07/02/2018 How to Fix DNS Server Not Responding Problem - wikiHow

How to Fix DNS Server Not Responding Problem Community

Tested
Five Parts: Troubleshooting Flushing the DNS Cache Disabling Extra Connections Editing the DNS Server Resetting the Router

This wikiHow teaches you how to fix your PC's Internet connection issues that are caused by Domain Name Server (DNS)
errors. DNS is a server that translates websites' addresses so that your browser can connect to them. If the addresses
become out-of-date or the server has issues, you'll encounter a DNS error and won't be able to connect to a specific site or
group of sites even with Internet access. You can potentially fix DNS issues by troubleshooting your current connection,
flushing the DNS cache, disabling extra connections, changing your computer's default DNS server, and even resetting your
router.

Part
Troubleshooting
1

1 Try connecting with a different device. If you can connect a phone, tablet, or computer to the network
and access the webpage that you're having trouble with on your primary device, the issue is definitively
with the device and not the router.
Not being able to connect with the second device doesn't necessarily mean that the router is the
problem.
If you're having trouble with a specific website, try accessing it using mobile data. If you still can't access
the site, the issue is on the site's end.

2 Try a different browser. This is one of the quickest ways to test your DNS connections. Download a
different free browser such as Firefox or Chrome and attempt to connect to the internet; if the problems
persist, you can rule out browser problems as the reason for your DNS server not responding.
If the issues are resolved, uninstalling and then reinstalling your old browser will likely fix the problem.

3 Power cycle your modem and router. This will clear your router's cache and thus may resolve DNS
errors. To do so:
Unplug your modem's power cable as well as your router's power cable.
Allow both your modem and your router to sit for at least 30 seconds.
Reconnect your modem and wait for it to come back online.
Reconnect your router to your modem and wait for it to come back online.

4 Connect your computer to your router via Ethernet. If you're already using Ethernet, skip this step.

If you can connect to a web page while using Ethernet, the problem may stem from your router. You'll
most likely need to reset it.
If you can't connect to a web page while connected via Ethernet, your DNS settings may be the
problem.

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Part
Flushing the DNS Cache
2

Windows

1 Open Start . Click the Windows logo in the bottom-left corner of the screen, or press ⊞ Win .

2 Type comm a nd prompt into Start. Doing so searches your computer for the Command Prompt app.

3 Click Command Prompt. It's at the top of the Start window. This will open Command Prompt.

4 Type in ipco n fig /flushdns and press ↵ Enter . This command removes any saved DNS
addresses. The next time you try to open a website, a new DNS address will be created.

5 Restart your web browser. Doing so refreshes your browser's cache. If you can now connect to the
webpage you were having trouble with earlier, the problem is resolved.
If you're still experiencing connection issues, proceed to the next method.

Mac

1 Open Spotlight . It's in the top-right corner of the screen.

You can also press ⌘ Command + Space to open Spotlight.

2 Type term i nal into Spotlight. Spotlight will begin searching for Terminal on your Mac.

3 Click Terminal. It should be the first option at the top of the Spotlight results.

4 Type this command into Terminal:

sudo killall -HUP mDNSResponder

and press ⏎ Return . This will restart the macOS DNS process.
You may have to enter your administrator password first.

5 Restart your web browser. This refreshes your browser's cache as well. If you can now connect to the
webpage with which you were having issues, the problem is resolved.

Part
Disabling Extra Connections
3

1 Open your computer's Network Settings.

On Windows: Open Start , click Settings , click Network & Internet, and click Change adapter
options.
On Mac: Open the Apple menu , click System Preferences, and click Network.

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2 Look for extra connections. You can remove any connection to which you aren't currently connected; this
includes Bluetooth and wireless connections.
The most common cause for DNS issues is the existence of "Microsoft Virtual WiFi Miniport Adapter".[1]

3 Select an extra connection. Simply click a connection to select it.

On Windows, each icon on the page represents a connection.

On Mac, the connections are on the left side of the window.

4 Remove the connection. To do so:

Windows - Click Disable this network device at the top of the window.
Mac - Click the minus sign (-) at the bottom of the network window.

5 Try visiting a webpage. If you can access your webpage, then the issue is resolved. If not, proceed to the
next method.

Part
Editing the DNS Server
4

Windows

1 Click your current connection's name. It will be on the Connections page. This will select it.

2 Click Change settings of this connection . This button is in the top row of options in the window. Clicking
it will open the connection's settings.

3 Click the "Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4)" result. It's in the window that's in the middle of the
Wi-Fi Properties pop-up. Doing so will select it.
If you don't see this window, click the Networking tab at the top of Wi-Fi Properties.

4 Click Properties . This option is near the bottom of the window.

5 Check the "Use the following DNS server addresses" circle. It's near the bottom of the Properties
window.

6 Enter a preferred DNS address. This goes in the "Preferred DNS server" field near the bottom of the
window. Reliable DNS servers include the following:
OpenDNS - Enter 208. 6 7.222.222 .
Google - Enter 8.8. 8 .8 .

7 Enter an alternate DNS address. This goes in the "Alternate DNS server" field below the first field.
Depending on what you entered in the "Preferred" field, what you enter here will vary:
OpenDNS - Enter 208. 6 7.220.220 .
Google - Enter 8.8. 4 .4 .

