Every time you type a website address into your browser — say, getwifi.ca — a chain of lookups happens behind the scenes in milliseconds. That system is called DNS, the Domain Name System, and it's one of the most important (and least understood) parts of how the internet works.
This guide walks through exactly what DNS does, why it matters for your internet speed, and how changing one simple setting on your router can make your browsing feel noticeably faster.
What Is DNS?
DNS is often called "the phonebook of the internet." Computers communicate using numerical IP addresses (like 104.21.48.73 or the newer IPv6 format covered in our IPv6 guide), but humans remember words. DNS translates the domain names you type into the IP addresses your device needs to actually connect.
Without DNS, you'd have to memorize a string of numbers for every website you visit. With it, you just type a name and your browser handles the rest — usually in under 50 milliseconds.
What Happens When You Type a URL: Step by Step
Here's the full journey of a DNS lookup, from the moment you hit Enter to the moment the page starts loading.
Step 1: Your Browser Checks Its Own Cache
Your browser (Chrome, Firefox, Safari, Edge) keeps a short-term memory of recently visited domains. If you loaded getwifi.ca five minutes ago, the browser already knows the IP address and skips the rest of the lookup entirely.
This cache typically lasts anywhere from 60 seconds to a few minutes, depending on the website's configuration. That's why a site you visit regularly loads almost instantly — the DNS step is already done.
Step 2: Your Operating System Checks Its Cache
If the browser doesn't have it, the request passes to your operating system (Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android). The OS maintains its own DNS cache, which stores results from all applications — not just your browser.
On Windows, you can see what's in this cache by opening Command Prompt and typing ipconfig /displaydns. On macOS, the equivalent is managed automatically by the system resolver.
Step 3: Your Router Checks Its Cache
Still no match? The request goes to your home router, which also caches DNS results for every device on your network. If your laptop looked up a domain an hour ago, your phone can benefit from the cached result without sending a new query to the internet.
This is one reason a well-configured home network feels snappier — the router handles repeated lookups locally.
Step 4: The Recursive Resolver Does the Heavy Lifting
If no local cache has the answer, your router forwards the query to a recursive resolver — usually operated by your internet service provider (ISP). This is the server that does the actual work of tracking down the IP address.
The recursive resolver has its own massive cache (serving thousands of customers), so popular domains like Google, Netflix, or Amazon are almost always already cached. For less common domains, the resolver starts a multi-step lookup:
Step 5: Root Nameservers
The resolver first contacts one of 13 root nameserver clusters (labelled A through M, operated by organizations like ICANN, Verisign, and NASA). These root servers don't know the IP address of getwifi.ca, but they know where to find information about .ca domains.
The root server responds: "I don't know getwifi.ca, but here's the nameserver for all .ca domains — ask them."
Step 6: TLD Nameservers
The resolver follows that referral to the TLD (Top-Level Domain) nameserver for .ca, operated by the Canadian Internet Registration Authority (CIRA). The TLD server doesn't know the final IP either, but it knows which nameserver is authoritative for getwifi.ca.
Response: "The authoritative nameserver for getwifi.ca is ns1.example.com — ask them."
Step 7: The Authoritative Nameserver Answers
Finally, the resolver contacts the authoritative nameserver — the server that holds the actual DNS records for the domain. This server responds with the definitive answer: "getwifi.ca is at 104.21.48.73."
The resolver caches this answer (so it won't repeat the full chain for the next person who asks), sends it back to your router, which caches it, which sends it to your OS, which caches it, which sends it to your browser — and your page starts loading.
The entire process, when it has to go all the way to the authoritative server, takes about 20–120 milliseconds. With caching at any level, it's typically under 5 ms.
Common DNS Record Types
DNS doesn't just store IP addresses. A domain's DNS records contain several types of information:
| Record Type | What It Does | Example |
|---|---|---|
| A | Maps a domain to an IPv4 address | getwifi.ca → 104.21.48.73 |
| AAAA | Maps a domain to an IPv6 address | getwifi.ca → 2606:4700:3031::6815:3049 |
| CNAME | Points one domain to another domain | www.getwifi.ca → getwifi.ca |
| MX | Directs email to the right mail server | getwifi.ca mail → mx.zoho.com |
| TXT | Stores verification and security info | SPF records, domain verification |
You don't need to manage these yourself — your internet provider and website host handle them. But understanding what they are helps when troubleshooting connectivity issues.
How DNS Affects Your Internet Speed
DNS lookups happen before anything else loads on a web page. A slow DNS resolver adds delay to every new domain your browser contacts — and modern web pages often load resources from 10–30 different domains (analytics, fonts, ad networks, CDNs).
If your ISP's DNS resolver takes 80 ms per lookup instead of 10 ms, that's an extra 700–2,100 ms of delay scattered across the page load. You might not notice it on a single lookup, but the cumulative effect makes browsing feel sluggish.
This is one of the most common (and fixable) causes of a connection that tests fast on speed tests but feels slow in daily use. Your download and upload speeds might be fine — it's the DNS that's dragging.
How to Change Your DNS Server
You're not stuck with your ISP's DNS resolver. Switching to a faster public DNS server is one of the quickest internet improvements you can make — it's free and takes about two minutes.
