Installing Control D natively on LibreELEC

Installing Control D natively on LibreELEC

This guide installs the Control D binary as a local DNS proxy on LibreELEC, ideal for unblocking streaming services without a VPN.

Remember to BACKUP before you try to install Control D. Regard: Peter

1. Download the binary

SSH into your LibreELEC device and run:

mkdir -p /storage/ctrld && cd /storage/ctrld
curl -L -o ctrld https://dl.controld.com/linux-arm64/ctrld
chmod +x ctrld

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ARM64 (Raspberry Pi 4/5, Rockchip, Amlogic). For x86_64 (Intel NUC, old PC) use:
curl -L -o ctrld https://dl.controld.com/linux-amd64/ctrld

Verify the binary:

/storage/ctrld/ctrld --version

Should print ctrld version v1.5.1 (or similar).

2. Get your Control D Resolver ID

1. Log into Control D dashboard.
2. Profile → DNS over HTTPS → copy Resolver ID (e.g., abcdef123456).
3. Replace YOUR_RESOLVER_ID in the commands below.

3. Generate the configuration (first time only)

/storage/ctrld/ctrld run --cd YOUR_RESOLVER_ID --config /storage/ctrld/ctrld.toml --skip_self_checks

Wait a few seconds, then press Ctrl+C. This creates a full config file with captive portal bypass rules.

Verify the config contains your ID:

grep endpoint /storage/ctrld/ctrld.toml

Expected: endpoint = 'https://dns.controld.com/YOUR_RESOLVER_ID'

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Important: After this step, never use --cd again – the config file already has your ID.

4. Create the autostart script (runs on boot)

nano /storage/.config/autostart.sh

Paste exactly (without --cd):

#!/bin/sh
(
  sleep 20
  /storage/ctrld/ctrld run --config /storage/ctrld/ctrld.toml --skip_self_checks > /storage/ctrld/boot.log 2>&1
) &

Save (Ctrl+O, Enter, Ctrl+X), then:

chmod +x /storage/.config/autostart.sh

5. Start Control D manually (test before reboot)

/storage/ctrld/ctrld run --config /storage/ctrld/ctrld.toml &

Check it’s listening on port 53:

netstat -tuln | grep :53

You should see :::53 or 0.0.0.0:53 in LISTEN state.

If you have problems, run with debug output (-vv) – press Ctrl+C to stop.

6. Point LibreELEC’s DNS to localhost

Find your active network service:

connmanctl services

Look for AO or AR (e.g., ethernet_2ccf678483b1_cable). Then set DNS:

connmanctl config YOUR_SERVICE_NAME --nameservers 127.0.0.1 1.1.1.1

Example:

connmanctl config ethernet_2ccf678483b1_cable --nameservers 127.0.0.1 1.1.1.1

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7. Reboot (required for DNS change to fully apply)

reboot

After reboot, SSH back in and verify:

pgrep -a ctrld

Should show a running process (e.g., 1179 /storage/ctrld/ctrld).

Test DNS:

nslookup google.com

First line must show Server: 127.0.0.1.

Test unblocking:

nslookup verify.controld.com

Should return a proxy IP like 147.185.34.1.

Troubleshooting

Uninstall / revert to normal DNS

Revert to normal DNS:

connmanctl config YOUR_SERVICE_NAME --nameservers auto

Uninstall:

pkill ctrld
rm -rf /storage/ctrld
rm /storage/.config/autostart.sh
reboot

Notes

• Works on LibreELEC 10+ (Kodi 19+).
• Low RAM/CPU usage.
• Files in /storage survive system updates.
• Reboot is essential after connmanctl DNS change.

• pgrep -a ctrld shows PID 1178 running → Control D is active.
• nslookup google.com shows Server: 127.0.0.1 → system DNS is using localhost.
• nslookup verify.controld.com returns 147.185.34.1 → Control D proxy is working.
• The “address already in use” error when you ran -vv manually is simply because you already had Control D
• running (PID 1178). That’s expected – you can’t have two instances on port 53.
• boot.log is empty because --skip_self_checks suppresses most logging unless there’s an error. That’s fine.
• Enjoy your unblocked LibreELEC streaming!

Control D Overview for Streaming

Here is an overview of Control D and why it is particularly good for streaming.

What is Control D?

Control D is a modern, customizable DNS service (like a next-gen alternative to Cloudflare's 1.1.1.1 or Google's 8.8.8.8). But unlike basic DNS, it acts as a "smart router" for your internet traffic.

Think of it as a hybrid between a standard DNS and a VPN:

• DNS: It translates website names (like Netflix.com) into IP addresses.
• Proxy: Unlike normal DNS, Control D can redirect those requests through its global proxy network.

For streaming, this means it can make a streaming service think you are in the US, Canada, the UK, or Japan, even if you are not, without the heavy overhead of a traditional VPN.

Why Control D is Good for Streaming

Here are the 4 main advantages over traditional VPNs (like NordVPN, ExpressVPN) or Smart DNS proxies:

1. Bypasses "VPN Blocked" Errors

Streaming services (Netflix, Hulu, Disney+, BBC iPlayer) actively block known VPN IP addresses. Because Control D is a DNS service (not a traditional VPN IP pool), it is much harder for these services to detect and block. You rarely see the dreaded "You seem to be using an unblocker or proxy" error.

2. Faster Streaming (No Speed Loss)

VPNs encrypt all your internet traffic, which slows down your connection. Control D does not encrypt your video stream. It simply changes the route. Once the stream starts, your local ISP handles the video directly. Result:

• Lower latency (better for live sports)
• Higher bitrates (no buffering on 4K HDR)

3. Per-Service Control (Split Routing)

This is the killer feature. With a VPN, if you connect to the US, everything (Google, your bank, local news) thinks you are in the US. With Control D, you can set rules like:

• netflix.com → USA Proxy
• bbc.co.uk → UK Proxy
• amazon.com → No Proxy (use local version)
• youtube.com → Block Ads (another feature)

Your banking app and local weather always see your real location, while only your streaming services see the proxy location.

4. Works on Any Device

• Smart TVs: No VPN apps for LG or Samsung WebOS? Just change the DNS settings to Control D.
• Apple TV / Roku: Same thing. Impossible to install a VPN, trivial to change DNS.
• Routers: Change DNS once, and every device in your house can unblock global streaming catalogs.

The Catch (What you need to know)

• No Encryption: Because it doesn't encrypt your traffic, it won't hide your streaming activity from your ISP (only that you are connecting to Control D). Great for unblocking content, not for privacy if you are pirating.
• Setup Complexity: While easy, you do need to log into a web dashboard to "activate" regions. It isn't as simple as clicking a "Connect" button in an app.
• Not all services work 100%: Very stubborn services (like some live sports on ESPN+) can occasionally break, but the Control D team is very aggressive about fixing them.

Verdict: Who is it for?

Control D is the best tool for streaming if:

• You own a Smart TV, Apple TV, or gaming console (where VPNs don't exist).
• You hate losing 40% of your internet speed to a VPN.
• You want to watch US Hulu from Europe or UK iPlayer from Australia.
• You want a single solution for your whole family (set it on your router).

Stick with a VPN if:

• You need to hide all your traffic from your ISP for privacy/piracy reasons.
• You need to change your location for every app (not just streaming).

Bottom Line: For pure streaming speed and reliability, Control D is currently superior to almost every VPN on the market. It's what Smart DNS promised to be a decade ago, but actually works.