DNS Leak Test – Check Your DNS Connection
A DNS leak can expose information about which DNS service is handling your domain-name requests. This can matter when you are using a VPN or privacy-focused network configuration.
Our DNS Leak Test provides a browser-based DNS diagnostic by sending the same DNS lookup through supported DNS-over-HTTPS resolvers and comparing the returned answers.
What Is a DNS Leak?
DNS, or Domain Name System, converts domain names such as example.com into IP addresses. Normally, your device sends DNS requests to a configured DNS resolver.
A DNS leak can occur when DNS requests are handled outside the DNS path you expected, for example when a VPN is connected but DNS requests continue to use another resolver.
Why Should You Run a DNS Leak Test?
- Check DNS behavior while using a VPN.
- Compare DNS resolution through different resolvers.
- Troubleshoot unexpected DNS results.
- Understand how DNS-over-HTTPS works.
- Check whether DNS resolution is available from your browser.
How Does This DNS Leak Test Work?
The tool sends DNS-over-HTTPS queries to supported public DNS resolver endpoints. It compares the DNS responses returned for the same test domains.
The test does not claim to know your operating system's configured DNS server when the browser does not expose that information. Instead, it clearly reports what the browser-based test actually measured.
DNS Leak Test and VPN
If you are testing a VPN, first connect to your VPN and then run this test. A browser-based DoH test is different from a complete operating-system DNS leak audit, so VPN users should also use their VPN provider's official leak-testing method when available.
DNS vs DNS-over-HTTPS
Traditional DNS commonly uses unencrypted DNS transport. DNS-over-HTTPS, often called DoH, sends DNS queries through HTTPS. This can provide additional transport privacy, although the resolver still receives the DNS request.
Can a Website Detect My DNS Server?
A normal webpage cannot directly inspect your operating system's DNS configuration. Websites can perform DNS-related tests using external infrastructure, but the results depend on the testing method and browser/network configuration.
What Does a DNS Leak Test Result Mean?
A resolver that successfully answers a DoH query is not automatically evidence that your system is leaking DNS requests. This distinction is important because browser DNS-over-HTTPS testing and operating-system DNS leak detection are different tests.
How to Reduce DNS Privacy Risks
- Use a trustworthy VPN with DNS leak protection.
- Use a trusted encrypted DNS service.
- Keep your browser and operating system updated.
- Check VPN DNS settings.
- Repeat DNS testing after changing network or VPN settings.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a DNS leak test?
A DNS leak test checks DNS resolution behavior and can help identify unexpected DNS handling when using privacy tools such as VPNs.
Can this tool detect my exact ISP DNS server?
Not necessarily. A browser cannot directly expose the operating system's DNS configuration. This tool reports the DNS-over-HTTPS tests it actually performs.
Is DNS Leak Test free?
Yes. The tool is designed to be free to use online.
Does DNS leak testing reveal my IP address?
A DNS test is different from an IP address test. This tool focuses on DNS resolution rather than pretending to identify your ISP's DNS configuration.
Can I use this tool with a VPN?
Yes. You can run the test while connected to a VPN and compare the behavior before and after connecting.
Is DNS-over-HTTPS the same as a VPN?
No. DNS-over-HTTPS encrypts DNS queries between the client and the DoH resolver. A VPN provides a broader network tunnel and can route other traffic as well.