You can't visit a website without start accessing a Domain Proper noun Server (DNS). In the procedure, you lot might be met with a message such as "DNS server non responding." This means that the decentralized naming systems responsible for turning hostnames into IP addresses failed to answer.

There are a variety of reasons these types of DNS errors can occur. Fortunately, nearly of them have simple resolutions. In fact, fixing the issue could be every bit easy as restarting your computer or changing web browsers.

In this post, nosotros'll explain what the "DNS Server Not Responding" message means and some common causes for it. And then we'll walk you lot through several solutions for how to ready it, both on Windows and macOS devices.

Allow's go started!

What Does "DNS Server Not Responding" Mean?

A DNS is a naming arrangement that takes alphanumeric domain names (or "hostnames") and turns them into numeric IP addresses. Substantially, DNS servers act as translators.

When you input a web address into your browser, it is forwarded to a DNS server from your router, where it's then dissolved and returned as an IP accost. Even so, if the DNS server is unable to properly complete this proper noun resolution process, the end result is normally a bulletin indicating that the DNS server is not responding.

"DNS Server Not Responding" means that your browser was unable to establish a connection to the cyberspace. Typically, DNS errors are caused by bug on the user end, whether that'due south with a network or internet connection, misconfigured DNS settings, or an outdated browser. They tin can also be attributed to a temporary server outage that renders the DNS unavailable.

Therefore, information technology's possible that you lot might be able to resolve the problem simply by switching browsers. In other cases, you may need to disable connections, change DNS servers, or flush the DNS cache.

How to Fix the "DNS Server Non Responding" Fault in Windows and macOS (x Methods)

Now that you understand what this message means and are familiar with some potential causes, it's time to get to work resolving it. Let'due south take a wait at ten potential ways you can prepare "DNS Server Not Responding" on Windows and Mac devices.

1. Switch to a Different Browser

The showtime pace is to troubleshoot the event by testing your DNS connections. Fixing this problem might be as simple as switching or updating your web browser.

To practise this, try accessing the web from a different browser. For example, if your default browser is Safari or Google Chrome, visit the desired website from Mozilla Firefox or Microsoft Border instead.

If switching browsers works, yous'll likely need to update your default browser to the latest version or uninstall and reinstall it. However, if yous notwithstanding run across the "DNS Server Not Responding" message, yous can dominion out your browser as the source of the outcome.

ii. Start Your Computer in Safe Mode

If your operating arrangement is not functioning properly, information technology can result in the "DNS Server Not Responding" mistake message. Therefore, you may want to attempt booting your Windows device in Safety Mode to encounter whether this resolves this effect.

Doing and then will limit the files and resources used for running Windows, and can exist an effective way to troubleshoot problems.

To outset your Windows 10 calculator in Safe Way, first select the Windows button, and and then hover over the Power icon:

windows power
The power button in Windows

Next, while y'all're holding downwardly the Shift cardinal, select Restart:

windows restart
The Windows restart option

In the window that appears, click on Troubleshoot > Advanced. Under Advanced options, select Start-Up Settings, followed past Restart. More options will announced. Y'all can press 4 or v to Enable Safe Mode or Enable Safe Mode with Networking respectively. Your computer will and then restart in Condom Mode.

If you're using Windows seven or earlier, yous can restart it in Safe Mode by going to Ability > Restart. So, while it's booting upward, hold down the F8 key.

The process is similar on macOS devices.

While the machine is restarting and booting up, hold downwardly the Shift key. Once the Apple logo appears, you can release information technology. Your device will then start in Rubber Way.

Once your computer is in Rubber Mode, try to access the website over again. If at that place doesn't seem to be a network connection result, the source of the problem may be a third-political party software or installation, such as an antivirus awarding.

three. Temporarily Disable Your Antivirus Software and Firewall

If switching browsers doesn't resolve the "DNS Server Not Responding" effect, the next stride is to temporarily deactivate your firewall. Antivirus software and firewalls are disquisitional for safeguarding your devices, but they tin can sometimes cause problems that interfere with network connections.

For Windows users, you can practice this by going to your control panel and navigating to Update & Security > Windows Security > Virus & Threat Protection > Manage Settings.

Mac users can find this option by navigating to Arrangement Preferences > Security & Privacy > Firewall.

Once your firewall is deactivated, try visiting the website again from your browser. If this resolved the upshot, you might consider switching antivirus programs or reconfiguring the settings of your existing application. Either mode, remember to reactivate your firewall once y'all're done.

4. Disable Secondary Connections

If disabling your antivirus software or firewall didn't do the fox, another potential solution is to disable whatsoever secondary connections available on your device. You desire to make sure that only the connexion you're currently using is active.

