NordVPN SmartDNS Setup: Complete Step-by-Step Guide for Smart TV, PlayStation, Xbox & Apple TV — How to Activate SmartDNS, Which Plan Includes It, and Is It Worth Using Over a VPN?
If you've ever stared at your smart TV trying to figure out why Netflix keeps showing you a catalog half the size of what your laptop gets — this is the article for you.
The answer, most of the time, is your DNS. And the fix, if you're already a NordVPN subscriber, is sitting right there in your account dashboard, waiting to be turned on. It's called SmartDNS, and the fact that most people don't know it exists is a genuine shame.
Let's fix that.
Here's the thing about smart TVs, gaming consoles, and streaming boxes: they're smart in some ways and completely dumb in others. You can't install a VPN app on a Samsung TV running Tizen OS. You can't put NordVPN directly on your PlayStation 5. These devices just don't support it.
But they do let you change the DNS server.
That's exactly where SmartDNS comes in. SmartDNS is a technology that lets you access content on your smart TV that may not be available in your region — and it's integrated into NordVPN SmartPlay, so you only need a NordVPN subscription to access it.
SmartDNS uses no encryption. Instead, your requests are sent through NordVPN's DNS servers, which hide your location and make it look like you're somewhere else entirely. And since there's no encryption, your web connection speed won't take a hit.
That's actually the trade-off you should understand before setting it up:
- SmartDNS = fast, device-flexible, streaming-focused
- VPN = slower (marginally), encrypted, privacy-first
For your living room TV and game console? SmartDNS is often the smarter play.
This is where SmartDNS really shines. NordVPN's SmartDNS works on Xbox, PlayStation, and even Nintendo Switch consoles — they all let you set up a custom DNS.
Beyond consoles, you can use SmartDNS on:
- Samsung Smart TVs (Tizen OS)
- LG Smart TVs (webOS)
- Apple TV (tvOS)
- Roku devices
- Amazon Fire TV sticks
- Any router that supports custom DNS
Essentially: if a device lets you change its DNS settings, NordVPN SmartDNS can work on it.
Before touching any device settings, you need to activate SmartDNS from your NordVPN account. This registers your current IP address and whitelists it.
Here's how:
- Open your browser on a computer or smartphone
- Log in to your Nord Account at the NordVPN website
- In the left sidebar, click Services, then NordVPN
- Find the SmartDNS section and click Activate SmartDNS
- Wait — the activation can take up to 10 minutes. In the meantime, the status will be shown as pending.
Important: Your computer/phone and the streaming device you want to configure must be on the same Wi-Fi network during activation. SmartDNS whitelists your network's IP address — if you're on mobile data, it won't work.
Also: make sure to allowlist your IPv4 address, not IPv6, as NordVPN does not support IPv6 yet. Disconnect from NordVPN (or any other VPN connection) before activating.
Once activated, note down the DNS server addresses you'll see on your dashboard. The standard NordVPN SmartDNS addresses are:
- Primary DNS:
103.86.99.103 - Secondary DNS:
103.86.96.103
Note that these addresses are subject to change, so it's worth double-checking them in your NordVPN dashboard after activation.
👉 Get NordVPN and activate SmartDNS
Samsung Smart TVs operate on Tizen OS, which does not natively support VPN applications — so SmartDNS is the recommended method.
Steps:
- Press Menu on your remote and navigate to Settings > General > Network > Network Status
- Go to IP Settings
- Select DNS Setting and choose Enter Manually
- Enter your NordVPN SmartDNS addresses (primary and secondary)
- Save and restart your TV
Turn on your LG Smart TV and go to Settings > Network > Network Connection. Connect it to the same network as your current device. Then scroll down to DNS Mode, select Manual, and enter 103.86.96.103 (and 103.86.99.103 as secondary if available). Press OK.
Navigate to Settings > General > Network > Wi-Fi > (select your network), then select Configure DNS > Manual. Enter the primary DNS 103.86.99.103 and secondary DNS 103.86.96.103.
Go to Settings > General > Network Settings > Advanced Settings > DNS Settings > Manual, then enter your DNS addresses.
Go to Settings > Network > Set Up Internet Connection > Use a LAN Cable or Use Wi-Fi > pick Custom > continue until you reach DNS Settings > enter your DNS addresses.
Go to Settings > Internet > Internet Settings > (pick your network) > Change Settings > DNS Settings > Manual > select Primary DNS and hold the B button to delete the existing entry > enter your new DNS address > repeat for Secondary DNS.
If you want every device in your home to use SmartDNS automatically, configure it at the router level. To set up Smart DNS on your router, log into your NordVPN account, retrieve the SmartDNS server addresses, access your router's admin page, and update the DNS settings with the addresses provided by NordVPN. This approach covers your TV, console, laptop, and phone simultaneously — no per-device setup needed.
