how to fix dns server not responding in windows 10

DNS Server Not Responding – How to Fix the Error in Windows 10

I think it's safe to say that the vast majority of professionals depend on the internet these days.

So being denied access to the internet when you are trying to mine nuggets of valuable information from your go-to web sites can be quite an ordeal. Especially when you are under pressure to complete a piece of urgently required work.

One particularly unwelcome cause of being denied access to the internet is the “DNS Server Not Responding” error. It’s like that old fable where a troll sits under a bridge and says “You shall not pass!”, or something about gobbling up those that wish to cross the bridge.

I’m happy to tell you that you should be able to defeat the troll and cross the bridge to internet access joy by following the simple trouble shooting steps discussed in this article.

What is the "DNS Server Not Responding" Error?

The “DNS Server Not Responding” error is a fairly common issue and is generally easy to fix. There are many reasons why this issue may occur. But fundamentally it is caused because the DNS server that is contacted during the processes of loading a web page is unable to find the site that contains the web page that you have requested.

This article explores what may have triggered this issue to occur and how you may go about fixing the issue.

Firstly, I think it is a good idea to gain at least a basic understanding of the “DNS Server Not Responding” error. To do this, let’s first understand DNS.

DNS stands for Domain Name System. A simple explanation of DNS is that it is a decentralised storage of human readable internet addresses, like the ones with which you will almost certainly be familiar (for example www.amazon.com or www.netlix.com).

The DNS maps these human readable URLs to their appropriate IP (Internet Protocol) addresses.

IP addresses are much less human readable, but are essential for the inner workings of the internet. IP addresses uniquely identify computers on the internet. The IP address associated with the URL, www.netflix.com, might for example, look like this, 69.53.224.255.

It is clearly easier for you to remember “ www.netflix.com ", rather than a string of numbers delimited by full stops, when you wish to access your favourite content on Netflix. So the DNS facilitates this for you, so that you don’t have to remember or manually lookup unfriendly strings of numeric data every time you wish to access a web site.

The common analogy to explain DSN is a telephone directory. Basically, as you would look up a telephone number using the name of the person you wish to call in a telephone directory, a similar look up is performed when you type in the URL (like www.amazon.com) of the web site you wish to view within your browser.

Thankfully you don’t have to manually look up the corresponding IP address for www.amazon.com, as this is performed behind the scenes for you automatically.

So the appropriate IP address is retrieved automatically every time you type in a URL into your browser. This IP address is then used to contact the appropriate server that hosts the relevant web site associated with the URL you have entered into your browser.

When the “DNS Server Not Responding” error occurs, this means that the decentralised naming systems responsible for automatically looking up the appropriate IP address based on the relevant hostname that you entered into you browser fails to respond.

There are many reasons why this error occurs, but fortunately there are also many solutions available to you to fix the issue.

An easy solution may be to simply change the web browser you are using or even simpler still, simply restart your computer. Yup, simply turning it off and then turning it on again could fix the issue.

However, if you are not so lucky and the problem still persists, don’t despair – there are many steps that you can take to find out the cause of the issue and subsequently fix it.

In this article you will learn a number of possible solutions to the “DNS Server Not Responding” error.

How to Fix "DNS Serger Not Responding"

Below, I've listed out the ways that you can try using to fix the “DNS Server Not Responding” error. The subsequent sections of this article provide details on each of these methods:

Use a Different Web Browser

• Try Accessing a Web Site with a Different Device
• Restart your Router

Investigate Possible Network Issues

• Manually Set your DNS Server

Clear the DNS Cache

Disable internet protocol version 6.

• Temporarily Deactivate your Firewall and Disable your Antivirus Software
• Reset your DNS Settings

Update the Network Adapter Driver

• Disable all Network Connections Except the Connection you are Using to Access the Internet

Restart your Computer in Safe Mode

A potential solution to the “DNS Server not Responding” issue that's really simple is to try accessing the relevant website using a different browser.

If, for example, you are using Microsoft Edge or Mozilla Firefox as your browser at the time that the issue occurs, try using a different browser like Google Chrome to access the relevant website.

If using a different browser solves the problem, then make the browser that works your default browser. But if the issue still persists, then we at least know that the browser you have been using is not the source of the issue and our investigation into finding a solution to the DNS Server not Responding” issue must continue…

Try Accessing a Website With a Different Device

Try to use a different device connected to your home network to access the website you were trying to access when you received the error.

For example, use Wi-Fi from your mobile phone to access the relevant web site. If the issue persists, you know that the issue isn’t just with your primary device and the problem may have something to do with your router.

Restart Your Router

The “DNS Server not Responding” issue may occur simply due to data traffic. It may be that simply restarting your router can fix this issue.

You can restart your router by pressing the power button on your router. You can then unplug your router's power cable. Wait for about 30 seconds then plug your router into the power outlet again and press the power button to restart it.

Running network diagnostics may point to network issues as the root cause of the issue.

Running Network Diagnostic is very simple on a Windows 10 OS. You can do this by following these steps:

• Open Control Panel. One way to do this is press the Windows Key + R to activate the “Run” box, then type “control” in the text box presented in the “Run” box and hit the enter key.

• Select the Network and Internet option presented within the Control Panel window.
• Click the Network and Sharing Center option from within the “Network and Internet” window.
• Click the Troubleshoot problems option presented under the "Change your network settings” heading within the “Network and Sharing Center” window.
• Click Additional troubleshooters -> Internet Connections -> Run the troubleshooter

The next step is to wait for the troubleshooter task to finish. If you are presented with any error messages, simply follow the steps on how to fix the relevant network issue.

Manually Set Your DNS Server

The source of your issue may be that your DNS server is down. In this case you’ll be pleased to know that you are able to manually change your DNS server.

You can change your DNS server to, for example, Googles Public DNS or CloudFlare’s public DNS. To change your DNS server, follow these steps:

• Invoke your Control Panel. One way to invoke your Control Panel is to activate your Start Menu and search for the Control Panel.
• In the Control Panel window click the Network and Internet option.
• In the Network and Internet window, click the Network and Sharing Center option.
• On the   Network and Sharing Center window click on your active connection. For example, click the “ethernet” option if this is the connection currently being used or click the “Wi-Fi” option if it is clear that this is your active connection.
• In the dialog box that is presented to you, click the “Properties” button.
• In the dialog presented to you, you’ll see a list is presented under the “The connection uses the following items” heading.
• In this list, select the list item labelled “Internet protocol version 4 (TCP/IPv4)” then click the “Properties” button.

