Does OpenDNS block YouTube on every device in my home?

Yes — when configured on your router or as your network's DNS, OpenDNS blocks YouTube on every device that connects through your home Wi-Fi, including smart TVs and game consoles that don't support per-device apps.

Is it free to block YouTube on OpenDNS?

Yes — blocking YouTube on OpenDNS is completely free. No extra apps or subscriptions required.

Can my child bypass this YouTube block?

Bypass risk is moderate. A persistent teenager may find workarounds — such as using mobile data, a VPN, or a different browser. For best results, combine this with a device-level block and remove the ability to install new apps.

Can a child bypass a DNS block by changing their DNS settings?

Older children may know to change DNS settings on a device to bypass a DNS-based block. To prevent this: lock down DNS settings on each device, enable DNS-over-HTTPS (DoH) blocking on your router, or use a hardware solution like Firewalla that enforces DNS at the network level and can't be bypassed by changing device settings.

Block YouTube with OpenDNS (FamilyShield & Umbrella Home, 2026)

Block YouTube using OpenDNS FamilyShield or Umbrella Home. Set up on your router for network-wide blocking on every device. Free. Updated for 2026.

Last updated 11 April 2026·

Difficulty🔨🔨🔨

Free

Bypass risk🐹🐹🐹🐹🐹

What Is OpenDNS?

OpenDNS (now part of Cisco) is a DNS filtering service that blocks categories of websites — including adult content, social media, and video streaming — before they reach any device on your network. You change the DNS server your router uses to OpenDNS's addresses, and filtering applies to every connected device automatically.

OpenDNS offers two free services relevant to families:

| | FamilyShield | Umbrella Home | |---|---|---| | DNS addresses | 208.67.222.123 / 208.67.220.123 | 208.67.222.222 / 208.67.220.220 | | Account required | No | Yes (free) | | Setup time | 2 minutes | 10–15 minutes | | YouTube blocked by default | No | Configurable | | Custom domain blocking | No | Yes | | Dashboard with logs | No | Yes | | Best for | Quick adult content filter | Full parental control including YouTube |

For blocking YouTube specifically, you need Umbrella Home — FamilyShield blocks adult content but doesn't block YouTube by default.

Part 1: Umbrella Home — Block YouTube with a Custom Rule

Step 1: Create an OpenDNS Account

Go to umbrella.cisco.com/home

Navigate to the OpenDNS Umbrella Home page and click Sign Up to create a free account.

Create a free account

Enter your email and a password. Verify your email address. You'll be taken to the OpenDNS dashboard at dashboard.opendns.com.

Step 2: Configure Your Network

Go to Settings → Add a Network

In the OpenDNS dashboard: Settings → Add a Network. Enter a name for your home network (e.g. "Home").

Note your Umbrella Home DNS addresses

Your Umbrella Home DNS addresses are:

Primary: 208.67.222.222
Secondary: 208.67.220.220

These are the same for all free Umbrella Home accounts — your network is identified by your IP address, not special DNS addresses.

Set your router's DNS to Umbrella Home addresses

Log into your router admin panel (usually at 192.168.1.1 or 192.168.0.1). Find the DNS settings under WAN or DHCP. Set:

Primary DNS: 208.67.222.222
Secondary DNS: 208.67.220.220

Save and restart your router. See the generic router guide for step-by-step help finding DNS settings.

Step 3: Block YouTube in the Dashboard

Go to Settings → [Your Network] → Web Content Filtering

In the dashboard, select your network → click Settings → find the Web Content Filtering section.

Enable Video Sharing category block

Under the content categories, find Video Sharing (or check Social Networking) and enable the block. This blocks YouTube and similar sites categorically.

Add YouTube as a custom blocked domain

For a more targeted block, go to Settings → [Your Network] → Manage Individual Domains. Add each domain to the Always Block list:

youtube.com
youtu.be
googlevideo.com
music.youtube.com

Save settings

Click Save. Changes typically propagate within a few minutes. Test by trying youtube.com on a connected device.

