If you're using Legacy DNS (UDP 53), Control D must keep track of the client's IP address in order to enforce the Profile (configuration). If the IP suddenly changes (moved to a new network, or ISP changed the dynamic IP), the Device will no longer enforce your selected Profile.

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Secure DNS

Secure DNS protocols are immune to this limitation, and are the preferred method of using Control D.

Symptom

If this issue occurs, your rules will stop being applied. Anything you had blocked or redirected will resolve normally, as if you're using a standard DNS resolver. You will start seeing ads again (if you had them blocked), and redirected services will load using your true IP.

A definitive check for this would be visiting the Status Page. It will tell you if you're using Control D or not, and what the Resolver (Device) is. If Resolver = N/A, then you have this problem.

Non-Browser Devices

If you've configured Control D on a device that does not have a browser (Android TV box, or similar), please make sure that whatever IP your physical device uses appears on the IP Management page. Only IPs that show up here will be able to communicate with Control D and enforce your rules.

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Dual Stack Networks

If your network supports IPv6, you have to use IPv6 DNS resolvers on your device. If you use IPv4 resolvers, and your IPv4 address is not registered on this device, DNS will not work as expected. You can visit the Status Page to view your IPv4 and IPv6 addresses.

Solution

There are several ways this issue can be resolved, or prevented in the first place.

Visit the Dashboard

If you visit the Control D Dashboard (controld.com) on a physical gadget that has Control D configured on it, it will auto-learn your device's source IP on all Control D Devices that have Legacy Resolver enabled.

Manual Fix

The source IP of the client must be manually added to a Device by the owner of the Control D account (that's you). As soon as this is done, the Device will be able to enforce your Profile, until the IP changes again.

Use API

You can script IP updates by using the API. See the Learn New IP method.

Heartbeat Browser

If you deployed legacy DNS on Windows 10 (all other OSes should be using Secure DNS protocols), or a router that uses Legacy DNS (UDP 53) and did not use the ctrld utility, you can still prevent this issue from occurring by configuring Secure DNS directly in the browser that is used on daily basis. All modern browsers (except Safari) support DNS-over-HTTPS natively.

One can follow the setup tutorial for the specific browser during the self-onboarding, or simply open browser settings, and search for "DNS". Open the relevant option, and paste the DNS-over-HTTPS resolver into the box. Be sure to use the same Control D Device as you used on your physical device.

This will configure DOH directly in the browser, and as a bonus, will automatically authorize the source IP if it ever changes, simply by the virtue of it making DNS queries.

Learn more about Update IP via Heartbeat Device.

Dynamic DNS

If the above (preferred) option doesn't work for you, there is an alternative you can use: Dynamic DNS.

Setup any Dynamic DNS client on the machine, take the DDNS hostname you selected for it, and input into the Device Settings in the web panel. You will find the appropriately named "Dynamic DNS" Setting there, where you can paste your hostname. Control D will authorize any IP that appears in this DNS record, on the Device. This will allow Legacy DNS to function as expected (and enforce your Profile).

ctrld Utility

You can install the ctrld utility on any device (including most routers) and benefit from Secure DNS protocols which are not subject to this limitation. This option is highly recommended.