OpenWrt¶

Here's a short guide to configure Pi-hole as the DNS server for your OpenWrt router. This guide was written for OpenWrt version 24.10 but the principle should hold for any earlier or later release although Web UI might look different.

Requirements¶

OpenWrt router (already installed and accessible)
Pi-hole installed on a device in your network (e.g. Raspberry Pi or LXC container)
Access to OpenWrt LuCI Web Interface or SSH terminal

Configuration¶

Ensure Pi-hole has a fixed IP. For example: 192.168.1.2.

Option 1: Tell DHCP clients to use Pi-hole (Recommended)¶

Web UI: Network > Interfaces > LAN¶

For the selected interface, eg lan, click Edit. Then under DHCP Server > Advanced settings set DHCP-Options:

6,192.168.1.2

Meaning: 6 = DNS server, followed by IP.

Screenshot of OpenWrt interface DHCP settings

Terminal:¶

$ uci add_list dhcp.lan.dhcp_option='6,192.168.1.2'
<no output>
$ uci commit dhcp
<no output>
$ /etc/init.d/dnsmasq restart
<no output>

Option 2: Forward requests to Pi-hole¶

Note: This makes all requests look like they come from the router in Pi-hole.

Web UI: Network > DHCP and DNS > Forwards¶

Add your Pi-hole IP under DNS forwards

Screenshot of OpenWrt DNS forwarding settings

Terminal:¶

$ uci add_list dhcp.@dnsmasq[0].server='192.168.1.2'
<no output>
$ uci commit dhcp
<no output>
$ /etc/init.d/dnsmasq restart
<no output>

Restart Network Clients¶

Reboot your devices or release/renew their DHCP leases so they pick up the new DNS server.

Verification¶

On a client, run:

$ nslookup example.com
Server: 192.168.1.2
Address: 192.168.1.2#53

Ensure the server address is your Pi-hole IP.

Visit the Pi-hole dashboard and check query log for activity.