• You will be presented with another dialog box where you’ll see two fields. One will be labelled “Preferred DNS Server”, and the other which is directly under this field will be labelled “Alternate DNS Server”.
• First click the Use the following DNS server addresses radio button.
• To use Googles Public DNS server, enter 8.8.8.8 in the field labelled “Preferred DNS Server” and enter 8.8.4.4 into the field labelled “Alternate DNS Server”.

• You are also able to use CloudFlare’s DNS server for the same purpose. CloudFlare’s DNS address is simply 1.1.1.1
• Once you have entered your desired DNS server settings, ensure that the “Validate settings upon exit” checkbox is checked.
• Click the “OK” button to save your new DNS server settings.
• Restart your computer.

You are able to flush the DNS cache which may resolve the “DNS Server not Responding” issue. This action will clear IP addresses and other DNS related data from  your cache.

You can clear the DNS cache by running a command using your command prompt.

One way to invoke the command prompt is to press Window Key + R to invoke the “Run” box. Type “cmd” within the “Run” box and press shift+ctrl+enter to run the command prompt as an administrator.

At the command prompt, type in the following command: “ipconfig /flushdns” and them press the enter key. If the command has executed successfully, you'll see the appropriate message in the command window.

At the time of writing this article, Internet Protocol Version 6 is the latest version of the internet protocol. Disabling the Internet Protocol Version 6 will not have detrimental effects on your computer’s operations, but it's been known to fix the “DNS Server not Responding” issue.

To disable the Internet Protocol version 6 on a Windows 10 operating system, just follow these steps:

• Go to Control Panel -> Network and Internet -> Network and Sharing Center
• Click on the relevant connection, for example “Wi-Fi”
• Click the “Properties” button on the dialog that is presented to you.
• In the list presented under the “This connection uses the following items” heading, uncheck the item labelled “Internet Protocol Version 6 (TCP/IPv6)”.

• Press the “OK button”

Temporarily Deactivate your Firewall and Disable Antivirus

If your firewall is Defender, you can follow these steps to disable it:

• To open control panel, press Windows Key + R to activate the “Run” box, then type “control” in the text box presented in the “Run” box and hit the enter key.
• In the top right hand text box, type in “win”

• An option labelled "Windows Defender Firewall” should appear in the search results. Click the “Windows Defender Firewall” option.
• Click the “Allow an app or feature through Windows Defender Firewall” option.

• Click the “Change settings” button.

• From the list presented to you within the dialog box that has just been invoked, find the browser that you are using, for example Google Chrome. Then make sure that both the private and public checkboxes next to the relevant item are checked.

• Once you've done this, try to access the relevant website using the relevant browser and see if the issue has been fixed.

There is a chance that your firewall was preventing you from accessing external data through your browser.

Note that it is not recommended to leave your operating system unprotected by reliable antivirus software indefinitely. Disabling your antivirus software in this instance is only recommended for testing if the relevant antivirus software is the cause of the “DNS Server not Responding” issue.

To temporarily turn off Microsoft Defender antivirus protection, follow these steps:

• Select Start and then type in "Windows Security” in order to search for the relevant application.
• Select Windows Security App from the search results.
• Go to Virus & Threat Protection .
• Under Virus & threat protection settings select Manage settings.
• Switch Real-time protection off.

Attempt to access the relevant website through the relevant browser to test if the “DNS Server not Responding” issue still occurs.

Reset DNS Settings

To reset your DNS Settings, follow these steps:

• Run the command prompt as an administrator. To do this activate the “Run” box by pressing Windows key + R .
• In the run box type “cmd” and press shift + ctrl + enter
• Type the following commands in the command prompt. After entering each command press the enter key, so that each command is run individually.

ipconfig /registerdns

ipconfig /release

Ipconfig /renew

netsh winsock reset

Once you have run these commands, close the command prompt and restart your computer.

You can manually update your network adapter driver, but it is much easier to automate this task.

You can automate this through the use of free software like “Driver Easy” (https://www.drivereasy.com/download-free-version/). Simply download the free version of this software.

Make sure that before you run the free version of the Driver Easy software that you create a system restore point. This provides you with insurance, so in the unlikely event that you encounter a nasty surprise that adversely effects your computer, that you are able to return your Windows OS back to the state that it was in before you ran the Driver Easy software and encountered an unexpected issue.

To use the Driver Easy software, follow these steps:

• Run the software
• Click the “Scan Now” button
• Press the “Update” button next to any outdated drivers.

Disable all Network Connections Except for the Connection that you are Using

Disabling the additional network connections you may have setup on your computer (other than, for example, the Wi-Fi connection that you are using to access the internet) might fix the “DNS Server not Responding” issue.

To disable the relevant network connection, follow these steps:

• Firstly you must access your Network Connections. To access your Network Connections, press Windows Key + R to invoke the “Run” box
• In the “Run” box type in “ncpa.cpl” and press enter.
• Right click the relevant network connection and select “Disable” from the relevant context menu. Repeat this action until all connections except for the Wi-Fi connection you are using are disabled.

When you start your computer in Safe Mode, this means the Windows operating system loads with a limited set of drivers and files. This can help you diagnose what is causing your “DNS Server not Responding” issue through a process of illumination (as it were).

So to start your PC in Safe Mode, follow these steps:

• Press the Windows Key + I to open Settings.
• Select Update & Security -> Recovery
• Under Advanced startup , select Restart Now
• Once your PC has startup to the “Choose an option” screen, select Troubleshoot ->   Advanced options -> Startup Settings -> Restart
• Once your PC has restarted you’ll see a list of options
• Select 5 or press F5 for Safe Mode with Networking.

Try to access the web site that resulted in you getting the “DNS Server not Responding” issue. If the problem does not occur in safe mode this means that additional software may be the cause of the issue.

You can uninstall any additional software from your PC, one by one, and then test to see if the issue still occurs. If the issue does not occur after uninstalling particular software, this means that it is likely that this software was interfering with your internet access.

The “DNS Server not Responding” issue is relatively common and thankfully it is also relatively easy to fix.

It can be incredibly inconvenient to be denied access to the internet but hopefully the potential solutions outlined in this article will help you to once again have access to your favorite web sites.

Read more posts .

If this article was helpful, share it .

Learn to code for free. freeCodeCamp's open source curriculum has helped more than 40,000 people get jobs as developers. Get started

• Help Center /

How To Fix the “DNS Server Isn’t Responding” Error on Windows 10

The DNS server is one of the necessary parts of getting a stable, working connection to the internet. Unfortunately, many Windows 10 users have been running into errors regarding this. Some reports say that Windows 10 displays the error message “DNS server isn’t responding” causing websites to stop loading.

