Overview
Click on the answer that most closely matches your question or problem. If your issue is not listed below, please contact support.
- Getting Started
- I can't decide which subscription to use.
- How do I set up my router to use OpenDNS?
- How do I set up my computer to use OpenDNS?
- How do I set up my game console to use OpenDNS?
- How do I set up my tablet or smartphone to use OpenDNS?
- How do I set my smart device to use OpenDNS?
- How can I check if I'm using OpenDNS?
- Filtering and Controls
- Can I set a schedule for OpenDNS?
- How do I find the current content category of the site/domain?
- How do I report an incorrect Content Category?
- I can get to a website, but the pictures or videos on the site aren't loading.
- A site that should be blocked is being allowed.
- A site that should be allowed is being blocked.
- How do I report a malicious website?
- Stats Questions
- Adding Networks and Devices
- Can I register more than one network?
- Can I register an IPv6 network?
- I have an OpenDNS Umbrella Prosumer subscription, so why can't I add a network?
- When adding or updating my network IP Address, it says that it already exists.
- How can I keep my registered network up to date?
- Why do I keep having to update the IP of my registered network manually?
- When configuring the Parental Controls in my Netgear router, it says the device already exists.
- Configuration Issues
- Account Issues
- How can I update the email address on my account?
- How can I change the card information for my account?
- I no longer want to use OpenDNS, how do I remove it?
- How can I cancel my OpenDNS VIP subscription?
- How can I cancel my OpenDNS Umbrella Prosumer subscription?
- How can I delete my user account?
- I canceled OpenDNS, but it renewed anyway. How can I get a refund?
- Netgear Live Parental Controls
I can't decide which subscription to use.
There are a number of ways to use OpenDNS, so the right solution for you will depend on what you are hoping to accomplish. More details beyond what is covered below can be found on our product page: OpenDNS Home Internet Security.
If you are only looking for basic malware and phishing protection, and the ability to block adult content, this can be achieved using OpenDNS FamilyShield. This is a free service, that does not require you to set up an account. All you need to do is set your router to use 208.67.220.123 and 208.67.222.123 as it's DNS servers.
If you would like to be able to better curate what is or is not allowed on your network, then you can use OpenDNS Home. This will allow you to specify which content categories are blocked, and you can also block or allow 25 individual domains.
OpenDNS VIP is a paid solution that affords much of the same functionality as does OpenDNS Home but allows for you to block or allow up to 100 individual domains. It will also allow you to view up to a year's worth of stats.
If you are looking to only protect specific Windows or Mac computers, and to enforce those rules even when connected to other networks, you can use the OpenDNS Umbrella Prosumer subscription. This allows you to install the Umbrella Roaming Client on these devices, however it does not allow you to register or protect a network.
How do I set up my router to use OpenDNS?
OpenDNS is fairly simple to get set up, however it does require you to be comfortable with modifying your router's settings. Specifically, you will need to modify the DNS settings on the router, using the IP addresses listed below.
Due to the wide array of home routers that are available, we cannot provide precise steps for each individual router. If you need assistance with configuring your device, please contact either the device manufacturer or the ISP if you are using their router.
IPv4 DNS Server Addresses
- 208.67.220.220
- 208.67.222.222
- 208.67.220.222 (Optional)
- 208.67.222.220 (Optional)
OpenDNS FamilyShield DNS Server Addresses
- 208.67.220.123
- 208.67.222.123
IPv6 DNS Server Addresses
Note: OpenDNS does not currently allow you to register an IPv6 network, so custom filtering is not available.
- 2620:119:35::35
- 2620:119:53::53
How do I set up my computer to use OpenDNS?
If you are only wanting to configure OpenDNS on specific computers, this can be done, though the process varies depending on the operating system you are using. You can visit the articles below for Windows or macOS devices. For Linux devices, please refer to your distro's documentation.
The IP addresses for our DNS resolvers are as follows:
IPv4 DNS Server Addresses
- 208.67.220.220
- 208.67.222.222
- 208.67.220.222 (Optional)
- 208.67.222.220 (Optional)
OpenDNS FamilyShield DNS Server Addresses
- 208.67.220.123
- 208.67.222.123
IPv6 DNS Server Addresses
- 2620:119:35::35
- 2620:119:53::53
How do I set up my game console to use OpenDNS?
Protecting your game console can be done either on the network as a whole or on the device itself. For network configuration, please refer to the section How do I set up my router to use OpenDNS?
