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AdGuard Home

AdGuard Home is a network-wide ad blocker and DNS server. It blocks ads, trackers, and malware for all devices on your network - without software on individual devices.

Alternative to Pi-hole

AdGuard Home is a modern alternative to Pi-hole with a nicer web interface and easier configuration.

Installation

Add the following template to your docker-compose.yml and then run ei23 dc.

Port 53 conflict

Port 53 (DNS) must not already be in use (e.g., by systemd-resolved or Pi-hole).

Template

  adguardhome:
    image: adguard/adguardhome
    container_name: adguardhome
    ports:
      - 53:53/tcp
      - 53:53/udp
      - 784:784/udp
      - 853:853/tcp
      - 3001:3000/tcp # Admin interface
      - 2229:80/tcp   # Alternative admin port
    volumes:
      - ./volumes/adguardhome/workdir:/opt/adguardhome/work
      - ./volumes/adguardhome/confdir:/opt/adguardhome/conf
    restart: unless-stopped

First Start

  1. After starting, access setup at http://[IP]:3001
  2. Follow the installation wizard
  3. Configure:
    • Admin Interface: Port 3001
    • DNS Server: Port 53
  4. Create your admin password

Set DNS on Devices

Change the DNS server in your router to your server's IP:

  1. Open router interface (e.g., Fritz!Box)
  2. Internet → Account Information → DNS Server
  3. Set DNS to server IP (e.g., 192.168.178.20)

→ All devices on the network automatically use AdGuard

Individual Devices

Alternatively, configure DNS per device:

Device Procedure
Windows Network adapter → IPv4 → DNS Server
macOS System Preferences → Network → DNS
Android WLAN → Advanced → DNS
iOS WLAN → i → Configure DNS

Adding Blocklists

  1. Go to Filters → DNS blocklists
  2. Click Add blocklist → Choose from the list
List Description
AdGuard DNS filter Standard ad blocker
Steven Black's List Ads + Malware
OISD Very good all-round list
Annoyances Cookie banners, etc.

Whitelist

Some services need to be allowed:

  1. Filters → DNS allowlists
  2. Add domain (e.g., analytics.google.com if needed)

Notes

  • Admin interface on port 3001
  • DNS server on port 53
  • DNS-over-TLS on port 853
  • DNS-over-HTTPS on port 784
  • Configuration in ./volumes/adguardhome/

Further Information