Table of Contents

What is a dns server, what happens when dns servers fail, what does “dns server not responding“ mean, what causes the “dns server not responding” error, solved: “dns server isn’t responding” error on windows 10, quick fix: switch to a different browser, method 1. restart your router, method 2. change your dns server, method 3. update your network adapter drivers, method 4. flush your dns and clear dns cache, method 5. manually enter your mac address, method 6. temporarily disable your antivirus, method 7. disable peer-to-peer windows 10 updates, method 8. disable internet protocol version 6 (ipv6), method 9. disable the microsoft virtual wifi miniport adapter, method 10. reset your ip address and network protocols (tcp/ip), final thoughts.

Short Answer: DNS servers translate domain names into IP addresses, allowing DNS clients to reach the origin server. When users type domain names into the URL bar in their browser, DNS servers are responsible for translating those domain names to numeric IP addresses, leading them to the correct website.

The Domain Name System (DNS) is the phonebook of the Internet. When users type domain names such as ‘softwarekeep.com’ or ‘google.com’ into web browsers, DNS is responsible for finding the correct IP address for those sites. Browsers then use those addresses to communicate with origin servers or CDN edge servers to access website information. This all happens thanks to DNS servers: machines dedicated to answering DNS queries.

A server is a program or device providing services to other programs, referred to as ‘clients’. DNS clients, built into most modern desktop and mobile operating systems, enable web browsers to interact with DNS servers. Here's more .

Short answer: It results to DNS Server Not Responding.

DNS servers can fail for multiple reasons - power outages, cyberattacks, or hardware malfunctions. In the case of a major DNS server outage, some users may experience delays due to the amount of requests being handled by backup servers, resulting in the common phrase: DNS Server Not Responding . But it would take a DNS outage of very large proportions to make a significant portion of the Internet unavailable.  

DNS Server Not Responding error means that your browser was unable to connect to the internet or the DNS of the domain you're trying to reach are unavailable. In order to resolve it, restart your router or modem, check for network issues and update your browser.

A Domain Name System (DNS) is a directory that translates domain names or hostnames into  Internet Protocol (IP)  addresses. Due to this process, users can easily access websites on the internet through web browsers.

Sometimes, users encounter DNS error messages when accessing a website, such as the “DNS server not responding” message. This means the web browser can’t connect to the site because the DNS server fails to map hostnames to IP addresses correctly.

There are many causes for the “DNS server not responding” error, from misconfigured network adapters to incorrect DNS server addresses. Fortunately, most of these problems lie on the user’s end and can be solved without much effort.

The DNS server failed issues is often caused by improperly configured DNS records. This might happen when users don’t use the correct values or IP address during the recording process.

Other possible causes of the “DNS server not responding” error are:

• Unavailable DNS provider.  Your DNS service might stop working because of DNS errors on its network, such as heavy traffic and server outage.
• Malfunctioning router or modem.  A faulty router or modem can also trigger DNS errors. Try switching the ethernet ports or using different ethernet cables to determine whether your router is causing the DNS problem.
• Hardware or network issues.  Some hardware or network failures can also cause the “DNS server not responding” error. For example, a single server fails to relay the information to the next server correctly.
• Antivirus software.  Problems can occur when the software vendor updates an antivirus program, making the program believe your computer is infected and suddenly block your internet access. When this happens, your browser might show the “DNS server not responding” message.

We’ll be using both standard Windows 10 troubleshooting methods as well as some specific procedures that aim to fix this error message. Our guides are step-by-step, allowing you to restore your internet connection efficiently.

Here are how you can fix the “DNS server not responding” issue:

• Switch to a different browser
• Troubleshoot network problems in network diagnostics.
• Update or reinstall Network adapter drivers.
• Restart your router or modem. 
• Temporarily Deactivate antivirus and firewall. 
• Flush DNS cache and clear DNS cache 
• Change the DNS server address.  Replace your ISP’s address with a different DNS address.
• Manually enter your MAC address.
• Disable peer-to-peer Windows 10 updates.
• Disable Internet Protocol version 6 (IPv6).
• Disable the Microsoft Virtual WiFi Miniport Adapter.
• Reset your IP address and network protocols (TCP/IP)

Tip : If you’re unfamiliar with the Windows 10 interface, we recommend reading our How to Get Started with Windows 10 article before troubleshooting.

It’s a possibility that the DNS server error only shows up in one specific browser. An outdated client could cause this, security exploits, missing or damaged files, or misconfigured settings.

The easiest way to potentially fix the “DNS server isn’t responding” error would be simply switching to a different browser. For example, try switching to Microsoft Edge if you’re currently using Google Chrome. Edge comes pre-installed on all Windows 10 systems, making it easy to access in situations like this.

Want a new forever browser? Check out our Which Web Browser Should You Be Using in 2021 article and find your new perfect match.

You can restart your router in 3 easy steps:

• Locate the power button on your router and turn the device off.
• Wait for a few minutes. We recommend waiting 5 minutes to allow your router and network to shut down properly.
• Turn your router back on .

Test if you still experience DNS server issues after giving your router a restart. If necessary, continue reading and try our other methods to solve the error.

Another easy solution to this error is manually changing your DNS server. By doing so, you can go around limitations and might even get a better internet speed on your device. Here are the steps to quickly change your DNS server to a well-known, fast, and public DNS.

• Press the Windows + R keys on your keyboard. This is going to bring up the Run utility.

• Click OK to apply your changes. Now, you can see if the DNS server is still having issues.

Regularly updating your driver software is something you should do all the time. Outdated network drivers can cause more trouble than you’d think.

In this solution, we will be using the integrated Device Manager to update the drivers for your network adapters.

• Wait for the driver installation to complete. Once the driver is installed, restart your computer and check if the DNS server is working.

If your DNS is outdated, you can manually clear its cache to potentially fix the issues this causes. The method is simple and involves using the Command Prompt.

Keep in mind that you might be required to use an administrator account to perform this method. Need help? Check out our How to make a local user an administrator in Windows 10 guide.

• Open the Search function in your taskbar, or alternatively use the Ctrl + S keyboard shortcut to bring up the search bar.

• When prompted by the User Account Control (UAC), click Yes to allow the app to launch with administrative permissions.
• Paste in the following command and press the Enter key to execute it:  ipconfig /flushdns
• Close the Command Prompt and check if Google Chrome still shows you the “ DNS_PROBE_FINISHED_NO_INTERNET ” error.

Every network adapter installed on your device, be it your PC, laptop or tablet has a physical address called MAC. Your MAC address, or “Media Access Control”, is assigned to the device’s network.

Sometimes, manually finding and then inputting this address to your network properties will fix DNS server-related errors. Let’s see how you can get this done.