To practice this in Windows, blazon "Network connections" into the search box of your desktop taskbar. Next, click on View network connections:

view network connections 1
Windows network connections

This will bring you to the Network Connections page. Any connections you're non currently using will have a red (X) adjacent to them. Correct-click on one, and then select Disable:

disable secondary connection
Disabling secondary connections in Windows

Repeat this for any other connections that are not currently active. When you're done, restart your browser and try visiting the website once again.

If you lot're using a macOS, yous can practice this by clicking on the Apple icon, then navigating to System Preferences > Network. Your connections volition be listed on the left side of the window.

macOS network settings
macOS network settings

To disconnect or disable ane, select it, and then click on the () sign at the bottom of the window.

five. Disable the Windows Peer-to-Peer Characteristic

If you're using Windows, and disabling your firewall or secondary connections hasn't resolved the "DNS Server Non Responding" error message, there's 1 more choice you lot tin attempt: the Peer-to-Peer (P2P) feature. Note: This is something yous'll only observe in Windows x.

This characteristic helps preserve your device's download bandwidth. Substantially, it lets you download a Windows update i time, and so use your device to spread or share the updated version across other computers included in your local network.

Unfortunately, it can also sometimes interrupt DNS processes. Therefore, information technology's worth disabling to see if this resolves the error message y'all're currently facing.

To do so, click on the Windows icon, followed by the Settings (gear icon) > Update & Security:

windows settings update
The Update & Security option in Windows settings

In the window that opens forth the left-hand side, select Delivery Optimization:

windows delivery optimization
The Windows Delivery Optimization menu

Adjacent to the 'Allow downloads from other PCs' option, toggle the switch to disable it:

windows p2p feature
The toggle switch for the Windows P2P feature

When you lot're done, restart your computer and effort accessing the website again. If this doesn't piece of work, don't worry. Nosotros still have more solutions to try.

half dozen. Restart Your Router

The side by side troubleshooting step is to restart your router. Doing then volition flush your router's cache and could exist the solution for resolving the "DNS Server Not Responding" message.

Subscribe At present

About modems come with a power push that enables you to speedily power them off. After a minute or so, turn your modem back on and wait for it to re-establish a connection. Once it does, check to run across whether you're able to access the internet from your browser.

Note that sometimes simply restarting the router isn't enough. You may want to reboot it past unplugging it entirely, and and so waiting at least 30 seconds before plugging it back in and powering information technology on again.

7. Install Updated Network Adapter Drivers on Your Figurer

Another reason you may be seeing the "DNS Server Non Responding" message is if your electric current Windows network adapter commuter is onetime or outdated. If this is the case, getting a new adapter driver or updating yours may be the solution you demand.

At that place are a couple of ways to update your network adapter driver. Ane is to do it manually, which you should but practise if you are at to the lowest degree somewhat familiar working with drivers. Alternatively, you can exercise information technology using an automated tool such every bit Driver Easy or Snappy Driver Installer (SDI):

snappy driver installer
The Snappy Commuter Installer website

Either of these solutions volition automatically recognize your system and locate the advisable drivers for y'all to use with it. We recommend this method because it eliminates the take a chance of human error, such as downloading or installing the incorrect commuter on your device.

Once you download SDI and finish installing the updated drivers, restart your computer. Then try reconnecting to the net, to determine whether this resolved the event.

8. Flush Your DNS Cache and Reset Your IP

If you've eliminated your browser, antivirus software, and router as the source of the upshot, it'south time to turn your attention to your DNS settings. As with the router enshroud, it may be that your DNS needs to be cleared before it can properly make a connection to the internet, or your IP might need a reset.

If you're using Windows, offset past typing "cmd" into the search field along the taskbar, and then selecting the Command Prompt app:

command prompt app
The Command Prompt application in the Windows menu

In the window that opens, enter "ipconfig/flushdns" (no quotations), and hitting Enter:

windows command prompt
The Command Prompt in Windows after flushing the DNS cache

When the process is finished, it will display a message letting you know that the DNS enshroud was successfully flushed. Repeat this procedure for the following commands:

          ipconfig /registerdns  ipconfig /release  ipconfig /renew        

If you're using a Mac device, you can affluent your DNS enshroud by opening the Terminal application (press the Command + Infinite keys, and then type "Terminal" into Spotlight). In the Final application window, enter the following:

          dscacheutil -flushcache        

Printing the Enter key. There won't be a success message every bit there is on Windows devices. Notwithstanding, simply running this command volition affluent the DNS cache. For farther guidance, y'all can refer to our full guide on how to flush your DNS enshroud in Windows, Mac, and Chrome.

