Simple Fixes for DNS Server Not Responding Windows Issues

Key Highlights

• When you see “DNS server not responding” on your computer, know that it is a common network connection issue. This means you cannot get internet access at that moment.
• First, do some basic steps. Try another web browser or test your network connection by using a different device.
• A quick restart may help. Start by turning your computer off and on, and do the same with your modem and router. This can fix Windows problems like this.
• Learn how to flush your dns cache. You can also change your dns server addresses to public ones, such as Google DNS.
• Don’t forget to look at your Windows network settings. You can turn off extra network connections, any VPNs, and antivirus software for a short time to see if your internet improves.

Introduction

When you get a “DNS server not responding” message on your Windows computer, it can stop you from getting online. This message means your computer can not reach the DNS, which is the domain name system. The DNS is like the internet’s address book. Your web browser uses the dns server for finding the numbers that match web page names. If the dns server is not found, your operating system can not load any web page you pick.

In this guide, you will see easy steps that help fix the dns server not problem on Windows. You do not need special skills to do any of this. These fixes can help you get back on the web in a short time.

Understanding the ‘DNS Server Not Responding’ Error on Windows

When you get a ‘DNS server not responding’ error on your computer, it shows that there is a problem with the connection. Your device tried to go to a website, but the dns server did not answer. A dns server is the service that changes the website name into an address. This is one of the network issues that many people get.

These error messages can keep you from going to any web pages. You might feel that you are connected, but the issue is still there. The problem can be a small glitch. It can also come from the incorrect network settings in the control panel. Let’s look at what the DNS server does. We will also talk about why it can fail sometimes.

What is a DNS server and how does it work?

Think of the Domain Name System (dns server) as the internet’s phone book. It lets you use a domain name to open a website instead of a long string of numbers. So, when you type a domain name like FirstRateTechCorp.com, it is much easier than using an ip address. A dns server makes this switch from domain name to ip address happen.

When you type a domain name in your browser, your computer talks to a dns server. The dns server will look through its list for the domain name you give. Then, it finds the corresponding ip address. The ip address is just a group of numbers. It shows where the website is on the internet.

This is called dns resolution. When your computer gets the right ip address from the server, your browser can go to the site. It will then show you the page. The whole process takes just a few milliseconds. But if something does not work, you will not get to the site.

Why does the ‘DNS Server Not Responding’ error occur?

The ‘DNS Server Not Responding’ error can show up when your browser sends dns requests but does not get a reply. Your computer wants to use the internet, but the dns server it talks to might be down, hard to reach, or it just will not answer at this time. A dns server issue like this can break your internet connection and stop you from getting to websites.

There are a few big reasons why this might happen. The dns server may be down for a while or there can be too many people trying to use it at the same time. Sometimes, your own internet connection is not strong and that makes it hard for your device to reach the dns server.

Another thing that can go wrong is with the dns records your computer has. The dns records saved on your computer may be old or not correct. This can make your computer look for the wrong address. It is like you ask for directions, but you have a map that does not help. Or the one who can help is not there.

Common causes for Windows users

If you use Windows, you might face problems because of your computer or your network. The way your computer is set up or the programs you use can keep it from talking to a dns server. We see this problem a lot when we help small businesses with tech support.

Some of the most common things that can cause DNS errors on Windows are:

• An issue with your Internet Service Provider (ISP): The dns server that your internet service provider gives you may sometimes stop working for a short time because it is down.
• Incorrect network settings: If your network settings on the computer are not right or if they get mixed up, you will have problems.
• Outdated network adapter driver: A network adapter driver that is not new or not updated can cause problems with how well things work and may give your device trouble.
• Interference from security software: Sometimes your windows defender firewall, windows defender, or another antivirus program can block your connection. This can make it hard for your device to work the right way.

These things can get in the way of the DNS process. They make it hard for you to reach websites. The good news is that you can fix most of these problems easily.

Quick Basic Checks for DNS Error Troubleshooting

Before you start working on big fixes, you can do some quick checks first. These simple steps let you see if there is a problem with your computer, your network, or the website. Finding out what is not the cause is the first step in network diagnostics.

If you use a different device or try another browser, you can see where the internet connection trouble is. These simple tests do not ask you to change anything in the settings. They often help you find the right way to fix the problem.

