diff --git a/resources/client_row.ui b/resources/client_row.ui
index 2bdd726..317006d 100644
--- a/resources/client_row.ui
+++ b/resources/client_row.ui
@@ -13,12 +13,16 @@
 		</child>
 		<child type="suffix">
 			<object class="GtkButton" id="dns_button">
-				<signal name="activate" handler="handle_request_dns" swapped="true"/>
+				<signal name="clicked" handler="handle_request_dns" swapped="true"/>
 				<!--<property name="icon-name">network-wired-disconnected-symbolic</property>-->
 				<property name="icon-name">network-wired-symbolic</property>
 				<property name="valign">center</property>
 				<property name="halign">end</property>
-				<property name="tooltip-text" translatable="yes">resolve dns</property>
+				<property name="tooltip-text" translatable="yes">resolve host</property>
+			</object>
+		</child>
+		<child type="suffix">
+			<object class="GtkSpinner" id="dns_loading_indicator">
 			</object>
 		</child>
 		<!-- host -->
diff --git a/src/client.rs b/src/client.rs
index 4371867..95b470c 100644
--- a/src/client.rs
+++ b/src/client.rs
@@ -139,6 +139,8 @@ pub struct ClientState {
     pub ips: HashSet<IpAddr>,
     /// keys currently pressed by this client
     pub pressed_keys: HashSet<u32>,
+    /// dns resolving in progress
+    pub resolving: bool,
 }
 
 pub struct ClientManager {
diff --git a/src/frontend.rs b/src/frontend.rs
index 5777cc7..ac4b15d 100644
--- a/src/frontend.rs
+++ b/src/frontend.rs
@@ -95,6 +95,8 @@ pub enum FrontendRequest {
     Delete(ClientHandle),
     /// request an enumeration of all clients
     Enumerate(),
+    /// resolve dns
+    ResolveDns(ClientHandle),
     /// service shutdown
     Terminate(),
     /// update hostname
diff --git a/src/frontend/gtk/client_object.rs b/src/frontend/gtk/client_object.rs
index 7b48f3c..a9da3b1 100644
--- a/src/frontend/gtk/client_object.rs
+++ b/src/frontend/gtk/client_object.rs
@@ -17,6 +17,15 @@ impl ClientObject {
             .property("port", client.port as u32)
             .property("position", client.pos.to_string())
             .property("active", state.active)
+            .property(
+                "ips",
+                state
+                    .ips
+                    .iter()
+                    .map(|ip| ip.to_string())
+                    .collect::<Vec<_>>(),
+            )
+            .property("resolving", state.resolving)
             .build()
     }
 
@@ -32,4 +41,6 @@ pub struct ClientData {
     pub port: u32,
     pub active: bool,
     pub position: String,
+    pub resolving: bool,
+    pub ips: Vec<String>,
 }
diff --git a/src/frontend/gtk/client_object/imp.rs b/src/frontend/gtk/client_object/imp.rs
index 8ca456e..03e9e95 100644
--- a/src/frontend/gtk/client_object/imp.rs
+++ b/src/frontend/gtk/client_object/imp.rs
@@ -17,6 +17,8 @@ pub struct ClientObject {
     #[property(name = "port", get, set, type = u32, member = port, maximum = u16::MAX as u32)]
     #[property(name = "active", get, set, type = bool, member = active)]
     #[property(name = "position", get, set, type = String, member = position)]
+    #[property(name = "resolving", get, set, type = bool, member = resolving)]
+    #[property(name = "ips", get, set, type = Vec<String>, member = ips)]
     pub data: RefCell<ClientData>,
 }
 
diff --git a/src/frontend/gtk/client_row.rs b/src/frontend/gtk/client_row.rs
index 082d185..58e11cf 100644
--- a/src/frontend/gtk/client_row.rs
+++ b/src/frontend/gtk/client_row.rs
@@ -109,6 +109,27 @@ impl ClientRow {
             .sync_create()
             .build();
 
