Are you experiencing issues with your internet connection? Specifically, is your device showing the message “DNS Server is not responding” or “No Internet Access”? These issues can be frustrating to deal with, especially when you rely on the internet for work or entertainment.
DNS, or Domain Name System, is responsible for translating the website address into an IP address that your device can recognize. When there is an issue with the DNS server, your device won’t be able to connect to the internet, resulting in the error messages mentioned earlier.
In this article, we will guide you through troubleshooting steps to help you resolve these issues. From understanding DNS to configuring firewall settings, we’ve got you covered.
So, don’t fret when faced with DNS server or internet connectivity problems. With our comprehensive guide, you can easily fix these issues and get back online in no time.
Understanding DNS
Before diving into how to fix DNS server and no internet access issues, it’s essential to understand what DNS is and how it works. DNS, or Domain Name System, is a hierarchical and decentralized naming system that translates human-readable domain names into IP addresses.
Every device connected to the internet has an IP address, which is a unique identifier used to communicate with other devices. However, remembering a series of numbers for every website we visit can be challenging. That’s where DNS comes in, making it easier to access websites with human-readable domain names like Google.com instead of remembering an IP address like 142.250.72.46.
When you type in a website address, your device sends a request to a DNS resolver to translate the domain name into an IP address. The resolver then sends the IP address back to your device, allowing it to connect to the website. However, issues with DNS can prevent this process from working correctly, leading to DNS server errors and no internet access.
Understanding DNS is crucial for troubleshooting DNS-related issues. It enables you to identify the root cause of the problem and fix it accordingly. Whether you’re a novice or an experienced user, understanding DNS is essential for troubleshooting internet connection issues.
Next, we’ll explore some common causes of DNS issues, so you’ll know what to look out for when troubleshooting.
Stay tuned and continue reading to discover some of the most common reasons for DNS server and no internet access issues, and how to fix them.
What is DNS?
DNS stands for Domain Name System, which is a protocol that translates domain names into IP addresses. An IP address is a unique identifier for a device connected to a network.
The DNS server is responsible for managing a database of domain names and their corresponding IP addresses. When a user types a URL into their browser, the browser contacts a DNS server to find the corresponding IP address for that URL.
Without DNS, users would have to remember IP addresses for all the websites they want to visit, which is impractical given the large number of websites on the internet.
The DNS system is hierarchical, with root servers at the top of the hierarchy. There are 13 root servers around the world that store the master list of domain names and their corresponding IP addresses.
Understanding the basics of DNS is crucial for troubleshooting internet connectivity issues. Now that we know what DNS is, let’s explore some common causes of DNS issues and how to fix them.
How Does DNS Work?
DNS works by translating human-readable domain names into IP addresses that machines can understand. When a user types a domain name into their web browser, the browser sends a request to the local DNS resolver, which is responsible for resolving the domain name into an IP address. If the resolver has the IP address cached, it returns it to the browser. If not, it sends a request to a root DNS server, which directs the resolver to the appropriate Top Level Domain (TLD) server.
The TLD server then directs the resolver to the authoritative DNS server for the domain, which stores the IP address for the domain. The resolver retrieves the IP address from the authoritative server and caches it for future requests. The resolver then returns the IP address to the browser, which uses it to connect to the website.
It’s important to note that DNS works in the background, and users are typically not aware of the process. DNS is essential for accessing websites, sending emails, and other online activities, so any issues with DNS can result in a loss of internet connectivity.
Overall, DNS is a critical part of the internet infrastructure, and understanding how it works is essential for troubleshooting DNS issues and maintaining a stable internet connection.
Common Causes of DNS Issues
Incorrect DNS Settings: One of the most common causes of DNS issues is incorrect DNS settings. This can happen if you manually set up your DNS servers, and the settings are entered incorrectly.
Internet Service Provider (ISP) Issues: Sometimes, DNS issues can arise due to problems with your ISP. Your ISP may experience technical difficulties or outages that can impact your DNS resolution.