Test your internet connection with another device

The first thing you should do is check if the problem is happening on just one computer. Get a different device, like your phone or another laptop. Make sure to connect it to the same WiFi network. Then, try to open the same website where you got the error.

If the second device connects without any trouble, the problem is with your first Windows computer. If the other device also cannot connect, the problem is most likely in your network connection. It could be with your router, your modem, or even your internet service provider. This is an important step when you want to find out what is wrong with your network connection.

To further test your network:

• Turn off the WiFi on your smartphone.
• Turn on mobile data and use it to get on the website.
• If you can get internet access when using mobile data, then the problem is with your home network.

Try a different web browser

Sometimes, your network is not the issue. The real problem can be your web browser. Google Chrome, Microsoft Edge, and Mozilla Firefox all save some data for a while in the browser cache. This helps the pages open faster. But if the browser cache gets old or does not work right, it can cause DNS errors.

To check this, open a different web browser. Try to load the web page again. For example, if you usually use Google Chrome, open the site in Microsoft Edge. If the web page opens well in the new web browser, then there is a problem with your default browser.

You can try an easy fix in this case. Go back to the browser you used before. Clear the cache and cookies in it. Check if you are using the latest version too. Having the latest version can help fix many bugs or problems.

Check if specific websites or all sites show errors

Does the error come up on every web page you try to open, or is it just on one web page? This can help you find network issues. Go to some big sites like Google, Wikipedia, or a news web page. This will help you see what is causing the problem.

If you see that just one website does not open but all other sites do, the problem is likely not with you or your device. The website might be having a technical issue. There could also be a problem with its domain name. If this happens, the best thing to do is wait. The site owner has to fix the problem.

But if you can’t open any websites, the problem is most likely with your computer settings, your network gear, or your dns provider. So, now you should check all your own devices and see how they are set up.

Restart and Reset Solutions

One of the oldest and most useful tips in tech support is to restart your equipment. A quick reboot can clear out glitches, bad data, or stopped tasks. This often helps fix many common Windows problems, like DNS errors.

This way works for your computer and your network hardware. A quick restart of your PC, modem, and router can help fix the network connection. You do not need to do anything hard with this. Let’s look at how to do these easy resets.

Restart your computer

A simple restart can solve a lot of computer problems. When you restart your PC, the operating system closes all the apps that are open. It also clears out the computer’s short-term memory, called RAM. Then, everything starts fresh. This can help if you have software problems that are causing trouble with your internet connection.

To restart your computer, go to the Start menu and click on it. Next, pick the Power icon and select “Restart.” Wait until your computer turns off and then comes back on. When it starts again, you can try to get online. This is a good way to help your PC get a new ip address. It also clears out its DNS request line.

If a normal restart does not fix the issue, you can try to start the computer in safe mode with networking. This way, Windows will load only what it needs to work. If you can get on the internet while in safe mode, then a third-party program, like an antivirus program, could be causing the DNS error.

Power cycle your modem and router

Your internet router and modem can have connectivity issues if their inside parts that keep data stop working right. The best way to handle this is to turn both devices off, then back on. This action is known as power cycling. A quick power cycle is helpful for fixing DNS errors and other network problems. It lets your router and modem start a new, working link with your internet provider.

The steps are simple and clear. You can use this method for almost any internet router or modem.

• Unplug the power cable from your modem and your router. Do not just use the power button.
• Wait for at least 30 seconds. This gives the devices time to turn off all the way and clear out their memory.
• Plug the modem power cable back in first. Wait until the lights on it stay steady, which may take about one minute. Then, plug in the router. Wait until the lights on your router look normal.

When both devices are on and working, try to get on the internet again. This simple step can fix a lot of network connection problems.

Disconnect and reconnect to WiFi on Windows

Another way that can help fix DNS errors on Windows 10 and 11 is to tell your computer to forget the WiFi network, then connect to it again. When you do this, your network adapter will ask your router for new network details. These details will have your DNS settings in them.

To do this, click the network icon that looks like a WiFi symbol. You can find it in the taskbar at the bottom-right side of your screen. Right-click the WiFi network you use now and pick “Disconnect.” Wait for a little while. Then, click the network name again and pick “Connect.” You may need to type your WiFi password one more time.

