🚫 Remove ads across your entire network: The complete guide to Pi-hole
Published on 2025-10-21
Tired of intrusive ads that slow down page loads and track your every move?
Browser extensions are good, but what if you could block ads for your entire home network — smartphones, Smart TVs and IoT devices — all at once?
Meet: Pi-hole. It’s a free open-source tool that turns your small computer (for example, a Raspberry Pi) into a DNS server and network-wide ad blocker. It works at a level browser plugins can’t reach, providing a clean and fast internet for all your gadgets.
🧠 How Pi-hole Works
Pi-hole is a network-level DNS filter.
When any device on the network requests a site (for example, yandex.ru), the request passes through Pi-hole.
- DNS gatekeeper: Pi-hole intercepts the DNS request.
- Check against the “Unwanted Guests List”: the domain is checked against blocklists.
- Instant blocking: if the domain is associated with ads or trackers — a “null” response
0.0.0.0is returned. - Caching: subsequent requests are served faster, speeding up site loading.
Example: you open a news portal — Pi-hole blocks dozens of requests to ad networks, and the page loads instantly.
✨ Why You Should Install Pi-hole
| Feature | What it provides |
|---|---|
| Network-level | Blocks ads on all devices (Smart TVs, set-top boxes, phones) without installing plugins. |
| Privacy | Protects against trackers that collect data about your activity. |
| Flexible management | Convenient web interface for monitoring and manual list management. |
| Customizable lists | You can add hundreds of ready-made blocklists or create your own whitelist/blacklist. |
| Low resource usage | Runs even on a Raspberry Pi Zero or an old laptop. |
| Bandwidth savings | Reduces downloaded data, useful with limited connections. |
🛠️ Installing Pi-hole
Pi-hole installs with a single command if you have basic Linux skills.
1. Preparation
- A device with Linux (ideally a Raspberry Pi, but a VM will do).
- Static IP address — required.
- Internet access.
2. Installation
curl -sSL https://install.pi-hole.net | bash
The installer will guide you through all setup steps (DNS provider, interface, web password).
3. Network configuration
To make the whole network use Pi-hole:
- Best way: set the Pi-hole IP as the primary DNS in your router settings.
- Alternative: set the DNS manually on each device.
⚠️ Characteristics and Limitations
Pi-hole is a DNS-level tool, not a magic wand.
- Does not block embedded/in-video ads (for example, inside YouTube videos).
- Requires periodic updates of the software and lists.
- False positives can occur — resolved by adding the domain to the whitelist.
- If the device running Pi-hole is turned off, the network will lose DNS (set up a backup server).
🚀 Advanced Capabilities
Pi-hole can do more than just filtering:
- DHCP server: manage IP addresses on the network.
- VPN integration: filter ads even when connected remotely.
- Compatibility: easily combines with Unbound, WireGuard, AdGuard Home.
💡 Summary
Pi-hole is a simple, lightweight, and reliable way to take back control of your internet traffic. Install it once — and forget about ads, trackers, and slow sites.