Malware or Viruses: Malware or viruses can also cause DNS issues by altering your computer’s DNS settings or redirecting your traffic to malicious websites. Make sure to run regular virus scans and keep your anti-virus software up to date.
Firewall or Security Software: Sometimes, firewall or security software on your computer or network can interfere with DNS resolution. This can happen if the software is incorrectly configured or blocking certain DNS requests.
Hardware Problems: DNS issues can also be caused by hardware problems such as faulty network adapters or routers. If you suspect a hardware problem, try resetting or replacing the device to see if it resolves the issue.
Incorrect DNS Settings
One of the most common causes of DNS issues is incorrect DNS settings. If your DNS settings are incorrect, your computer won’t be able to connect to the internet. Here are some possible reasons for incorrect DNS settings:
- Manually entered DNS server addresses: If you have manually entered DNS server addresses and they are incorrect, you won’t be able to connect to the internet.
- Automatically assigned DNS server addresses: If your DNS server addresses are automatically assigned, but your computer is unable to obtain them, you may not be able to connect to the internet.
- Outdated DNS server addresses: If your DNS server addresses are outdated, they may not work properly, preventing you from accessing the internet.
- Incorrect network configuration: If your network configuration is incorrect, your computer won’t be able to connect to the internet, even if your DNS settings are correct.
If you suspect that your DNS settings are incorrect, you can check them by following the troubleshooting steps outlined in this article.
DNS Cache Poisoning
DNS cache poisoning is a type of attack where the attacker corrupts the DNS cache of a recursive DNS server. This is done by sending false DNS information to the server, causing it to store the incorrect information in its cache. When a client queries the server for information, it will receive the false information stored in the cache.
Once the false information is stored in the DNS cache, it can be difficult to detect and correct the issue. The attacker can redirect traffic to malicious websites, steal sensitive information, and even intercept traffic. DNS cache poisoning attacks can be prevented by implementing security measures such as DNSSEC, which uses digital signatures to verify the authenticity of DNS information.
If you suspect that your DNS cache has been poisoned, it is important to take immediate action to mitigate the damage. Clearing the DNS cache on your computer or server can help remove the false information and prevent further attacks.
Troubleshooting Steps for DNS Errors
Step 1: Check Your Network Connection
The first step is to ensure that your network connection is working correctly. Check if other devices are experiencing similar issues. If not, the problem could be with your device. If other devices are affected, the problem may be with your internet service provider (ISP).Step 2: Check Your DNS Settings
Make sure that your DNS settings are configured correctly. If you’re using a manual configuration, check the settings to see if they match your ISP’s recommendations. If you’re using automatic configuration, try switching to manual to see if that resolves the issue.Step 3: Flush DNS Cache
Sometimes DNS cache files can become corrupt and cause issues with DNS resolution. To fix this, you can flush the DNS cache on your device. This will force your device to query DNS servers for new information.Step 4: Disable Firewall and Antivirus Software
Firewall and antivirus software can sometimes block DNS requests, causing issues with internet connectivity. Try temporarily disabling these programs to see if that resolves the issue.Step 5: Restart Your Router or Modem
If all else fails, try restarting your router or modem. This can sometimes resolve issues with DNS resolution or internet connectivity.Check Network Connection
Before attempting any troubleshooting steps, it’s important to make sure your network connection is working properly. Check your router to see if it’s functioning and if your device is connected to it.
You can also try restarting your modem and router to see if that resolves the issue. Sometimes, simply resetting your network connection can fix DNS errors.
Make sure you’re using the correct network credentials to connect to your network. Double-check your Wi-Fi password or ethernet cable connection to ensure that there are no issues there.
If you’re still experiencing problems with your network connection, try connecting another device to the network to see if the issue is isolated to your device or if it’s a wider network problem.
Checking Network Adapter Settings
Network Adapter: A network adapter is a hardware component that enables communication between a computer and a network.
Check IP Configuration: An incorrect IP configuration can cause DNS issues, so it’s important to check if the IP address, subnet mask, and default gateway are all correct.