Step 4: Handle Dynamic IP (Recommended)

OpenDNS identifies your home network by your IP address. Most home internet connections use a dynamic IP (it changes periodically). If your IP changes, OpenDNS will no longer recognise your network and filtering stops working.

Install the OpenDNS Updater on a device that stays on

Download the OpenDNS Updater client from the OpenDNS dashboard and install it on a PC or Mac that's usually running. It keeps OpenDNS informed of your current IP automatically.

Alternatively, many routers support dynamic DNS update directly — check your router's DDNS settings for an OpenDNS option.

Part 2: FamilyShield (Quick Setup — Adult Content Only)

FamilyShield blocks adult content, phishing, and malware without any account or dashboard. It doesn't block YouTube by default, but it's useful as a quick first layer alongside other methods.

Set your router DNS to FamilyShield

In your router admin panel, set:

Primary DNS: 208.67.222.123
Secondary DNS: 208.67.220.123

Save and restart your router. Done — no account needed.

Part 3: Set OpenDNS on Individual Devices (Optional)

For devices that might override the router DNS (e.g. devices using Private DNS or VPN), set OpenDNS directly on the device.

Windows: Network Settings → Wi-Fi → Edit DNS → Manual → 208.67.222.222 / 208.67.220.220
Mac: System Settings → Network → Wi-Fi → Details → DNS → add both addresses
Android: Network settings → Wi-Fi → your network → Modify → DNS 1/2 (requires static IP)
iPhone: Settings → Wi-Fi → tap network → Configure DNS → Manual

🐹

How Kids Bypass This

Dynamic IP not updated: If your home IP changes and OpenDNS doesn't receive the update, filtering stops applying to your network. Install the OpenDNS Updater client or configure your router's DDNS feature to keep OpenDNS informed.

DNS bypass on devices: If your child configures a manual DNS server on their phone (e.g. Android Private DNS) or uses a VPN, they bypass router-level OpenDNS filtering. Combine with device-level controls (Screen Time on iPhone, Family Link on Android) to close this gap.

Mobile data bypass: OpenDNS only applies on your home Wi-Fi. On mobile data, your child bypasses the home router entirely.

Umbrella Home is tied to your IP address: OpenDNS Free/Umbrella Home identifies your network by IP. If a child connects from a different network, OpenDNS filtering doesn't apply.

🔨

Counter-Measures

OpenDNS Umbrella Home + custom domain block is free and effective: Blocking youtube.com and googlevideo.com in the Umbrella Home dashboard gives you reliable, account-managed YouTube blocking for your whole network at no cost.

Pair with NextDNS for more features: OpenDNS Umbrella Home has a limited free dashboard. NextDNS offers per-device profiles, real-time logs, and a more modern interface — also free for most families. Compare both if you want more visibility.

Combine with device-level controls: Router DNS filtering covers home Wi-Fi. Screen Time (iPhone) or Family Link (Android) covers your child's device everywhere else.

Related Guides

By Method

Block YouTube with DNS Filtering (All Devices, Home Network, 2026)

Use DNS filtering to block YouTube on every device connected to your home Wi-Fi — including smart TVs, game consoles, and anything else. Free options available. Updated for 2026.

By Method

Block YouTube with NextDNS (Complete Setup Guide, 2026)

Block YouTube on every device using NextDNS. Create a profile, add YouTube to the deny list, set up on your router and per-device. Free tier available. Updated for 2026.

By Method

Block YouTube with Pi-hole (Self-Hosted DNS Sinkhole, 2026)

Block YouTube on every device in your home using Pi-hole. Complete guide: hardware, installation, YouTube blocklists, network DNS setup, and known gotchas. Updated for 2026.

By Router

Block YouTube on Any Router — Generic Guide (2026)

How to block YouTube on any home router. Find your router admin panel, navigate parental controls, and block YouTube domains. Works as a fallback for any router brand. Updated for 2026.

Want a personalised plan?

Answer 5 questions and get a guide for every device your child uses.

Take the Quiz →