If you’ve ever encountered a “DNS not found server” error, you know how frustrating it can be. This type of error typically occurs when your computer or device is unable to connect to a website due to a problem with the domain name system (DNS).
DNS is the backbone of the internet. It’s what allows us to browse the web by translating human-readable domain names into IP addresses that machines can understand. When a DNS error occurs, it can cause websites to become inaccessible or slow to load.
In this article, we’ll explain what causes DNS errors and provide you with step-by-step instructions on how to fix them. Whether you’re a novice or an experienced user, you’ll find useful tips and tricks to help you get your websites up and running again.
So, if you’re tired of seeing “DNS not found server” errors and want to take control of your internet browsing experience, keep reading!
Understanding DNS Errors
DNS, or Domain Name System, errors can be frustrating and confusing for users, especially those who are not tech-savvy. DNS errors can occur due to various reasons, including misconfigured DNS settings, network issues, or server-side problems. Understanding the basics of DNS errors is crucial to resolving them effectively.
DNS not found errors occur when your computer or device is unable to resolve the IP address of the website you are trying to access. This can happen due to a variety of reasons, including misconfigured DNS settings, server-side issues, or network problems. When a DNS not found error occurs, your browser displays a message stating that the website cannot be reached.
Another common DNS error is the DNS server not responding error. This error message indicates that your computer or device is unable to communicate with the DNS server. This can happen due to various reasons, such as server issues, network problems, or firewall or antivirus settings blocking the communication. Troubleshooting DNS errors can be a challenging task, but with a bit of understanding, you can easily diagnose and resolve most DNS errors.
What is DNS?
The Domain Name System (DNS) is a hierarchical decentralized naming system that translates human-readable domain names into their corresponding IP addresses. It acts like a phonebook, allowing users to easily access websites without the need to memorize complex numerical IP addresses.
DNS is essential to the functionality of the internet and is responsible for resolving over 300 billion queries every day. Without DNS, users would have to remember and type in long and complicated IP addresses for every website they want to access.
The DNS system is distributed across a global network of servers, with each server storing a portion of the entire DNS database. When a user enters a domain name into their browser, the request is sent to a DNS resolver which queries multiple DNS servers to find the corresponding IP address. Once the IP address is located, the resolver returns it to the user’s browser, which can then connect to the desired website.
Common Causes of DNS Errors
Incorrect DNS settings: One of the most common causes of DNS errors is incorrect DNS settings. This can occur due to human error or misconfiguration of the DNS settings on the server or router.
Network connectivity issues: Network connectivity issues such as a weak Wi-Fi signal or a faulty Ethernet cable can cause DNS errors. If your device is unable to connect to the internet, it may not be able to resolve DNS requests, resulting in DNS errors.
Malware or virus infections: Malware or virus infections can also cause DNS errors. These malicious programs can modify the DNS settings on your computer and redirect your requests to a different DNS server or a phishing website, resulting in DNS errors.
Incorrect DNS Settings
DNS settings are crucial for connecting to the internet. Incorrect settings can cause a DNS error. The settings may be incorrect on your router, computer, or mobile device. These settings may be incorrect because of a malware attack, or they may have been manually changed.
If you’re encountering DNS errors, the first place to check is your network settings. Check that your DNS settings are set to automatic and that there are no incorrect IP addresses or subnets.
If the issue persists, try resetting your router to its default settings to see if that fixes the problem. You may need to contact your internet service provider for assistance if the issue persists.
Troubleshooting DNS Errors
If you are experiencing DNS errors, there are several troubleshooting steps you can take to fix the problem.
Step 1: Check your network connection. Ensure that you are connected to the internet and that your router is working properly. Try resetting your router or modem and see if that resolves the issue.
Step 2: Use a different device. If the DNS error persists, try accessing the website from a different device to determine if the issue is with your device or the website’s server.
Step 3: Clear your browser’s cache. Sometimes, your browser’s cache can cause DNS errors. Clearing the cache can help fix the issue. You can usually do this through the settings or preferences menu of your browser.
Restarting the DNS Client Service
If you are experiencing DNS errors, restarting the DNS Client Service can often help to resolve the issue. Here are the steps to follow:
Open the Run dialog box by pressing the Windows key + R.
Type in “services.msc” and press Enter.
Scroll down and find the DNS Client service.
Right-click on the DNS Client service and select “Restart”.
Once you have restarted the DNS Client service, check to see if the DNS errors have been resolved.
If this method does not work, you may need to try other troubleshooting methods or consult a professional for further assistance.
Checking DNS Server Settings
Another step in troubleshooting DNS errors is to check your DNS server settings. Make sure that your DNS server is properly configured and that it is pointing to the correct IP address. If you are using a third-party DNS service, make sure that you have entered the correct DNS server IP addresses in your network settings.
