Honest Software

Mullvad DNS Issue (And How to Fix It)

What's going on?

Some customer devices at Honest Repair were configured with Mullvad's public DNS service, which is a way to filter out bad internet traffic including ads, trackers, phishing links and more. Mullvad is shutting down this public service, so devices pointed at it can suddenly stop loading websites, even though Wi-Fi or Ethernet looks connected.

The fix is quick: we're switching you over to AdGuard DNS. It's free, encrypted, and blocks a lot of ads and trackers, so you keep the same privacy benefits you had before.

Find your device below and follow the steps. Most people are done in under five minutes.

Linux

I have created a script that does all the work for you. The command works even if your computer currently can't load any websites.

  1. Open the Terminal. The quickest way is to press Ctrl + Alt + T. You can also open the Menu and search for "Terminal."

  2. Copy the command below and paste it into the Terminal. To paste in Terminal, use Ctrl + Shift + V (or right click and choose Paste).

    curl -fsSL --resolve raw.githubusercontent.com:443:185.199.108.133 https://raw.githubusercontent.com/candroid-man/honest-mintify/main/fix-dns.sh | sudo bash

  3. Press Enter.

  4. When asked, type your computer password and press Enter. Heads up: nothing will appear on screen as you type. That's normal, it's a security feature.

  5. Wait for the green message that says DONE: internet is working. Then you can close the Terminal.

What the script does: it removes the old Mullvad DNS settings (keeping a backup), sets up AdGuard DNS with encryption, and tests the connection. If your network blocks encrypted DNS (some workplaces and hotels do), it automatically falls back to a mode that keeps you online. The script is also 100% open-source (MIT) and publicly auditable:

https://github.com/candroid-man/honest-mintify/blob/main/fix-dns.sh

Windows 11

Windows doesn't need a script. You'll just update a setting for each connection you use (Wi-Fi, Ethernet, or both).

Step 1: Open your connection settings

  1. Press Windows key + I to open Settings.
  2. Click Network & internet in the left sidebar.
  3. Choose the connection you're using:
    • On Wi-Fi: click Wi-Fi, then click Hardware properties.
    • On a cable: click Ethernet.

Step 2: Change the DNS servers

  1. Find DNS server assignment and click the Edit button next to it.

  2. In the dropdown at the top, choose Manual.

  3. Turn IPv4 on and fill in the fields like this:

    Field What to enter
    Preferred DNS 94.140.14.14
    DNS over HTTPS On (manual template)
    DNS over HTTPS template https://dns.adguard-dns.com/dns-query
    Fallback to plaintext Off
    Alternate DNS 94.140.15.15
    DNS over HTTPS On (manual template)
    DNS over HTTPS template https://dns.adguard-dns.com/dns-query
    Fallback to plaintext Off

Step 3: Repeat for other connections

The setting applies to one connection at a time. If you use a laptop on several Wi-Fi networks, or switch between Wi-Fi and Ethernet, repeat Steps 1 and 2 for each one while you're connected to it.

Step 4: Restart your browser

Close your web browser completely and open it again. If websites still don't load, restart the computer.

Android

Android has a built-in setting called Private DNS that makes this easy, and it covers both Wi-Fi and mobile data at once.

Open Settings and use the search bar at the top to search for Private DNS.

Then:

  1. Select Private DNS provider hostname.

  2. Delete whatever is in the box (it may say something like dns.mullvad.net) and type:

    dns.adguard-dns.com

  3. Tap Save.

You should be back online right away. If not, toggle Airplane mode on and off once.

If you see Mullvad listed (anything with mullvad in it), switch it to use your system/OS default, or set a custom provider of:

https://dns.adguard-dns.com/dns-query

If it already says default or doesn't mention Mullvad, you can leave it alone.

Confirm it worked

Open your browser and go to adguard-dns.io. Near the top of the page it will tell you whether you're currently using AdGuard DNS. If it says you are, you're all set!

Still stuck?

A few things to try before reaching out:

If none of that helps, contact me or visit me in my shop located in old town Fenton. I sincerely apologize for the inconvenience, unfortunately there is no way I could've foreseen this.