+        let resolve_binding = client_object
+            .bind_property(
+                "resolving",
+                &self.imp().dns_loading_indicator.get(),
+                "spinning",
+            )
+            .sync_create()
+            .build();
+
+        let ip_binding = client_object
+            .bind_property("ips", &self.imp().dns_button.get(), "tooltip-text")
+            .transform_to(|_, ips: Vec<String>| {
+                if ips.is_empty() {
+                    Some("no ip addresses associated with this client".into())
+                } else {
+                    Some(ips.join("\n"))
+                }
+            })
+            .sync_create()
+            .build();
+
         bindings.push(active_binding);
         bindings.push(switch_position_binding);
         bindings.push(hostname_binding);
@@ -116,6 +137,8 @@ impl ClientRow {
         bindings.push(port_binding);
         bindings.push(subtitle_binding);
         bindings.push(position_binding);
+        bindings.push(resolve_binding);
+        bindings.push(ip_binding);
     }
 
     pub fn unbind(&self) {
diff --git a/src/frontend/gtk/client_row/imp.rs b/src/frontend/gtk/client_row/imp.rs
index d6dead2..141173b 100644
--- a/src/frontend/gtk/client_row/imp.rs
+++ b/src/frontend/gtk/client_row/imp.rs
@@ -25,6 +25,8 @@ pub struct ClientRow {
     pub delete_row: TemplateChild<ActionRow>,
     #[template_child]
     pub delete_button: TemplateChild<gtk::Button>,
+    #[template_child]
+    pub dns_loading_indicator: TemplateChild<gtk::Spinner>,
     pub bindings: RefCell<Vec<Binding>>,
 }
 
@@ -60,6 +62,7 @@ impl ObjectImpl for ClientRow {
         static SIGNALS: OnceLock<Vec<Signal>> = OnceLock::new();
         SIGNALS.get_or_init(|| {
             vec![
+                Signal::builder("request-dns").build(),
                 Signal::builder("request-update")
                     .param_types([bool::static_type()])
                     .build(),
@@ -79,8 +82,8 @@ impl ClientRow {
     }
 
     #[template_callback]
-    fn handle_request_dns(&self) -> bool {
-        false
+    fn handle_request_dns(&self, _: Button) {
+        self.obj().emit_by_name::<()>("request-dns", &[]);
     }
 
     #[template_callback]
diff --git a/src/frontend/gtk/window.rs b/src/frontend/gtk/window.rs
index 7d5b8a8..eeecb9f 100644
--- a/src/frontend/gtk/window.rs
+++ b/src/frontend/gtk/window.rs
@@ -14,7 +14,7 @@ use glib::{clone, Object};
 use gtk::{
     gio,
     glib::{self, closure_local},
-    NoSelection,
+    ListBox, NoSelection,
 };
 
 use crate::{
@@ -67,12 +67,23 @@ impl Window {
                         return;
                     };
                     let client = client.downcast_ref::<ClientObject>().unwrap();
-                    window.request_client_update(client, active);
+                    window.request_client_update(client);
+                    window.request_client_activate(client, active)
                 }));
                 row.connect_closure("request-delete", false, closure_local!(@strong window => move |row: ClientRow| {
                     let index = row.index() as u32;
                     window.request_client_delete(index);
                 }));
+                row.connect_closure("request-dns", false, closure_local!(@strong window => move
+                |row: ClientRow| {
+                    let index = row.index() as u32;
+                    let Some(client) = window.clients().item(index) else {
+                        return;
+                    };
+                    let client = client.downcast_ref::<ClientObject>().unwrap();
+                    window.request_client_update(client);
+                    window.request_dns(index);
+                }));
                 row.upcast()
             })
         );
@@ -100,9 +111,10 @@ impl Window {
     }
 
