The Lazy Networker

To configure Pi-hole to block ads, follow these steps:

1. Set Up Raspberry Pi: First, configure a Raspberry Pi running Raspberry Pi OS. You can use any Raspberry Pi model, but the Zero 2 W is recommended for its low power consumption. Install Raspberry Pi OS Lite (32-bit) to run headlessly (without a mouse and keyboard).
2. Install Pi-hole: Once your Raspberry Pi is set up, install Pi-hole software on it. You can use a one-line script installer provided by Pi-hole to set up the software easily.
3. Assign Static IP Address: Ensure your Raspberry Pi has a static IP address that does not change when it restarts or reconnects to the network. This can be done through your router’s settings by specifying the MAC address of the Raspberry Pi and assigning it a static IP.
4. Configure Router DNS Settings: Log into your router’s admin interface and change the DNS settings to use the static IP address of your Raspberry Pi. This can usually be found under sections like “Internet,” “DHCP,” “Internet Connection,” or “DDNS.” Enter your Pi-hole’s IP address in the DNS field. If your router provides multiple custom DNS fields, add your Pi-hole address in each field.
5. Direct DNS Queries to Pi-hole: After configuring your router, all devices connected to your network will send DNS queries to your Pi-hole instead of to a DNS server on the internet. Pi-hole will block requests to ad domains before they leave your network.
6. Access Pi-hole Dashboard: Visit the Pi-hole dashboard using the admin URL (usually http://pi.hole/admin) to manage your Pi-hole settings. You can block or unblock specific domain names and configure other features from here.

By following these steps, you can effectively block ads across your entire network, including devices that don’t support browser extensions, such as smart TVs and game consoles.