How to set up parental controls on a Linksys or Velop router

Linksys's built-in parental controls can pause devices and block a few sites by hand. One DNS setting gets you categories, apps and schedules.

Updated November 12, 2026·2 min read

Short answer

Log in at myrouter.local (or 192.168.1.1) or open the Linksys app, go to Connectivity › Internet Settings › Edit (or Advanced Settings › Internet Settings), set DNS 1 to your Sheepdog Filter address, leave DNS 2 empty, and save. Then turn IPv6 off.

Before you start

In your Sheepdog Filter dashboard, open Devices › + Protect something › Everyone at home and copy your DNS address.

Step 1: Find the DNS setting

  • On a computer: go to myrouter.local (or 192.168.1.1) and log in. Open Connectivity › Internet Settings and click Edit next to the connection type.
  • In the Linksys app: tap the menu › Advanced Settings › Internet Settings.

Step 2: Fill in the boxes

  • Static DNS 1: paste your Sheepdog Filter address.
  • Static DNS 2: leave empty. Never add Google (8.8.8.8) or your internet company's address, or devices will slip around the filter.

Click Apply or Save.

Step 3: Turn IPv6 off

Under Connectivity › Internet Settings › IPv6, uncheck Automatic or disable IPv6, and save. This stops devices quietly going around the filter.

What this covers

Every device on your Wi‑Fi. For kids' phones on mobile data, also set up the device: see iPhone and Android.

Sheepdog Filter

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Questions parents ask

Do I still need Linksys parental controls?

You can keep them for pausing a device. Sheepdog Filter adds category and app blocking, bedtimes, homework mode and a weekly report.

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