Changing DNS on Airport Extreme to 1.1.1.1

In addition to the others' comments, can you set any other DNS servers on your AirPort Extreme successfully? That is can you set it to any of the following:

• Your ISP's servers?
• Google DNS?
• OpenDNS?

If you can't then the issue may be that the SB61XX- series modems being somewhat incompatible with the Apple routers. Neither are bad in themselves, but they don't seem to "play nice" together.

If the issue is only with the Cloudflare DNS servers, you will need to contact them for more assistance on this matter.

What is the make and model of your main modem?

Is it also a router?

What mode is the Airport Extreme running in? ie bridge or router

What model is the Extreme?

Changing DNS in the Extreme can be tricky. It will only work in the case where the Extreme is the main router.

Unfortunately, the newest model of the AirPort Extreme was introduced almost 5 years ago, and given that it takes a year or more in product development to bring a new product to market, the existing technology on the AirPort is probably older than 6 years.

As you might imagine, not much was really known about IPv6 six years ago, but Apple included some basic settings on their routers. How well those preliminary IPv6 settings might work with current IPv6 systems is pretty much open to question.

I think the first task would be to get IPv6 working correctly with your existing provider.....before.....you try to modify or introduce new DNS server information. In other words, if IPv6 is not working well with your basic Internet connection, then it is not going to work with more advanced settings. So, this may be a case of first things first.

Has your Internet provider supplied you with a detailed list of IPv6 settings that should be used for their service? If yes, have you checked the IPv6 connection to see if it passes the "tests" with your current regular Internet provider?

I'm not familiar with Cloudflare at all, so you may want to wait to see if another user has set up this service on an Apple router. I might be able to help though on your basic IPv6 connection to your Internet provider.

i should have also asked for your ISP. Do they actually use IPv6.

Try just setting IPv4 values.. come back to the IPv6 values later.

Once you change the settings of DNS do update of the TC and if you then have issues.. shut down everything.. wait 15min for the cable modem before you restart it.

Then boot in order.

Modem.. wait 2min

TC .. wait 2min

Computer..

Tell us if that works.

Rick Fernandez1 wrote:

I am trying to use Cloudflare's new DNS service with my Airport Extreme in order to gain the speed and privacy that Cloudflare claims to provide. However, whenever I go into Airport Utility to change the DNS settings to 1.1.1.1 and 1.0.0.1 and 2606:4700:4700::1111 and 2606:4700:4700::1001 for IPv6, then choose Update, the Airport Extreme loses its connexion, and the internet dies. I have to force quit Airport Utility, then restart my router, and when I go back to Airport Utility, the old settings are back. Anyone know what the problem is and how to fix it? Thanks.

It may be that the primary DNS you set up is not working with your ISP (e.g., being blocked). I had this experience with my router and ATT Uverse ISP. However, I was advised elsewhere to do a trace route first with my working (default) connection to see if the DNS was accessible through my connection. I would suggest you backtrack and perform the trace route for each address you seek to use first. One at a time. If the traceroute fails, don't use that particular address as a DNS setting! It was entirely successful from my computer(s).

In my case, the 1.0.0.1 IPv4 address worked where the 1.1.1.1 did not. Also as advised here on this thread and elsewhere, check out your Airport base station's compatibility. Verify that it can work with IPv6 at all. My Airport Extreme 802.11ac, model A1621 (ME918LL/A) is running 7.7.9 software is 2013 vintage and still supported. I operate it in bridged mode. So it doesn't operate fully independently of the router. I'm considering to run it behind the router as a full device, but that may have it's own set of problems.

YMMV. Good luck.

Seems to be working ok for me.

AirPort Extreme with firmware 7.7.9

DNS set to:

• 1.1.1.1
• 1.0.0.1
• 2606:4700:4700::1111
• 2606:4700:4700::1001