🔧

Router Setup Instructions

Configure your router to use HomeDefender as your DNS server and protect all devices on your network

📡

Your HomeDefender DNS Server

Use this IP address when configuring your router's DNS settings:

[Your HomeDefender IP]

💡Find your IP address on your HomeDefender device screen or in the admin dashboard at GuardHero.local

📋General Setup Steps

  1. 1

    Access your router's admin panel

    Usually accessible at 192.168.1.1 or192.168.0.1 in your web browser

  2. 2

    Log in with your router credentials

    Check the label on your router for default login information

  3. 3

    Navigate to DNS or DHCP settings

    Look for sections labeled "DNS", "DHCP Server", "Internet Settings", or "WAN Settings"

  4. 4

    Set Primary DNS to your HomeDefender IP

    Replace any existing DNS server addresses with your HomeDefender IP address

  5. 5

    Save and reboot your router

    Apply the changes and restart your router for the settings to take effect

Router-Specific Instructions

🔌TP-Link Routers▼
  1. Go to Advanced → Network → DHCP Server
  2. Under "Primary DNS", enter your HomeDefender IP:[Your HomeDefender IP]
  3. Leave Secondary DNS empty or use 8.8.8.8 as backup
  4. Click "Save" and reboot the router
🔌Netgear Routers▼
  1. Navigate to Advanced → Setup → Internet Setup
  2. Check "Use These DNS Servers"
  3. Enter your HomeDefender IP as Primary DNS:[Your HomeDefender IP]
  4. Click "Apply" and restart the router
🔌Linksys Routers▼
  1. Go to Connectivity → Local Network → DHCP Server
  2. Under "Static DNS 1", enter:[Your HomeDefender IP]
  3. Click "Apply" and reboot
🔌ASUS Routers▼
  1. Navigate to LAN → DHCP Server
  2. Set "DNS Server 1" to:[Your HomeDefender IP]
  3. Click "Apply" at the bottom
  4. Reboot router from Administration → System
🔌D-Link Routers▼
  1. Go to Setup → Internet Settings
  2. Select "Static DNS" and enter:[Your HomeDefender IP]
  3. Click "Save Settings" and reboot
🔌UniFi / Ubiquiti Routers▼
  1. Open UniFi Network Controller
  2. Go to Settings → Networks
  3. Edit your LAN network
  4. Expand DHCP section
  5. Under "DHCP Name Server", select "Manual" and enter:[Your HomeDefender IP]
  6. Click "Apply Changes"
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Using a Mesh Network?

Good news! Most mesh network systems allow you to change DNS settings in one place to protect all devices automatically. Check the mesh network guides below first.

Only configure individual devices if your mesh system doesn't support custom DNS settings.

Mesh Network DNS Configuration

Configure once, protect all devices on your network

📶Google Wifi / Nest Wifi▼
  1. Open the Google Home app
  2. Tap Wi-Fi
  3. Tap the gear icon (Settings)
  4. Tap Advanced networking
  5. Tap DNS
  6. Select Custom
  7. Enter your HomeDefender IP as the Primary DNS server
  8. Tap Save

✓ This will protect all devices connected to your mesh network

📶Eero Mesh▼
  1. Open the Eero app
  2. Tap the menu icon (three lines)
  3. Tap Network Settings
  4. Tap DNS
  5. Select Custom DNS
  6. Enter your HomeDefender IP in the Primary DNS field
  7. Tap Save

✓ This will protect all devices connected to your mesh network

📶Netgear Orbi▼
  1. Open the Orbi app or go to orbilogin.com
  2. Log in with your admin credentials
  3. Go to Advanced → Setup → Internet Setup
  4. Check Use These DNS Servers
  5. Enter your HomeDefender IP as Primary DNS
  6. Click Apply

✓ This will protect all devices connected to your mesh network

📶TP-Link Deco▼
  1. Open the Deco app
  2. Tap the menu icon (three horizontal lines)
  3. Tap Advanced
  4. Tap IPv4
  5. Tap DHCP Server
  6. Enter your HomeDefender IP as Primary DNS
  7. Tap Save

✓ This will protect all devices connected to your mesh network

📶Linksys Velop▼
  1. Open the Linksys app
  2. Tap the menu icon (three lines)
  3. Tap Network Administration
  4. Tap Local Network Settings
  5. Tap DHCP Server
  6. Enter your HomeDefender IP as DNS Server 1
  7. Tap Save

