What Does “This Network Is Blocking Encrypted DNS Traffic” Mean?

When iOS or another operating system displays “This network is blocking encrypted DNS traffic”, it indicates that the current Wi‑Fi network is preventing your device from using DNS over HTTPS (DoH) or DNS over TLS (DoT). In other words, your encrypted DNS queries are being downgraded to plaintext DNS, exposing visited domain names to your ISP, network admin, or any on‑network observers.

Encrypted DNS is designed to prevent eavesdropping on which websites you visit. But when a network blocks this encryption, privacy protections are compromised. See how users describe its effects:

“There is some kind of filter/firewall … blocking your phone from sending encrypted DNS queries.”

Why Do Networks Block Encrypted DNS?

Network control: Schools, workplaces, and some ISPs intercept DNS to enforce content policies or tracking .
Technical limitations: Older routers, DNS middleboxes, or Pi‑Hole setups may not support encrypted DNS.
Security configurations: Firewalls or traffic-inspection tools may block the ports (DoH uses 443; DoT uses 853) .

How to Fix or Bypass the Warning

1. Reconnect or Restart

Forget the Wi‑Fi network and reconnect.
Restart your device and router; sometimes this clears transient blocks.

2. Ensure Software & Firmware Are Up to Date

Update your device’s OS and router firmware to support encrypted DNS standards .

3. Review Router or Network Settings

Log into router settings and ensure no firewall rules, DNS filters, or traffic analyzers are blocking DoH/DoT .
Confirm encryption protocol is set to WPA2/WPA3 and that Deep Packet Inspection is turned off.

4. Switch to Public or Compatible DNS Servers

Configure your system or router to use known encrypted DNS providers (e.g., Cloudflare’s 1.1.1.1, Google’s 8.8.8.8, Quad9's 9.9.9.9).
On iOS: Settings → Wi‑Fi → tap (i) → Configure DNS → Manual → add secure DNS servers and remove others.

5. Use an Alternative Network

Connect via a mobile hotspot or different Wi‑Fi environment that doesn’t block encrypted DNS .

6. Deploy a VPN

A VPN encrypts all traffic—including DNS—bypassing local blocks entirely.

Is This Warning a Major Concern?

Not necessarily urgent, but it does mean your DNS requests are visible, compromising privacy .
Given that HTTPS protects page content, only domain names (e.g., example.com) may be logged—but that is still sensitive information .

Summary Table

Action	Purpose
Reconnect / Restart	Clear temporary issues blocking encrypted DNS
Update software/firmware	Gain full support for encrypted DNS protocols
Check router configuration	Disable blocking rules or traffic inspection
Use trusted DNS servers	Restore encrypted DNS queries
Switch network	Avoid networks that enforce DNS policy restrictions
Use a VPN	Fully encrypt and bypass local network controls

Final Thoughts

The message “This network is blocking encrypted DNS traffic” serves as a privacy warning. While it doesn’t impede browsing, it signals that DNS lookups are unencrypted and potentially visible. To address this, consider reconnecting, updating your systems, checking configurations, switching DNS providers, or using a VPN.

If maintaining encrypted DNS is a priority—for privacy or security—take the above steps proactively or use a trusted VPN to avoid reliance on network configurations.