How to Set up Smart DNS on Xbox

This guide explains how to configure the Private Internet Access (PIA) Smart DNS feature on your Xbox One or Xbox 360.

Note: Smart DNS works differently from a VPN connection. It changes how some DNS requests are handled, but it does not encrypt your internet traffic or provide the same privacy and security protections as the PIA app.

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Step 1: Get Your Smart DNS Address

Step 2: Configure Smart DNS on Your Xbox

Step 3: Restart Your Xbox

Step 4: Verify the Connection

Step 1: Get Your Smart DNS Address

The first step is getting your Smart DNS address from your PIA account.

  1. Log in to your PIA Client Control Panel.

  2. Navigate to the Smart DNS section, click the dropdown menu under Select Device, and select Xbox.

    The Smart DNS tab in PIA's Client Control Panel, with a highlighted "Xbox" option from the dropdown menu.

  3. Click Select next to it to confirm.

    The Smart DNS Setup page in the PIA Client Control Panel, with a highlighted "Select" button under "Select Device."

  4. Next, click to open the dropdown menu under Select Location and choose your preferred location.

    The Smart DNS tab in PIA's Client Control Panel, with a highlighted dropdown menu under "Select Location."

  5. Click Select to confirm the location choice.

    The Smart DNS Setup page in the PIA Client Control Panel, with a highlighted "Select" button under "Select Location."

  6. PIA will then generate a DNS IP address that you can copy or print by selecting the copy or print icon next to it.

    The "copy icon" and the "print icon" next to a generated Smart DNS IP address in the PIA Client Control Panel.

Step 2: Configure Smart DNS on Your Xbox

Xbox One

Turn on your Xbox One, then:

  1. From the Xbox dashboard, select Settings.
  2. Select General, then select Network settings.
  3. Select Advanced settings.
  4. Select DNS settings, then select Manual.
  5. Enter the DNS address from Step 1 as the Primary DNS. Leave the Secondary DNS blank.
  6. Select OK. You should see the message "It's all good — Your console is connected to the Internet."
  7. Select Continue.

Xbox 360

Turn on your Xbox 360, then:

  1. Go to My Xbox > System Settings > Network Settings.
  2. Select Wired Network or the name of your wireless network.
  3. Select Configure Network.
  4. On the Basic Settings tab, select DNS Settings.
  5. Select Manual.
  6. Select Primary DNS Server, enter the DNS address from Step 1, and select Done. Leave the Secondary DNS Server field blank.

Step 3: Restart Your Xbox

Restart your Xbox for the changes to take effect.

  • Xbox One: Hold the Xbox button on your controller and select the restart option.
  • Xbox 360: Go to Settings > Turn Off, wait 30 seconds, then power it back on.

Step 4: Verify the Connection

Once restarted, test your network connection to confirm everything is working correctly.

  • Xbox One: Go to Settings > General > Network settings and select Test network connection.
  • Xbox 360: Go to System Settings > Network Settings and select Test Xbox Live Connection.