I'm running a TrueNAS server that hosts a PiHole instance through its applications feature. My ASUS RT-AX86U Pro router is set up to route all network traffic through PiHole to block ads, which works well for the most part, achieving about a 99% block rate on my ad lists. However, I'm facing a problem where my Amazon smart thermostat and Blink camera system stop responding after a few hours of network use. I suspect that the ad block lists might be interfering with these devices, but I'm not sure how to keep the ad blocking active while allowing these specific devices to connect properly. I've got around 845,972 domains on the block lists, and I'm looking for a way to adjust my DNS settings to resolve this issue.
2 Answers
It sounds like you might need to whitelist some domains that your Amazon devices need to function properly. Using PiHole for everything is great, but it can occasionally block essential communication for smart devices. Check your PiHole dashboard to identify any blocked domains when the devices stop responding, and whitelist those. It might be a bit of a hassle if your network sees a lot of traffic, but it could solve the connectivity issue.
You could try setting different SSIDs for your 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz networks. Isolate the Amazon devices on the 2.4 GHz network and create a specific PiHole instance for that band. Monitor what gets blocked, especially for your Blink cameras, and adjust the whitelist accordingly. It could help manage the traffic and keep those devices connected without hindering the ad blocking on the rest of your network.
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