Introduction:
Through web browsers, the Domain Name System (DNS) facilitates user access to webpages on the internet. It is an archive that converts IP addresses (Internet Protocol) from hostnames as well as domain names.
Sometimes the web browser displays an error message stating that the DNS server is not responding and is unable to connect to the website. The DNS server's incorrect mapping of hostnames to Internet Protocol (IP) addresses is a common cause of this issue.
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This post will discuss possible fixes for Windows and macOS users encountering the "DNS server not responding" problem. We'll also go over a few typical reasons why this error message appears.
What Exactly Does "DNS Server Not Responding" Mean?
The error message "DNS server not responding" suggests that either your browser is unable to establish a connection to the internet, or the DNS of the domain your attempt to access is down. Restarting your modem or router, looking for network problems, and upgrading your browser are all potential solutions.
In order to access web addresses online, DNS servers are required. Every time a user types the URL into a browser, the server right away receives an IP address if DNS has been setup correctly.
The user is typically responsible for the "DNS server not responding" problem. Most of the time, this mistake may be fixed simply by consulting technical support. It is usually simple to identify the problem and take immediate measures to fix it.
Changing the device you connect to or debugging your network issues may be the easiest ways to fix this issue. On occasion, though, you may need to upgrade your network adapter driver and deactivate IPv6.
You must first identify the cause of the "DNS server not responding" issue in order to obtain the appropriate fix.
How to Fix the Error of the DNS Server Not Responding:
Let's now examine the procedures in more detail for resolving the "DNS server not responding" problem.
Fix Issues with the Network:
The first step in resolving the "the DNS server isn't responding" problem is to run network diagnostics. With little effort, this technique can assist in discovering and fixing any network problems as well as mistakes that are found.
The following piece explains how to use network diagnostics on Mac and Windows equipment. Utilize Windows Network Diagnostics. To conduct network diagnostics on Windows 10, follow these steps:
Set Up Mac Wireless Diagnostics:
Here's how to use macOS wireless diagnostics:
- Shut down every open app and establish a link to the network that's giving you problems.
- Choose Open Wireless Diagnostics from the option bar when you pick the Wi-Fi status indicator while holding down the Option key.
- To check your network connection, adhere to the directions displayed on the screen.
- Select the Info icon in the Summary box to obtain more details about each item in the list when the scanning process is finished.
Go to the next step when this solution does not resolve the DNS server issue.
Set a New Connection with an Other Device:
To see the website you're having issues with, try connecting an alternate device to the identical home network.
Your primary gadget is the issue when a second device attached to the same network can view the internet page.
If, however, you are still unable to access the website from other devices on the exact same network, it may indicate that there is a problem with your router.
To be sure the website is not the cause of the connection failure, using alternative interactions, such as mobile data, is additionally helpful.
Change to a Different Web Browser:
Using an alternate browser to view the page is another easy fix to try when resolving the "DNS server not responding" issue.
If you use Mozilla Firefox as your main browser, for example, try opening the website with Microsoft Edge or Google Chrome.
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Put the machine back in safe mode
The error message "DNS server not responding" could indicate a malfunctioning operating system.
You'll require rebooting your computer in safe mode, which is a trimmed-down version of the computer's OS that can reduce the data and resources necessary for operating your device, to see if this issue renders the DNS server inaccessible.
To get a Windows machine into safe mode, follow the following instructions:
- Click the Power button, choose Restart from the Beginning menu, followed by pressing the Shift key.
- To access the Advanced options, select Troubleshoot from the Choose a choice window.
- From the Advanced settings, choose Startup Settings, then click Restart.
- To choose the option for Safe Mode with Networking, which is to use the F5 key on the keyboard,.
Here's how to boot your Mac computer in secure mode when you use one:
- Open the Apple menu and select Shut Down. After your gadget turns off, wait for around ten seconds.
- Hold down the Shift key when turning on your Mac until the login screen displays.
The "DNS server not responding" problem may be brought on by apps from third parties if the network connection functions in safe mode. You have to locate and remove the program in question from your computer in order to fix this.
Restart the router as well as modem
A malfunctioning modem or router may also be an explanation for a DNS server refusing to respond and a failed connection.
Therefore, to clear the cache and possibly fix the DNS server issue, think about restarting your internet connection or router.
Unplug your router or modem's power cable from the power outlet and press the device's power button. To restart it, wait at least thirty seconds before pushing the power button once again.
Try resetting your modem or router to its factory settings if restarting it doesn't work. For instructions on how to reset your modem or router, consult the device's instruction manual.
Disable the firewall and antivirus software:
The goal of firewall and antivirus software is to shield the machine from harmful applications. These devices, nevertheless, have the ability to disable your internet access.
To see when your firewall and antivirus software are the source of the "DNS server is not responding" issue, try switching them off for a short while.
Choose the Start menu, then click Settings -> Update & Security -> Windows Security -> Virus and Threat Prevention to view the antivirus and firewall settings on Windows.
To access the firewall on a Mac, navigate to System Preferences -> Security & Privacy -> Firewall. Once your firewall and antivirus software have been turned off, restart the network diagnosis and view the website on your browser.
Update or modify the firewall and antivirus software before reactivating it if this resolves the issue.
Turn off additional connections:
To fix the "DNS server not responding" problem, you may also turn off any unused connections on the gadget.
To terminate additional internet connections on Windows, take the following actions: Go to Network and Sharing Center under Control Panel -> Network and Internet.
- To modify the adapter settings, choose the left column option.
- Update and modify your antivirus or firewall software before reactivating it if this resolves the issue.
- This will bring up the Network Connections page. Select Disable with a click right on the Local Area Network and any additional connections that aren't in usage.
