Will blocking YouTube on my Optus Router apply to every device on my network?

Yes — a router-level block applies to every device connected to that Wi-Fi network, including phones, tablets, smart TVs, and game consoles. It does not block YouTube when devices use mobile data (4G/5G) instead of Wi-Fi.

Is it free to block YouTube on Optus Router?

Yes — blocking YouTube on Optus Router 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.

What if my child uses mobile data to get around the router block?

A router block only covers your home Wi-Fi — it has no effect when a device switches to 4G/5G mobile data. To cover mobile data as well, you'll need a device-level block (like Screen Time on iPhone or Family Link on Android) in addition to the router block.

How to Block YouTube on an Optus Router (Australia, 2026)

Block YouTube on an Optus-supplied modem or router using DNS filtering. Works on Optus NBN Smart Modem, Sagemcom, and Netgear Optus-supplied hardware. Updated for 2026.

Last updated 11 April 2026·

Difficulty🔨🔨🔨

Free

Bypass risk🐹🐹🐹🐹🐹

What You'll Need

Your Optus-supplied modem or router
A device connected to your Optus Wi-Fi
About 10 minutes

Optus supplies various modem/router models depending on your plan: common models include the Optus Smart Modem (Sagemcom or Nokia variants), Netgear Nighthawk (on some Optus plans), and older Optus-supplied ADSL routers.

Optus-supplied equipment has limited built-in parental controls. DNS filtering is the most reliable and universal method for blocking YouTube on an Optus connection.

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Optus Family Protection (add-on service)

Optus offers Optus Family Protection as a paid add-on to some plans — a network-level content filtering service managed from your Optus account. If you have this feature, it can block YouTube at the account level before it reaches your devices. Check your Optus account at my.optus.com.au under My Services to see if it's available on your plan. This guide covers DNS filtering as the free, universal approach.

Part 1: Access the Optus Router Admin Panel

Find your router's IP address

Open a browser on a device connected to your Optus Wi-Fi. Try the following addresses:

192.168.1.1 — most Optus Sagemcom and Netgear models
192.168.0.1 — some variants
10.0.0.138 — some Optus Smart Modem models

If none of these work, find the IP on your device:

Windows: Open Command Prompt → type ipconfig → look for Default Gateway
Mac: System Settings → Network → Wi-Fi → Details → Router
iPhone: Settings → Wi-Fi → tap your network → Router

Go to the IP address in your browser. Login credentials for Optus-supplied equipment:

Optus Smart Modem (Sagemcom): Username admin, password on the modem sticker (look for "Admin Password" — separate from your Wi-Fi password)
Optus-supplied Netgear: Username admin, password password (default) or on the sticker
Older Optus ADSL routers: Username admin, password optus or admin

If you've changed the admin password and forgotten it, hold the Reset button on the router for 10 seconds (this factory resets all settings, including your custom Wi-Fi name and password).

Part 2: DNS Filtering (Recommended for All Optus Routers)

DNS filtering is the most reliable method — it works regardless of which Optus modem model you have and blocks YouTube for every device on your network.

Find DNS settings in the router admin panel

Once logged in, navigate to the DNS settings. Common paths:

Optus Smart Modem (Sagemcom): Advanced → LAN → DNS or Internet → DNS
Netgear-supplied: Basic → Internet → DNS (or Advanced → WAN Setup → DNS Servers)

Look for fields labelled Primary DNS Server and Secondary DNS Server (or DNS 1 and DNS 2).

Switch to Manual DNS

Change the DNS from Automatic (your ISP's DNS) to Manual or Static.

Enter CleanBrowsing Family DNS

Primary DNS: 185.228.168.168
Secondary DNS: 185.228.169.168

Click Apply or Save.

Also update DHCP DNS settings (if shown separately)

Some routers have a separate DHCP section where you set the DNS address sent to connected devices. If you see DHCP DNS or Local DNS fields, also update these to the same CleanBrowsing addresses.

Restart the router

Power-cycle the router (unplug for 10 seconds, plug back in) or use the Restart option in the admin panel. After restart, youtube.com will fail to load on every device connected to your Optus Wi-Fi.

Test the block

On any connected device, open a browser and try youtube.com. It should not load.

Part 3: URL Blocking (If Available in Your Router Model)

Some Optus-supplied routers have a URL filtering section. If yours does, use it as a second layer alongside DNS filtering.

Look for URL filtering or parental controls in the admin panel

Search for: Parental Controls, URL Filter, Web Filter, Content Restriction, or Access Control in the navigation menus.

For Sagemcom models: often under Firewall → URL Filtering. For Netgear models: Security → Block Sites.

Add YouTube domains

If you find a URL block list, add:

youtube.com
youtu.be
googlevideo.com

Enable the filter and save.

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How Kids Bypass This

Mobile data bypass: Optus router filtering only covers your home Wi-Fi. On mobile data (Optus mobile or another carrier), your child bypasses the home router entirely. Use Screen Time (iPhone) or Family Link (Android) for device-level coverage on mobile data.

Connecting to a different network: If your child connects to a neighbour's Wi-Fi, a public hotspot, or a school network, your Optus router settings don't apply.

DNS override on devices: A savvy user can set a manual DNS server on their phone (Android's Private DNS, for example) to bypass router DNS filtering. Combine with device-level controls for stronger coverage.

VPN apps: A VPN can bypass DNS filtering entirely. Block VPN app installation via Screen Time (iPhone) or Family Link (Android).

Optus Smart Modem automatic firmware updates: Optus pushes firmware updates to supplied modems remotely. After an update, verify that your DNS settings are still in place.

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Counter-Measures

DNS filtering is the primary tool for Optus: Optus-supplied modems have limited URL filtering features. DNS filtering is simpler, more reliable, and covers every device regardless of which modem model you have.

Check Optus Family Protection: If your Optus plan includes Family Protection, it provides ISP-level filtering (upstream from your router) that's harder to bypass than router-level settings. Log in to my.optus.com.au to check availability.

Pair with device-level controls: Router filtering covers your home. Screen Time (iPhone) or Family Link (Android) covers your child's device everywhere else — mobile data, school Wi-Fi, friends' houses.

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