How to Set Up Smart DNS on Chromecast

Chromecast does not let you change DNS settings directly on the device. To use Smart DNS, you’ll need to configure DNS settings on your router instead.

When you change DNS settings on your router, devices using that router's network receive those DNS settings. But this can vary if your router assigns different DNS values to specific devices or to a guest network.

Note: Smart DNS does not encrypt your internet traffic or hide your device's IP address the way a VPN does.

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Generate Your Smart DNS Address

Configure SmartDNS on Your Router

Generate Your Smart DNS Address

Start by signing in to the PIA control panel to request a Smart DNS address for your Chromecast.

  1. Select Smart DNS in the sidebar.

    Smart DNS option in the PIA account menu highlighted.

  2. Open the Select Device menu, choose Chromecast, then click Select.

    Chromecast option highlighted in the Smart DNS device selection list.

  3. Open the Select Location menu, choose your country, then click Select.

    Smart DNS location list and Select button highlighted.

  4. Note the Smart DNS address shown on screen.

    Generated Smart DNS IP address for Chromecast displayed in the PIA control panel.

Configure Smart DNS on Your Router

With your Smart DNS address ready, configure your router to use it.

  1. Open a web browser and enter your router's IP address to open the admin page. Common addresses include 192.168.1.1 and 192.168.0.1, but yours may be different.
  2. Sign in with your router's administrator credentials.
  3. Locate the DNS settings.
  4. Replace the existing DNS server addresses with your Smart DNS address (the one you copied earlier from your PIA account dashboard).
  5. Save the changes.
  6. Restart your router if required.
  7. Restart your Chromecast so it uses the new DNS settings.

Note: Router admin pages vary by manufacturer, so menu names and navigation may differ from the steps above.

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