To check if OpenDNS is active, please visit http://welcome.opendns.com. This article refers to "working" as seeing the check mark at http://welcome.opendns.com as seen in the image below. If you do not see the check mark, OpenDNS is not configured.
Scenario 0: OpenDNS is not working on any device. Most likely, you still need to set up OpenDNS on your network.
Scenario 3: OpenDNS is working on most of my computers and devices, but it isn't working on one or a few. Help!
Scenario 4: OpenDNS is working, but my filtering is not. Help!
Scenario 1: Just one computer is working
In this case, the most likely reason is that you've configured your computer directly for OpenDNS, but haven't configured your router! Please consult our router configuration instructions at https://support.opendns.com/forums/21618374 and set up your router's DNS settings for OpenDNS to include your whole network.
Why does the router need to be configured? The router is the hub of the network. When only one computer is configured, this setting is local to the computer and the router isn't aware that you've configured OpenDNS on the computer. In order for the router to actively distribute (or "tell" the other computers and devices on the network) to use OpenDNS as the DNS server, the router itself will need to be configured to use OpenDNS.
Need further assistance? Open a support ticket at https://dashboard.opendns.com/support/ and we'll be happy to help!
Scenario 2: Just one computer is working
For mobile devices, OpenDNS will only be able to work if the device is connected via WiFi to your router. If connected via a cellular network (3G/4G Data), OpenDNS will not be able function to apply your home network's filtering settings. Haven't configured your router yet? See https://support.opendns.com/forums/21618374 for configuration instructions.
Scenario 3: Working except one computer
In this scenario, you have configured OpenDNS on your router, and it works for most of the computers, tablets, and WiFi-Connected iOS and Android devices on your network, but it doesn't work on one computer. To confirm if your device(s) are configured for OpenDNS, please visit http://welcome.opendns.com and look for the check mark.
Potential Cause 1: Your computer is directly configured for another DNS Server, and therefore is bypassing the OpenDNS settings on your router.
Resolution 1: Check the configuration on your computer to ensure that different DNS server settings are not configured. On Windows, check your configuration using the Windows configuration instructions, but rather than enter the OpenDNS numbers, ensure that they are set to "Obtain DNS server address automatically". Instructions: https://support.opendns.com/forums/21618384.
For Mac OSX, be sure to remove the existing DNS entries (under Network Preferences -> Advanced -> DNS) and use the "-" button to remove the existing DNS servers. If you're experiencing difficulties, you may also configure directly for OpenDNS by entering in 208.67.220.220 and 208.67.222.222 using the "+" button.
Local DNS resolution Resolution Router providing incorrect DHCP DNS servers
Potential Cause 2: You are utilizing a VPN client or the Roaming Client/DNSCrypt and your IP address changes away from OpenDNS on its own.
Resolution 2: Please refer the following links for a VPN client or the Roaming Client/DNSCrypt.
Potential Cause 3: IPv6 (Internet Protocol Version 6) is enabled on your computer, and you have IPv6 DNS settings configured on your computer.
Resolution 3: Please ensure that if IPv6 is enabled (not recommended) that the only IPv6 DNS server is set to your router. We'd recommend disabling IPv6 altogether or setting it to Local Link Only on a Mac OSX machine by following the instructions on our disabling IPv6 guide here.
Potential Cause 4: There is software on your computer interfering with the OpenDNS setup that changes the DNS settings on your computer.
Resolution 4: There are several causes of this:
- Comcast/XFinity Constant Guard: See our Constant Guard Guide for more details on how to resolve.
- Avast! Antivirus 2015+: A new "Secure DNS" auto-configuration was added that overrides OpenDNS. See our Avast! article for a resolution.
Scenario 4: Working, but filtering isn't working or isn't correctly working
Resolution 1: We advise that you clear the cache on your network's devices to ensure that your DNS settings take effect immediately.
Please see Clearing the DNS Cache on Computers and Servers for more information in this regard. If you have trouble while using this guide, restarting or rebooting them should flush the DNS and web browser caches on your devices.
Resolution 2: Need further assistance? Open a support ticket at https://dashboard.opendns.com/support/ and we'll be happy to help! Be sure to include the results of a diagnostic test! To run the test and provide the results, please download it from the appropriate link below, open the tool, and click Run Test.
Mac http://www.opendns.com/download/mac/diagnostic
Windows http://www.opendns.com/download/windows/diagnostic
The URL should start with http://opendnsupdate.appspot.com/d/######.