In this article

In certain cases, updating the macOS Roaming Client from v1.x.x to v2.x.x may not restore the original DNS settings upon uninstall, leaving the DNSFilter IP 127.0.0.1 (loopback address) as the device’s DNS configuration.

This typically happens if the v1.x.x agent has previously crashed or been manually stopped, which can cause the original DNS configuration to be lost from the agent’s memory.

When upgrading to version 2.2.0+ from an affected installation, the device can lose network connectivity until the correct DNS settings are manually restored.

Note: Version 2.2.0+ uses a macOS System Extension and no longer modifies the device’s DNS settings directly, so this specific issue will not occur once updated—though devices already impacted will require manual correction.

What we know

• In versions prior to 2.2.0, the app directly controlled the system’s DNS configuration and could set it to 127.0.0.1 to route queries locally through the agent

  • This was part of normal agent startup or network connection to intercept DNS traffic

• Recent macOS versions enforce stricter sandboxing and system configuration rules for network extensions

• While an app can set DNS (including loopback) under certain privileges, it cannot programmatically undo or remove that setting later without user or MDM intervention

  • Apple’s security model expects DNS changes to be reverted manually by an admin or via MDM profiles—not automatically by an app like DNSFilter's Roaming Client

How to work around the issue

To help our engineers pinpoint the root cause of this issue, collect diagnostic logs from the impacted device and send to our Support team for review before manually restoring the device's original DNS settings to resolve the issue. 

Here are steps using Google's IP as example.

1. From the local device, navigate to System Settings and select Wi-Fi
2. Select Details of the connected Wi-Fi network
   
3. Tab to DNS. The DNSFilter IP 127.0.0.1 should be listed under DNS Servers
4. Highlight the IP (click it) and select the Minus key (➖) to remove the address
   
5. Select the Plus key (➕) and enter Google's IP: 8.8.8.8
6. Select OK to save the settings