Antivirus applications are known to cause issues on computers by interfering with your internet connection or blocking apps and services from running properly. You can test if the antivirus you’re using at the moment is causing the “DNS server isn’t responding” error by temporarily disabling it.

Note : This method is not recommended as it is unsafe to use your computer without protection. Only proceed if you’re aware of the possible risks and have a backup of your system to revert any damage that may happen.

• Find your antivirus application from the list and select it by clicking on it once.
• Click on the Disable button now visible in the bottom-right of the window. This will disable the application from launching when you start your device.
• Restart your computer.

The Peer to Peer (P2P) update feature is quite controversial amongst Windows 10 users. While it aims to make updating your computer easier, it often hogs a large amount of bandwidth and slows down your internet.

This feature has been reported to cause issues with internet speed, DNS server, and more. Luckily, you can disable it.

• After turning this feature off, you’ll no longer use your internet to send and receive updates from other computers. Try and see if the DNS server error still happens after completing the steps above.

Internet Protocol version 6 (IPv6) is currently the most recent version of the Internet Protocol (IP). If your network is configured for the earlier IPv4, disabling IPv6 may be able to fix the “DNS server is not responding” error.

• Click OK to finalize the change.

• Repeat this process for all of the available Virtual Miniport Adapters. When done, close the Device Manager and restart your computer.

If none of the methods above worked, you may try to reset your TCP/IP. This requires the Command Prompt and potentially administrative permissions.

• Type in the following commands and press the Enter key after each line to execute them: ipconfig /release ipconfig /all ipconfig /renew

• After successfully executing the commands, exit the Command Prompt and reset your PC. Check if the “DNS server isn’t responding” error is still present.

We hope this helps. If you liked it, share it. If you need more help of this kind, our Help Center offers hundreds of guides to assist you if you’re in need of further help. Return to us for more informative articles, or get in touch with our experts for immediate assistance.

One more thing 

Would you like to receive promotions, deals, and discounts to get our products for the best price? Don’t forget to subscribe to our newsletter by entering your email address below! Be the first to receive the latest news in your inbox.

You may also like

» Solved: No Internet Connection Windows 10 » “Server DNS Address Could Not Be Found” Error In Google Chrome » Slow Internet on Windows 10? Here’s How To Fix It

Deploy your app quickly and scale as you grow with our Hobby Tier

How to Fix the “DNS Server Not Responding” Error on Windows and Mac

You can’t visit a website without first accessing a Domain Name Server (DNS) . In the process, you might be met with a message such as “DNS server not responding.” This means that the decentralized naming systems responsible for turning hostnames into IP addresses failed to respond.

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

In this post, we’ll explain what the “DNS Server Not Responding” message means and some common causes for it. Then we’ll walk you through several solutions for how to fix it, both on Windows and macOS devices.

Let’s get started!

What Does “DNS Server Not Responding” Mean?

A DNS is a naming system that takes alphanumeric domain names (or “hostnames”) and turns them into numeric IP addresses. Essentially, 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 address. However, if the DNS server is unable to properly complete this name resolution process, the end result is usually a message indicating that the DNS server is not responding.

“DNS Server Not Responding” means that your browser was unable to establish a connection to the internet. Typically, DNS errors  are caused by problems on the user end, whether that’s with a network or internet connection, misconfigured DNS settings, or an outdated browser. They can also be attributed to a temporary server outage that renders the DNS unavailable.

Therefore, it’s possible that you 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 Not Responding” Error in Windows and macOS (11 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’s take a look at eleven potential ways you can fix “DNS Server Not Responding” on Windows and Mac devices.

1. Switch to a Different Browser

The first step is to troubleshoot the issue by testing your DNS connections. Fixing this problem might be as simple as switching or updating your web browser.

How Do I Switch to a Different Browser?

To do 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 Edge instead.

If switching browsers works, you’ll likely need to update your default browser to the latest version or uninstall and reinstall it. However, if you still see the “DNS Server Not Responding” message, you can rule out your browser as the source of the issue.

2. Connect With a Different Device

If your browser is not the problem, maybe your current device is. That is why it might be interesting to connect to a second device and access the site you’re unable to see.

How Do I Connect to a Different Device?

Grab your phone and try to access the site you’re having trouble with using the same network as before.

Still getting the “DNS Server Not Responding” error? Then this might indicate that your router is the issue here.

Not so sure about it? Connect to the site using your mobile data. If it works, you’ll have the answer that the problem is in fact on your end and not on the site’s end.

3. Start Your Computer in Safe Mode

If your operating system is not functioning properly, it can result in the “DNS Server Not Responding” error message. Therefore, you may want to try booting your Windows device in Safe Mode to see whether this resolves this issue.

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

How Do I Start My Computer in Safe Mode?

To start your Windows 10 computer in Safe Mode, first select the Windows button , and then hover over the Power icon :

Next, while you’re holding down the Shift  key, select Restart :

In the window that appears, click on Troubleshoot > Advanced . Under Advanced options , select Start-Up Settings , followed by Restart . More options will appear. You can press 4 or 5 to Enable Safe Mode  or Enable Safe Mode with Networking  respectively. Your computer will then restart in Safe Mode.

If you’re using Windows 7 or earlier, you can restart it in Safe Mode by going to Power > Restart . Then, while it’s booting up, hold down the F8 key .

The process is similar on macOS devices.

While the machine is restarting and booting up, hold down the Shift key . Once the Apple logo appears, you can release it. Your device will then start in Safe Mode.

Once your computer is in Safe Mode, try to access the website again. If there doesn’t seem to be a network connection issue, the source of the problem may be a third-party software or installation, such as an antivirus application.

4. Temporarily Disable Your Antivirus Software and Firewall

If switching browsers doesn’t resolve the “DNS Server Not Responding” issue, the next step is to temporarily deactivate your firewall . Antivirus software and firewalls are critical for safeguarding your devices, but they can sometimes cause issues that interfere with network connections.

How Do I Temporarily Disable My Antivirus Software and Firewall?

For Windows users, you can do 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 System Preferences > Security & Privacy > Firewall .

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

5. Disable Secondary Connections

If disabling your antivirus software or firewall didn’t do the trick, another potential solution is to disable any secondary connections available on your device. You want to make sure that only the connection you’re currently using is active.

How Do I Disable Secondary Connections?

To do this in Windows, type “Network connections” into the search box of your desktop taskbar. Next, click on View network connections :

This will bring you to the Network Connections  page. Any connections you’re not currently using will have a red ( X ) next to them. Right-click on one, and then select Disable :

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

If you’re using a macOS, you can do this by clicking on the Apple icon, then navigating to System Preferences > Network . Your connections will be listed on the left side of the window.

