AdGuard DNS Blocking for Smart TV Ads: How to Set It Up

Yes, AdGuard DNS can block ads on most smart TVs, including those in apps like YouTube, Hulu, and Netflix, by filtering the domain names that serve ads before they reach your TV. You set it up by changing your router’s DNS settings or by configuring the DNS directly on your TV, and the effect applies to every device on your network. This article explains how it works, how to configure it, what it can and cannot block, and answers common questions.

How DNS-Based Ad Blocking Works

When your smart TV loads an app or a webpage, it asks a DNS (Domain Name System) server to translate a human-readable domain name (like ads.example.com) into an IP address. Normally, your internet service provider (ISP) handles this automatically. AdGuard DNS instead maintains a blocklist of known ad, tracker, and malware domains. When your TV requests one of those domains, the DNS server responds with a “blocked” address (often 0.0.0.0) instead of the real IP, so the ad content never loads.

This method is efficient because it works at the network level—every device that uses your router’s DNS gets filtered without installing any software on the TV itself. It also reduces the amount of data your TV downloads and can speed up app loading times because ad servers are not contacted.

Setting Up AdGuard DNS on Your Router

The most comprehensive way to block ads on your smart TV (and all other devices) is to change the DNS settings on your router. This ensures that every device on your Wi-Fi or Ethernet network uses AdGuard’s DNS automatically.

1. Log into your router’s admin panel. This is usually done by entering an IP address like 192.168.1.1 or 192.168.0.1 into a web browser. Check your router’s manual or the sticker on the device for the exact address and login credentials.
2. Find the DNS settings. They are often under “Internet,” “WAN,” “Network,” or “DHCP” sections. Look for fields labeled “Primary DNS” and “Secondary DNS.”
3. Enter AdGuard’s DNS server addresses. For the public AdGuard DNS (which includes ad blocking), use:
   • Primary: 94.140.14.14
   • Secondary: 94.140.15.15

   If you want family protection (ad blocking plus adult content filtering), use 94.140.14.15 and 94.140.15.16 instead.

4. Save the settings and reboot your router if prompted.

After this, your smart TV should start blocking ads. You can verify by visiting a site like adguard.com on a computer connected to the same network and checking the “DNS” section—it should show that you are using AdGuard.

Setting Up AdGuard DNS Directly on the TV

If you cannot change your router’s DNS (for example, you don’t have the admin password), you can often set DNS on the TV itself. The steps vary by brand and operating system, but generally:

• Android TV / Google TV: Go to Settings → Network & Internet → select your Wi-Fi network → modify network → set IP settings to “Static” → enter the DNS addresses you want (use 94.140.14.14 and 94.140.15.15).
• LG (webOS): Go to Settings → Network → Wi-Fi connection → Advanced settings → set DNS to “Manual” and enter the addresses.
• Samsung (Tizen): Go to Settings → General → Network → Network Status → IP settings → DNS setting → enter manually.

Note that if your TV uses DHCP (which is typical), changing the DNS on the TV may not stick after a reboot. In that case, router-level configuration is more reliable.

What AdGuard DNS Can and Cannot Block

AdGuard DNS effectively blocks ads that are served from dedicated ad domains. For example, many in-app banner ads, pre-roll video ads, and tracking scripts are hosted on separate domains that appear on AdGuard’s blocklist. If the ad is served from the same domain as the content (like some ads on YouTube), DNS blocking may not work because blocking that domain would also block the video itself.

Here’s what you can expect:

• Blocks: Most third-party display ads, pop-up ads, tracking pixels, and some video ads that come from known ad servers.
• Does not block: Ads that are embedded within the same domain as the content (e.g., some YouTube ads, ads inside certain apps that use the app’s own domain). Also, it won’t block ads that are pre-loaded into the app’s cache before DNS filtering takes effect.
• May break some content: Occasionally, a legitimate website or app may use a domain that is on a blocklist, causing missing videos or broken features. You can usually whitelist those domains if you use AdGuard’s private DNS service (which requires an account).

For YouTube specifically, DNS blocking often fails because Google serves ads from the same domain as the video content (googlevideo.com). You may need a dedicated ad-blocking app or a modified client, which is against YouTube’s terms of service and not recommended.

