Troubleshooting Opera's DNS over HTTPS (DoH): Why It Might Not Be Working and How to Fix It

DNS over HTTPS (DoH) enhances your privacy by encrypting your DNS queries, preventing your ISP and others from seeing which websites you visit. Opera integrates DoH, but sometimes it can malfunction. This guide will walk you through common reasons why Opera's DoH might not be working and provide solutions.

Common Reasons Why Opera's DoH Isn't Working

Several factors can hinder Opera's DoH functionality:

• DoH is not enabled: The most basic reason is that DoH might be disabled in Opera's settings. Ensure it's correctly activated.
• Incorrect DoH provider selection: Opera might be configured to use a DoH provider that's down, overloaded, or blocked by your network.
• Network restrictions: Your network administrator (at work, school, or home) might be blocking DoH traffic. Firewalls or other security measures can interfere.
• Conflicting network settings: Other network configurations, like a VPN or proxy server, can conflict with Opera's DoH settings. Temporarily disable these to isolate the issue.
• Opera's cache or corrupted files: Sometimes, cached data or corrupted Opera files can cause DoH to fail. Clearing the cache and restarting might help.
• Outdated Opera version: Bugs affecting DoH are often patched in updates. Ensure you're running the latest version of Opera.
• DNS server issues: Even with DoH enabled, the selected DoH provider might be experiencing outages or performance problems.
• Operating system limitations: Less likely, but in rare cases, conflicts with the operating system's network settings could disrupt DoH functionality.

Troubleshooting Steps

1. Verify DoH is Enabled in Opera

Open Opera's settings (usually via the menu button, then Settings). Navigate to Privacy & security, then find the 'DNS over HTTPS' settings. Ensure that it's toggled 'On' and that a DoH provider is selected. Opera usually provides a few options; try switching to a different one if the current choice isn't working.

2. Check your Network Configuration

Temporarily disable any VPNs, proxies, or other network-altering software you're using. If DoH works after disabling them, there's a conflict. You may need to reconfigure your VPN or proxy settings to allow DoH traffic. Consult your VPN/proxy documentation for instructions.

3. Test with Different DoH Providers

Opera typically offers a choice of DoH providers (like Cloudflare, Google Public DNS, etc.). If one provider fails, try switching to another. This helps determine if the problem is with a specific provider or Opera itself.

4. Clear Opera's Cache and Cookies

Go to Opera's settings and locate the option to clear browsing data. Select 'Cached images and files,' 'Cookies and other site data,' and 'Browsing history,' then clear them. Restart Opera after clearing the cache.

5. Update Opera

Check for Opera updates in the Opera settings. Install any available updates to ensure you're using the most recent version, which might contain bug fixes related to DoH.

6. Check Your Firewall and Router Settings

Your firewall or router might be blocking DoH traffic. Consult your firewall/router documentation to see how to check for and adjust these settings. You may need to allow outgoing connections on the ports used by your chosen DoH provider (usually port 443).

7. Check for DNS Server Issues

Use an online DNS checker to confirm that the DoH server you're using is responsive and reachable. If the server itself is down, you'll need to either wait for it to recover or select a different provider.

8. Consider System-Level DNS Settings

(Advanced Users) In rare cases, your operating system's DNS settings might conflict with Opera's DoH configuration. However, this is less common. This is a more advanced troubleshooting step and you should only attempt this if you are comfortable working with system-level settings. Incorrectly configuring system DNS can lead to internet connectivity problems.