9. Disable IPv6

IPv6 is the latest Cyberspace Protocol version that helps route traffic between networks and the cyberspace. Unfortunately, it may also be behind the "DNS Server Not Responding" message y'all're currently seeing.

Therefore, another potential solution to effort is disabling IPv6 on your estimator. To do this in Windows, open your Network Connections command panel, then right-click on your electric current connection. In the drop-downward menu, select Properties:

network connection properties 1
The network connection Properties carte du jour option in Windows

Under the Networking tab of the console that opens, scroll downwardly until you see Cyberspace Protocol Version 6 (TCP/IPv6):

ipv6 windows
Internet Protocol Version 6 (TCP/IPv6) in Windows Network Connections

If it's selected, unselect the box, so click on OK. Refresh your browser and endeavour connecting to the internet once more.

To disable IPv6 in macOS, you beginning need to determine what network interface you lot're using. To do this, open the Terminal application, then issue the post-obit command:

          networksetup -listallnetworkservices        

If you want to disable IPv6 for a wireless connection, you lot would employ the post-obit control:

          networksetup -setv6off Wi-Fi        

For an Ethernet connection, you would utilise:

          networksetup -setv6off Ethernet        

So hitting the Enter key, and refresh your browser to run across if the upshot is resolved.

x. Change the Default DNS Server on Your Windows Computer

Another solution you lot can try in guild to fix "DNS Server Not Responding" in Windows is to change your default DNS server. To do this in Windows 7, 8, or 10, the first step is to access your network connection properties.

First by clicking on the Windows button in the bottom-left corner of the job bar. In the search field, type "Network connections", and then select View network connections in the carte du jour that appears:

view network connections
The View Network Connections control panel in the Windows carte

Next, choose the internet adapter you're currently using (WLAN for wireless network connections or LAN for ethernet cablevision connections). Correct-click on the internet adapter, followed by Properties:

network connection properties
The Network Connection Properties carte item in Windows

In the window that opens, choose Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4), and then click on the Backdrop push button:

ipv4 properties
The Wi-Fi Properties console in Windows

To manually assign a different DNS server address, select Employ the following DNS server addresses and input the address of an alternative server:

internet protocol DNS
The DNS Server Addresses panel in Windows

For instance, you lot can enter Google'due south DNS server, which is "8.8.8.8", under Preferred DNS server. Then you tin can add together "8.viii.4.4" under Alternative  DNS server, and hit OK.

If you're running macOS, y'all can locate these settings by clicking on the Apple icon followed by System Preferences:

macos system preferences
The System Preferences menu item in Mac

Adjacent, select the Network icon. Choose your current network, and and then click on the Advanced push button:

mac network system
The Advanced button in the Mac Network Arrangement window

Under the DNS tab, click the (+) button next to "IPv4 or IPv6 addresses", and hitting Enter:

mac dns server
Entering new DNS information in macOS

Subsequently you enter the new DNS information, clickon OK followed past Apply. Restart your web browser, and so visit the website yous were trying to admission. You should find that the "DNS Server Not Responding" issue is at present resolved.

Summary

Trying to admission a website only to be met with a "DNS Server Not Responding" message tin be both frustrating and concerning. While there are a variety of reasons this fault may occur, the good news is that most have simple resolutions.

As we discussed in this article, there are ten potential solutions you can employ to fix a "DNS Server Non Responding" message, in both Windows and macOS:

  1. Switch to a different browser, and if necessary, update your default browser to the latest version.
  2. Start your computer in Condom Fashion.
  3. Temporarily disable your antivirus software and firewalls.
  4. Disable secondary connections.
  5. Disable the Windows Peer-to-Peer feature.
  6. Restart your router.
  7. Install updated network adapter drivers on your computer.
  8. Flush your DNS cache and reset your IP.
  9. Disable IPv6.
  10. Alter the default DNS server on your computer.

Suggested reading:
How to Prepare the DNS_PROBE_FINISHED_BAD_CONFIG Error Lawmaking.
How to Set up DNS_PROBE_FINISHED_NXDOMAIN Error Lawmaking


Save time, costs and maximize site performance with:

  • Instant help from WordPress hosting experts, 24/7.
  • Cloudflare Enterprise integration.
  • Global audience reach with 29 data centers worldwide.
  • Optimization with our congenital-in Awarding Performance Monitoring.

All of that and much more, in one plan with no long-term contracts, assisted migrations, and a thirty-day-coin-back-guarantee. Check out our plans or talk to sales to observe the plan that'southward correct for y'all.