Pihole or Not Experience answers with actual use

Applications
44

How to Configure Network-Wide Pi-hole with Client Exceptions

Here is a guide on setting up your Pi-hole to block ads for the entire network, while excluding specific clients using the Group Management features.

Prerequisites

  • A functional Pi-hole installation with a static IP address (e.g., 192.168.1.100).

  • Access to your router’s DHCP server settings.

Step 1: Configure Your Router for Network-Wide DNS

This forces all devices on your network to use the Pi-hole for DNS resolution.

  1. Log into your router’s admin panel.

  2. Navigate to the DHCP Server or LAN settings.

  3. Set the Primary DNS Server to your Pi-hole’s static IP address (e.g., 102.168.1.100).

  4. Leave the Secondary DNS Server blank or set it to 0.0.0.0 to ensure all queries go to the Pi-hole.

  5. Save your settings and reboot the router.

  6. Optional but recommended: Ensure your computer and other clients receive the new DNS setting by restarting them or running ipconfig /renew on Windows.

How to Configure Pi-hole for Network-Wide Ad Blocking with Client Exceptions

This guide assumes your Pi-hole is installed and accessible via its web interface. The final step of configuring your router is necessary for this to work network-wide.

Prerequisites

  • Your Pi-hole has a static IP address (e.g., 192.168.1.100).

  • You know how to access your router’s DHCP settings.

Step 1: Configure Your Router for Network-Wide Blocking

To ensure all devices on your network use the Pi-hole, you must tell your router to provide the Pi-hole’s IP address as the only DNS server.

  1. Access your Router settings (usually via 192.168.1.1 or similar IP address in a web browser).

  2. Navigate to Network > DHCP Server (or similar LAN settings).

  3. Set the Primary DNS Server field to your Pi-hole’s IP address (e.g., 192.168.1.100).

  4. Leave the Secondary DNS Server field blank (or set it to 0.0.0.0).

  5. Save settings and reboot your router and client devices to pick up the new DNS settings.

Step 2: Create a Group for Excluded Clients

You need a dedicated group for clients you do not want to block ads for.

  1. In the Pi-hole admin interface, go to Group Management > Groups.

  2. Under Add a new group, enter a descriptive name like no_ads and a comment (e.g., “Clients that bypass ad blocking”).

  3. Ensure Status is Enabled and click Add.

Step 3: Exclude the New Group from Ad Lists

Next, you must ensure your active ad lists are not assigned to the no_ads group.

  1. Go to Group Management > Adlists.

  2. For every ad list entry:

    • Click the Group assignment dropdown menu or icon.

      1. Ensure only the Default group is checked.
      2. Ensure the no_ads group is unchecked.

Step 4: Assign Specific Clients to the Excluded Group

Finally, move your specific clients (like mypc and home) from the Default group to the no_ads group.

  1. Go to Group Management > Clients. The clients should appear here after they start using the Pi-hole.

  2. For the specific client IP addresses (e.g., 192.168.1.70 and 192.168.1.71):

    • Click the Edit button (pencil icon) or select the group assignment dropdown.

    • Uncheck the Default group.

    • Check the no_ads group.

  3. Click Save for each client entry.

You have now successfully configured network-wide ad blocking with specific device exceptions!

4 Likes
45

How did I ever live without it. Opps dont click the links

Top Blocked Domains

1 Like