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

6. Disable the Windows Peer-to-Peer Feature

If you’re using Windows, and disabling your firewall or secondary connections hasn’t resolved the “DNS Server Not Responding” error message, there’s one more option you can try: the Peer-to-Peer (P2P) feature. Note: This is something you’ll only find in Windows 10.

This feature helps preserve your device’s download bandwidth. Essentially, it lets you download a Windows update one time, then 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, it’s worth disabling to see if this resolves the error message you’re currently facing.

How Do I Disable the Windows Peer-to-Peer Feature?

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

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

Next to the ‘Allow downloads from other PCs’ option, toggle the switch to disable it:

When you’re done, restart your computer and try accessing the website again. If this doesn’t work, don’t worry. We still have more solutions to try.

7. Restart Your Router

The next troubleshooting step is to restart your router. Doing so will flush your router’s cache and could be the solution for resolving the “DNS Server Not Responding” message.

How Do I Restart My Router?

Most modems come with a power button that enables you to quickly 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 see 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 by unplugging it entirely, and then waiting at least 30 seconds before plugging it back in and powering it on again.

8. Install Updated Network Adapter Drivers on Your Computer

Another reason you may be seeing the “DNS Server Not Responding” message is if your current Windows network adapter driver is old or outdated. If this is the case, getting a new adapter driver or updating yours may be the solution you need.

How Do I Install Updated Network Adapter Drivers?

There are a couple of ways to update your network adapter driver. One is to do it manually , which you should only do if you are at least somewhat familiar working with drivers. Alternatively, you can do it using an automated tool such as Driver Easy  or Snappy Driver Installer (SDI) :

Either of these solutions will automatically recognize your system and locate the appropriate drivers for you to use with it. We recommend this method because it eliminates the risk of human error, such as downloading or installing the wrong driver on your device.

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

9. Flush Your DNS Cache and Reset Your IP

If you’ve eliminated your browser, antivirus software, and router as the source of the issue, it’s time to turn your attention to your DNS settings. As with the router cache, 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.

How Do I Flush the DNS Cache and Reset My IP?

If you’re using Windows, start by typing “cmd” into the search field along the taskbar, and then selecting the Command Prompt app:

In the window that opens, enter “ipconfig/flushdns” (no quotations), and hit Enter :

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

If you’re using a Mac device, you can flush your DNS cache by opening the Terminal application (press the Command  + Space  keys, and then type “Terminal” into Spotlight). In the Terminal application window, enter the following:

Press the Enter  key. There won’t be a success message as there is on Windows devices. However, simply running this command will flush the DNS cache. For further guidance, you can refer to our full guide on how to flush your DNS cache  in Windows, Mac, and Chrome.

10. Disable IPv6

IPv6 is the latest Internet Protocol version that helps route traffic between networks and the internet. Unfortunately, it may also be behind the “DNS Server Not Responding” message you’re currently seeing.

Therefore, another potential solution to try is disabling IPv6 on your computer.

How Do I Disable IPv6?

To do this in Windows, open your Network Connections control panel , then right-click on your current connection. In the drop-down menu, select  Properties :

Under the Networking  tab of the panel that opens, scroll down until you see Internet Protocol Version 6 (TCP/IPv6):

If it’s selected, unselect the box, then click on OK . Refresh your browser and try connecting to the internet again.

To disable IPv6 in macOS, you first need to determine what network interface you’re using. To do this, open the Terminal application , then issue the following command:

If you want to disable IPv6 for a wireless connection, you would use the following command:

For an Ethernet connection, you would use:

Then hit the Enter  key, and refresh your browser to see if the issue is resolved.

11. Change the Default DNS Server on Your Windows Computer

Another solution you can try in order 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.

How Do I Change the Default DNS Server?

Start by clicking on the Windows button in the bottom-left corner of the task bar. In the search field, type “Network connections”, and then select View network connections  in the menu that appears:

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

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

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

For example, you can enter Google’s DNS server, which is “8.8.8.8”, under Preferred DNS server . Then you can add “8.8.4.4” under Alternative  DNS server , and hit OK .

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

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

Under the DNS  tab, click the (+)  button next to “IPv4 or IPv6 addresses”, and hit Enter :

After you enter the new DNS information, click   on OK  followed by Apply . Restart your web browser, and then visit the website you were trying to access. You should find that the “DNS Server Not Responding” issue is now resolved.

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

As we discussed in this article, there are 11 potential solutions you can use to fix a “DNS Server Not Responding” message, in both Windows and macOS:

• Switch to a different browser, and if necessary, update your default browser to the latest version.
• Connect With a Different Device
• Start your computer in Safe Mode.
• Temporarily disable your antivirus software and firewalls.
• Disable secondary connections.
• Disable the Windows Peer-to-Peer feature.
• Restart your router.
• Install updated network adapter drivers on your computer.
• Flush your DNS cache and reset your IP.
• Disable IPv6.
• Change the default DNS server on your computer.

Suggested reading: How to Fix the DNS_PROBE_FINISHED_BAD_CONFIG Error Code . How to Fix DNS_PROBE_FINISHED_NXDOMAIN Error Code

Related Articles

How to Flush DNS Cache (Windows, Mac, Chrome)

How to Fix DNS_PROBE_FINISHED_NXDOMAIN (Desktop & Mobile)

8 Tips on How to Reduce DNS Lookups and Speed Them Up

How-To Geek

How to fix a "dns server is not responding" error on windows.

Get around your PC's DNS problems with these methods.

Quick Links

Why do you get a "dns server not responding" error, fixes for a dns server not responding error on windows, key takeaways.

To resolve DNS issues on Windows, try opening your site in a different web browser, restarting your router, disabling your VPN, or running the "Internet Connections" troubleshooter. Other options include deleting your DNS cache, trying another device on the same network or another DNS server, updating your network adapter drivers, turning off your antivirus or IPv6, deactivating other network adapters, and booting your PC in safe mode.

DNS servers' unavailability causes your Windows PC to display a "DNS Server Is Not Responding" error. Various items can cause your DNS servers not to work. Luckily, it's easy to fix many of those items and resolve your problem. Here's how to do just that.

A "DNS server not responding" error appears when the server your device uses to resolve domain names is down or otherwise can't be reached. If that's confusing, let's review the function of a DNS server.

When you type in a domain name in your PC's web browser, your web browser asks your DNS server to translate your domain name to an IP address . Your browser then uses this IP address to locate your site on the internet and let you access its contents.

Related: What Is DNS, and Should I Use Another DNS Server?