To set up OpenDNS on the console itself the process will vary slightly, though all you need to do is navigate to the system settings, then network settings, and add our DNS server IP addresses. If you need device-specific assistance to do this, please refer to the manufacturer's documentation for the console, or contact their support team for assistance.
The IP addresses for our DNS resolvers are as follows:
IPv4 DNS Server Addresses
- 208.67.220.220
- 208.67.222.222
- 208.67.220.222 (Optional)
- 208.67.222.220 (Optional)
OpenDNS FamilyShield DNS Server Addresses
- 208.67.220.123
- 208.67.222.123
IPv6 DNS Server Addresses
- 2620:119:35::35
- 2620:119:53::53
How do I set up my tablet or smartphone to use OpenDNS?
To protect a tablet or smartphone using OpenDNS, you will need to set up OpenDNS as the DNS servers in your network's router. Please refer to the section linked below for more details:
How do I set my smart device to use OpenDNS?
To protect a smart device using OpenDNS, you will need to set up OpenDNS as the DNS servers in your network's router. Please refer to the section linked below for more details:
How can I check if I'm using OpenDNS?
The easiest way to check if you are using OpenDNS would be to visit welcome.opendns.com, which should tell you rather you are protected by OpenDNS or not. There are additional test domains available as well. Some of the more commonly used test domains are examplemalwaredomain.com, internetbadguys.com, and exampleadultsite.com.
Can I set a schedule for OpenDNS?
Unfortunately, OpenDNS does not have the ability to set specific times during which to enforce filtering. The same settings will be enforced all day, every day, so long as DNS requests are still being sent to OpenDNS.
How do I find the current Content Category of the site/domain?
There are currently two places this can be checked. The first to by visiting https://community.opendns.com/domaintagging/, the second is by visiting https://talosintelligence.com/ which will also give some background information on the site/domain.
How do I report on incorrect Content Categories?
Currently, the best way is to open a ticket with OpenDNS support, and we will submit a request to the security research team to have the domain recategorized.
I can get to a website, but the pictures or videos on the site aren't loading.
A common scenario we see would, for example, be that you can access YouTube, but the thumbnails and videos are not loading. This is due to how the internet works today. Many sites will use Content Delivery Networks (CDNs) to host the actual content for the site, with the site you visit in your browser being more of a user interface. These CDNs are often times categorized the same as the main site they are for, so if you are blocking the Video Sharing category, but have allowed YouTube, you will also need to allow the CDNs.
If you are having this issue, we have a list of sites we see this with the most available here. If the site you are having the issue with is not listed or allowing the domain(s) listed does not fix the issue, please collect a HAR file using the instructions found here, and send the resulting file as an attachment to OpenDNS support.
A site that should be blocked is being allowed.
The first item to check would be that you are pointed to OpenDNS. To do this, simply navigate to welcome.opendns.com, which should tell you rather or not you are resolving through OpenDNS.
If you are not resolving through OpenDNS, then you will need to check your device or router configuration to ensure that you are pointing to our resolvers. If you need device-specific instructions on how to do this, please refer to either the device manufacturer or the ISP if it is their equipment.
If you are pointing to OpenDNS, but the traffic is still being allowed, we will need you to run a diagnostic report. To generate a diagnostic report using our Stand-Alone Diagnostic Tool, please download and run the file from the following link: Umbrella Diagnostic Tool
Add the domain being allowed to the "Domain to test" field.
Once the test completes it will generate a URL. Please copy and paste that URL into an email to support@opendns.com. If the test is unable to generate the URL, a text file will be created. Please attach this text file to your email instead.
It may also be helpful if you could run a DNS leak test as well. To do this, simply navigate to https://www.dnsleaktest.com, run the extended test, and send us a screenshot of the results.
A site that should be allowed is being blocked.
Please review your dashboard settings and ensure that the settings you had selected are still in place. If they are, then we will need you to run a diagnostic report. To generate a diagnostic report using our Stand-Alone Diagnostic Tool, please download and run the file from the following link: Umbrella Diagnostic Tool
Add the domain being blocked to the "Domain to test" field.
Once the test completes it will generate a URL. Please copy and paste that URL into an email to support@opendns.com. If the test is unable to generate the URL, a text file will be created. Please attach this text file to your email instead.
How do I report a malicious website?
If you encounter a site hosting malware, phishing, or anything else suspicious, we now have an automated tool to submit the domain to our Security Research Team. Just send us a preformatted email and your review will begin right away - no need for a support engineer to be assigned. For details, please see the article for Rapid No-Reply Umbrella Security Review Requests. Note that this can only be used for domains that are security concerns.
