AdGuard Home blocks ads on your entire network, but to do so, your devices need to know it exists. You can either configure your router to force every device to use AdGuard automatically, or configure specific devices manually.
Overview
Every time a device wants to load a website, it asks a DNS Server for the IP address. By default, devices ask your internet provider (Comcast, AT&T, etc.). We need to change the DNS Server on your devices to point to the IP address of your LocalNode.
The best way: Router-level configuration
If you change the DNS setting inside your Wi-Fi router, the router will automatically hand out the AdGuard address to every phone, laptop, TV, and smart fridge that connects to your Wi-Fi. You only have to do this once.
Find your LocalNode's IP address (e.g., 192.168.1.50).
Log into your home router's admin panel (usually 192.168.1.1 or 10.0.0.1).
Find the DHCP Settings or LAN Setup page.
Look for fields labeled "Primary DNS" and "Secondary DNS".
Enter your LocalNode's IP address in the Primary DNS field.
Leave the Secondary DNS field blank (if you put 8.8.8.8 here, devices will bypass the ad-blocker).
Save the settings and reboot your router.
⚠️ Warning: If your LocalNode is ever powered off or disconnected, your entire internet will stop working because the router won't be able to resolve DNS queries. Always ensure the LocalNode is running if it is set as the router's DNS.
If you cannot change your router's settings (common with ISP-provided combo routers like Xfinity xFi), you will need to set the DNS manually on each device you want protected:
Windows 10 & 11
Open Settings > Network & internet.
Click on your current connection (Wi-Fi or Ethernet).
Next to "DNS server assignment", click Edit.
Change the dropdown to Manual.
Toggle IPv4 on.
In the "Preferred DNS" field, enter your LocalNode's IP address.
Click Save.
macOS
Open System Settings > Network.
Click on your active connection (Wi-Fi or Ethernet) and click Details...
Click the DNS tab in the sidebar.
Click the + button at the bottom of the DNS Servers list.
Type in your LocalNode's IP address.
Remove any other IP addresses in the list.
Click OK.
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macOS DNS controls vary by version—use System Settings → Network → your interface → DNS when following these steps.
Tap the blue "i" icon next to your connected home network.
Scroll down and tap Configure DNS.
Change it to Manual.
Delete any existing servers, then tap Add Server and enter your LocalNode's IP address.
Tap Save in the top right.
Android
(Menu names vary slightly by manufacturer)
Open Settings > Network & internet > Internet.
Tap the gear icon next to your home Wi-Fi network.
Tap the Pencil (Edit) icon at the top right.
Under "Advanced options", change the IP settings from DHCP to Static.
Scroll down to DNS 1 and enter your LocalNode's IP address.
Tap Save.
💡 Tip: If you manually configure a mobile device (phone/laptop), the ad-blocking will only work while you are connected to your home Wi-Fi. If you want ad-blocking on cellular data, you must use WireGuard VPN.