When your DNS server is down or is experiencing an issue, your web browser can't retrieve your site's IP address , resulting in an error message. Many problems can cause your DNS servers to go down, and other issues could simply prevent your PC from connecting to your specific DNS servers.

Some of those potential problems are a malfunctioning router, a faulty web browser, an incompatible VPN app, a corrupt DNS cache, and more.

Related: How Do IP Addresses Work?

To resolve your Windows DNS error and access your sites, use the methods below that fix the underlying items causing the problem. Once you've resolved the issues, your DNS error will be gone, and the sites you're trying to reach will open just as they should.

Use a Different Web Browser

When you encounter a DNS issue in a web browser, the first thing to do is try accessing your site in another web browser . This helps you find out if your issue is device-specific or browser-specific.

To do that, launch a different web browser on your PC and try to access your site. If your site loads in this browser, your previous browser likely had issues. In this case, apply some fixes like clearing your previous browser's cache ( Chrome , Firefox , Edge ), turning off your browser's extensions ( Chrome , Firefox , Edge ), and resetting your web browser ( Chrome , Firefox , Edge ).

If you get the same error in your other browser, read on to discover more fixes.

Related: Why You Should Use Multiple Web Browsers

Reboot Your Router

Your router may be acting up, causing your PC not to reach your DNS servers. In this case, give your router a reboot to possibly fix your issue .

You can restart most routers by pressing the Power button on them. If yours hasn't got a Power button, unplug it from the power socket to turn the router off and (after at least 10 seconds) back on. Then, launch your web browser and try to access your site.

Related: Why Rebooting Your Router Fixes So Many Problems (and Why You Have to Wait 10 Seconds)

Turn Off Your VPN

Your VPN app transmits your data via a third-party server, letting you bypass your ISP's restrictions. Sometimes, this mechanism causes issues with your DNS servers, leading to errors like the one you're experiencing.

To verify that, turn off your VPN service and see if your site loads. If it does, reach out to your VPN provider to seek a permanent solution.

Use the Internet Connections Troubleshooter

Windows has many troubleshooters to help you fix issues with your PC's various components. When you have trouble connecting to the internet , use your PC's Internet Connections troubleshooter to find and fix all the faults with your connection.

To run the troubleshooter on Windows 11, navigate to Settings > System > Troubleshoot > Other Troubleshooters. On the open page, next to "Internet Connections," click "Run."

If you're on Windows 10, head into Settings > Update & Security > Troubleshoot > Additional Troubleshooters. Click "Internet Connections" and choose "Run the Troubleshooter."

Follow the troubleshooter's instructions to detect and resolve your DNS issues.

Related: Internet Connection Not Working? 10 Troubleshooting Tips

Flush Your DNS Cache

Windows caches your DNS queries to help you quickly translate domain names to IP addresses. It's possible this cache has become corrupted, causing issues with your web browsers.

In this case, clear your bad DNS cache , and your issue will be resolved. Note that you don't lose any personal data when you do this.

To start, open the "Start" menu, find "Command Prompt", and launch the utility. In the Command Prompt window, type the following command and press Enter:

ipconfig /flushdns

Windows will clear your current DNS cache, and you're all set.

Use Another Device on the Same Network

To ensure your router configuration isn't the cause of the issue, use another device on your network and see if you can access your site on it. You can use any of your devices to do this, including iPhone, Android, Windows, Mac, Linux, Chromebook, or any other machines.

Related: How to See Your Wi-Fi Password on Windows 11

If your site fails to load on your other device and you get the same DNS error, your router likely has an issue. In this case, speak to your internet service provider (ISP) for help. Another thing you can do is  reset your router to the default settings , but you'll need your ISP's configuration to re-configure your router and make it work with your current internet company.

In case your site opens just fine on your other device, your Windows PC has a problem. In this case, read on to learn more fixes.

Change Your PC's DNS Servers

If your DNS servers are down or are experiencing technical glitches, that may be why you can't access sites on your PC. In this case, change the current DNS servers on your PC to fix your issue.

We've already written guides on how to change your DNS servers on Windows 11 and Windows 10 , so check them out to learn how to perform the procedure.

Update Your Network Adapter Drivers

Your network adapter drivers tell your physical adapter how to communicate with your PC. If these drivers are outdated or corrupted, that may be why Windows displays a DNS error message.

In this case, resolve your issue by updating your drivers . Do this by first right-clicking the "Start" menu and choosing "Device Manager."

Then, expand "Network Adapters," right-click your adapter, and choose "Update Driver."

Select "Search Automatically for Drivers" and download and install the available drivers.

Restart your PC, and try to access your site.

Related: How to Update Drivers on Windows 11

Temporarily Disable Your Antivirus

Your PC's antivirus program may be interfering with your browsing sessions, causing your browsers to display a DNS error message. Usually, this happens when your antivirus detects a potential threat in your browsers.

If you trust your site and your DNS servers, temporarily turn off your antivirus protection to see if you can then load your site. Check out our guide on how to turn off Microsoft Defender Antivirus to learn how to do that.

Make sure to turn real-time protection back on when you've checked your site.

Turn Off IPv6 on Your PC

IPv6 is the latest Internet Protocol version, which aims to fix many IP-related issues on your devices. Sometimes, when this protocol version is enabled, you can get errors like a DNS server not responding.

To fix that, disable IPv6 on your PC, and your issue will be resolved.

To turn off IPv6, head into Control Panel > Network and Internet > Network and Sharing Center > Change Adapter Settings. Right-click your adapter and choose "Properties." Disable "Internet Protocol Version 6 (TCP/IPv6)" and click "OK."

And that's it.

Related: Are You Using IPv6 Yet? Should You Even Care?

Disable Other Network Connections

Your computer might have other network connections, causing an issue with your DNS queries. If you don't use those other adapters, it's a good idea to turn them off to potentially resolve your problem.

To do that, navigate to Control Panel > Network and Internet > Network and Sharing Center. Find an unused adapter, right-click it, and choose "Disable."

Repeat the above step for each unused adapter to disable it on your PC.

Reboot Your PC in Safe Mode

With Windows' safe mode, you can turn on your computer by only loading the essential files. This helps you find out if a third-party app installed on your PC is causing the problem. And if that's the case, you can remove that app from your PC.

Check out our guide on how to use Windows' safe mode . When in safe mode, if your web browser can open your site without the DNS error message, your third-party apps are likely the culprit.

You can start fixing the issue by removing your recently installed apps . Feel free to uninstall any app that you think might be the cause of the issue.

And that's how you resolve a "DNS Server Is Not Responding" error on a Windows 11 or Windows 10 PC. Enjoy browsing your favorite sites!

