Changing DNS settings breaks internet connectivity

[SPS (Sean S)]

Hello!

I am running Windows 10 version 20H2, build 19042.685.

When I try to configure manual DNS under my adapter properties, DNS no longer resolves and my internet does not function properly. Moreover, when I use a VPN service, the internet does not function, presumably due to the same issue.

Some notes:

• This is not related to my network. This machine has been taken to several different networks, and the issue has persisted on all of them. Moreover, I have configured several other devices on the SAME network as the Windows 10 machine, all of which can use custom DNS or VPNs with ease.
• This issue does not persist if I set my DNS to configure automatically.
• The DNS server I am trying to use is not blocked on my network. Again, I have tried this on several networks so this should not be a concern, but I specifically tested it on other devices and made certain that any and all DNS servers I was attempting to use were in fact not blocked on the network.

Troubleshooting steps already attempted:

• Disabling antivirus (Bitdefender)
• Uninstalling antivirus
• Restarting several times
• Trying to set custom DNS on WiFi as well as Ethernet adapters (internet works on neither when custom DNS is configured)
• Resetting TCP/IP using netshell "netsh int ip reset"
• Flushing DNS cache using "ipconfig /flushdns"
• Disabling IPv6
• Booting into Safe Mode with Networking and attempting to make DNS changes there
• Running Network Troubleshooter (it could not identify the problem)

Any further information on reasons this might be happening as well as possible solutions would be greatly appreciated!!

See screenshot for a visual representation of how I am changing my DNS resolvers. On the second page "Internet Protocol Version 4 Properties", I choose "Use the following DNS server addresses" and enter in my DNS resolver.




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