If however, you have a question regarding the content categorization of a domain, please contact OpenDNS for assistance with correcting the category.
Can I see who visited a specific website?
OpenDNS does not offer the ability to show which device or individual made a specific request. The stats reported only show that we received a request from your network for that particular domain, but we, unfortunately, do not have anything more granular than that for OpenDNS customers.
Can I see what time a site/domain was visited?
The stats provided for OpenDNS customers do not include any timestamps, so there is unfortunately no way to see when a site was visited.
Can I see how long someone visited a site/domain?
Unfortunately not. As a DNS service, this would be beyond our capabilities to report on. We can show that a particular site/domain was requested, but after the domain name has been resolved, we do not have any visibility into the time spent.
Can I see specifically what they were looking at on a site/domain?
Unfortunately not. As a DNS service, this would be beyond our capabilities to report on. We can show that a particular site/domain was requested, but after the domain name has been resolved, we do not have any visibility into the specific URL or content that they were actually browsing.
Can I register more than one network?
OpenDNS accounts are only able to register a single /32 IPv4 network. Larger ranges or multiple networks are not currently permitted.
Can I register an IPv6 network?
It is currently not possible for OpenDNS accounts to register an IPv6 address to their dashboard.
I have an OpenDNS Umbrella Prosumer subscription, so why can't I add a network?
The OpenDNS Umbrella Prosumer subscription does not provide the ability to register a network. This subscription is intended for use in situations where you either need specific control for specific Windows or Mac computers, you need off-network protection for the same, or when there are no other devices that you wish or need to protect. If you need network protection as well, you would need to use a second account using either OpenDNS Home or OpenDNS VIP.
When adding or updating my network IP Address, it says that it already exists.
Currently, this needs to be resolved by OpenDNS support staff. We will need you to run a diagnostic report and send us the results. To generate a diagnostic report using our Stand-Alone Diagnostic Tool, please download and run the file from the following link: Umbrella Diagnostic Tool
Add the domain examplemalwaredomain.com to the "Domain to test" field.
Once the test completes it will generate a URL. Please copy and paste that URL into an email to support@opendns.com. If the test is unable to generate the URL, a text file will be created. Please attach this text file to your email instead.
How can I keep my registered network up to date?
Keeping your dynamic IP address automatically up to date is critical for proper filtering enforcement. This requires the use of a Dynamic IP updater client. This can be configured on any operating system, and we have OpenDNS-specific clients available for both Windows and macOS. Linux users will typically use ddclient.
- What is the OpenDNS Dynamic IP Updater Client?
- How to Configure the Dynamic IP Updater Client
- Linux IP Updater for Dynamic Networks
Additionally, if your router supports the configuration of a dynamic DNS service (DynDNS, No-IP, etc) you can sync this with your OpenDNS network using DNS-O-Matic. To set this up, please visit https://dnsomatic.com/.
For assistance with configuring the updater service on the router, please refer to either the documentation for the specific service you are using, the device documentation, or the support team for the device manufacturer. OpenDNS will generally not be able to directly assist with the configuration of third-party updater services/clients.
Why do I keep having to update the IP of my registered network manually?
There are usually only two scenarios we see for this issue. The first being that you have not yet set up a Dynamic IP Updater Client. The second is that you have set it up, but there is an issue preventing the network from being updated. If you have already set up an updater client, then it would be our recommendation to try updating the login credentials for the updater client. If you are still having issues, then please contact OpenDNS support.
When configuring the Parental Controls in my Netgear router, it says the device already exists.
When the router you are using has been registered previously, we will need to remove the old registration. To do so, we will need you to send us a screenshot from the router dashboard of the MAC Address. This is usually listed under the "Internet Port".
Please note that a screenshot of the label on the underside of the router will not be sufficient proof of ownership for removal.
I set up OpenDNS and now I don't have internet.
The good news is that it is extremely unlikely that this is actually the case. The first thing to test is the internet connection itself, which can be done by opening your command prompt, and running the command "ping 208.67.220.220". This should return 4 results on Windows and on Mac/Linux it will run until you hit ctrl+c. When this is working you will see each of these results with some statistics about how long each took. Otherwise, if it is truly failing, you will see each request return a time out.
If you are receiving timeouts, this would mean that the internet connection is down completely, so you will need to contact your Internet Service Provider to report the outage.