This easy step of reconnecting can fix some small problems in your Windows network settings. It does not take much time and it is simple to do. You should try it first before you change any internet protocol settings or do anything else big.

Reviewing Windows Network Settings

If the simple resets did not help, you need to look at your Windows network settings. There are times when wrong network settings, software that do not work well together, or a device that is off can give you DNS problems. In the steps below, you will look at the settings for your network adapter and some software connected with it.

First, you need to check the main network adapter to see if it is working as it should. After this, turn off any other connections that might make problems. It is a good idea to stop software like VPNs for some time because they can mess with your DNS settings. By doing all this, you can find and fix what is causing the trouble.

Disable/enable your network adapter

One of the first things you should check in the network settings is the network adapter. The network adapter is the part in your computer that helps you use your internet connection. If you notice any odd issues with your internet, you can try to turn off the network adapter and then turn it back on. This often helps fix the problem.

To do this in your Windows operating system, you need to open the Control Panel. After that, go to “Network and Internet.” Next, pick “Network and Sharing Center.” You will see “Change adapter settings” on the left. Click on it. You will find the list of network connections here. This will show things like “Wi-Fi” and “Ethernet.”

Right-click on your active network adapter connection. Click “Disable.” The icon will turn gray. Wait a few seconds. After that, right-click again and pick “Enable.” This will make Windows start the network adapter driver again. Doing this can help fix small problems with your network adapter.

Turn off secondary connections

Having more network connections turned on at the same time can make network issues happen. For example, if your laptop is on WiFi and you also use an ethernet connection, it can get mixed up. It may not know which one to pick for dns requests. This can make the system confused.

To avoid any problems, it is a good idea to turn off connections you do not use. Open the control panel and go to the “Network Connections” window. If you see more than one working connection, find the one you are not using. For example, if you use WiFi, look for the ethernet connection. Right-click on it and choose “Disable.”

This helps your computer use only one way to connect to the internet. It can stop problems and fix DNS errors. This is a quick step that often works well when you want to find out why there is a connection problem with your small business technology.

Review and disable VPNs (if used)

Virtual Private Networks, or VPNs, help you keep your online steps private. But when you use a VPN, it can change the dns settings on your computer. A VPN sends your data through its own servers. Because of this, you may have compatibility issues. Sometimes, it may also block dns requests.

If you use a VPN, you might get a dns error. Try turning your VPN off for a while. Open the VPN app and disconnect from your server. Next, see if you can visit the website when the VPN is off. If it works, the problem could be with your VPN.

If the VPN is making things not work right, you might not need to stop using it. Go to the settings in your VPN app and check if there are choices for DNS or “split tunneling.” Some VPNs let you pick DNS servers from your own network. This can help fix the problem. If you are not sure what to do, contact your VPN provider’s support team for help.

How to Flush DNS Cache in Windows

Your computer makes and keeps a list of websites you visit and their IP addresses. This is called the dns cache. The dns cache helps sites open faster when you return to them. But sometimes this list can get old or may have mistakes. Then your web browser might send you to the wrong page. This can lead to DNS errors.

To fix this problem, you can clear the DNS cache. This will remove all the old DNS records from your computer. After you do this, your computer will have to get new info from the DNS server when you visit a site. You can do this by opening the Command Prompt in Windows.

Steps to flush DNS cache using Command Prompt

Flushing the DNS cache in Windows helps fix dns server problems quickly. To do this, you have to use the command prompt. This is a text-based tool in your operating system. Do not worry, you will just type one simple command.

To clear your dns cache, you need to do the following things:

• Click the Start button. Type “cmd” in the search bar.
• Right-click on “Command Prompt” in the results. Pick “Run as administrator.” Make sure to do this because the command needs admin rights.
• A black Command Prompt window will show up. Type this text: ipconfig /flushdns
• Hit Enter.

You will see a message that says, “Successfully flushed the DNS Resolver Cache.” This shows that the process is done. It means your old dns cache is now cleared.