This is how to turn off additional internet connections on a Mac:
- Select Network from the System Preferences option on the Apple menu.
To disconnect any of the unneeded connections listed on the left side of the screen, select it and select the minus (-) icon.
Try to re-access the webpage after restarting your browser and deactivating any not-necessary connections.
Modify the DNS server address:
Try changing the DNS server on your computer address when the above options nevertheless don't allow you to get to the website.
Your internet access provider (ISP) has set up your home network to periodically retrieve a DNS server address. Nevertheless, your internet service will also stop functioning if the DNS server specified by your ISP is not responding, is improperly configured, and does not exist.
Use an alternative DNS address and adjust your DNS settings to temporarily fix this issue. By doing this, any webpage on the internet can still load in your browser.
Thankfully, many providers, like Cloudflare and Google Community DNS, offer free DNS addresses for use. Set up your site effortlessly with a WordPress theme bundle for a seamless experience. Use these instructions for setting up alternative DNS servers on Windows:
- You may use the Windows search box to find the Network Connections webpage by entering ncpa.cpl. Hit the Enter key. Select Properties with a click right on the link you're presently using.
- Click Properties -> the fourth version of the Internet Protocol (TCP/IPv4) to open the Properties box.
- On the Internet Protocols Version 4 (TCP/IPv4) Properties tab, choose the Use the following DNS server addresses and Get an IP address automatically check boxes.
- Fill in the Favorite DNS Server and Alternate DNS Server columns with the DNS server addresses you want to use.
- Verify the settings when exiting the box, then click OK.
- Give your computer a restart.
The following procedures can be followed on a Mac to modify the DNS server address:
- Navigate to System Preferences -> Network under the Apple menu.
- Choose Advanced -> DNS after clicking on your main network button.
- Click the + sign to include an additional DNS server. Click OK, and then select Apply.
Check to check when the "the DNS server isn't responding" issue is fixed by resetting your internet connection.
Reset your IP address and clear your DNS cache:
It's time to check your DNS settings when you've checked out your computer's network, antivirus program, and web browser as the cause of the issue. Similar to the router cache, your IP might require to be reset or your DNS might require a deletion in order for it to establish a successful connection to the internet.
If you are employing Windows, open the Taskbar search bar, type "cmd," and choose the Command Prompt application: Enter "ipconfig/flushdns" (without quotation marks) in the window that appears, then press Enter:
Upon completion, an alert will show up informing the user that your DNS cache was properly deleted. Proceed in the same method with the following commands:
- ipconfig /registerdns
- ipconfig /release
- ipconfig /renew
Using the Terminal programs on a Mac, you may clear your DNS cache by typing "Terminal" into Spotlight after pressing the Command + Space keys. Enter the following commands in the Terminals application window:
- dscacheutil -flushcache
Click the Enter key. Unlike Windows devices, there won't be a success message. However, the DNS cache will be flushed by only carrying out this command. See our full tutorial on clearing your DNS caches in Chrome, Mac, and Windows for further instructions.
Disable IPv6:
The most recent version of the Internet Protocol, IPv6, aids in traffic routing between the network and the worldwide web. However, it could also be the cause of the problem "DNS server not responding" that you're now experiencing.
Consequently, switching off IPv6 on your machine is another possible fix you might attempt.
How can IPv6 be disabled?
Open the Network Connection control panel in Windows, then right-click on the link you're currently using to carry out this. Choose Properties from the menu drop-down. Scroll down to the Internet Protocol Version 6 (TCP/IPv6) under the Network tab of the panel that appears:
Uncheck the box if it's checked, then press OK. Try establishing a new internet connection after refreshing your browser. The first step in disabling IPv6 on macOS is to determine the network interface you are currently making use of. To achieve this, launch the Terminal program and type the following command:
- networksetup -listallnetworkservices
The following command might be used to deactivate IPv6 for an internet connection by
- networksetup -setv6off Wi-Fi:
When communicating over Ethernet, you're going to use:
- networksetup -setv6off Ethernet
Press the Enter key after that, and try refreshing your browser to determine whether or not the problem has been fixed.
On your Windows machine, adjust the DNS server by default:
Changing the installed DNS server is another way to resolve the "DNS connection not responding" issue on Windows. The initial step in doing this in Windows 7, 8, or 10 is to go to the network connection properties.
Change the DNS server that is used by default. To begin, click the Windows button located in the task bar's lower-left corner. Type "Network connections" into the search area, then from the option that shows, choose View network connection:
The internet adapter you are presently using should then be selected (LAN for Ethernet cable connections, as well as WLAN for wireless internet connections). After doing a right-click on the network adapter, select Properties: Select the latest version of the Internet Protocol (TCP/IPv4) from the window that appears, and then select the Properties button:
Click Apply and then OK once you've input the updated DNS information. After refreshing your browser, go to the page you have been trying to view. The "DNS server not responding" error must no longer occur.
Conclusion:
It can be uncomfortable and unsettling to try to visit a website and be greeted with a "DNS server not available" warning. Although this problem can arise for a number of causes, the good thing is that most of them have simple treatments.
As this article covered, there are eleven possible fixes for the Windows and macOS issue "DNS server not responding": Investigate and resolve network issues. Use network diagnostics to find and fix issues with your internet connection. Restart the router and modem. Press the ON button on the router or modem you are using and remove the power cord to clear the cache. Disable the firewall and antivirus software. Your firewall and antivirus software could be temporarily disabled to help resolve the DNS problem.
Clear the DNS cache. To update the DNS setup, clear the cache on your router. Modify the address of the DNS server. Use an alternative DNS address in lieu of the ones provided by your ISP's address.