Flush DNS Cache: Clearing the DNS cache can help fix any issues caused by corrupt or outdated information stored in the cache.
Reset Network Settings: Resetting network settings can help resolve any issues with the network adapter, DNS settings, or other network-related problems.
Viewing Network Adapter Settings
To troubleshoot DNS errors related to network adapter settings, you need to view the adapter’s properties to ensure that they are configured correctly. To do this:
- Open Network Connections: Go to the Start menu and select Control Panel. Under Network and Internet, select View network status and tasks. Then, click on Change adapter settings.
- View Properties: Right-click on the network adapter that you want to check and select Properties.
- Check Configuration: Under the Networking tab, check that Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4) is selected and click on Properties. Ensure that Obtain an IP address automatically and Obtain DNS server address automatically are both selected.
- Check Advanced Settings: Click on the Advanced button and select the DNS tab. Ensure that there are no incorrect or conflicting entries in the DNS server addresses box.
By following these steps, you can view and verify that the network adapter settings are correctly configured and not causing any DNS errors.
Checking DNS Server Addresses
The DNS server address is important for resolving domain names to IP addresses. If you are having DNS issues, it is important to check the DNS server address. Here are some steps to follow:
- Check the DNS server address: Go to the Control Panel and open the Network and Sharing Center. Click on Change adapter settings and right-click on your network adapter. Select Properties and click on Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4) or Internet Protocol Version 6 (TCP/IPv6) depending on your network configuration. Click on Properties and make sure that the Obtain DNS server address automatically option is selected. If not, enter the correct DNS server address.
- Try an alternative DNS server: If you are still experiencing DNS issues, try using an alternative DNS server. Popular DNS servers include Google Public DNS and OpenDNS. You can change the DNS server address in the same way as above, but enter the alternative DNS server address instead.
- Flush DNS cache: Sometimes, the DNS cache can become corrupted, causing DNS issues. You can flush the DNS cache by opening the Command Prompt as an administrator and entering the command “ipconfig /flushdns”.
- Restart DNS client service: If none of the above steps work, you can try restarting the DNS client service. Open the Command Prompt as an administrator and enter the command “net stop dnscache” followed by “net start dnscache”. This will stop and restart the DNS client service.
Releasing and Renewing IP Address
If you are experiencing DNS issues, releasing and renewing your IP address can often help. To do this, open the command prompt and type in ipconfig /release. This will release your current IP address. Next, type in ipconfig /renew to obtain a new IP address from your DHCP server.
If you are using a router, you may need to release and renew the IP address on both the router and your computer. To do this, first release the IP address on your computer, then unplug the power from your router for at least 30 seconds. Once you plug it back in, renew the IP address on your computer.
| Command | Description | Example |
|---|---|---|
| ipconfig /release | Releases the current IP address | ipconfig /release |
| ipconfig /renew | Obtains a new IP address from the DHCP server | ipconfig /renew |
| ipconfig /flushdns | Clears the DNS cache | ipconfig /flushdns |
If you are still experiencing DNS issues after releasing and renewing your IP address, try clearing your DNS cache by typing in ipconfig /flushdns. This will clear your DNS cache and force your computer to obtain new DNS records from the DNS server.
If these steps do not resolve your DNS issues, you may need to contact your ISP or IT department for further assistance.
Resetting the DNS Client
What is DNS Client? The DNS client is a service that runs in the background on your computer, responsible for resolving domain names to IP addresses.
Why reset DNS client? If there are issues with the DNS client, resetting it may help fix the problem.
How to reset DNS client? Open Command Prompt as an administrator, type “ipconfig /flushdns” and press Enter. Wait for the confirmation message, then type “net stop dnscache” followed by “net start dnscache” and press Enter.
Alternative method to reset DNS client on Windows 10 Open “Settings”, select “Network & Internet”, then “Status”. Click “Network reset” at the bottom of the page and follow the prompts to reset the network.
Important note: Resetting the DNS client will clear the DNS cache, which may result in slower website loading times for a short period while the cache is rebuilt.