✓ This will protect all devices connected to your mesh network

📶ASUS AiMesh▼
  1. Open the ASUS Router app or go to router.asus.com
  2. Log in with your admin credentials
  3. Go to LAN → DHCP Server
  4. Set DNS Server 1 to your HomeDefender IP
  5. Click Apply

✓ This will protect all devices connected to your AiMesh network

Device-Specific DNS Configuration

If your mesh system doesn't support custom DNS, configure individual devices

📱iPhone & iPad (iOS/iPadOS)▼
  1. Open Settings app
  2. Tap Wi-Fi
  3. Tap the ⓘ icon next to your connected network
  4. Tap Configure DNS
  5. Select Manual
  6. Tap Add Server and enter your HomeDefender IP
  7. Remove any other DNS servers listed
  8. Tap Save
📱Android Phones & Tablets▼
  1. Open Settings app
  2. Tap Network & Internet (or Connections)
  3. Tap Wi-Fi
  4. Tap and hold your connected network, then select Modify Network
  5. Tap Advanced Options
  6. Under IP Settings, select Static
  7. In DNS 1 field, enter your HomeDefender IP
  8. Clear DNS 2 field or leave it empty
  9. Tap Save

Note: Steps may vary slightly depending on your Android version and manufacturer.

💻macOS (Mac computers)▼
  1. Open System Settings (or System Preferences)
  2. Click Network
  3. Select your Wi-Fi connection from the left sidebar
  4. Click Details (or Advanced)
  5. Go to the DNS tab
  6. Click the + button under DNS Servers
  7. Enter your HomeDefender IP address
  8. Remove any other DNS servers by selecting them and clicking -
  9. Click OK, then Apply
💻Windows PC▼
  1. Open Settings
  2. Go to Network & Internet
  3. Click Wi-Fi (or Ethernet)
  4. Click on your connected network
  5. Scroll down and click Edit under IP assignment
  6. Select Manual
  7. Toggle IPv4 on
  8. In Preferred DNS, enter your HomeDefender IP
  9. Clear the Alternate DNS field
  10. Click Save
💻Linux▼

Using NetworkManager (Ubuntu, Fedora, etc.):

  1. Open Settings
  2. Go to Network
  3. Click the gear icon next to your connection
  4. Go to IPv4 tab
  5. Turn off Automatic for DNS
  6. In the DNS field, enter your HomeDefender IP
  7. Click Apply

Using command line (alternative):

sudo nano /etc/resolv.conf

Replace the nameserver line with: nameserver [Your HomeDefender IP]

📺Smart TVs & Streaming Devices▼

Samsung Smart TV:

  1. Go to Settings → General → Network → Network Status
  2. Select IP Settings
  3. Change DNS Setting to Enter manually
  4. Enter your HomeDefender IP

LG Smart TV:

  1. Go to Settings → Network → Wi-Fi Connection
  2. Select Advanced Wi-Fi Settings
  3. Click Edit
  4. Uncheck Set Automatically
  5. Enter your HomeDefender IP in DNS Server field

Apple TV:

  1. Go to Settings → Network
  2. Select your Wi-Fi network
  3. Select Configure DNS
  4. Choose Manual
  5. Add your HomeDefender IP
🎮Gaming Consoles▼

PlayStation 5/4:

  1. Go to Settings → Network → Settings → Set Up Internet Connection
  2. Select your network and choose Advanced Settings
  3. Set DNS Settings to Manual
  4. Enter your HomeDefender IP for Primary DNS
  5. Leave Secondary DNS blank

Xbox Series X/S/One:

  1. Go to Settings → General → Network Settings
  2. Select Advanced Settings
  3. Select DNS Settings
  4. Choose Manual
  5. Enter your HomeDefender IP for Primary DNS

Nintendo Switch:

  1. Go to System Settings → Internet → Internet Settings
  2. Select your network and choose Change Settings
  3. Select DNS Settings
  4. Choose Manual
  5. Enter your HomeDefender IP for Primary DNS

✅Verify Your Setup

After configuring your router:

  • ✓Restart your devices or renew their DHCP lease
  • ✓Visit dnsleaktest.com to verify your DNS server
  • ✓Check your HomeDefender admin dashboard to see blocked queries
  • ✓Browse normally - your entire network is now protected!
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Need Help?

If you're having trouble setting up your router, consult your router's manual or contact your router manufacturer's support team. Each router model may have slightly different settings locations and menu structures.

Contact SupportBack to HomeDefender