Age of Wonders 4 How to Improve Connectivity by Changing DNS

Stuttering, freezes, connection issues.
And that all despite everything on your side seems to be in order.

• You have a good download and upload rate.
• You have a stable wireless connection at highest standards or use a cable to connect your PC with your ISP (Internet Service Provider) device or router.
• You have a good PC which is not lacking any resources to run internet services at all.
• You are running out of ideas what else you could possibly do but moving to a different place as it might be a regional ISP hardware thing.

Well.
Changing the DNS (Domain Name System) servers, those which are responsible to assign your connections to the worldwide servers, from the default ISP one to a different service might just do the trick.

Originally posted by Wikipedia:

The Domain Name System (DNS) is the hierarchical and decentralized naming system used to identify computers reachable through the Internet or other Internet Protocol (IP) networks. The resource records contained in the DNS associate domain names with other forms of information. These are most commonly used to map human-friendly domain names to the numerical IP addresses computers need to locate services and devices using the underlying network protocols, but have been extended over time to perform many other functions as well.

Why would it differ and how could it?

I cannot say for certain, but I am completely sure that the internet service in my area is below par. It often fails to meet even basic standards, especially if you reside in rural areas. Even within cities, the situation is not much better.

This is likely due to the inadequate local infrastructure. When Internet Service Providers (ISPs) prioritize making new contracts with more users instead of upgrading the infrastructure properly, it can result in poor performance. It is like a traffic jam, where new cars keep entering the road, but the lanes have not been adjusted for a long time. The ISP, who could address the issue, is reluctant to take action to cut costs, while those who could push for a change fail to grasp the importance of a reliable internet connection.

So what do you do now?

The Google Public DNS IP addresses (IPv4) are as follows:

• 8.8.8.8
• 8.8.4.4

The Google Public DNS IPv6 addresses are as follows:

• 2001:4860:4860::8888
• 2001:4860:4860::8844

You can use either address as your primary or secondary DNS server.

Source: https://developers.google.com/speed/public-dns/docs/using

The Cloudflare Public DNS IP addresses (IPv4) are as follows:

• 1.1.1.1
• 1.0.0.1

The Cloudflare Public DNS IPv6 addresses are as follows:

• 2606:4700:4700::1111
• 2606:4700:4700::1001

You can use either address as your primary or secondary DNS server.

Source: https://www.cloudflare.com/en-gb/learning/dns/what-is-1.1.1.1/ or https://1.1.1.1

I will not attempt to provide you with a comprehensive tutorial on how to make these changes, as the process can vary depending on your specific setup, whether it is through your operating system, router, or any other device you use. With numerous options available, it would be impossible for me to cover them all. However, there is no need for me to do so since service providers already offer well-crafted, user-friendly guides on how to proceed.

Keep in mind that the changes you are making deviates from the standard settings you have been using. Therefore, it is crucial to thoroughly read, understand, and take notes, particularly as the process may differ across various setups.

Personally, the process is straightforward for me: my ISP has already configured the necessary DNS server. My router handles all the necessary connections to the ISP, so I do not have to modify the default setup unless I specifically choose to. The default settings provided by the ISP will always be loaded automatically, ensuring I can easily revert to them if needed. While this change is generally straightforward and secure, it is important to note that individual experiences may vary due to the diverse range of hardware configurations worldwide. Therefore, exercise caution when experimenting with this change.

https://developers.google.com/speed/public-dns/docs/using

https://developers.cloudflare.com/1.1.1.1/setup/

Considering that this tip has proven beneficial for Sony PlayStation and other console users, it is certainly worth giving it a shot, even if you are playing on PC.

As evident from my explanation, the setup process can vary based on your specific hardware configuration. In my case, it was as simple as configuring it on my router, which serves as the central connection point for all my devices. However, the choice is yours whether you prefer this approach, utilizing a dedicated app on your PC, or exploring alternative methods.
(my consoles have also a special section for that, which allows me to use a different DNS without making any changes to a router – for example when I take my consoles with me and use a different network)

Importantly, the DNS change is easily reversible and should be considered as a potential solution if all other options have been exhausted.