If this is working, it may just be a simple misconfiguration. In this event, please run a diagnostic report. To generate a diagnostic report using our Stand-Alone Diagnostic Tool, please download and run the file from the following link: Umbrella Diagnostic Tool and add the domain examplemalwaredomain.com to the "Domain to test" field.
Once the test completes it will generate a URL. Please copy and paste that URL into an email to support@opendns.com. If the test is unable to generate the URL, a text file will be created. Please attach this text file to your email instead.
Why am I getting OpenDNS blocks when I don't use OpenDNS?
In order for our DNS protection to work, the DNS requests for your device or network need to be sent to our resolvers. The most common scenario we encounter with this is just that whoever maintains the network you are having issues with has set up the network to use OpenDNS for DNS resolution. As such, you will need to contact them about the issue.
Alternatively, if you recently bought a used router, it could be something that was configured by the previous owner. If you do not know how to make the necessary changes for this, we can check if the router is registered to another user's account (this only applies to certain Netgear routers). Otherwise, you will need to contact the device manufacturer or your ISP if it is their equipment for assistance with removing the configuration.
OpenDNS hacked my network/computer.
You can rest assured that OpenDNS has not hacked your network. In order for you to be seeing OpenDNS block pages, the device you are using or the network you are connected to need to have been set up by someone who has administrator access to the device/network to use OpenDNS. As such, you will need to contact them about the issue.
Alternatively, if you recently bought a used router, it could be something that was configured by the previous owner. If you do not know how to make the necessary changes for this, we can check if the router is registered to another user's account (this only applies to certain Netgear routers). Otherwise, you will need to contact the device manufacturer or your ISP if it is their equipment for assistance with removing the configuration.
How can I update the email address on my account?
To change the email address on your OpenDNS account, log into your dashboard, click My Account at the top, and then select Email Settings from the list on the left. Alternatively, you can get to this page directly by navigating to https://dashboard.opendns.com/myaccount/email.
How can I change the card information for my account?
OpenDNS support can generate a link to update your payment information for your account. To do this, please contact the support team using the email associated with your account, and we can send you this link.
I no longer want to use OpenDNS, how do I remove it?
Removing OpenDNS will vary slightly depending on how it is configured. The simple answer is to change the DNS servers to another DNS service. The sticking point here is that it could be configured on the computer itself, or within the router so as to affect the whole network, though the network configuration is far more common. Due to the multitude of different home routers on the market, we cannot provide specific instructions for this process. As such, you will need to contact the device manufacturer or your ISP if it is their equipment for assistance with removing the configuration.
If OpenDNS was instead configured on your computer directly, please visit the documentation linked below for your operating system. Though these are for setting up OpenDNS, the process is the same to remove it, it's just a matter of using different DNS servers.
How can I cancel my OpenDNS VIP subscription?
We'll be sad to see you go, but luckily this can be done easily from within your dashboard. To do this, simply login to your OpenDNS account at http://dashboard.opendns.com, go to the Home page and click on the Manage This Organization link and select Plan Info. On the next page, scroll down to where it says Cancel Your Subscription.
How can I cancel my OpenDNS Umbrella Prosumer subscription?
We'll be sad to see you go. For Prosumer customers, there is no in-dashboard method to cancel the subscription. Please contact OpeDNS support for assistance with cancelling your subscription.
How can I delete my user account?
We'll be sad to see you go, but luckily this can be done easily from within your dashboard. To do this, simply login to your OpenDNS account at http://dashboard.opendns.com, select My Account at the top, the Delete Account from the menu on the left of that page. You will need to enter your password to confirm.
I canceled OpenDNS, but it renewed anyway. How can I get a refund?
If you have already canceled your account but were charged for a subscription renewal, please send an email to accounting@opendns.com to request a refund. Please note, however, that refunds can only be issued within 60 days of purchase.
Netgear Live Parental Controls
2021 will be the last year the Netgear Live Parental Controls will be supported. Netgear has announced that they will be removing the feature from their firmware. For our part, OpenDNS will continue to support the dashboard and filtering provided by this integration through the end of the calendar year. However, once that period has ended, it will be necessary to set up OpenDNS using the router's DNS settings, as detailed in the Generalized Router Configuration Instructions article.
With this in mind, if you are having issues related to the Live Parental Controls, it may be a better option to switch to the DNS settings configuration instead so as to get ahead of the eventual end of support for the integration. Please remember however, that this will also require you to set up the OpenDNS Dynamic IP Updater client, as detailed in the article How to configure the OpenDNS Dynamic IP Updater Client?.