DNS fails while using a VPN connection.
DNS fails while using a VPN connection.
Hello. I own two Windows 11 24H2 systems, and on one of them using a VPN (Mullvad), the DNS setup in Windows network settings isn't functioning. I don’t see any logs in NextDNS, and the custom DNS inside the Mullvad app is working fine. The issue only appeared on my second instance. How can I fix this so it works again? It worked before, and I prefer organized logs with named devices instead of unidentified ones.
VPNs follow standard practices by directing DNS queries through the tunnel to prevent exposing your hostname to your regular DNS service. Likely there’s a setting to switch to a local network DNS server. Privacy-focused VPN services mainly aim to conceal the websites you visit. With HTTPS becoming widespread, data transmission is typically encrypted automatically. Your ISP can only see the hosts you connect to, not any additional details.
You're questioning the need for a VPN since you believe it's unnecessary. It seems you're considering piracy and avoiding ISP monitoring. Let me know if you'd like to discuss this further. Edited December 30, 2025 by George556
From my perspective, the VPN provider's claims about privacy seem exaggerated. You're merely changing the intermediary—from your ISP to a VPN service—that can observe certain details. As long as a website or service (like this one) relies on HTTP S, they can only see the host name and/or IP address. Only when a site remains on HTTP can they potentially inspect your data or traffic. Perhaps this reflects my European viewpoint, but I prefer relying on my ISP, who adheres to GDPR, rather than a company that doesn't and seems driven by fear-based tactics. Should you discontinue its use? That's a personal decision. There are valid reasons to use it, such as operating in regions with weak privacy protections, where VPNs might be restricted. Tunneling DNS through the VPN is normal behavior, as I mentioned. If you wish to avoid it, verify whether they offer options to hide local IPs or allow connections while the VPN is active.
Verification of age is now common in the USA and Australia. Possibly it could also occur in the EU. I’m not confident with my ISP who records everything I do because they follow GDPR and the law. Even a false positive would mean my online activity is reviewed (which happens, especially with AI handling tasks like Flock cameras). With Mullvad they don’t log my actions and they’ve shown it. They can’t link a user to a specific account, so law enforcement could connect their systems to a person’s activity (if that’s technically possible). Is that sufficient to justify using a VPN constantly? Or do you think I’m overly paranoid and HTTPS isn’t enough, especially since it wouldn’t work for chat control in the EU?