Yes, through the Google Admin console or by filtering the school network.
Do custom name servers apply to every network?
No, they are per network. Secure DNS applies system-wide.
Does secure DNS work at home and at school?
Yes, it follows the Chromebook between networks.
Is a FirewallDNS DoH URL available?
[VERIFY: DoH availability in the dashboard]
What if I cannot change anything?
Use router-level DNS on the networks you control.