A lot of people wonder whether to bother with SmartDNS when they already have a NordVPN subscription. The answer depends on what you're doing.
| Situation | Use SmartDNS | Use VPN |
|---|---|---|
| Streaming on a Smart TV | ✅ | ❌ (can't install) |
| Gaming console (PS5, Xbox) | ✅ | ❌ (can't install) |
| Privacy / public Wi-Fi | ❌ | ✅ |
| Torrenting | ❌ | ✅ |
| Laptop / phone streaming | Optional | ✅ |
| Fastest possible speed | ✅ | Good, not as fast |
SmartDNS does not encrypt your data, so it is faster — but it does not provide the same level of security as a VPN connection. For streaming enthusiasts looking to maximize their library access on Smart TVs or Roku, SmartDNS is the ideal solution. For secure browsing, opt for the full VPN service.
NordVPN's SmartDNS only lets you unblock a limited number of streaming services. You'll get access to the US version of supported services — you can't pick any other location or DNS server. This feature is powered by special proxy servers run by NordVPN and found in the United States.
That said, the supported list covers the major ones — including Netflix US, Hulu, Disney+, and others. For an up-to-date list of every supported service, check the SmartDNS section of your NordVPN account dashboard, as the lineup is updated periodically.
Even when you follow every step correctly, SmartDNS can sometimes act up. Here's what to do:
SmartDNS isn't working after setup?
- Make sure you activated SmartDNS before changing your TV's DNS settings, not after
- Confirm the device is on the exact same Wi-Fi network you used to activate SmartDNS
- Wait the full 10 minutes — activation genuinely takes time
IP address changed? If your ISP has assigned you a dynamic IP (which most do), your whitelisted address may have changed. If you encounter issues after setting up SmartDNS, check your DNS configuration and verify the addresses have been entered correctly. Restarting your device can also resolve many connectivity issues. Flushing your DNS cache can help update your network configuration.
Content still geo-blocked? Not every streaming service is supported by SmartDNS. If a specific service isn't unlocking, it may not be on the supported list. In that case, setting up NordVPN on your router is the more complete solution.
Dynamic IP issues? If your IP changes frequently, consider re-activating SmartDNS from your dashboard each time — or look into a DDNS service to keep things stable.
Yes. SmartDNS is part of NordVPN's subscription. It's already included in the cost, so you don't have to pay extra. Every NordVPN plan — Basic, Plus, Complete, Prime — includes SmartDNS access at no additional charge.
This makes the value proposition fairly straightforward: you're paying for a VPN, and SmartDNS is a bonus that unlocks an entirely new category of devices.
NordVPN offers 12 pricing plans as of May 2026, ranging from $3.39 to $25.29 per month depending on tier and billing cycle. Here's a complete breakdown:
| Plan | Monthly | 1-Year (avg/mo) | 2-Year (avg/mo) | Key Features | Purchase |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Basic | $12.99/mo | $4.99/mo | $3.39/mo | VPN, Threat Protection, 10 devices | Get Basic |
| Plus | $15.29/mo | $5.49/mo | $3.89/mo | Basic + Threat Protection Pro, NordPass, Data Breach Scanner | Get Plus |
| Complete | $18.69/mo | $6.99/mo | $5.39/mo | Plus + 1TB NordLocker encrypted cloud storage | Get Complete |
| Prime (US only) | $25.29/mo | $8.99/mo | $7.39/mo | Complete + NordProtect (identity theft protection, dark web monitoring) | Get Prime |
All plans include:
- SmartDNS (SmartPlay) access
- 7,000+ servers across 100+ countries
- NordLynx protocol (WireGuard-based)
- Up to 10 simultaneous device connections
- 30-day money-back guarantee
The main differences between the Basic, Plus, Complete, and Prime plans are the extra tools and services included with each tier, alongside the core NordVPN features that come with every plan.
For most people who just want SmartDNS for streaming plus solid VPN protection, Basic on a 2-year plan is entirely sufficient. If you want the password manager and better malware protection too, Plus is the sweet spot — it's only a dollar or so more per month.
Here's the honest take: if SmartDNS for your TV or console is the primary thing driving you toward NordVPN, the Basic plan does everything you need. SmartDNS isn't a premium feature — it's table stakes included with every subscription.
The reason to move up to Plus or Complete is if you want the full security stack on your other devices: the NordPass password manager, Threat Protection Pro (which functions like a lightweight antivirus even when the VPN is off), or the encrypted cloud storage in Complete.
👉 Start with NordVPN — all plans include SmartDNS
Setting up NordVPN SmartDNS is one of those things that takes maybe 10 minutes but pays off every single time you open Netflix on your TV and actually find something worth watching. The activation step in your account dashboard is the part most people miss — once that's done, the device-side setup is just plugging in two numbers.
The fact that it's included in every NordVPN plan with no extra charge makes it one of the better-kept secrets in streaming. You're already paying for a VPN — the SmartDNS is sitting there, ready to go.
Might as well use it.