Common Problems and Troubleshooting

If ads are still appearing after setting up AdGuard DNS, try these steps:

• Check if DNS is actually applied: On your TV, go to network settings and verify that the DNS field shows the AdGuard IP addresses. If it shows your ISP’s DNS, the setting did not take effect.
• Clear the TV’s cache: Some apps store ad data locally. Go to Settings → Apps → select the app → Clear cache. This forces the app to fetch new data, which will then be filtered.
• Reboot the TV and router: A simple restart often resolves DNS caching issues.
• Use a different AdGuard DNS server: If the default server is not working, try the family protection server (94.140.14.15) or the non-filtering server (94.140.14.14) to see if the issue is with the blocklist.
• Router firmware limitations: Some routers override manual DNS settings. Check if your router has a “DNS rebind” or “DNS proxy” option that might interfere.

If you are using a VPN on your TV, the VPN’s DNS may override AdGuard’s. Disable the VPN or configure its DNS settings to use AdGuard.

AdGuard DNS vs. Other Ad-Blocking Methods

There are several ways to block ads on a smart TV, and DNS is just one. Here’s a comparison:

• AdGuard DNS (free): Easy to set up, works network-wide, no installation needed. Limited to DNS-level blocking.
• Pi-hole (free, self-hosted): A hardware/software solution that acts as a network-wide DNS blocker. More control, but requires a Raspberry Pi or similar device and some technical knowledge.
• AdGuard Home (free, self-hosted): Similar to Pi-hole, but can run on Windows, Linux, or a router. Offers more features like per-client blocking.
• Ad-blocking apps on the TV: Some Android TVs allow installing ad-blocking apps (like Blokada). This works at the app level and can block more, but may require sideloading and can affect performance.
• Router-level ad blocking (e.g., custom firmware like DD-WRT): Can integrate with hosts files or DNS services, but requires flashing your router and may void warranties.

For most users, AdGuard DNS is the simplest and most effective balance between effort and results.

Costs and Safety Considerations

AdGuard DNS offers a free public server that includes ad blocking. There is also a paid “AdGuard DNS” personal plan that provides additional features like custom blocklists, detailed analytics, and the ability to whitelist domains. The free version is sufficient for basic ad blocking.

Using a public DNS provider means that your DNS queries are sent to AdGuard’s servers. AdGuard states that it does not log personal information and only keeps aggregate statistics. However, you are trusting a third party with your browsing history (the domains you visit). If privacy is a major concern, you could host your own DNS blocker (like Pi-hole) to keep all data local.

From a security standpoint, AdGuard DNS also blocks known malicious domains, which adds a layer of protection against phishing and malware. It does not, however, replace a full antivirus or VPN.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will AdGuard DNS slow down my internet?

Generally, no. DNS lookups are a tiny fraction of your network traffic. In some cases, AdGuard’s servers may be faster than your ISP’s, so you might see a slight improvement. The blocking of ad servers also reduces the amount of data your TV downloads, which can make apps feel snappier.

Can I use AdGuard DNS with a VPN on my TV?

Yes, but the VPN may override DNS settings. If you want both, configure the VPN to use AdGuard’s DNS servers, or enable the VPN’s own ad-blocking feature if it has one.

Does AdGuard DNS block ads on all streaming apps?

It blocks ads that are served from separate ad domains. Many streaming apps use their own domains for ads (e.g., Hulu’s ad server is different from its content server), so those will be blocked. However, some apps, like YouTube, serve ads from the same domain as the video, so DNS blocking won’t work there.

How do I revert changes if I want to stop using AdGuard DNS?

Simply change the DNS settings back to “Automatic” (or your ISP’s DNS) on your router or TV. For router-level changes, you can also reset the router to factory defaults, but that will erase all your other settings.

Is AdGuard DNS safe to use on my smart TV?

Yes, it is safe. It does not alter the TV’s software or install anything. It only changes the DNS resolver used to translate domain names. The service is widely used and has a good reputation for privacy.

Why are some ads still showing after I set up AdGuard DNS?

This is likely because the ad is served from the same domain as the content, or the app has cached the ad. Try clearing the app’s cache and check if the DNS setting is actually applied. Some apps also use hardcoded IP addresses, bypassing DNS entirely.

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