8 Click OK . Doing so saves your DNS settings.

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9 Click Close . It's at the bottom of the window.

10 Restart your computer. Once your computer finishes booting up, you can test your network
connection; if it works now, your computer's default DNS server was the problem.
If your computer can connect, consider calling your Internet Service Provider to notify them about the
DNS issues.
If you still can't connect, proceed to the next method.

Mac

1 Open the Apple menu . It's in the top-left corner of the screen.

2 Click System Preferences . You'll find it near the top of the Apple drop-down menu.

3 Click Network . This globe-shaped icon is in the System Preferences window.

4 Click your current Wi-Fi network. It's in the pane on the left side of the window.

5 Click Advanced . You'll find this near the middle of the window.

6 Click the DNS tab. It's at the top of the window.

7 Click + . This option is below the DNS Servers window.

8 Enter a DNS server address. OpenDNS and Google both have reliable, quick DNS servers:

Google - 8.8. 8 .8 or 8.8. 4 .4 .

OpenDNS - 208. 6 7.222.222 or 208. 6 7.220.220

9 Click the Hardware tab. It's on the far-right side of the tabs at the top of the window.

10 Click the "Configure" box, then click Manually . This box is near the top of the Hardware page.

11 Click the "MTU" box, then click Custom . The "MTU" box is below the "Configure" box.

12 Type 1453 into the text field. It's below the "MTU" box.

13 Click OK . It's at the bottom of the page.

14 Click Apply . This button is at the bottom of the page. Doing so saves your settings and applies them
to your current Wi-Fi network.

15 Restart your computer. Once your computer finishes booting up, you can test your network
connection; if it works now, your computer's default DNS server was the problem.

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If your computer can connect, consider calling your Internet Service Provider to notify them about the
DNS issues.
If you still can't connect, proceed to the next method.

Part
Resetting the Router
5

1 Find your router's "Reset" button. This button is usually on the back of the router.

You'll usually need a needle, a paperclip, or a similarly thin item to press the "Reset" button.
Resetting your router will also disconnect every device you have connected to the router.

2 Press and hold the "Reset" button. Hold it for at least 30 seconds to ensure that the router completely
resets.

3 Connect to your network. Use the factory password that's printed on the bottom of your router to
complete the connection.

4 Try accessing the website you were having trouble with. If you still can't connect to the Internet or
access the site you're trying to use, it's time to contact your Internet Service Provider to make them aware
of the DNS issues you're facing.
If resetting the router does indeed resolve the DNS issues, consider picking up a newer router if yours is
more than a couple of years old.

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Community Q&A

What is wrong if my laptop shows that it is connected to WiFi, but won't load any pages?

Go into your network settings, select the network that is causing the issue, go to Properties, Advanced, and
wikiHow Contributor click the box that has "ipv6 connectivity" not checked at the bottom.
Not Helpful 1 Helpful 9

Where do I enter the D.N.S. server?

In Network Connections in your WiFi or in Ethernet properties under internet protocol version 4 (TCP/IPv4).
wikiHow Contributor
Not Helpful 14 Helpful 38

What do I do if I have done everything on the list, but when I open my browser, it still says DNS cannot be
found?

Wait. Your internet provider is most likely having some trouble and their DNS server will not be available until
wikiHow Contributor they fix it themselves. If you want to verify this, or find out when the problem will be solved, call them.
Not Helpful 20 Helpful 45

My WiFi is not working on my laptop but still works on my phone. How do I resolve this?

These are the steps I have taken to resolve this issue. 1. Connected my laptop to the router with RJ45 cable,
wikiHow Contributor and tested a website -- works fine. 2. Removed the cable and tried wireless -- Error. 3. Deleted the wireless
profile from my laptop (Network and Sharing Center --> Manage wireless Network --> select the network -->
Remove). 4. Wireless network connection and select the wireless --> Enter the wireless password.
Not Helpful 3 Helpful 12

How do I find my IP address?

Try accessing the Common Prompt menu: type "cmd" to call out the Common Prompt menu at Run / Search.
wikiHow Contributor Then, key in "ipconfig" at the Common Prompt screen and press the "Enter" key. Your IP numbers will show as
xxx.xxxx.xx.xx.
Not Helpful 7 Helpful 14

What should I do if my PC wifi is connected, but I'm not receiving data from the browser?

If nothing in this guide helps, try reinstalling the browser (you might want to make a backup, first).
Yaakov A Sternberg
Not Helpful 3 Helpful 3

How do I fix DNS problems on my Samsung mobile?

Reset your phone network settings on your phone. They are different for each Android version. Google for
wikiHow Contributor whichever version you are using.
Not Helpful 7 Helpful 2

How do I increase my router's range?

It depends on the type, make, and model of your router. Each make and model has different settings. Some
wikiHow Contributor routers' software allows for power settings. Check you individual manual for the specific router.
Not Helpful 0 Helpful 0

Tips

Resetting your router periodically is a good way to prevent DNS issues from happening.

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Warnings

After resetting your DNS cache, your computer will load websites a little bit slower the first time you visit them. This
is because your computer is establishing and verifying a new DNS address for the site.

Sources and Citations

1. http://www.sevenforums.com/network-sharing/245874-dns-server-not-responding.html

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