Related: How to Fix "This Site Can't Be Reached" ERR_ADDRESS_UNREACHABLE in Chrome

No file downloaded?

Driver Easy

Home › Knowledge Base › Common Errors

DNS Server Not Responding (4 Easy Solutions)

Suddenly you cannot access any websites through the Internet. Then you try to troubleshoot the network problems on your Windows. It tells you the DNS server not responding is the culprit. You may see one of these:

“ The DNS server isn’t responding . Your computer appears to be correctly configured, but the device or resource (DNS server) is not responding .”

If this problem occurs, don’t worry. Follow this guide to fix it.

Try these fixes

If you’d like to know why you can’t browse the Internet due to the ‘DNS server not responding , you can go to read the reason part . Otherwise, follow along with the solutions directly.

• Correct your DNS server address
• Clear your DNS cache and reset your IP
• Update your network adapter driver
• Restart your modem and router

Bonus Tip: Try using VPN to fix the connection problem.

Note:  The screens shown below are from Windows 10, but all the methods also apply to Windows 11/8/7.

Solution 1: Correct your DNS server address

The DNS server not responding error could be probably caused by an incorrect DNS server address . So you can follow these to correct your DNS server address:

1) On your keyboard, press the  Windows logo key  and  R  at the same time to invoke the Run box.

Restart your computer and try to access the website you want to go to again and see if it succeeds.

Solution 2: Clear your DNS cache and reset your IP

There may be problems with your DNS server if its cache is getting full. To see if that’s the case, try clearing the DNS cache and resetting the IP address.

Note: Click  Yes  when prompted by the User Account Control.

Then restart your computer and try to access the website you want to visit again and see if it succeeds.

Solution 3: Update your network adapter driver

Your DNS server won’t respond if the network adapter driver is outdated.  You can update your network adapter driver manually or, if you’re not confident playing around with drivers, you can do it automatically with  Driver Easy .

Driver Easy will automatically recognize your system and find the correct drivers for it. You don’t need to know exactly what system your computer is running, you don’t need to risk downloading and installing the wrong driver, and you don’t need to worry about making a mistake when installing.

You can update your drivers automatically with either the FREE or the Pro version of Driver Easy. But with the Pro version it takes just 2 clicks (and you get full support and a 30-day money-back guarantee ):

1) Download   and install Driver Easy.

After updating your network adapter driver, please restart your computer. Try to access the website you want to go to again and see if it succeeds.

Solution 4: Restart your modem and router

If your modem or router doesn’t work properly, the DNS server could stop responding, either.  You can restart your modem and router if you have one to solve the problem.

2) Try to access the website you want to go to again and see if it succeeds.

Why can’t I access websites when the DNS server not responding? 

First, let’s figure out what a DNS server is. DNS ( Domain Name System) server helps to translate the website address into the IP address for your browser to connect to.

For example, when you want to access our website: www.drivereasy.com on Chrome, the DNS server translates it into our public IP address:  144.217.68.24 for Chrome to connect to. 

So you may know if there’s any wrong with your DNS server, you cannot access any website on your browser. No exception that if your DNS server stops responding, you cannot access the websites through the Internet.

Hopefully, this article has helped you fixed the problem. Feel free to comment below with your own experiences and share with your friends or colleagues if they’re experiencing the same problem.

Available in other languages

Della Huang

Vivienne Duan

Related Articles

[solved] windows update error 0x8007001f, [solved] windows 10 freezes on startup or boot, how to fix touchpad cursor disappears on windows 11, [solved] data error (cyclic redundancy check), [fixed] windows update error 0x8024401c in windows 10/11, how to fix “no audio output device is installed” error in windows 10/11.

As a technical writer for Driver Easy, April writes articles related to various tech issues, including Windows computer problems and game errors. She's never happier than when her articles help people solve their problems - whether they're Windows errors and blue screens to network errors and faulty hardware. As a Microsoft Certified Professional (MCP), she focuses on Windows system problems and daily tips and tricks. When she's not writing, she likes reading literary novels and poetry.

Microsoft Certified Professional (MCP)

Contributor(s):

Top Contributors in Windows 10: Ramesh Srinivasan  -  questions_  -  neilpzz  -  Horace Wiggins  -  _AW_ 👏

November 15, 2023

Top Contributors in Windows 10:

Ramesh Srinivasan  -  questions_  -  neilpzz  -  Horace Wiggins  -  _AW_ 👏

• Search the community and support articles
• Search Community member

Ask a new question

The DNS server isn't responding

When I wake my computer in the morning, the network access icon in the systray changes to "connected' after a few seconds but I cannot access the internet. I run Troubleshoot and get the message "the dns server isn't responding." Restarting the browser and email client does not help. The only thing that seems to help is waiting for about five to ten minutes, or alternatively rebooting the computer. Both seem to work usually. Is there something else that I can do?

Report abuse

Replies (7) .

• Independent Advisor

1 person found this reply helpful

Was this reply helpful? Yes No

Sorry this didn't help.

Great! Thanks for your feedback.

How satisfied are you with this reply?

Thanks for your feedback, it helps us improve the site.

Thanks for your feedback.

You seem not to have read carefully what I said. Waiting five or ten minutes or rebooting, the problem resolves itself. What does that mean?

3 people found this reply helpful

Again you misunderstand me. I simply pointed out that waiting five or ten minutes fixes the problem. What does that mean?

In any case, I took your suggestion and did another reboot of my modem and my router. We will see if that reduces the internet delays.

I know what the DNS server does. It was just taking five or ten minutes to respond. Anyway, I rebooted the modem and the router as you suggested, and in past two days I have not had the delay problem. So I will keep my fingers crossed. You did not say what could cause a delay in DNS.

Question Info

• Sleep and Power on, off
• Norsk Bokmål
• Ελληνικά
• Русский
• עברית
• العربية
• ไทย
• 한국어
• 中文(简体)
• 中文(繁體)
• 日本語

Recent Posts

How to covert html to pdf without losing formatting, ways to fix youtube audio and video out of sync on windows easily.

• 5 Ways to Fix Find in Page Not Working in Firefox
• Cyclic Redundancy Check Data Error – Fixed!
• SWTOR Not Launching After Pressing Play: Causes and Fixes

• Driver Guide

How To Fix “DNS Server Not Responding” Windows 10

Fix the DNS server not responding errors efficiently by following the step-by-step instructions below.

The internet has become an essential part of our day-to-day lives, and a working DNS server is required. Sadly, few users have reported facing DNS server unavailable errors on their Windows 10 PC. Therefore, here we explain workable solutions to help deal with DNS server error codes like DNS server not responding on Wi-Fi, DNS server not responding on Windows 10, Windows 11 DNS server not responding, etc.

