How to Set Up Pi Hole: A Brief Guide

A PiHole setup ensures network-wide ad-blocking. It filters all DNS requests, leading to blocked ads, trackers, and unwanted content from all devices. Pi Hole setup doesn’t require you to install separate browser ad-blocker extensions.  

Installing PiHole enhances your overall internet performance and experience. It prevents devices from sending your data for targeted ads, protects your privacy and security, and ensures centralized management. 

That said, this article covers a step-by-step guide for how to setup PiHole on Ubuntu, Windows and Router. Following that, we will cover the frequently asked questions to further simplify the process and answer relevant queries to PiHole setup. 

Note: PiHole setup is not an online security alternative. We recommend layering it with iProVPN to enhance online privacy and security.

Pi-Hole Hardware Requirement: What Is Needed to Run Pi-Hole?

PiHole setup requires you to gather various hardware materials. Here’s a list of what you will need before you set up the PiHole: 

• Raspberry Pi with a minimum of 512MB of RAM. 
• Use a Pi 4 or Pi 5 for improved performance. Newer Raspberry Pi models work better. 
• MicroSD card of a minimum of 16GB (Class 10). We recommend using a high-quality card from a reliable brand. 
• Use a wired Ethernet connection. WiFi connections are often less stable. 
• Ensure you have a stable power supply backup, such as a UPS. This is recommended for remote deployments. 

How to Set Up Pi Hole to Block Ads

PiHole works as a DNS sinkhole. Pi-Hole answers to domain requests with a non-routable address so that the ad never loads. Ads are avoided because this process happens on a network level. It blocks ads from websites that use separate ad domains and tracking or analytics domains. It improved privacy and sped up page loads. 

The core concepts of a Pi Hole setup on different devices are similar. Only the concrete tools and commands differ. Here are brief tutorials for how to how to setup PiHole on Ubuntu, Windows, and Router: 

How to Set Up Pi Hole on Ubuntu

You can directly setup Pi-Hole on Ubuntu or any Linux. Here are the brief steps for how to setup PiHole:

• Open Terminal on your Ubuntu machine. Run the following commands one by one: 

sudo apt update && sudo apt upgrade -y (This will update Ubuntu)

sudo apt install curl -y (This will install Curl)

• Once done, you will be required to fill in the password. Enter your password and then run the following single command: 

curl -sSL https://install.Pi-Hole.net | sudo bash

• A blue text-based installer will appear. 
• Keep pressing Enter. Accept the default options or enter any specifications you want. 
• You should be able to see the PiHole IP address, the URL for the admin page, and the Admin Password. Note down the Admin Password. 
• Open a browser on a computer in your network and go to: http://<Pi-Hole-IP>/admin. Replace <Pi-Hole-IP> with the address shown at the end of the install. 
• Log in with the Admin password to see the Pi-Hole dashboard. 
• Set up PiHole to block ads. You must use it as the device’s DNS server. 
• Log in to the router’s web page. 
• Find the DHCP or LAN from where the DNS server is set. 
• Change the primary DNS to PiHole IP address. Save this. 
• All new devices on your network will use PiHole and block ads. 

How to Setup PiHole Windows

Ensure you have Windows 10/11 installed, an Ethernet connection, and admin rights to the PC. This PiHole setup tutorial is for a simple home network. 

• Go to Docker Desktop download page. Install Docker Desktop for Windows.
• Enable WSL2 / required components.
• Reboot if asked. The Docker Desktop will automatically start.
• Select Linux Containers when Docker asks about Linux vs Windows containers.
• Create a separate folder and create two other folders inside it. Label them as dns and etc. Docker will store PiHole data in this. 
• Find your PC’s local IP address by:

Press Win+R > type cmd > Enter.

Type ipconfig > Enter. 

Note down the IPv4 Address of the main adapter. 

