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EffVmob's avatar
EffVmob
Tuning in
10 months ago

Can't use WiFi when connected to private DNS

I am unable to use WiFi when using a private DNS on Android. I followed the steps in the solution here but I do not have any option for 'online security - websites'. Mine only gives the option of essential security or advanced which is paid for (I refuse to give any more cash to VM).

Under essential security there is virus protection or parental controls. I do not want to switch either on.

Please can someone tell me how I can continue to use private DNS & virgin media WiFi?

10 Replies

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  • Client62's avatar
    Client62
    Alessandro Volta
    10 months ago

    Using Android I set the Private DNS to : dns.google and the mobile works perfectly via VM Hub Wi-Fi.

    I am confused as to why your post covers "essential security or advanced" or "virus protection or parental controls", all of these are bypassed by using a Private DNS such as dns.google

  • EffVmob's avatar
    EffVmob
    Tuning in
    10 months ago

    I posted a link to a previous forum post with the exact same issue as mine & the solution for it said to add adguard in the online security - websites section of the account. I do not have that option available in my account so I stated what was available to me, that's why those things were mentioned in my post. I want to use adguard not google DNS.

  • Client62's avatar
    Client62
    Alessandro Volta
    10 months ago

    On the Android device set Private DNS to:  dns.adguard.com

  • EffVmob's avatar
    EffVmob
    Tuning in
    10 months ago

    I guess I am not making myself clear. I have set the private DNS on Android to Adguard, the problem is the WiFi will not connect when private DNS is in use. It is the same with cloudflare & others. When I switch off private DNS the WiFi works. As I want to use Adguard I am currently only using mobile data since again, I cannot use Virgin Media WiFi when connected to the private DNS on Android.

    I am asking if there is a way for me to connect to WiFi whilst using Android's private DNS. The previous post I linked has the same issue but as I have stated, the offered solution for that is not applicable to me because the route Account settings > Online security > Websites listed in the solution is not available in my account for whatever reason so I am asking if there is another way.

  • Client62's avatar
    Client62
    Alessandro Volta
    10 months ago

    Do you have a VM Hub 5 in Router mode with Smart Security enabled in the VM Connect app ?

    If yes, disable Smart Security it could well be blocking all attempts to use a Private DNS.

  • legacy1's avatar
    legacy1
    Alessandro Volta
    10 months ago

    what happened if you manually set a fixed IP and DNS on your phone does that work? or does VM terrible  Smart Security block all DNS that are not 194.168.4.100 and 194.168.8.100 because kids were getting around web safe?

    I say get your own router wiht 1Gb ports and put hub in modem mode

  • Client62's avatar
    Client62
    Alessandro Volta
    10 months ago

    Android requires Private DNS to be specified as say dns.google IPs like 8.8.8.8 are not permitted.

    From what we have seen, Hub 5 Smart Security redirects all DNS lookups to VM DNS for clients configured with any Public DNS accessed via Port 53 and worse blocks (user sees DNS lookup timeouts) attempts to use DoT & DoH. 

    Android Private DNS is DNS over TLS - hence asking about the Hub 5 Smart Security.

  • Roger_Gooner's avatar
    Roger_Gooner
    Alessandro Volta
    10 months ago

    I use dns.quad9.net which works fine. As an experiment I've just tried dns.adguard.com and that works too.

    I have my hub 5 in router mode.

  • EffVmob's avatar
    EffVmob
    Tuning in
    10 months ago

    I have Hub 3 which VM will not upgrade. I have tried Quad9 on Android & it is letting me connect to WiFi so I will stick with that.

  • Client62's avatar
    Client62
    Alessandro Volta
    10 months ago

    We also have a Hub 3 in Router mode and all the Android Public DNS I've tried work for me.

    If dns.adguard.com does not work for you, check the VM DNS is returning the corrects IP list ...

    C:\Users\Philip>nslookup dns.adguard.com
    Server: cache1.service.virginmedia.net
    Address: 194.168.4.100

    Non-authoritative answer:
    Name: dns.adguard.com
    Addresses: 2a10:50c0::ad1:ff
    2a10:50c0::ad2:ff
    94.140.15.15
    94.140.14.14