"I set mine DNS to 8.8.8.8"
That is one of the LAST ones you should use.. 4.4.4.4 and 8.8.8.8 are both Google and not encrypted.
If you use a public one, you should use 1.0.0.1 and/or 1.1.1.1 (
encrypyted & it is cloudfare).
I have 2 VPNs, and use both of their DNS. IF I am not using theirs, I go straight to 1.0.0.1 & 1.1.1.1.