NETGEAR is aware of a growing number of phone and online scams. To learn how to stay safe click here.
Forum Discussion
Solved
RBR850 Unable to set custom primary and secondary DNS servers
I recently noticed that my Orbi home network was no longer using "Open DNS" DNS servers as I had configured it a few years back. I am not sure on when this changed. To troubleshoot, I went into the Advanced -> Internet Setup page on routerlogin.com and noticed that the Domain Name Server (DNS) Addresses section is grayed out, with "Get Automatically from ISP" checked. I am unable to select "Use These DNS Servers".
Does anyone have any idea how to configure overrides for primary and secondary DNS servers? Earlier today I upgraded manually to the latest firmware and performed factory resets on all my Orbi devices, just to see if it helped, but the problem remains (grayed out option). Any thoughts?
I have provided a screenshot of the relevant section below.
Thank you!
Model: RBR850 with 2 satellites
Firmware: V4.6.8.5_2.1.9
Environment: Comcast cable
Cable Modem: Arris SB8200
Finally solved it. Leaving some paper trail for others:
- There are a few reasons why DNS servers will change, here is some information on this: DNS Servers Keep Changing Away from OpenDNS Automatically – OpenDNS.
- Turning Parental Controls on or off has no impact on the ability to change the DNS servers.
- How to change the DNS servers if they are "grayed out": factory reset the router without being plugged into internet. You will have to proceed even past scary warnings that you should not set up the router without being connected to the internet. If you are configuring your own DNS settings then you probably know what you are doing, however. The DNS server settings will be configurable after factor reset. Once you have configured them, you can now connect internet (eg, from your cable modem). You will find that the DNS servers are "locked" / grayed out once again, but at least they will be your chosen DNS servers.
12 Replies
I think I saw this before on my router. It can be that it's just "stuck" there. Try to just check the previous section "Internet IP Address" to "Use Static IP Address" and back to "Get Dynamically". I think then the DNS selection possibility will open. 🙂
Hello, thank you for your thought. I have tried your suggestion but the options remain grayed out.
Is Armor or SPC enabled? If so, disable these and try again?
filmnikon wrote:
I recently noticed that my Orbi home network was no longer using "Open DNS" DNS servers as I had configured it a few years back. I am not sure on when this changed. To troubleshoot, I went into the Advanced -> Internet Setup page on routerlogin.com and noticed that the Domain Name Server (DNS) Addresses section is grayed out, with "Get Automatically from ISP" checked. I am unable to select "Use These DNS Servers".
Does anyone have any idea how to configure overrides for primary and secondary DNS servers? Earlier today I upgraded manually to the latest firmware and performed factory resets on all my Orbi devices, just to see if it helped, but the problem remains (grayed out option). Any thoughts?
I have provided a screenshot of the relevant section below.
Thank you!
Model: RBR850 with 2 satellites
Firmware: V4.6.8.5_2.1.9
Environment: Comcast cable
Cable Modem: Arris SB8200
