unable to connect Helix router through DNS server

[edillons]

Before with my old router I had to connect a wireless router and I was able to add an DNS server to stop adult websites which the new Helix system does but I was also able to block dating sites and anything else I specifically wanted to block. Now with the Helix these dating apps are not blocked and unfortunately they are starting to spam and pop up on my children's laptops. My wife and I want this to stop so I tried to configure a DNS address with the Helix system and it seems I cannot do it. So is there a way to connect my router to the helix and use my router to broadcast the wifi? I would prefer to not do this seeing I had bought pods to extend the range of my Helix system in my house or can my pods connect to my router as well?
Thank you

[3dRikal]

IMO you are better with a separate router and turn off the WIFI on Helix. With the arrival of WIFI6, if you have devices (recent phones for example or even recent laptops) you get much faster WIFI. Also you can tailor your WIFI to your needs. This means that you can create a mesh network if you need one and can change the DNS. I personally use an ASUS router with WIFI6 and have setup Cloudflare's DNS as I rely on extremely short latency. Now if Helix upload speeds could move up so I can actually get good Teams calls... 

[mikeart03a]

Seeing as you're using a service like OpenDNS to filter websites, you can manually configure the DNS settings on your childrens' laptops in the network settings.

Here's how to do it on Windows 10: https://www.windowscentral.com/how-change-your-pcs-dns-settings-windows-10#change_dns_settings_windo...

Or, if you're on an Apple computer: https://support.apple.com/en-ca/guide/mac-help/mh14127/mac

Lastly, to cover the Chromebook (Chrome OS) users: https://www.howtogeek.com/204672/how-to-change-the-dns-server-on-a-chromebook/

[aqk]

Thanks for the 2nd router advice.  I just installed Videotron and and with it came a brand-new WHITE Helix-Fi router. Obligatory of course.  And presumably it is WIFI6, whereas my router is Wifi5 and 2.4,

BUT- I have DD-WRT running on my old router.

Unless Videotron can give me the Helix 10.0.0.1  ID & pw, then perhaps it's time to buy a  new Wifi6 router (I prefer TP-Link) and do as you suggest.

[PatrickM]

Hello @aqk! 

For all Helix Fi gateway modems, the default username is set to "admin" and the password is set to "password".    When you first access 10.0.0.1, you will have to choose a new administrator password. Note that the only way to reset the administrator account if you forget the password is to perform a factory reset.

That said, many advanced options cannot be managed from this configuration page. Some are managed automatically by the network or through the Helix Fi mobile app instead. Seeing DD-WRT mentionned 🙂, if you are the type of user that wants to manage all aspects of your device,  local network and have access to more advanced functions, it is probably best to activate the gateway's bridge mode and then use a personal router of your choice.  You can also find the information about the bridge mode here: https://videotron.com/en/support/internet/use/wifi-access-point.  

Unless you have very specific needs for your network, there is also nothing stopping you from trying the Helix Fi gateway and app with the features offered as is. This is how the majority of Videotron subscribers use it.  Have a good one!