Clearing the DNS Cache
Clearing the DNS cache can often help resolve DNS issues. The DNS cache is a temporary database maintained by the computer’s operating system that contains the IP addresses of recently accessed websites. If the cache becomes corrupted or outdated, it can cause DNS errors.
To clear the DNS cache on a Windows computer, open the Command Prompt and type the command ipconfig /flushdns. This will flush the DNS cache and force the computer to retrieve the latest IP addresses from the DNS server.
On a Mac computer, open the Terminal and type the command sudo killall -HUP mDNSResponder. This will reset the DNS cache and force the computer to query the DNS server for the latest IP addresses.
If clearing the DNS cache does not resolve the issue, try restarting your computer or resetting your router.
It’s important to note that clearing the DNS cache may temporarily slow down your browsing experience as your computer has to retrieve the latest IP addresses from the DNS server.
Configuring Firewall Settings
Firewall is a network security system that monitors and controls incoming and outgoing network traffic based on predetermined security rules. It is essential to configure firewall settings properly to avoid DNS errors.
First, check whether your firewall software is configured to allow DNS traffic. If the DNS traffic is blocked by the firewall, you may experience DNS errors. Check the documentation for your firewall software for instructions on how to configure firewall rules to allow DNS traffic.
You may also want to check if the firewall is blocking access to specific DNS servers. Check whether the DNS server’s IP address is on the firewall blocked list. If it is, add it to the allowed list.
Another issue that may cause DNS errors is a misconfigured firewall that is blocking DNS queries from your computer to the internet. To check if the firewall is blocking DNS queries, temporarily disable the firewall and check if the DNS errors persist. If the errors go away, you’ll need to reconfigure the firewall to allow DNS queries.
Finally, make sure that the firewall is not causing interference with your DNS server’s response. The firewall may be interrupting the response from your DNS server to your computer. You can try temporarily disabling the firewall to see if it resolves the DNS errors.
Configuring your firewall settings correctly can help prevent DNS errors from occurring, ensuring that your network traffic flows smoothly and efficiently.
Disabling Firewall Temporarily
If you suspect that your firewall is blocking DNS requests, you can temporarily disable it to see if that resolves the issue. This will allow you to determine if the firewall is the cause of the problem or not.
To disable your firewall temporarily, you’ll need to access the settings of your firewall software and turn it off. The process for doing this will vary depending on the software you’re using, so consult the documentation or online resources for your particular firewall.
Once the firewall is disabled, try accessing the website or resource that was previously giving you a DNS error. If the issue is resolved, you can be reasonably certain that the firewall was the cause.
It’s important to remember to re-enable your firewall after testing, as leaving it disabled can leave your computer vulnerable to security threats.
Adding DNS Server to Firewall Exceptions
If you are having trouble accessing a website or domain, your firewall settings may be blocking your DNS server. To fix this, you can add your DNS server to the list of firewall exceptions.
To add your DNS server to the firewall exceptions, follow these steps:
| Step | Action | Result |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | Open your firewall settings. | Access the settings for your firewall. |
| 2. | Add your DNS server IP address to the list of allowed programs or features. | Your firewall will allow connections to your DNS server. |
| 3. | Save your changes and exit the firewall settings. | Your firewall settings will be updated to allow connections to your DNS server. |
Once you have added your DNS server to the list of firewall exceptions, your firewall will no longer block connections to your DNS server, and you should be able to access the website or domain you were having trouble with.
It is important to remember that adding a DNS server to the list of firewall exceptions can potentially compromise the security of your network. Make sure that you trust the DNS server you are adding to the exceptions list before making any changes to your firewall settings.
Creating a Firewall Rule for DNS Traffic
If you want to create a firewall rule specifically for DNS traffic, you can do so by following these steps:
Step 1: Open the Windows Firewall with Advanced Security.
Step 2: Click on “Inbound Rules” in the left-hand pane.
Step 3: Click on “New Rule” in the right-hand pane.
Step 4: Select “Custom” and click “Next”.
