How to Fix “This Network Is Blocking Encrypted DNS Traffic”: NextDNS, AdGuard DNS, and Router Settings

Fix the warning by checking two places first: your DNS app profile, such as NextDNS or AdGuard DNS, and your router’s security settings. Apple says this Wi-Fi warning can appear when a network blocks encrypted DNS traffic, which can reduce privacy because DNS requests may be visible to the network provider [source: Apple]. In plain English, your device wants to ask for website addresses privately, but the network is getting in the way.

TLDR: If you see “This Network Is Blocking Encrypted DNS Traffic,” remove broken DNS profiles, reinstall NextDNS or AdGuard DNS, then check your router for settings that block DoH, DoT, or “encrypted DNS.” For example, a home with 12 devices may have only two affected phones because they use a DNS profile while the rest use normal router DNS. Start with the phone or laptop, then inspect the router if the warning comes back. In many cases, the fix takes under 10 minutes unless the router hides the setting in a weird security menu.

What the warning really means

DNS is the phone book of the internet. When you open example.com, your device asks a DNS resolver where that site lives. Encrypted DNS keeps that question private by using DNS over HTTPS, known as DoH, or DNS over TLS, known as DoT.

The warning usually means your device tried to use encrypted DNS, but something blocked it or forced regular DNS instead. That “something” may be your router, your ISP router firmware, a work network, hotel Wi-Fi, parental controls, or a buggy DNS profile.

Step 1: Check NextDNS or AdGuard DNS profiles

If you installed NextDNS or AdGuard DNS on an iPhone, iPad, or Mac, the configuration profile may be stale. Honestly, it feels like one tiny profile update can turn a clean setup into 20 minutes of tapping through settings.

• iPhone or iPad: Go to Settings > General > VPN & Device Management.
• Remove old NextDNS or AdGuard DNS profiles.
• Restart the device.
• Install a fresh profile from the official NextDNS or AdGuard DNS setup page.
• Reconnect to Wi-Fi and check the warning again.

For NextDNS, make sure your profile ID is correct. A wrong ID can still appear to work, but logging, blocklists, and custom rules may fail. For AdGuard DNS, check that you are using the correct server type: default, family protection, or your private DNS server.

Step 2: Try a different encrypted DNS method

Some networks block DoT on port 853. Many routers and public Wi-Fi systems do this. DoH usually has a better chance because it runs over HTTPS on port 443, the same port used by normal secure websites.

• If DoT fails: switch to a DoH profile.
• If DoH fails: test mobile data to confirm the Wi-Fi is the problem.
• If both fail: your router or network may be blocking encrypted DNS by policy.

With NextDNS, use the setup page for your device and pick the native profile option where possible. With AdGuard DNS, the app can be easier than manual setup, especially on phones.

Step 3: Inspect router security settings

Your router may be trying to “protect” you by blocking the very privacy feature you want. The setting may not be obvious. Expect to waste time on names that sound helpful but are not.

Log in to your router admin panel and look for settings such as:

• Block encrypted DNS
• DNS over HTTPS blocking
• DNS over TLS blocking
• Parental controls
• Safe browsing or security shield
• DNS filtering
• Force router DNS

Disable the setting that blocks encrypted DNS, then reboot the router. After that, restart the affected device. Some routers keep old DNS sessions alive for a few minutes, so give it a short wait before testing.

Step 4: Set DNS on the router, if that fits your setup

If you want every device on the network to use the same DNS service, set NextDNS or AdGuard DNS on the router. This is clean for smart TVs, game consoles, and guest devices. The downside is that regular router DNS is often not encrypted unless your router supports DoH or DoT directly.

Use this setup if you care more about filtering than per-device privacy:

• Open your router’s Internet, WAN, or DNS page.
• Enter the DNS server addresses from NextDNS or AdGuard DNS.
• Save changes.
• Restart the router.
• Check the DNS service dashboard to see if traffic appears.

If your router supports encrypted DNS, use it. If it only supports basic DNS, keep the encrypted profile on phones and laptops that need more privacy.

Step 5: Rule out public Wi-Fi and work networks

Hotels, schools, offices, airports, and cafés often block encrypted DNS. Sometimes it is for filtering. Sometimes it is just old equipment. You may not be able to fix it from your device.

Try this quick test:

1. Turn off Wi-Fi.
2. Use mobile data.
3. Open a few websites.
4. Check if the warning disappears when you return to a trusted network.

If mobile data works fine, your DNS setup is probably okay. The Wi-Fi network is the problem.

Quick fixes that often work

• Forget the Wi-Fi network and join again.
• Restart the router, not just the phone.
• Update router firmware from the admin panel.
• Remove duplicate DNS apps. Do not run NextDNS and AdGuard DNS at the same time unless you know exactly why.
• Turn off VPN briefly to test for conflicts.

The best fix is usually simple: use one trusted encrypted DNS service, keep its profile fresh, and stop the router from blocking DoH or DoT. If you use NextDNS or AdGuard DNS, check the service dashboard after each change. If your queries show up there, you are back in control. If they do not, the router or network is still getting in the way.