Best Public DNS Servers for Canadians
| Provider | Primary | Secondary | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cloudflare | 1.1.1.1 |
1.0.0.1 |
Speed — consistently the fastest globally |
8.8.8.8 |
8.8.4.4 |
Reliability — massive infrastructure, easy to remember | |
| Quad9 | 9.9.9.9 |
149.112.112.112 |
Security — blocks known malicious domains automatically |
| CIRA Canadian Shield | 149.112.121.10 |
149.112.122.10 |
Privacy + Canadian servers — operated by CIRA, data stays in Canada |
CIRA Canadian Shield deserves special mention for Canadians. Run by the same organization that manages all .ca domains, it offers three tiers: Private (just DNS), Protected (blocks malware and phishing), and Family (adds adult content filtering). All servers are in Canada, so your DNS queries never leave the country.
How to Change DNS on Your Router (Recommended)
Changing DNS on your router applies the new DNS to every device on your network automatically — phones, tablets, smart TVs, everything. No need to configure each device individually.
- Log into your router's admin panel (usually
192.168.0.1or192.168.1.1— check the sticker on your router) - Find the DNS settings — typically under WAN, Internet, or Network settings
- Replace the existing DNS addresses with your chosen provider (e.g.,
1.1.1.1and1.0.0.1) - Save and reboot your router
If you're not comfortable changing router settings, you can also change DNS on individual devices. On Windows, go to Network & Internet → your connection → DNS server assignment. On macOS, System Settings → Network → your connection → DNS.
DNS Security: Keeping Your Lookups Private
Traditional DNS queries are sent in plain text — anyone monitoring your network (including your ISP) can see every domain you visit. Two newer protocols fix this:
DNS over HTTPS (DoH)
Encrypts DNS queries inside regular HTTPS traffic. Enabled by default in Firefox and available in Chrome, Edge, and Safari. Your ISP can't see which domains you're looking up — they only see encrypted web traffic.
DNS over TLS (DoT)
Similar encryption, but uses a dedicated port (853). More common in router firmware and Android's "Private DNS" setting. Slightly easier for network administrators to manage.
Both protocols prevent eavesdropping and tampering with DNS responses. If home network security is a priority, enabling DoH or DoT is a meaningful step — especially on public Wi-Fi networks where unencrypted DNS is most vulnerable.
Common DNS Problems and Fixes
When DNS goes wrong, the symptoms are distinctive: websites won't load even though your internet connection is fine, or some sites work while others don't. Here's what to check:
"This Site Can't Be Reached" (But Internet Works)
If speed tests work but websites won't load, the problem is almost always DNS. Try flushing your DNS cache:
- Windows: Open Command Prompt as administrator →
ipconfig /flushdns - macOS: Open Terminal →
sudo dscacheutil -flushcache; sudo killall -HUP mDNSResponder - Chrome: Navigate to
chrome://net-internals/#dns→ click "Clear host cache"
Slow Loading on First Visit, Fast on Repeat
This is normal DNS caching behaviour. If the first visit is unusually slow (2+ seconds before anything appears), your DNS resolver is likely slow. Switch to one of the public DNS providers above.
Some Websites Load, Others Don't
Could be a DNS server outage or filtering issue. Try switching to a different DNS provider temporarily to confirm. If the site loads on 1.1.1.1 but not your ISP's DNS, the problem is on their end.
DNS Works but Pages Still Load Slowly
DNS is just the first step. If pages load slowly after the initial connection, the bottleneck is likely your internet speed, Wi-Fi signal, or the website's own server. Check our troubleshooting slow internet guide for a complete diagnostic walkthrough.
DNS and Your Internet Plan
A faster DNS server won't increase your download speed — that's determined by your internet plan and connection type (fibre, cable, or wireless). What faster DNS does improve is the responsiveness of your connection — how quickly pages start loading after you click a link or type a URL.
For the best overall experience, pair a fast DNS server with the right internet plan for your household. Check current rates or use our sign-up page to find plans available in your area, whether you're in Calgary, Edmonton, Red Deer, or Fort McMurray.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is changing my DNS server safe?
Yes. You're simply telling your device to use a different phonebook for looking up website addresses. Public DNS providers like Cloudflare, Google, and CIRA are operated by major organizations with strong privacy policies. You can always switch back to your ISP's default DNS.
Will changing DNS make my internet faster?
It can make browsing feel faster by reducing the time it takes to start loading pages. It won't increase your actual download or upload speeds — those are set by your internet plan. The improvement is most noticeable if your current ISP DNS is slow or unreliable.
What does "DNS server not responding" mean?
This error means your device can't reach its configured DNS server. Common causes: your router needs a reboot, your ISP's DNS is temporarily down, or your DNS settings were changed (sometimes by malware). Try rebooting your router first, then switch to a public DNS server.
Should I use my ISP's DNS or a public one?
It depends. ISP DNS servers are sometimes located closer to you geographically, which can mean faster lookups. But many ISP DNS servers are slow, overloaded, or log your queries for marketing. Public DNS providers like Cloudflare and CIRA Canadian Shield are generally faster and more privacy-focused. Try both and see which feels snappier.
Get WiFi is a local Canadian internet provider offering high-speed fibre and cable internet across Alberta.
Part of the Get Energy family.