Step 5: Select “All Programs” and click “Next”.
Step 6: Select “Protocol type” and set it to “UDP”.
Step 7: Select “Local port” and enter “53” (without quotes).
Step 8: Click “Next” and then “Allow the connection”.
Step 9: Choose which network types you want this rule to apply to and click “Next”.
Step 10: Give your rule a name and click “Finish”.
With this rule in place, any DNS traffic that matches these criteria will be allowed through your firewall.
Updating Router Firmware
Router firmware is the software that controls the basic functions of your router, and it’s important to keep it up-to-date to ensure that your router is running smoothly and securely.
Check for firmware updates regularly on your router manufacturer’s website. Firmware updates may include new features, security patches, and bug fixes. Be sure to read the release notes before updating to understand what changes and improvements the update brings.
Backing up current settings before updating the firmware is highly recommended. This ensures that if something goes wrong during the update, you can restore your router’s settings to the previous state.
Follow the instructions carefully when updating your router’s firmware. Be patient and do not interrupt the process, as this can cause irreversible damage to your router.
Accessing Router Settings
Step 1: Connect your computer to your router using an Ethernet cable or Wi-Fi connection.
Step 2: Open a web browser and enter the router’s IP address in the address bar. The default IP address is usually 192.168.1.1 or 192.168.0.1, but you can check your router’s manual to find the correct address.
Step 3: Enter the login credentials for your router. If you haven’t changed the default username and password, they should be listed in your router’s manual. Otherwise, contact your Internet Service Provider (ISP) for assistance.
Step 4: Once you’re logged in, you can access and modify various router settings, including firmware updates, network security, and port forwarding.
Checking for Router Firmware Updates
Regularly updating your router firmware is important to ensure the security and performance of your network. To check for firmware updates, you can follow these steps:
Step 1: Open a web browser and enter your router’s IP address in the address bar.
Step 2: Enter your router’s username and password to log in to the settings interface.
Step 3: Look for a “Firmware Update” or “Router Upgrade” option in the settings menu.
Step 4: Click on the option and follow the instructions to check for and download any available firmware updates.
Some routers may also have an option to automatically check for updates and download and install them if available. Enabling this option can ensure that your router firmware is always up to date.
It’s important to note that installing firmware updates incorrectly can cause damage to your router, so it’s important to carefully follow the instructions provided by your router manufacturer when updating the firmware.
Upgrading Router Firmware
Step 1: Download the latest firmware for your router from the manufacturer’s website.
Step 2: Access the router’s web-based setup page using your browser and log in using your username and password.
Step 3: Click on the “Firmware Upgrade” or “Router Upgrade” option and then click on the “Browse” button to locate the firmware file that you downloaded.
Step 4: Click on the “Upgrade” button to start the firmware upgrade process. Do not turn off or reset the router during the upgrade process as it can damage your router.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the DNS server?
DNS stands for Domain Name System. It is a server that translates domain names into IP addresses that computers can understand. When you type a website’s domain name into your browser, your computer looks up the IP address of the DNS server associated with that domain name.
What are the possible causes of DNS server issues?
The most common causes of DNS server issues are misconfigured network settings, outdated or corrupt DNS cache, incorrect firewall settings, and outdated router firmware. Malware infections and hardware failures can also cause DNS server problems.
What are the symptoms of DNS server and no internet access issues?
The most common symptoms of DNS server and no internet access issues are slow or no internet connectivity, error messages related to DNS server, inability to connect to certain websites or servers, and frequent disconnections from the internet.
How can I fix DNS server and no internet access issues?
You can fix DNS server and no internet access issues by resetting your DNS client, releasing and renewing your IP address, clearing your DNS cache, disabling your firewall temporarily, adding DNS server to firewall exceptions, and upgrading your router firmware.
How do I upgrade my router firmware?
To upgrade your router firmware, access your router’s settings by entering its IP address in your browser’s address bar. Look for the firmware update option and follow the instructions provided by the manufacturer to complete the upgrade process.