The Ultimate Guide: What Causes DNS Server Not Responding Error?

Welcome to our ultimate guide on what causes DNS server not responding error. This error message can be frustrating and can prevent you from accessing the internet. In this guide, we will explain what causes this error and how to fix it.

Many factors can contribute to the DNS server not responding error. Outdated DNS records, IP address conflicts, firewall or antivirus settings, interference from other devices, network connectivity issues, and DNS cache corruption are some of the common causes.

But don’t worry, we’ve got you covered. By the end of this guide, you will have a better understanding of what causes this error and how to fix it. So, let’s dive into the world of DNS errors and start troubleshooting!

Keep reading to find out how to diagnose and fix DNS server not responding error on your computer, and get back online as soon as possible!

Outdated DNS Records

If you are experiencing the DNS Server Not Responding error, one of the most common culprits is outdated DNS records. DNS records are used to translate domain names into IP addresses so that your computer can connect to the right server. When DNS records are outdated, your computer may not be able to find the correct IP address, resulting in the DNS Server Not Responding error.

Outdated DNS records can occur when a website changes its IP address but does not update its DNS records. It can also occur when you switch to a new internet service provider (ISP) and your DNS records are not updated. To fix this issue, you can try flushing your DNS cache. Flushing your DNS cache will remove any outdated DNS records and force your computer to look up the correct IP address for the domain name.

Another solution is to manually update your DNS records. You can do this by logging into your domain registrar account and updating the DNS records for your website. This can be a more complex solution, but it can be necessary if you are experiencing the DNS Server Not Responding error frequently.

Clear DNS Cache on your Computer

1. Windows users: Press the Windows key + R, type in “cmd” and hit enter. In the command prompt, type “ipconfig /flushdns” and press enter.

2. Mac users: Click on the Apple icon in the top left corner of your screen, then click “System Preferences”. Select “Network”, then click “Advanced”. Click on the “DNS” tab, then click “Flush Cache”.

3. Linux users: Open your terminal and type “sudo systemd-resolve –flush-caches”. Enter your password if prompted, then press enter.

Clearing your DNS cache can often fix issues with connecting to websites. If this solution doesn’t work, there may be other issues causing the DNS server not responding error.

Update DNS Records on the Server

Updating the DNS records on your server is a critical task that you should perform regularly. It is essential to ensure that your website visitors can access your site without any problems. Here are three steps to update your DNS records:

1. Log in to your hosting account and go to the control panel.
2. Find the DNS management section and select it.
3. Update the required fields with the correct information.

The first step is to log in to your hosting account, and this can typically be done through the hosting provider’s website. Once you are logged in, navigate to the control panel, where you will find the DNS management section. It is usually located in the domain management area of the control panel.

Once you have found the DNS management section, you need to update the required fields with the correct information. These fields typically include the domain name, the IP address, and the name servers. Ensure that the information you enter is accurate, as any mistakes can cause issues with your website’s functionality.

After you have updated the DNS records, it may take a few hours for the changes to propagate across the internet. During this time, your website may experience downtime or slow loading times, so it is essential to monitor your site’s performance. Once the updates have propagated, your website should be accessible again.

Updating your DNS records is an essential task that you should perform regularly to ensure that your website remains accessible to visitors. By following these three simple steps, you can quickly update your DNS records and keep your site running smoothly.

IP Address Conflict

When two devices on the same network have the same IP address, it results in an IP address conflict. This can cause various issues, such as connectivity problems and slow internet speeds. Here are five things you should know about IP address conflicts:

Cause of IP Address Conflicts

IP address conflicts can occur when a device is assigned an IP address that is already in use by another device on the same network. This can happen when two devices are assigned a static IP address or when a device’s DHCP lease has expired, and it is assigned a new IP address that is already in use.

Symptoms of an IP Address Conflict

The most common symptom of an IP address conflict is a message that states, “There is an IP address conflict with another system on the network.” Other symptoms can include slow internet speeds, connectivity problems, and issues with accessing network resources.

How to Resolve IP Address Conflicts

To resolve an IP address conflict, you need to identify the device with the conflicting IP address and change its IP address. You can do this by assigning a static IP address or by releasing and renewing the DHCP lease.

Preventing IP Address Conflicts

You can prevent IP address conflicts by ensuring that all devices on your network have unique IP addresses. One way to do this is by using DHCP reservations to assign specific IP addresses to specific devices. You can also use IP address management software to monitor your network and detect any IP address conflicts.

Importance of Addressing IP Address Conflicts

Addressing IP address conflicts is crucial to ensure that your network runs smoothly. Failure to resolve IP address conflicts can result in connectivity problems, slow internet speeds, and issues with accessing network resources. By promptly resolving IP address conflicts, you can keep your network running smoothly and avoid potential issues.