Check to see if your DNS server is responding to requests. You can do this by using the nslookup command in your command prompt or terminal. If your DNS server is not responding or is responding with errors, try restarting the DNS server service.
If you are using a local DNS server, make sure that it has the correct DNS zones and that the zones are properly configured. Incorrectly configured DNS zones can lead to DNS errors.
Renewing IP Address
IP address is a numerical label assigned to each device connected to a computer network. It is essential for devices to have a unique IP address to be able to communicate with each other over the network. If there is an issue with the IP address, it can lead to DNS errors. One way to fix this is by renewing the IP address.
To renew the IP address, open the Command Prompt and type the following command: ipconfig /release. This will release the current IP address of the device. Then, type the command: ipconfig /renew. This will request a new IP address from the DHCP server. After this, check if the DNS errors have been resolved.
If the issue persists, try restarting the router and the modem. This can help to clear any temporary network issues that may be causing DNS errors.
Note: If you are using a static IP address, renewing the IP address may not be applicable. In this case, contact your network administrator or service provider for further assistance.
Clearing DNS Cache
If you’re experiencing DNS errors, clearing the DNS cache can often resolve the issue. The DNS cache is a temporary database on your computer or device that stores information about recently visited websites. Sometimes, this cache can become corrupt or outdated, leading to DNS errors.
Step 1: Open the Command Prompt. On Windows, press the Windows key + R to open the Run dialog box, type “cmd,” and press Enter. On macOS, open the Terminal application.
Step 2: Type “ipconfig /flushdns” (without quotes) and press Enter. This command clears the DNS cache on your computer.
Step 3: Once the command is complete, restart your computer or device. This will ensure that any remaining cached data is cleared.
Note: Some applications may have their own DNS cache, such as web browsers. In this case, clearing the DNS cache in the browser settings may also be necessary to resolve the issue.
Tip: Clearing the DNS cache can also improve website loading speeds, as it forces your computer or device to obtain the latest DNS information for each website visited.
Using Command Prompt to Clear DNS Cache
If you are experiencing DNS errors on your Windows computer, you may need to clear the DNS cache. This can be done using the Command Prompt.
- Step 1: Open the Command Prompt as an administrator
- Step 2: Type in the command “ipconfig /flushdns” and press Enter
- Step 3: Wait for the message “Successfully flushed the DNS Resolver Cache”
Clearing the DNS cache can resolve issues related to DNS lookup failures, incorrect IP addresses, and other network connection problems.
Clearing DNS Cache in Browser
If clearing the DNS cache through the command prompt did not solve the issue, it may be necessary to clear the DNS cache in the browser. Here are the steps to do so:
- Google Chrome: Type “chrome://net-internals/#dns” in the address bar and press Enter. Click the “Clear host cache” button.
- Mozilla Firefox: Type “about:config” in the address bar and press Enter. Accept the warning message and search for “network.dnsCacheEntries”. Right-click it and select “Reset”.
- Microsoft Edge: Type “edge://net-internals/#dns” in the address bar and press Enter. Click the “Clear host cache” button.
After clearing the DNS cache in the browser, try accessing the website again to see if the issue has been resolved.
Note that clearing the DNS cache in the browser may also clear other website data such as cookies and login information.
If the issue persists, it may be necessary to contact the website’s administrator or the internet service provider for further assistance.
Manually Clearing DNS Cache in Windows
If the methods mentioned earlier do not work, manually clearing the DNS cache in Windows may be necessary. To do this, follow these steps:
- Open Command Prompt as an administrator.
- Type “ipconfig /flushdns” and press Enter.
- You should receive a message saying “Successfully flushed the DNS Resolver Cache”.
This will clear the DNS cache in Windows, and your computer will start using new DNS information from scratch.
Note that clearing the DNS cache may temporarily slow down your internet browsing speed, as your computer needs to rebuild the cache with new DNS information. However, this should only be temporary.
Flushing DNS Resolver Cache
DNS resolver cache is a temporary database used by the operating system to store information about domain names that have recently been resolved. Sometimes, this cache can become corrupted or outdated, which can lead to DNS errors. Flushing the DNS resolver cache can help resolve these issues.
Windows users can flush the DNS resolver cache by opening the Command Prompt and typing the command “ipconfig /flushdns” and pressing Enter. This will clear the DNS resolver cache on the local machine.
Mac users can flush the DNS resolver cache by opening the Terminal app and typing the command “sudo dscacheutil -flushcache;sudo killall -HUP mDNSResponder” and pressing Enter. This will clear the DNS resolver cache on the local machine.