     pub fn new_client(&self, handle: ClientHandle, client: ClientConfig, state: ClientState) {
-        let client = ClientObject::new(handle, client, state);
+        let client = ClientObject::new(handle, client, state.clone());
         self.clients().append(&client);
         self.set_placeholder_visible(false);
+        self.update_dns_state(handle, !state.ips.is_empty());
     }
 
     pub fn client_idx(&self, handle: ClientHandle) -> Option<usize> {
@@ -162,6 +174,42 @@ impl Window {
             client_object.set_active(state.active);
             log::debug!("set active to {}", state.active);
         }
+
+        if state.resolving != data.resolving {
+            client_object.set_resolving(state.resolving);
+            log::debug!("resolving {}: {}", data.handle, state.active);
+        }
+
+        self.update_dns_state(handle, !state.ips.is_empty());
+        let ips = state
+            .ips
+            .into_iter()
+            .map(|ip| ip.to_string())
+            .collect::<Vec<_>>();
+        client_object.set_ips(ips);
+    }
+
+    pub fn update_dns_state(&self, handle: ClientHandle, resolved: bool) {
+        let Some(idx) = self.client_idx(handle) else {
+            log::warn!("could not find client with handle {}", handle);
+            return;
+        };
+        let list_box: ListBox = self.imp().client_list.get();
+        let row = list_box.row_at_index(idx as i32).unwrap();
+        let client_row: ClientRow = row.downcast().expect("expected ClientRow Object");
+        if resolved {
+            client_row.imp().dns_button.set_css_classes(&["success"])
+        } else {
+            client_row.imp().dns_button.set_css_classes(&["warning"])
+        }
+    }
+
+    pub fn request_dns(&self, idx: u32) {
+        let client_object = self.clients().item(idx).unwrap();
+        let client_object: &ClientObject = client_object.downcast_ref().unwrap();
+        let data = client_object.get_data();
+        let event = FrontendRequest::ResolveDns(data.handle);
+        self.request(event);
     }
 
     pub fn request_client_create(&self) {
@@ -179,7 +227,7 @@ impl Window {
         }
     }
 
-    pub fn request_client_update(&self, client: &ClientObject, active: bool) {
+    pub fn request_client_update(&self, client: &ClientObject) {
         let handle = client.handle();
         let data = client.get_data();
         let position = Position::try_from(data.position.as_str()).expect("invalid position");
@@ -190,13 +238,20 @@ impl Window {
             FrontendRequest::UpdateHostname(handle, hostname),
             FrontendRequest::UpdatePosition(handle, position),
             FrontendRequest::UpdatePort(handle, port),
-            FrontendRequest::Activate(handle, active),
         ] {
             log::debug!("requesting: {event:?}");
             self.request(event);
         }
     }
 
+    pub fn request_client_activate(&self, client: &ClientObject, active: bool) {
+        let handle = client.handle();
+
+        let event = FrontendRequest::Activate(handle, active);
+        log::debug!("requesting: {event:?}");
+        self.request(event);
+    }
+
     pub fn request_client_delete(&self, idx: u32) {
         if let Some(obj) = self.clients().item(idx) {
             let client_object: &ClientObject = obj
diff --git a/src/server.rs b/src/server.rs
index 8eb1450..b63db3f 100644
--- a/src/server.rs
+++ b/src/server.rs
@@ -92,7 +92,7 @@ impl Server {
 
         // udp task
         let (mut udp_task, sender_tx, receiver_rx, port_tx) =
-            network_task::new(self.clone(), frontend_notify_tx).await?;
+            network_task::new(self.clone(), frontend_notify_tx.clone()).await?;
 
         // input capture
         let (mut capture_task, capture_channel) = capture_task::new(
@@ -113,7 +113,8 @@ impl Server {
 
         // create dns resolver
         let resolver = dns::DnsResolver::new().await?;
-        let (mut resolver_task, resolve_tx) = resolver_task::new(resolver, self.clone());
+        let (mut resolver_task, resolve_tx) =
+            resolver_task::new(resolver, self.clone(), frontend_notify_tx);
 
