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Feeling busy is normal, but when you’re constantly getting distracted by notifications on your laptop, it can make it hard to concentrate. By making a few changes in settings, you can stop alerts from constantly fighting for your attention. You can finally get the internet quiet hours you’ve been meaning to create so you can focus on the more important projects.

For example, you can create some quiet time between 9:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m. In your router or mesh app, pause Wi-Fi for streaming and social apps, and leave cameras and the thermostat online. On your laptop and phone, you can schedule Do Not Disturb so that most notifications stay quiet, while still allowing calls and texts from certain contacts. That way, if there’s an emergency, the people who matter can reach you at any time. The result is simple: fewer pings, lower stress, and more time to finish what matters.

NextDNS Parental Controls and Security tabs

Restrict specific websites and games

NextDNS parental controls make quiet hours on the internet manageable with easy-to-find options that allow you to take a break from specific websites, apps, or games. I use it to block sites that end in various ways, such as .zip or .mov, by blocking specific top-level domains. **Security -> Top-Level Domains. **This is separate from Parental Control. The setup didn’t take long: create a profile configuration in the dashboard on the NextDNS site, install it on my computer, and then link the device/IP to that configuration.

Parental Control -> Categories. Add the categories you want to block, such as gambling or online gaming. NextDNS also allows me to schedule a Recreation Time, a daily window during which selected services are allowed, currently with a single time window per day. Parental Control -> Websites, Apps & Games -> Add. Add Facebook, Snapchat, and Roblox. These items are allowed only during the Recreation Time window and are blocked outside of it. I set a schedule that states when these sites are allowed and when they aren’t. If I want to avoid wasting time on things that can wait for later, this feature helps me stay focused.

Quiet hours with ESET

Rules that stop background pings

Making a few changes to ESET’s firewall settings is another great way to get someinternet quiet hours. I was able to create outbound block rules tied to specific executables, such as chrome.exe or spotify.exe, so those apps can’t connect during focus blocks. But since there are apps you always need, it’s best to create a rule that lets these specific apps run during quiet hours.

On Windows 11, open ESET, and follow Setup -> Network protection -> Configure (cogwheel next to Firewall) -> Rules -> Edit -> Add -> Name: Block Zoom -> Action: Block -> Direction: Out -> Application: Select full path to Zoom.exe (for example: C:\Program Files\Zoom\bin\Zoom.exe) -> Save -> move this rule above any allow rules for Zoom so it’s the first match during quiet hours. (Make sure logging is enabled for this rule if you want to monitor blocked attempts.) Launch Zoom to check for a blocked entry in Network protection logs, then reduce logging if needed.

Schedule Wi-Fi quiet hours on your router

Use the wireless schedule to auto-pause the internet at set times

Scheduling Wi-Fi down is simple and effective. You don’t need a full blackout to feel the reset. Pick a 15 to 20-minute window when nothing urgent is pending and let the connection go quiet. No pings, no “just one quick check.” By removing distractions, you save valuable seconds that add up and help you get things done on time.

Going into your router’s settings may sound intimidating. Still, the steps are easy: open a browser -> enter your router’s address -> sign in -> Wireless Schedule / Access Schedule / Parental Controls -> set Start time -> End time -> Days -> Save. Many routers also let you choose a band (2.4 GHz, 5 GHz) or target Devices/Profiles under Parental Controls -> Save. Good to know: this feature isn’t available on every router, names and steps vary by brand/ISP, and some models only support it in the vendor app. Check the support page for your exact model to confirm.

A smarter way to step away

Quiet hours work because they’re simple and repeatable. Depending on the option you choose, you can edit them however you want, so you can cut down on distractions as much as you like. If you don’t like the preset times, you can always edit them.

You’re in control of how long your focus sessions last and how many breaks you can take in between. Sure, there are ways to turn your sessions off, but when you need to get important things done, the sense of meeting the deadline is a great reason to resist. Plus, quiet hours encourage you to build a routine that fits your own style and needs, making it easier to stay consistent over time.