DNS Server Not Responding: The Complete Guide

The “DNS server not responding” error is a common issue that occurs when your browser is unable to connect to the DNS server, which prevents it from finding the IP address of the website you are trying to visit. DNS, or Domain Name System, translates human-readable domain names (like www.example.com) into IP addresses that computers use to communicate with each other. When the DNS server fails to respond, it effectively blocks your internet access, even though your network might otherwise be working fine.

This comprehensive guide will help you understand the causes of this error and provide step-by-step solutions to resolve it.

What Causes the “DNS Server Not Responding” Error?

Several factors can cause the DNS server not responding error, including:

1. DNS Server Issues: The DNS server you are using might be temporarily down or experiencing high traffic.
2. Network Issues: Problems with your router, modem, or network cables can disrupt DNS resolution.
3. Incorrect DNS Configuration: Misconfigured DNS settings on your device can prevent it from connecting to DNS servers.
4. Firewall or Antivirus Interference: Security software may block the connection to DNS servers as a protective measure.
5. Outdated Network Drivers: An outdated or corrupted network driver can interfere with DNS functionality.
6. ISP Problems: Your Internet Service Provider (ISP) might be having DNS issues, preventing your connection from working correctly.

How to Fix the “DNS Server Not Responding” Error: Step-by-Step Solutions

1. Restart Your Router and Modem

Restarting your router and modem is often the simplest solution and can resolve many network-related issues.

• Unplug the power cable from your router and modem.
• Wait for about 30 seconds.
• Plug the power cables back in and wait for the router and modem to restart.
• Try reconnecting to the internet to see if the issue is resolved.

2. Switch to a Different Browser

The problem might be specific to your current browser. To rule this out:

• Try accessing the website using a different browser (e.g., Firefox, Safari).
• If the site loads correctly in another browser, clear the cache and cookies in the original browser or consider reinstalling it.

3. Disable Firewall or Antivirus Temporarily

Security software, such as firewalls and antivirus programs, can sometimes block DNS connections as a protective measure. Temporarily disabling these can help identify if they are causing the issue.

• Windows:
  • Go to Control Panel > System and Security > Windows Defender Firewall.
  • Select Turn Windows Defender Firewall on or off and turn it off for both private and public networks.
• Mac:
  • Go to System Preferences > Security & Privacy > Firewall.
  • Click Turn Off Firewall.

Note: Remember to re-enable your firewall or antivirus software after testing to maintain your computer’s security.

4. Flush DNS Cache

Flushing the DNS cache can remove outdated or corrupted entries that might be causing the issue.

• On Windows:
  1. Open Command Prompt as an administrator.
  2. Type the following command and press Enter:
     ipconfig /flushdns
  3. Restart your computer.
• On Mac:
  1. Open Terminal.
  2. Type the following command and press Enter:
     sudo killall -HUP mDNSResponder
  3. Enter your password if prompted and restart your computer.

5. Change DNS Servers

Using an alternative DNS server like Google DNS or Cloudflare DNS can resolve DNS server issues, especially if your ISP’s DNS servers are experiencing problems.

• On Windows:
  1. Go to Control Panel > Network and Internet > Network and Sharing Center > Change adapter settings.
  2. Right-click your active network and select Properties.
  3. Select Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4) and click Properties.
  4. Choose Use the following DNS server addresses and enter:
     • Preferred DNS server: 8.8.8.8 (Google DNS)
     • Alternate DNS server: 8.8.4.4 (Google DNS)
     • Alternatively, you can use Cloudflare DNS:
       • Preferred DNS server: 1.1.1.1
       • Alternate DNS server: 1.0.0.1
  5. Click OK and restart your computer.
• On Mac:
  1. Go to System Preferences > Network.
  2. Select your active network connection and click Advanced.
  3. Go to the DNS tab.
  4. Click the + button and add 8.8.8.8 and 8.8.4.4 for Google DNS or 1.1.1.1 and 1.0.0.1 for Cloudflare.
  5. Click OK and Apply the changes.

6. Restart DNS Client Service (Windows)

Restarting the DNS Client service can resolve issues with DNS resolution on Windows.

1. Press Windows + R to open the Run dialog box.
2. Type services.msc and press Enter.
3. Scroll down to find DNS Client.
4. Right-click on DNS Client and select Restart.

7. Update Network Drivers

Outdated or corrupted network drivers can cause DNS issues. Updating your drivers can help resolve the problem.

• On Windows:
  1. Open Device Manager by pressing Windows + X and selecting Device Manager.
  2. Expand the Network adapters section.
  3. Right-click your network adapter and select Update driver.
  4. Choose Search automatically for updated driver software.
  5. Restart your computer after updating.
• On Mac: Network drivers are typically updated through macOS updates. Ensure that your system is up-to-date by going to System Preferences > Software Update.

8. Check for Network Cable Issues

If you are using a wired connection, a faulty Ethernet cable can cause connectivity issues:

• Ensure that the Ethernet cable is securely plugged into both your router and computer.
• Try using a different cable to see if it resolves the issue.

9. Run the Network Troubleshooter (Windows)

Windows has a built-in Network Troubleshooter that can automatically detect and fix network problems, including DNS issues.

1. Go to Settings > Network & Internet > Status.
2. Click Network troubleshooter under Advanced network settings.
3. Follow the on-screen instructions to identify and fix any network issues.

10. Contact Your ISP

If none of the above methods resolve the problem, the issue may lie with your Internet Service Provider (ISP). Reach out to their customer support to check if they are experiencing DNS server issues or if there are any outages in your area.

11. Reset Your Router to Default Settings

If you have made changes to your router’s settings, resetting it to factory defaults can sometimes fix DNS-related issues.

• Refer to your router’s manual for instructions on how to reset it. Usually, there is a reset button that needs to be held down for about 10 seconds.
• Warning: This will remove any custom settings you have configured, such as Wi-Fi passwords and network names.

Summary

The “DNS server not responding” error can be caused by various factors, ranging from simple browser issues to more complex network configuration problems. By following the step-by-step solutions in this guide, you can effectively diagnose and fix the error:

1. Restart your router and modem.
2. Try a different browser.
3. Disable security software temporarily.
4. Flush DNS cache.
5. Change to a public DNS server.
6. Restart DNS client service.
7. Update network drivers.
8. Check network cables.
9. Use the built-in Network Troubleshooter.
10. Contact your ISP.
11. Reset your router if needed.

With these troubleshooting steps, you can restore your internet connection and continue browsing without encountering DNS issues.