• Go to Start > type cmd. Right click > Run as administrator. 
• Run the following command: 

docker pull PiHole/PiHole

• Run the following command in the same Command Prompt: 

docker run -d `

  –name PiHole `

  -p 53:53/tcp -p 53:53/udp `

  -p 80:80 `

  -v C:\PiHole\etc:/etc/PiHole `

  -v C:\PiHole\dns:/etc/dnsmasq.d `

  -e TZ=”Etc/UTC” `

  -e WEBPASSWORD=”ChangeThisPassword” `

  –restart=unless-stopped `

  PiHole/PiHole

Note: In the above-mentioned code, you can replace C:\PiHole\etc:/etc/PiHole and C:\PiHole\dns:/etc/dnsmasq.d if you choose a different folder. You can also enter an Admin password in ChangeThisPassword so that it is easier to remember. 

• After a few seconds, run: docker ps 
• You will see a PiHole container in the list, with STATUS “Up”.
• On the same Windows PC, open your preferred browser. Go to:

http://localhost/admin OR http://<your-PC-IP>/admin 

• Log in with the password that you set in the Web Password. 

How to Setup PiHole on Router

Note: Pi Hole will only block ads when devices send their DNS queries to it. The most common method to do so is via the router. 

• Log in to your router’s web interface.
• Find the LAN or DHCP settings > DNS server. 
• Set the primary DNS server to the Windows PC’s IP address that you noted from the previous steps. 
• Save and reboot the router. 

Which Devices and Apps Pi-Hole Cannot Block

Some services feature ads from the same domains as the main content. This makes DNS-level blocking harder or, at times, impossible. For example, Smart TV apps often feature ads despite setting up PiHole. 

Moreover, Pi Hole setup doesn’t hide page elements, such as empty ad boxes or sponsored labels. However, a browser extension in this case often works better. This is why we recommend using it as a first layer combined with a browser ad blocker. 

How to Ensure Effective Ad Blocking

Ensure all your devices have the PiHole set up, especially through the router’s DHCP settings. Then enable the blocklists and update them. You can also create optional custom blacklists/whitelists for fine-tuning the ads. 

Once done, PiHole will significantly reduce ads and trackers across your network. This won’t ensure a 100% ad-blocking, but the results will be effective. 

Are There Downsides to Pi-Hole?

There are some downsides to Pi Hole setup, such as its inability to sometimes block ads. Moreover, the technical setup requirements are often a drawback. Here are the common downsides of Pi Hole setup: 

• Fails to Block Same Domain Ads: Pi Hole setup doesn’t block ads from the same domain as the content. For example, you will still see the in-video ads on YouTube. 
• Less Effective on Encrypted DNS: It is less effective against devices that use DNS over HTTPS or DNS over TLS. These can’t bypass the local DNS server. 
• Application Ads: It cannot block application-level ads, i.e., advertisements that come from the app’s own server. You will see these in games and other apps, where in-app ads show.
• Device Slowdowns: You might notice a slower device performance. The setup PiHole running can add milliseconds to DNS queries. 
• Website Glitches: Some websites do not allow third-party services. Setting up the PiHole might lead to websites not loading or glitching. 
• Complex Setup Process: The PiHole setup process is complex, and it might be challenging for those unacquainted with command-line configuration. 
• Security Risks: PiHole is not a security replacement. Moreover, improper command configuration may result in a security risk. For example, running an open resolver may be misused during DNS amplification attacks. 

Final Note: Simplifying the PiHole Setup

Setting up PiHole can be intimidating, especially when you don’t have experience with command-line setups. Addressing that, we ensured to break down every step of how to set up Pi Hole into comprehensive, and beginner-friendly steps. We covered brief tutorials for pi hole setup on Ubuntu, Windows and Router. 

However, you must know that PiHole is not a security solution, and it may pose security risks if not configured correctly. You can layer a VPN and PiHole to enhance privacy and security online. While the PiHole blocks unnecessary ads, the VPN ensures privacy protection. We recommend only using a reliable VPN, such as iProVPN.