Flushing DNS Resolver Cache in Windows
Step 1: Open Command Prompt with administrative privileges by typing “cmd” in the search bar, right-clicking on “Command Prompt,” and selecting “Run as administrator.”
Step 2: In the Command Prompt window, type “ipconfig /flushdns” and press Enter.
Step 3: You should receive a message saying “Successfully flushed the DNS Resolver Cache.” If you receive an error message, try restarting your computer and repeating the process.
Flushing the DNS resolver cache can help resolve issues with website connectivity and speed by clearing out outdated or corrupted DNS information. It is a quick and easy fix that can be performed without any additional software or tools.
Flushing DNS Resolver Cache in Mac OS
Clearing the DNS cache in Mac OS can help resolve network connectivity issues. Here’s how to do it:
| Step | Command | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Step 1 | sudo killall -HUP mDNSResponder | Enter the command in the Terminal to stop and restart the mDNSResponder service, which handles DNS requests. |
| Step 2 | sudo dscacheutil -flushcache | Enter the command in the Terminal to flush the DNS cache. |
| Step 3 | sudo killall -HUP mDNSResponder | Enter the command in the Terminal to restart the mDNSResponder service. |
After entering these commands, you should see a confirmation message that the DNS cache has been flushed. Your network connectivity issues should be resolved.
It’s important to note that clearing the DNS cache may cause websites to load more slowly the first time you visit them, as your computer will need to perform a new DNS lookup. However, subsequent visits should be faster.
Flushing DNS Resolver Cache in Linux
If you’re experiencing connectivity issues or your website isn’t loading properly on your Linux machine, it may be time to flush your DNS resolver cache. DNS stands for Domain Name System, and it’s essentially the internet’s phonebook. Every time you visit a website, your computer looks up the website’s IP address from a DNS server. This information is then cached on your machine to speed up subsequent requests. However, sometimes cached DNS records can become outdated or corrupt, leading to connection problems. Here’s how to flush the DNS resolver cache in Linux.
The first method involves using the systemd-resolve command. Open your terminal and type the following command:
sudo systemd-resolve –flush-caches
This will flush both the negative and positive cache entries, which means that any outdated or corrupt records will be removed. Alternatively, you can use the systemd-resolve –statistics command to view the cache statistics and check if the cache has been successfully flushed.
If you’re using an older version of Linux that doesn’t support systemd-resolve, you can use the service command instead. Open your terminal and type the following command:
| Command | Description | Usage |
|---|---|---|
| service nscd restart | Restart the Name Service Cache Daemon | Flushes the DNS cache |
| service dnsmasq restart | Restart the DNS forwarder and DHCP server | Flushes the DNS cache |
| service network-manager restart | Restart the Network Manager service | Flushes the DNS cache |
| service named restart | Restart the BIND DNS server | Flushes the DNS cache |
| service unbound restart | Restart the Unbound DNS server | Flushes the DNS cache |
These commands will restart the relevant service and flush the DNS resolver cache. Remember to replace “service_name” with the appropriate service name for your Linux distribution.
Flushing the DNS resolver cache can be a simple and effective way to resolve connectivity issues on your Linux machine. By using these commands, you can ensure that your DNS records are up-to-date and your internet connection is running smoothly.
Updating DNS Server Address
If you are experiencing issues with your internet connection, it could be due to problems with your DNS server address. DNS stands for Domain Name System, and it is responsible for translating domain names into IP addresses. Sometimes, your DNS server address may be outdated or incorrect, which can lead to issues with your internet connection. In this case, you will need to update your DNS server address to resolve the issue.
Updating your DNS server address is a simple process that can be done in just a few steps. First, you will need to determine the IP address of your new DNS server. Once you have this information, you can update your DNS server address in your network settings. It is important to note that the process for updating your DNS server address may vary depending on the operating system you are using. In this article, we will focus on how to update your DNS server address in Linux.
To update your DNS server address in Linux, you will need to edit your resolv.conf file. This file contains information about your system’s DNS server configuration. To edit the file, you will need to open it with a text editor. Once you have the file open, you can update the DNS server address by adding a new line with the IP address of your new DNS server. Save the changes to the file and exit the text editor. Your system should now be using the new DNS server address.
Updating DNS Server Address in Windows
Updating the DNS server address in Windows is a straightforward process that can help you troubleshoot connectivity issues. The DNS server address translates domain names into IP addresses, so if your DNS server address is outdated or incorrect, you may experience problems connecting to the internet. Here’s how to update your DNS server address in Windows:
Step 1: Open the Control Panel by clicking on the Windows Start button and selecting Control Panel from the list of options.
Step 2: Click on Network and Sharing Center and then click on Change adapter settings.