Benefits of clearing cached DNS data

Clearing cached DNS data is safe and really helps when you have internet problems. The key reason to do this is to make sure dns resolution works the right way. When you flush the cache, you take out the old entries. This stops your browser from using an old ip address if a website has moved to a new place. Flushing the cache tells your computer to get the newest address.

You do not have to flush your dns cache all the time. You do not need to do this every day or on any certain plan. Use it only when you see there is a problem. For example, if you cannot go to a website or there is a dns cache error, flushing it can help you.

Clearing the cache is good for more than just fixing small errors. It can also help with your privacy and give you some threat protection. When you clear the cache, the list of websites you went to on your computer will be gone. This helps stop some security problems that can use old cached data.

Changing DNS Server Settings to Fix Issues

By default, your computer gets the dns server addresses from your internet service provider. If the dns provider has any problems, you may see errors. A good way to fix this is to change your settings and use a public dns server like Google or Cloudflare.

Changing your preferred DNS server and alternate DNS server settings can help you fix “dns server not responding” issues. When you make this change, you do not use the dns server that comes from your ISP. You pick a public one that is known to be fast and good. This is a good way to get rid of dns server problems because these dns server settings often work better. Many people like to use this fix since it helps solve the problem for them most of the time.

How to set up public DNS servers on Windows

Setting up a public dns server on Windows is simple and does not take long. You can do this with the control panel. This lets your computer use another service to find website addresses. It works much like you use a phone book to look up numbers.

First, open the Control Panel. Next, look for “Network and Internet” and click it. Then, go to “Network and Sharing Center.” After that, click on “Change adapter settings.”

Now, look for your active connection, like Wi-Fi or Ethernet. Right-click on it, then choose “Properties.” In the list, find “Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4)” and click on it. After that, hit the “Properties” button. This is how you get to the internet protocol settings using the control panel.

In the new window, choose “Use the following DNS server addresses.” After that, type the new dns server addresses in the box. You will need to enter a preferred dns server and an alternate dns server.

After you type in the addresses, be sure to check the box that says “Validate settings upon exit.” Then, click “OK.”

Best public DNS servers to try for Windows users

When your default dns provider is not working, there are many free public DNS servers you can use instead. These servers are often quicker and safer than what most internet companies give you. They can be a good way to fix issues with your dns provider.

Google Public DNS is a service that many people use. The addresses, 8.8.8.8 and 8.8.4.4, are easy to remember. They use the strong systems that Google has. A lot of people feel that google dns helps them get better speed and good connection when they go on the internet.

Another good pick is Cloudflare’s 1.1.1.1 service. Cloudflare made speed and privacy a top goal for them. They say they will not keep logs of what you browse. The dns connections on this service are very fast. OpenDNS is another dns provider that many people have trusted for years. It gives you a way to set up content filters. Any of these can be the right choice if you want to go away from your default settings.

Conclusion

To sum up, fixing the ‘DNS Server Not Responding’ error on Windows does not have to feel hard. You can fix this issue by following easy steps. First, check your internet connection. Then, look at your network settings. If that does not solve it, clear your dns cache. Another thing you can try is to change your dns server settings. These steps should help bring back your connection and make using the internet feel smooth again. If you still can’t get online, get help from someone who knows more about computers. This way, you can go back to using the web without any problems.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does disabling IPv6 help fix DNS errors on Windows?

Yes, turning off Internet Protocol Version 6 (IPv6) can help with DNS problems at times. Some older websites or network gear do not work well with IPv6. This can cause issues. If you go into your network settings and turn off IPv6, your computer will switch to using IPv4. Most people find that IPv4 works well. This step can fix your connection problem. The internet protocol you use and your network settings are both important when these problems come up.

Is flushing DNS cache safe, and how often should I do it?

Flushing the dns cache is safe for your operating system. The system just deletes some files that are kept for a short time. You do not need to do this often. Clear the dns cache if you are trying to fix dns connections. You should also clear it if a website with a new domain name does not load the way it should.

What should I do if none of these steps fix the problem?

If you have done all these steps and you still see the error, the problem could be something you cannot solve by yourself. You should contact your internet service provider. Ask them if there is a service outage in your area. If the problem is only with one website, you have to wait until the owner of that site fixes it. For issues that come back again and again, you can ask for help from professional IT support. They can use network diagnostics to find out what is going wrong.