Roku 3 DNS issues

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dalkara

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#143329 10-Apr-2014 16:56

Hi guys,

I recently purchased a Roku 3, I also use Unblock-us to set up the Roku with USA channels and that all been successful. It's using ethernet, and I have a VDSL connection with Slingshot.

I am having issues streaming Netflix on the Roku, it constantly gives errors, I think this is due to Google's 8.8.8.8 DNS being built into the Roku 3 which may override the unblock-us DNS addresses I put into my Netcomm modem/router. Netflix on my pc streams fine.

Is there an easy way I can somehow configure my modem/router to ONLY block the Roku device from using a DNS of 8.8.8.8? I need to be able to force the Roku to use ONLY the DNS addresses of unblock-us.

I think this may solve the issue.

Has anyone else had such an issue??

The model of my Netcomm is NF4V

It's really doing my head in :(

Any help would be appreciated.

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#1023037 10-Apr-2014 18:02

If it's any consolation I'm also having issues today streaming on Netflix, using a wired Roku 3 with Unblock-us, on Vodafone UFB.

graemeh

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#1023169 10-Apr-2014 22:54

Using Roku 3 with Unblock-us on Bigpipe, watching Amazon Video with no problems today.

Like you, I have the DNS servers set in the router.

BigMal

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#1023231 11-Apr-2014 09:10

Roku 3 Netflix working perfectly (wirelessly) on Telecom VDSL.

Coil

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#1023247 11-Apr-2014 09:47

Works on WiFi at my house, Hg659 and a Fritz

dalkara

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#1023433 11-Apr-2014 13:44

Did you have to open or configure any ports in your modem in order to complete the Netflix setup?

ripdog

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#1023436 11-Apr-2014 13:50

dalkara: Did you have to open or configure any ports in your modem in order to complete the Netflix setup?

No. Opening ports is only necessary for services which need to connect to your computer, like bittorrent or game server hosting. Netflix is plain old connection to a remote server, so needs no ports open.

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dalkara

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#1023437 11-Apr-2014 13:53

Yes, true...but from the my network to the modem...I was thinking, since 8.8.8.8 DNS is built into the Netflix app on Roku, this could be causing my issues? Is there a way I can stop the Roku from using 8.8.8.8 over the DNS in my modem from unblock-us?

ripdog

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#1023439 11-Apr-2014 13:56

Unlikely, considering other people in this thread have managed to get netflix working simply by changing DNS in their router. I don't have a Roku, sorry. But I do read a lot, and although I've heard that Chromecast devices have hardcoded DNS, I've never heard that about Roku. Perhaps you could try some of the solutions suggested for Chromecast users to rule out DNS?

I have unotelly DNS in my router and use Netflix on my 1st gen Sony smart TV. It works well, but throws errors on a regular basis. Like scrolling down, causing the TV to load more results, it then errors out and that row remains unloaded. Retrying usually works. Is that similar to what you have?

trig42

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#1023444 11-Apr-2014 14:14

ripdog: Unlikely, considering other people in this thread have managed to get netflix working simply by changing DNS in their router. I don't have a Roku, sorry. But I do read a lot, and although I've heard that Chromecast devices have hardcoded DNS, I've never heard that about Roku. Perhaps you could try some of the solutions suggested for Chromecast users to rule out DNS?

I have unotelly DNS in my router and use Netflix on my 1st gen Sony smart TV. It works well, but throws errors on a regular basis. Like scrolling down, causing the TV to load more results, it then errors out and that row remains unloaded. Retrying usually works. Is that similar to what you have?

AFAIK the Roku doesn't have a hard coded DNS address, it's just that you cannot change it on the device. The AppleTV, and now the Amazon Fire are both devices that will stream Netflix AND you can change the DNS.

uknzguy

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#1030220 23-Apr-2014 23:28

trig42:
AFAIK the Roku doesn't have a hard coded DNS address, it's just that you cannot change it on the device.

Actually, since the latest update, the Netflix app on Roku 3 does have the Google DNS servers hard-coded:
http://support.unblock-us.com/customer/portal/articles/1523907-solutions-for-region-issues-with-roku-and-netflix

The solution (as per the Unblock-Us support articles) is to either blocking outbound DNS from the Roku at the router or null routing 8.8.8.8.

insane

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#1030221 23-Apr-2014 23:32

I'm suprised they have done that, given 8.8.8.8 is the most hijacked DNS server on the web. Setting a 3rd party DNS server on your router to be dished out via DHCP is also a bit weird given what that will do for cached content.

Poor form...., glad I went with another device!

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uknzguy

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#1030225 24-Apr-2014 00:05

Yes, it does seem a bit odd. However, it's worth reiterating that only the Netflix app on Roku 3 does this, not the device itself.

BigMal

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#1031680 26-Apr-2014 16:52

I wonder if Netflix intend to implement hardcoded DNS across all their apps on other devices? ATV? Playstation? Xbox? Amazon Fire?

insane

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#1031707 26-Apr-2014 18:22

uknzguy: Yes, it does seem a bit odd. However, it's worth reiterating that only the Netflix app on Roku 3 does this, not the device itself.

Well this is interesting, have also seen a few people mention that their favorite DNS providers and VPNs briefly stopped working with Huluplus etc, so clearly someone is putting pressure on them to stop allowing non-US users using anti-geoblocking services.

By forcing the DNS servers into the APP that's certainly one way for them to control that...

richierich1968

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#1032186 27-Apr-2014 19:56

There is an excellent guide on the Unotelly site which gives instructions for lots of different routers to set up static routes. I did this earlier this evening and now everything is working perfectly.

See http://help.unotelly.com/support/solutions/articles/192836-why-do-i-need-to-block-public-dns

Cheers.

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