Release and Renew IP Address

If you’re experiencing an IP address conflict, it could be due to a conflict with another device on the network. The best way to resolve this issue is to release and renew the IP address. This process will force your computer to obtain a new IP address, which can help to avoid conflicts.

• Step 1: To release the IP address, open the Command Prompt and type “ipconfig /release”. This will release your current IP address.
• Step 2: To renew your IP address, type “ipconfig /renew” in the Command Prompt. This will force your computer to obtain a new IP address from the DHCP server.
• Step 3: Finally, check to see if the conflict has been resolved by opening a web browser and trying to connect to a website. If you’re still experiencing issues, try restarting your computer.

It’s important to note that releasing and renewing your IP address won’t fix all network issues, but it’s a good first step to take. Additionally, this process may take a few minutes to complete, so be patient and allow your computer to fully release and renew its IP address.

If you’re still having trouble after releasing and renewing your IP address, you may need to investigate other potential causes of the issue, such as a malfunctioning network adapter or outdated network drivers. Consulting with a professional IT technician may also be helpful in resolving the issue.

Disable IPv6 Protocol

Disabling IPv6 protocol may seem like an odd solution to fixing network connection issues, but it can actually be a very effective one. IPv6 is the latest version of the Internet Protocol, but not all network devices are compatible with it, and it can cause conflicts on certain networks.

If you’re experiencing connectivity issues with your network, disabling IPv6 protocol can help solve the problem. To disable it, go to your network adapter settings and uncheck the box next to IPvRestart your computer after disabling it to ensure that the changes take effect.

It’s important to note that disabling IPv6 protocol may not be a permanent solution, and it should only be used as a troubleshooting step. If you find that disabling IPv6 protocol fixes your issue, you may want to consider upgrading your network devices to ones that are compatible with IPv6.

Change DHCP Settings on Router

If you’re experiencing connectivity issues with your devices, it might be due to your router’s Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP) settings. Here are some steps to change the DHCP settings on your router:

• Access the router’s configuration page: You can access the router’s configuration page by typing the router’s IP address into your web browser.
• Log in: Once you have accessed the configuration page, enter your username and password to log in.
• Locate the DHCP settings: The DHCP settings may be located in different places depending on your router. However, they are usually found under the “LAN” or “Network” settings.

Change the DHCP settings: Once you have located the DHCP settings, you can change them to improve your network’s performance. For example, you can increase the lease time, change the starting IP address, or limit the number of devices that can connect to the network.

Save the changes: After you have made the necessary changes, be sure to save the changes before exiting the configuration page. Some routers may require a reboot after changes have been made.

By following these steps, you can change the DHCP settings on your router and improve your network’s performance. However, if you’re still experiencing issues, you may want to contact your internet service provider for further assistance.

Firewall or Antivirus Settings

If you’re having trouble accessing certain websites or online services, it could be due to your firewall or antivirus settings blocking the connection. Firewalls are designed to protect your computer from unauthorized access, while antivirus software is used to protect your computer from malware and viruses.

If you suspect that your firewall or antivirus settings are causing the issue, you can try temporarily disabling them to see if that resolves the problem. Keep in mind that disabling these security measures can leave your computer vulnerable to attacks, so it’s important to re-enable them as soon as you’ve identified the problem.

If you’ve determined that your firewall or antivirus settings are the cause of the issue, you can try adjusting the settings to allow the necessary connections. Check the documentation for your security software to find out how to add exceptions or modify the settings to allow access to specific websites or services.

Disable Firewall Temporarily

Step 1: Open the Control Panel and click on the “Windows Firewall” icon.

Step 2: Click on the “Turn Windows Firewall on or off” link in the left-hand menu.

Step 3: Select the “Turn off Windows Firewall (not recommended)” option for both the private and public network settings.

It’s important to note that disabling the firewall temporarily should only be done for troubleshooting purposes and should not be a long-term solution. Make sure to enable the firewall once you have identified and resolved the issue.

Interference from Other Devices

If you’re experiencing slow internet speeds or disconnections, it’s possible that other devices in your home are interfering with your wireless signal. Electronic devices such as microwaves, cordless phones, and baby monitors can all cause interference.

To mitigate this issue, try moving your router to a different location or away from these interfering devices. Additionally, consider using a different wireless channel, as this can also help reduce interference from other wireless networks in the area.

If you suspect that a particular device is causing interference, try temporarily turning off or unplugging it to see if your internet connection improves. You may also want to check if any of your devices have recently received software updates that could be causing connectivity issues.

Disconnect Other Devices from the Network

If you are experiencing slow internet speeds or frequent disconnections, the cause might be interference from other devices connected to your network. Interference occurs when too many devices are trying to access the same network at the same time. To fix this issue, you can try disconnecting some devices from the network temporarily.