Step 3: Right-click on the network adapter you are using and select Properties.
Step 4: Select Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4) and click on Properties.
Once you have completed these steps, you will see the option to enter the DNS server address manually. You can add the IP address of your new DNS server here and click on OK to save the changes. After making the changes, you may need to restart your computer or restart the network adapter to ensure that the new DNS server address is being used.
It is important to note that the process for updating your DNS server address may vary depending on the version of Windows you are using. However, the basic steps are the same, and you can find detailed instructions online for your specific version of Windows.
In conclusion, updating your DNS server address can help resolve connectivity issues and ensure that your internet connection is running smoothly. By following these steps, you can easily update your DNS server address in Windows and get back to browsing the web without any interruptions.
Updating DNS Server Address in Mac OS
If you want to update the DNS server address in Mac OS, follow the steps below:
Step 1: Click on the Apple menu in the top-left corner of your screen, and then select “System Preferences” from the drop-down menu.
Step 2: Click on the “Network” icon in the System Preferences window. It is usually located in the third row from the top.
Step 3: Select the network connection you want to configure from the list on the left-hand side of the window. For example, if you want to change the DNS server for your Wi-Fi connection, click on the Wi-Fi option.
Step 4: Click on the “Advanced” button in the lower-right corner of the window.
Step 5: Click on the “DNS” tab at the top of the Advanced Network window.
Step 6: Click on the “+” button in the lower-left corner of the DNS Servers list, and then enter the new DNS server address.
Step 7: Click on “OK” to save the changes, and then click on “Apply” to make the changes take effect.
After following these steps, your Mac OS device should start using the new DNS server address that you have specified.
Disabling Firewall or Antivirus
If you’re having trouble connecting to a network or a website, it may be due to your computer’s firewall or antivirus blocking the connection. In this case, temporarily disabling your firewall or antivirus can help you troubleshoot the problem.
Keep in mind that disabling your firewall or antivirus can leave your computer vulnerable to attacks, so it’s important to re-enable it as soon as you’ve identified and resolved the issue. Additionally, if you’re using a public Wi-Fi network, it’s best not to disable your firewall or antivirus, as it can put your personal information at risk.
The process of disabling your firewall or antivirus will vary depending on the software you’re using. In most cases, you can simply find the program in your system tray or taskbar and right-click on it to access the option to disable it. If you’re having trouble finding the option, you can check the program’s documentation or website for guidance.
Temporarily Disabling Firewall or Antivirus
If you are experiencing network connectivity issues, your firewall or antivirus software might be blocking your connection. To determine whether this is the case, you can temporarily disable your firewall or antivirus and test your connection.
In Windows, you can disable your firewall by opening the Control Panel and selecting Windows Firewall. From there, you can click “Turn Windows Firewall on or off” and select “Turn off Windows Firewall” for both private and public networks. To disable your antivirus, you should refer to the documentation provided by the vendor.
In Mac OS, you can disable your firewall by opening System Preferences and selecting Security & Privacy. From there, you can click on the Firewall tab and click “Turn Off Firewall”. To disable your antivirus, you should refer to the documentation provided by the vendor.
Allowing DNS Through Firewall or Antivirus
Firewalls and antivirus programs are essential tools that protect your computer from potential security threats. However, they can also block DNS traffic, preventing your computer from accessing the internet. If you’re having issues with your DNS, it’s important to make sure that your firewall or antivirus is not the cause.
The steps for allowing DNS traffic through your firewall or antivirus will vary depending on the program you’re using. However, the general process involves adding an exception or rule that allows DNS traffic to pass through the program’s security settings.
Before making any changes to your firewall or antivirus settings, it’s important to understand the potential security risks. By allowing DNS traffic through your firewall or antivirus, you may be exposing your computer to additional security threats. Make sure that you trust the source of the DNS traffic before making any exceptions.
If you’re unsure of how to allow DNS traffic through your firewall or antivirus, consult the program’s documentation or contact their support team for assistance. They should be able to provide you with step-by-step instructions on how to make the necessary exceptions.
Uninstalling Third-Party Firewall or Antivirus
Step 1: Click the Start menu and type “Control Panel” in the search box. Click the “Control Panel” option that appears.
Step 2: In the Control Panel window, select “Programs and Features” or “Uninstall a program,” depending on your version of Windows.
Step 3: Locate the third-party firewall or antivirus program you want to uninstall in the list of installed programs. Click on it and select “Uninstall.”
Step 4: Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the uninstallation process. Some programs may require a restart of your computer.
Note: It is important to have a reliable and up-to-date firewall and antivirus software installed on your computer to protect against online threats. If you decide to uninstall a third-party firewall or antivirus program, make sure to have another program in place to provide protection.