What is DNS?

A Domain Name System (DNS) is a directory of domain names that helps translate them into Internet Protocol (IP) addresses. Due to this functionality, users can easily access the website by just typing in the name of the website. Therefore, a working DNS server is required to access a website, and without one, you encounter a DNS server not responding error.

Causes for DNS Server Not Responding

Insufficient Cache Memory – As the list of IP addresses DNS store is saved in the cache memory when it is low, the DNS server being unavailable error occurs.

Malware – Phishing malware designed to manipulate DNS and re-direct users to the malicious site are also responsible for DNS error codes .

Must Read : How To Fix Ubisoft Connect Not Working On Windows

DNS Error – How to Fix It

Before you start following the different ways to fix the DNS error, try restarting modem+router and PC and see if it helps. If it doesn’t follow the fixed given below:

Method 1 – Switch to an Alternate Browser

If your default browser or browser is given a DNS server unavailable message, try switching to an alternate browser.

• Launch another browser and try to visit the site. Meanwhile, update the default browser.

If this doesn’t work, move to the next step.

Method 2 – Install the latest Network Adapter Driver

Manually update driver.

• Press Windows + R > to open the Run window.
• Type devmgmt.msc
• Double-click Network adapters and locate the network adapter you are using.
• Right-click > Uninstall the device.

• Confirm the action by selecting the option Delete driver software for this device and hitting Uninstall.

• Restart the PC to install the default driver and solve the problem.

Update Driver Automatically

Alternatively, you can use Advanced Driver Updater to update the driver without risk. The tool installs only the drivers provided by the manufacturer and is safe to use. To use it, follow these steps:

• Download and install Advanced Driver Updater.

• Run the scan.

• Click Update driver next to the network driver to update it. If you are a registered user, you can use the Update All feature to update all drivers at once.

• Restart the computer to apply changes.

Must Read : How To Fix Windows 10/11 LAN Drivers Problem?

Method 3 – Disable Antivirus and Firewall

There are chances that your security application is preventing the browser from loading external data. In such a case, disable antivirus and firewall and see if it works. If you are using Windows Defender Firewall, follow these steps:

• In the Windows search bar, type Windows Defender Firewall and open it.

• Click Allow an app or feature through Windows Defender Firewall > click on it.

• Click Change Settings.

• Select the browser you are using and check the boxes next to it.

• Now try revisiting the website. This should help.

Method 4 – Restart Router

Even after temporarily disabling the antivirus and giving access to the browser in the Firewall, you face a problem. Try restarting the router; it will help fix any problem caused due to data traffic.

Method 5 – Update Router Firmware

If you are facing a DNS server not responding error when using Wi-Fi , you need to update the router firmware.  To do so, you can check the router manual. However, please ensure that you follow instructions exactly as given, as a mistake can cause damage.

Method 6 – Change DNS Server

DNS not responding results from a traffic load on the router. To fix it, try using public DNS servers.

• In the Windows search bar, type Network.
• Click Network and Sharing Center.

• Depending on the way you connect to the internet, you will see the option. Click on the Wi-Fi or Ethernet option.

• Click Properties > navigate to IPv4 > select it and click on the Properties button.

• You will get a new window here; in the Preferred DNS server, enter 8.8.8.8, and in the Alternate DNS server, enter 8.8.4.4.

• Confirm the settings > click Ok.
• Open the browser and try to access the website.

Method 7 – Clear DNS Cache

• Press Windows + R to open the Run window.
• Type cmd> ok
• Enter ipconfig/flushdns command and press Enter.

• This will clear the DNS cache for you.

Method 8 – Use the netsh command

• Run Command prompt as administrator.
• Type the following commands one after the other by pressing enter key after each command:

netsh int ip reset netshwinsock reset ipconfig /flushdns ipconfig /renew

• Restart the PC.

Method 9 –  Set Your MAC Address Manually

Find the physical address of your PC.

• Run elevated Command Prompt. Type Command Prompt in Windows search > right-click > Run as administrator.
• Type ipconfig /all > press Enter.
• You will now get a list of information; find the Physical Address and note it down.

Configure Network Connection

• Launch the Network connection window.
• Right-click the name of the connection you are using > select Properties.
• Click Configure.

• Click Advanced tab > Network Address > select Value and enter the Mac address you copied from the Command Prompt window.

Method 10 –  Disable Microsoft Virtual WiFi Miniport Adapter

• Open Device Manager.
• Click View tab > Show hidden devices.

• Find Microsoft Virtual Wi-Fi Miniport Adapter > right-click > Disable. Do this for the available Miniport adapter.
• Reboot the PC and check if the problem is resolved or not.

Method 11 – Disable IPv6

• Open Network Connections.
• Uncheck the box next to Internet Protocol Version 6 (TCP/IPv6) > ok.

Method 12 – Disable Additional Connections

If multiple connections are available on the PC, disable them, as sometimes they can cause interference.

• Go to Network Connection and disable the connection you don’t use.
• Right-click the connection > select Disable.

Method 13 – Disable The peer-to-peer Update Feature

Windows 10 offers a great feature for downloading Windows updates using peer-to-peer technology. However, sometimes it can cause DNS failure. To fix this issue, using follow these steps:

• Press Windows + I and go to Windows Settings.
• Go to Update & Security > Windows Update.
• Click Advanced options > Delivery Optimization > toggle off the button underneath Allow downloads from other PCs.

Q1. How can I reset my DNS server?

• Press Windows + S to access the Start Menu.
• Enter CMD into the text box > select the best search results and in the Command Prompt window > type ipconfig /flushdns and press ENTER (please note: there is a space between ipconfig and /flushdns)

Q2. Why does my internet say the DNS server not responding?

There are multiple reasons for the problem. However, DNS errors are generally caused by problems on the user end, like not working network or internet connection, misconfigured DNS settings, an outdated browser, or an outdated driver update.

Q3. How do I fix the DNS server that isn’t responding to Windows 10?

To fix the error, try the following methods:

• Method 1: Use a Different Browser.
• Method 2: Disable Antivirus Firewall.
• Method 3: Restart Router.
• Method 4: Change DNS Server.
• Method 5: Clear DNS Cache.
• Method 6: Update Network Driver.

That’s all; you can fix DNS error codes using these different ways. We hope that you were able to fix the issues and were able to reaccess the websites. Do you have any questions, share them in the comments below.

Quick Reaction:

About the author.

A UX writer who loves explaining technical details in a clear, crisp, and concise manner. She loves writing about technical troubleshooting, How-To's, product reviews, etc. In her free time, she loves reading, meditating, and traveling.

Related Posts

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *