Have you ever tried to open a website and suddenly received an error such as “DNS_PROBE_FINISHED_NXDOMAIN,” “DNS Server Not Responding,” or “This site can’t be reached”? These are common DNS errors that can prevent your computer from accessing websites even when your internet connection appears to be working.
The good news is that most DNS problems can be fixed easily by restarting your router, flushing the DNS cache, changing the DNS server, or resetting Windows network settings.
In this guide, you will learn what DNS errors are, why they happen, and how to fix DNS problems in Windows step by step.
What Is DNS?
DNS stands for Domain Name System. It works like a phonebook for the internet.When you type a website address such as google.com into your browser, your computer needs to find the IP address associated with that domain. DNS servers perform this conversion so your browser can connect to the correct website.
For example:
Website name: google.com
IP address: The DNS system finds the appropriate IP address for your computer.
If the DNS system is not working correctly, your browser may not be able to find the website.
Common DNS Errors
You may see one of the following errors when there is a DNS problem:
DNS server not responding
DNS_PROBE_FINISHED_NXDOMAIN
DNS_PROBE_STARTED
DNS_PROBE_FINISHED_BAD_CONFIG
Server DNS address could not be found
This site can't be reached
DNS address could not be found
These errors can occur in Google Chrome, Microsoft Edge, Firefox, and other browsers.
Why Do DNS Errors Occur?
There can be several reasons for DNS problems in Windows.
1. DNS Server Is Down
Your internet service provider's DNS server may temporarily stop responding.
2. Corrupted DNS Cache
Windows stores DNS information in a local cache. If this information becomes outdated or corrupted, websites may fail to load.
3. Incorrect DNS Settings
Incorrect network or DNS configuration can prevent your computer from resolving website addresses.
4. Router Problems
A temporary problem with your Wi-Fi router or modem can also cause DNS errors.
5. VPN or Proxy
Some VPN and proxy configurations can interfere with DNS requests.
6. Firewall or Security Software
In some cases, firewall or security software may block DNS-related network traffic.
How to Fix DNS Errors in Windows
Try the following solutions one by one. You don't necessarily need to perform all of them.
Method 1: Restart Your Router and Computer
The simplest solution is to restart your network devices.
Turn off your Wi-Fi router or modem.
Wait approximately 30 seconds.
Turn the router back on.
Wait until the internet connection is restored.
Restart your Windows computer.
Try opening the website again.
A simple restart can resolve temporary DNS and network communication problems.
Method 2: Flush the DNS Cache
Windows stores previously resolved DNS information in a local cache. Flushing this cache can fix corrupted or outdated DNS records.
Steps:
Press Windows + S.
Search for Command Prompt.
Right-click Command Prompt.
Select Run as administrator.
Enter the following command:
ipconfig /flushdns 
Press Enter.
You should see a message similar to:
“Successfully flushed the DNS Resolver Cache.”
Now close Command Prompt and try opening the website again.
Tip: This is one of the most useful commands to try when you are experiencing DNS-related browsing problems.
Method 3: Change the DNS Server
If your current DNS server is slow or not responding, you can try using a public DNS service.
Popular options include:
Google DNS
Preferred DNS:
8.8.8.8Alternate DNS:
8.8.4.4
Cloudflare DNS
Preferred DNS:
1.1.1.1Alternate DNS:
1.0.0.1
How to Change DNS in Windows
Press Windows + R.
Type:
ncpa.cpl
Press Enter.
Right-click your active network connection.
Select Properties.
Double-click Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4).
Select Use the following DNS server addresses.
Enter:
Preferred DNS server: 8.8.8.8
Alternate DNS server: 8.8.4.4
Click OK.
Click Close.
Restart your browser and check whether the website opens.
Method 4: Restart the DNS Client Service
Windows uses a service called DNS Client to manage DNS-related operations.
If this service is not working correctly, restarting it may help.
Steps:
Press Windows + R.
Type:
services.msc
Press Enter.
Find DNS Client in the list.
Right-click it.
If the option is available, select Restart.
After restarting the service, try accessing the website again.
Method 5: Renew Your IP Address
Sometimes the problem is related to the IP address assigned to your computer.
Open Command Prompt as Administrator
ipconfig /release
Then:
ipconfig /renew
Finally, flush the DNS cache:
ipconfig /flushdns
Restart your browser and check the connection.
Method 6: Reset TCP/IP
If the previous solutions didn't work, resetting the TCP/IP network stack may help.
Open Command Prompt as Administrator and enter:
netsh int ip reset
Then restart your computer.
You can also run:
netsh winsock reset
After running these commands, restart Windows.
Method 7: Disable VPN or Proxy Temporarily
If you are using a VPN or proxy, it may sometimes interfere with DNS requests.
Try disabling your VPN and proxy temporarily and then open the website again.
Check Windows Proxy Settings
Open Settings.
Go to Network & Internet.
Select Proxy.
Check whether a proxy server has been manually configured.
Disable it temporarily if you don't need it.
Try accessing the website again.
If the website works after disabling the proxy, the proxy configuration may be responsible for the problem.
Method 8: Check Your Browser
The DNS problem may sometimes appear to be a Windows issue when the actual problem is related to the browser.
Try these steps:
Close and reopen the browser.
Clear browser cache.
Try Incognito or Private mode.
Try another browser.
Disable recently installed browser extensions.
For example, if a website doesn't open in Chrome, try opening the same website in Microsoft Edge.
If it works in another browser, the problem may be related to your original browser.
Method 9: Check Your Antivirus and Firewall
Security software can sometimes interfere with network connections.
If DNS errors started after installing or updating security software, temporarily check whether the software is blocking the connection.
Important: Don't leave your antivirus or firewall disabled permanently. If disabling it temporarily fixes the problem, check its network or firewall settings and enable protection again.
Method 10: Restart Windows Network Settings
If none of the above solutions work, you can use Windows Network Reset.
Steps:
Open Windows Settings.
Go to Network & Internet.
Select Advanced network settings.
Select Network reset.
Click Reset now.
Restart your computer.
Keep in mind that Network Reset can remove and reinstall network adapters and may reset saved network settings.
How to Check Whether DNS Is Working
You can test DNS directly using Command Prompt.
Open Command Prompt and type:
nslookup google.com
Press Enter.
If DNS is working, Windows should return information about the DNS server and the IP address associated with the domain.
You can also test your internet connection with:
ping google.com
If the domain cannot be resolved, you may see an error indicating that the host could not be found.
DNS Error vs Internet Connection Problem
A DNS error does not always mean that your internet connection is completely down.
For example:
Wi-Fi connected + websites don't open
→ DNS or network configuration may be the problem.
Wi-Fi disconnected
→ The problem is more likely related to the Wi-Fi adapter, router, or network connection.
You can test this by trying to open a website and then checking whether your computer has received an IP address.
Which DNS Server Should You Use?
There is no single DNS server that is best for everyone. Performance can depend on your location and network provider.
Some commonly used public DNS services are:
| DNS Provider | Preferred DNS | Alternate DNS |
|---|---|---|
| Google DNS | 8.8.8.8 | 8.8.4.4 |
| Cloudflare DNS | 1.1.1.1 | 1.0.0.1 |
| Quad9 | 9.9.9.9 | 149.112.112.112 |
You can try a different DNS provider if your current DNS server is unreliable.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does DNS error mean?
A DNS error means that your computer or browser is having trouble translating a website's domain name into an IP address. As a result, the website may not open.
How do I fix DNS server not responding?
First restart your router and computer. Then try ipconfig /flushdns, change your DNS server to a public DNS such as Google DNS or Cloudflare DNS, and reset your network settings if necessary.
What is DNS_PROBE_FINISHED_NXDOMAIN?
DNS_PROBE_FINISHED_NXDOMAIN generally means that the DNS lookup could not find the requested domain. It can occur because of an incorrect domain, DNS configuration problems, or temporary DNS issues.
Does changing DNS improve internet speed?
Changing DNS can sometimes make website address lookups faster or more reliable, but it does not normally increase your actual internet bandwidth.
Is Google DNS free?
Yes. Google's public DNS service can be used without paying for the DNS service.
Should I change my DNS server?
If your current DNS server is frequently failing or causing DNS errors, trying a reliable public DNS server can be a useful troubleshooting step.
Final Words
DNS errors can be frustrating, especially when your computer shows that Wi-Fi is connected but websites still refuse to open. Fortunately, most DNS problems in Windows can be fixed without reinstalling Windows.
Start with the simple solutions such as restarting your router, flushing the DNS cache, and checking your DNS settings. If the problem continues, try changing the DNS server, resetting TCP/IP, checking VPN/proxy settings, or performing a Windows Network Reset.
If you regularly experience DNS errors, checking your router, DNS configuration, and network adapter can help identify the underlying problem.
Quick Fix Checklist
Before moving to advanced troubleshooting, try these fixes:
Restart your router and PC
Run
ipconfig /flushdnsRun
ipconfig /releaseRun
ipconfig /renewTry Google DNS:
8.8.8.8and8.8.4.4Try Cloudflare DNS:
1.1.1.1and1.0.0.1Disable VPN/proxy temporarily
Check antivirus/firewall settings
Run
netsh winsock resetReset Windows network settings