The Complete Guide to DNS Ad-Blocking: Fire TV, Android TV, and Smart Home Setup
After months of testing different ad-blocking DNS servers across my smart home setup, I've finally found the sweet spot for blocking ads without breaking functionality. Here's everything I’ve learned about getting rid of those annoying ads on streaming devices.
Fire TV vs Android TV vs Roku: The DNS Reality Check
Here’s the part that surprised me: Fire TV and Android TV let you change DNS settings directly on the device—while Roku locks you out. But let’s be real: setting DNS at the router level is smarter anyway.
- Fire TV Setup: Settings → Network → Your Wi-Fi → Advanced → Change DNS
- Android TV Setup: Settings → Device Preferences → About → Status → IP Settings → Static → DNS 1 & DNS 2
- Roku: No option. Router-level setup is your only path.
Pro Tip: Skip setting DNS on every device. Set it at the router level and every device—your TV, phone, tablet, even that forgotten smart plug—gets ad-blocking instantly.
Real-World DNS Testing Results
I've been running these DNS servers on 2 Fire TVs, an Android TV, and a swarm of smart devices. Here’s what works:
AdGuard DNS (My Current Winner)
176.103.130.130 / 176.103.130.131
Blocks 80% of YouTube ads on Fire TV, no streaming issues, family-approved.
Quad9 (Reliable Backup)
9.9.9.9 / 149.112.112.112
Strong on security, mild on ad-blocking. Great fallback if AdGuard hiccups.
OpenDNS (Mixed Bag)
208.67.222.222 / 208.67.220.220
Better for parental controls than ad-blocking. Still catches some ads.
Alternate DNS (The Underdog)
76.76.19.19 / 76.223.122.150
IPv6: 2602:fcbc::ad / 2602:fcbc:2::ad
Surprisingly effective, quick response times. Check out: alternate-dns.com
Cloudflare (Speed Demon)
1.1.1.1 / 1.0.0.1
Blazing fast, zero ad-blocking. Use with their malware DNS (1.1.1.2 / 1.0.0.2) for added safety.
Router-Level Setup: The Smart Way
Why this rules:
- Set once, forget forever
- All devices get protected, even Rokus!
- No need to mess with individual device settings
- Guest devices are covered too
How to set it up:
- Open your router's admin page (usually
192.168.1.1
or 192.168.0.1
)
- Find the DNS settings (under Network, Internet, or Advanced)
- Swap out your ISP’s DNS with your preferred ad-blocking DNS
- Save settings and reboot the router
- Test on any device – you should see fewer (or zero) ads quickly
What Actually Gets Blocked?
- ✅ Banner ads (90–95%)
- ✅ Pop-ups
- ✅ Some YouTube ads (Fire TV only)
- ✅ Trackers and malware domains
- ❌ YouTube ads on phones (still tricky)
- ❌ Hulu ads (same domain as content)
- ❌ Social media sponsored posts
Heads-Up: Some apps might act up. If Netflix or Hulu misbehaves, switch back to your regular DNS temporarily for testing.
Troubleshooting Common Issues
- Slow loading? Try a closer DNS like AdGuard or Quad9.
- Broken sites? Might be over-blocking. Switch to a lighter DNS or add exceptions.
- Still seeing ads? DNS helps, but browser add-ons like uBlock Origin or tools like Pi-hole can catch the rest.
My Honest Take
DNS ad-blocking won’t kill every ad, but it takes out 80% with barely any effort. My setup has been rock solid, especially on Fire TV.
The router-level approach is 100% worth the 10-minute setup. Connect a new device? It’s instantly protected. Done and done.
Quick Start:
Start with AdGuard DNS (176.103.130.130 / 176.103.130.131) at your router. If you hit issues with specific apps, set Quad9 as your secondary. Easy, powerful, and maintenance-free.
Got a killer DNS to recommend? Drop a comment—I'm always testing new options.