         // frontend listener
         let (mut frontend_task, frontend_tx) = frontend_task::new(
diff --git a/src/server/frontend_task.rs b/src/server/frontend_task.rs
index 58a657c..abc75b1 100644
--- a/src/server/frontend_task.rs
+++ b/src/server/frontend_task.rs
@@ -151,6 +151,16 @@ async fn handle_frontend_event(
             update_pos(server, handle, capture, emulate, pos).await;
             broadcast_client_update(server, frontend, handle).await;
         }
+        FrontendRequest::ResolveDns(handle) => {
+            let hostname = server
+                .client_manager
+                .borrow()
+                .get(handle)
+                .and_then(|(c, _)| c.hostname.clone());
+            if let Some(hostname) = hostname {
+                let _ = resolve_tx.send(DnsRequest { hostname, handle }).await;
+            }
+        }
     };
     false
 }
diff --git a/src/server/resolver_task.rs b/src/server/resolver_task.rs
index 03c026b..ddfb17c 100644
--- a/src/server/resolver_task.rs
+++ b/src/server/resolver_task.rs
@@ -2,7 +2,7 @@ use std::collections::HashSet;
 
 use tokio::{sync::mpsc::Sender, task::JoinHandle};
 
-use crate::{client::ClientHandle, dns::DnsResolver};
+use crate::{client::ClientHandle, dns::DnsResolver, frontend::FrontendEvent};
 
 use super::Server;
 
@@ -12,7 +12,11 @@ pub struct DnsRequest {
     pub handle: ClientHandle,
 }
 
-pub fn new(resolver: DnsResolver, server: Server) -> (JoinHandle<()>, Sender<DnsRequest>) {
+pub fn new(
+    resolver: DnsResolver,
+    mut server: Server,
+    mut frontend: Sender<FrontendEvent>,
+) -> (JoinHandle<()>, Sender<DnsRequest>) {
     let (dns_tx, mut dns_rx) = tokio::sync::mpsc::channel::<DnsRequest>(32);
     let resolver_task = tokio::task::spawn_local(async move {
         loop {
@@ -20,6 +24,13 @@ pub fn new(resolver: DnsResolver, server: Server) -> (JoinHandle<()>, Sender<Dns
                 Some(r) => (r.hostname, r.handle),
                 None => break,
             };
+
+            /* update resolving status */
+            if let Some((_, s)) = server.client_manager.borrow_mut().get_mut(handle) {
+                s.resolving = true;
+            }
+            notify_state_change(&mut frontend, &mut server, handle).await;
+
             let ips = match resolver.resolve(&host).await {
                 Ok(ips) => ips,
                 Err(e) => {
@@ -27,14 +38,35 @@ pub fn new(resolver: DnsResolver, server: Server) -> (JoinHandle<()>, Sender<Dns
                     continue;
                 }
             };
+
+            /* update ips and resolving state */
             if let Some((c, s)) = server.client_manager.borrow_mut().get_mut(handle) {
                 let mut addrs = HashSet::from_iter(c.fix_ips.iter().cloned());
                 for ip in ips {
                     addrs.insert(ip);
                 }
                 s.ips = addrs;
+                s.resolving = false;
             }
+            notify_state_change(&mut frontend, &mut server, handle).await;
         }
     });
     (resolver_task, dns_tx)
 }
+
+async fn notify_state_change(
+    frontend: &mut Sender<FrontendEvent>,
+    server: &mut Server,
+    handle: ClientHandle,
+) {
+    let state = server
+        .client_manager
+        .borrow_mut()
+        .get_mut(handle)
+        .map(|(_, s)| s.clone());
+    if let Some(state) = state {
+        let _ = frontend
+            .send(FrontendEvent::StateChange(handle, state))
+            .await;
+    }
+}