First, identify which devices are connected to your network. You can usually do this by accessing your router’s web interface and looking for a list of connected devices. Once you have identified the devices that are causing interference, disconnect them from the network.

You can also ask other users connected to the network to disconnect their devices temporarily to reduce the load on the network. You can inform them that this is a temporary measure to help fix the issue and that they can reconnect their devices once the issue is resolved.

Network Connectivity Issues

If you are experiencing network connectivity issues, there are a few things you can check to diagnose and fix the problem.

First, make sure your network cable is securely plugged into your device and your router or modem. If it is loose or disconnected, you may not be able to connect to the network.

If your cable is plugged in securely, try resetting your router or modem. Unplug the power cable, wait for 30 seconds, and plug it back in. This will often fix connectivity issues.

If resetting your router or modem does not fix the problem, check to see if other devices on your network are able to connect. If they can, the issue may be with your device or its settings.

Make sure your device is not in airplane mode and that Wi-Fi is turned on. If your device is connected to the network but still experiencing slow speeds, try moving closer to your router or modem to improve the signal strength.

If none of these solutions work, try contacting your internet service provider to see if there are any outages or known issues in your area that may be affecting your connectivity.

Troubleshoot Network Connection Problems

If you’re having trouble connecting to the internet, there are several steps you can take to troubleshoot the problem.

Step 1: Restart your computer or device. Sometimes, simply restarting your device can solve connectivity issues.

Step 2: Check your cables and connections. Ensure all cables are securely connected and in good condition.

Step 3: Restart your modem and router. Turn off the power to your modem and router, wait 30 seconds, and then turn them back on.

Step 4: Check for firmware updates. Make sure your modem and router have the latest firmware updates installed.

Step 5: Contact your Internet Service Provider (ISP). If none of the above steps resolve the issue, contact your ISP for further assistance.

Restart Router and Modem

Unplug the power cords: Turn off both the router and modem and unplug their power cords from the electrical outlet. Wait for at least 30 seconds.

Plug in the modem first: Connect the modem to the electrical outlet and wait for it to finish starting up. This usually takes 2-3 minutes.

Plug in the router next: Connect the router to the electrical outlet and wait for it to finish starting up. This usually takes 1-2 minutes.

If you still cannot connect to the internet after restarting the router and modem, try resetting them to their default factory settings or contact your internet service provider for further assistance.

Domain Name System (DNS) Cache Corruption

Domain Name System (DNS) is a critical component of the internet that translates domain names into IP addresses. If the DNS cache becomes corrupted, it can cause problems with accessing websites.

DNS cache corruption can occur due to various reasons, including software bugs, malware infections, and incorrect configuration. One of the most common symptoms of DNS cache corruption is the inability to access specific websites.

To resolve DNS cache corruption issues, you can try flushing the DNS cache. This can be done by opening a command prompt and running the “ipconfig /flushdns” command.

Clearing the browser cache can also help resolve DNS cache corruption issues. This can be done by opening the browser settings and clearing the cache and cookies.

Flush DNS Cache on your Computer

If you’re experiencing issues with accessing websites or network services, one possible cause could be a corrupted DNS cache. This is a common problem that can happen due to various reasons, such as malware or a misconfiguration in your system.

Fortunately, flushing your DNS cache is a straightforward process that can help you resolve the issue. Here are the steps you need to follow to flush your DNS cache on a Windows computer:

If you’re using a Mac computer, the process is slightly different. Here are the steps you need to follow:

Step 1: Open the Terminal.

Step 2: Type the following command and press Enter:

sudo killall -HUP mDNSResponder

Step 3: Enter your admin password when prompted.

After you’ve completed these steps, your DNS cache should be flushed, and you should be able to access the internet without any issues. However, if the problem persists, you may need to consider other potential causes, such as a misconfigured network adapter or a faulty router.

Reset DNS Client Service

If flushing the DNS cache did not resolve the issue, you may need to reset the DNS Client Service on your computer. This service is responsible for caching DNS records and can sometimes become corrupt, leading to connectivity issues.

To reset the DNS Client Service on a Windows computer, follow these steps:

After resetting the DNS Client Service, check if the connectivity issue has been resolved. If not, you may need to contact your Internet Service Provider for further assistance.

Reinstall DNS Client Service

If resetting the DNS client service did not solve the issue, the next step is to reinstall it. Here are the steps to follow:

Step 1: Open the Command Prompt as an administrator.

Step 2: Type the command net stop dnscache and press Enter.

Step 3: Type the command sc.exe config dnscache start=disabled and press Enter.

Step 4: Restart your computer.

Step 5: Open the Command Prompt as an administrator again.

Step 6: Type the command sc.exe config dnscache start=auto and press Enter.

Step 7: Type the command net start dnscache and press Enter.

If the issue still persists, it is recommended to contact your internet service provider or a professional technician for further assistance.

Frequently Asked Questions