Before You Run the Test — One Thing to Know
Most people run a DNS leak test once, see a result, and have no idea whether it's good or bad. The key is knowing what to expect. When your VPN is working correctly, the test results should show your VPN provider's DNS servers — not your internet provider's.
If you don't use a VPN, you'll always see your ISP's servers. That's normal. The test is only meaningful when you have a VPN active and you want to verify it's actually protecting your DNS traffic.
Ready to check? Run our DNS leak test — it shows your DNS servers in real time, no signup needed.
Run the DNS Leak Test →How to Run a DNS Leak Test — Step by Step
Open your VPN app and connect to any server. Make sure the connection is confirmed — not just connecting, but fully connected.
Visit the DNS leak test tool. The test sends a series of DNS requests and records which servers respond. It takes about 10 seconds.
The test shows a list of DNS servers that handled your requests — including their name, IP address, and provider. This is what you're analyzing.
If the servers listed match your VPN provider — you're protected. If they show your ISP's name or your real location — you have a leak.
How to Read the Results
Here's what each outcome means in plain English:
The results show your VPN provider's DNS servers. Your ISP cannot see which websites you're visiting. Your VPN is working as intended.
The results show your internet provider's DNS servers. Even with your VPN on, your ISP can see every website you look up. This is a DNS leak.
💡 Pro tip: Run the test twice — once without your VPN (to see your baseline ISP servers) and once with it on. If both results look the same, that's a clear sign of a leak.
What to Do If You Find a Leak
Don't panic — DNS leaks are fixable. Start with the quickest solutions first:
- Disconnect and reconnect your VPN — sometimes a simple reconnect is enough, especially if the leak started after a network change.
- Switch VPN server locations — try a different server in the same or a nearby country. Some servers are configured better than others.
- Enable DNS leak protection in your VPN settings — most reputable VPN apps have this option buried in advanced settings. Turn it on.
- Set your DNS manually — go to your device's network settings and set DNS to Cloudflare (1.1.1.1) or Google (8.8.8.8). This bypasses your ISP's DNS entirely.
- Disable IPv6 — if your VPN doesn't support IPv6, your IPv6 traffic leaks outside the tunnel. Disabling IPv6 in your network adapter settings stops this channel.
- Switch to a better VPN — free VPNs frequently leak DNS because they don't run their own servers. A paid VPN with dedicated DNS infrastructure is the most reliable long-term fix.
After each fix, run the DNS leak test again to confirm the leak is gone before assuming you're protected.
When Should You Run This Test?
A lot of people run it once, see "no leak," and never check again. That's a mistake — DNS leaks can appear after a VPN update, an OS update, or a network change even if everything was fine before.
It's worth running the test in these situations:
- After installing or updating your VPN app
- When connecting to a new Wi-Fi network (hotel, airport, café)
- After any major operating system update
- If your VPN connection dropped and reconnected automatically
- Any time privacy matters for what you're about to do online
Ready to check your DNS right now? The test runs in your browser — no download, no account.
Test for DNS Leaks →Frequently Asked Questions
How do I run a DNS leak test?
Connect your VPN, then visit a DNS leak test tool. The test checks which DNS servers are handling your requests. If the results show your VPN provider's servers, you're protected. If they show your ISP's servers, you have a leak.
What does a DNS leak test show?
It shows which DNS servers are processing your internet requests — including their name, IP address, and provider. If those belong to your ISP instead of your VPN, your browsing is visible to your provider.
Should I run a DNS leak test with or without a VPN?
Run it both ways for a complete picture. Without a VPN, you'll see your ISP's servers as a baseline. With your VPN on, you should see different servers. If the results are identical, your VPN has a leak.
What do I do if the test shows a leak?
Reconnect your VPN, try a different server, enable DNS leak protection in your VPN settings, or set your DNS manually to Cloudflare (1.1.1.1). Test again after each change to confirm it worked.
How often should I run a DNS leak test?
After any VPN update, when connecting to a new network, or after an OS update. Leaks can appear after software changes even if everything worked fine before.