VPN & Proxy DNS Settings and DNS Leak Basics

Understand DNS requests, routing, DoH/DoT, TUN and common DNS problems.

What DNS does

DNS maps domain names to IP addresses. A working page does not by itself tell you where DNS queries are handled.

Common setups

Clients may use system DNS, DoH, DoT, local DNS or TUN-based interception depending on the client and core.

DNS leaks

A DNS leak can occur when queries take a path different from the intended resolver path. Check both the OS and client configuration.

Avoid unnecessary changes

Start with the client or provider defaults and change DNS only when you have a specific problem to solve.

Keep it reproducible

Change one network setting at a time and test after each change.