You’re online, shifting between pages, but all of a sudden “DNS Server Not Responding” error interrupts your session. The error blocks websites from loading because your device cannot translate a hostname into an IP address. The reasons vary, but the result is the same: no access to the sites you need.
In this guide, we’ll look at what the error means, why it shows up, and how you can fix it on both Windows and macOS.
What Does “DNS Server Not Responding” Mean?
The error “DNS server not responding” means your computer cannot find the address of the website you want to visit. Every website has two parts: a name (like example.com) and a number called an IP address (like 93.184.216.34). Your computer needs the number to reach the site.
DNS works like a phone book. When you type a website name, your computer asks the DNS server to look up the matching number. If the DNS server does not answer, is too slow, or is blocked, your computer never gets the number. Without it, the browser does not know where to go, so the page never loads.
This error can happen for many reasons: wrong settings on your computer, old saved records (cache), problems with your internet company’s DNS servers, or even a firewall blocking the request.
Quick Checklist Before Deep Fixes
Run these checks first. They save time.
- Test another device on the same network.
- Try a different browser.
- Reboot your router.
- Temporarily disconnect any VPN.
These steps isolate the problem to one device, one app, or the whole network.
DNS Server not Responding: Step-by-Step Fixes
Change your DNS settings
Switch to a reliable public resolver to test the problem. Use Google (8.8.8.8, 8.8.4.4) or Cloudflare (1.1.1.1, 1.0.0.1). Changing the DNS on your router applies the change across every device on your network.
Changing it on a single device limits the test to that device. Both providers publish clear setup instructions for most operating systems and routers.
Restart your router
Power-cycle the router. Unplug it. Wait 30 seconds. Plug it back in. Routers cache DNS entries and sometimes lock into a bad state. A simple reboot clears the cache and reestablishes routes.
Flush the DNS cache
Clear stale mappings on the client. On Windows, run:
ipconfig /flushdns
This command clears the resolver cache and often fixes name lookup mismatches. On macOS run the system command to restart the system resolver (for recent macOS versions: sudo killall -HUP mDNSResponder). Use administrator privileges to run these commands.
Disable security software temporarily
Antivirus, endpoint protection, and firewalls can intercept DNS calls. Disable them briefly to test if they block lookups. Do not leave protection disabled. If DNS works with the software off, adjust settings or whitelist your resolver.
Boot into Safe Mode
Safe Mode boots with minimal drivers and services. Use it to rule out third-party network tools or drivers. If DNS resolves in Safe Mode, the culprit is a background service or utility on your normal boot.
Update network adapter drivers
Old or corrupted drivers break name resolution. Download the latest drivers from the adapter vendor or the laptop maker. Install them, reboot, and test.
Try a different browser
Head to the same site with another browser. Browsers cache DNS or have different proxy settings. A browser test separates app-level problems from system-level DNS failures.
Switch to another device
Use your phone on the same Wi-Fi or a second laptop. If both devices fail, the router or ISP DNS is suspect. If only one device fails, the problem is local to that device.
Disable IPv6
Some networks handle IPv6 poorly. Turn off IPv6 on the problematic device and retest. In Windows, open adapter properties and uncheck Internet Protocol Version 6.
Turn off secondary connections
Virtual adapters and extra network interfaces create routing conflicts. Disable VPN adapters, virtual machine adapters, or unused Ethernet connections.
Restart your computer
A full reboot still fixes many transient DNS glitches. Do it early in troubleshooting.
Disable Windows peer-to-peer update delivery
Windows Update can create extra network paths that interfere with name resolution. In Windows Settings, find Delivery Optimization and turn off downloads from other PCs.
Disconnect from your VPN
VPNs route DNS through remote resolvers. Disconnect and test with the local network. A misconfigured VPN often causes the “DNS server not responding” error.
Common Causes of the DNS Server Error
DNS server issues on the provider’s end
DNS servers fail. Providers misconfigure records. Public resolvers can also suffer outages. Major resolver incidents have disrupted access for entire regions.
Large operators publish status pages to check for outages. When the resolver is down, only the provider can fix it.
Network connectivity problems
Packet loss and routing faults break DNS queries. Intermittent Wi-Fi, bad cabling, or ISP routing errors will interrupt lookups. A traceroute and continuous ping to an IP address help reveal these issues.
Incorrect network settings
Wrong DNS addresses, static IP mismatches, or conflicting DHCP leases block resolution. Restore automatic addressing or correct static entries. Misplaced nameserver entries at the router level affect every client.
Router configuration problems
Old firmware, overloaded CPU, or bad NAT tables cause resolution failures. Update router firmware. Reset to factory defaults when configuration drift becomes hard to debug.
Antivirus or firewall interference
Security stacks can redirect or block UDP DNS traffic. They can also force DNS through built-in filters. Inspect firewall rules and security logs for blocked DNS traffic.
VPN conflicts
VPN clients set their own DNS rules. Mismatched DNS and split tunneling create leaks and drops. Confirm the VPN’s DNS behavior and test with it disabled.
Dropped internet connection or DNS gaps
Brief lapses in connectivity produce name resolution failures. Slow initial server response, measured as TTFB, can also look like DNS slowness to users.
TTFB stands for Time to First Byte and measures the server response time once the name resolution completes. Long TTFB can mask DNS problems. Addressing both DNS and upstream server performance prevents confusion.
DNS attacks and manipulations
DNS faces its own attack surface. Distributed denial of service and cache poisoning attacks can disrupt resolution and cause downtime for services. Studies show DNS attacks cause significant outages and service disruption across organizations. Treat DNS as a security boundary and monitor logs.
Troubleshooting Flow to Isolate the Problem
Follow this logical order. It keeps tests short.
- Test another site by IP address. If IP opens, DNS is the issue.
- Try another device. If multiple devices fail, test the router and ISP.
- Change to a known public DNS resolver. If that fixes the issue, your resolver is at fault.
- If only one device fails, flush the DNS and update drivers.
This flow narrows the cause in three checks. It avoids long, unfocused debugging.
When to contact your ISP
Contact your ISP when multiple devices fail after a router reboot. Contact them if their DNS servers show errors on a status page. If you lack network access to any external IP addresses, escalate to the ISP. Keep logs. Note times and affected services. An ISP can confirm upstream routing faults and DNS server status.
If you reach out, be ready with details. Tell them what troubleshooting steps you already tried, which devices are affected, and whether switching to a public DNS worked. Clear information shortens support calls and helps the ISP pinpoint whether the issue is local to your line or part of a wider outage.
Extra Tips for Site Owners and Web Teams
If you manage a website, verify your authoritative nameservers and records. Bad zone files cause resolution failures for every visitor. Use DNS monitoring and secondary authoritative servers for redundancy. Also secure your CMS.
For WordPress sites, secure WordPress installations and keep DNS and host-level settings aligned. An insecure WordPress or stale DNS record will increase support volume and reduce reliability.
If you find it hard to do this, you can contact Pure Website Design. We are a WordPress development agency and can audit your website to detect issues, so your site stays protected and runs smoothly.
Tell Us What You Need – Start Your Journey Today!
Share your project requirements, and we’ll guide you through a seamless development journey to bring your ideas to life.
Fast Commands You Can Run
Windows:
ipconfig /flushdns
ipconfig /release
ipconfig /renew
macOS:
sudo killall -HUP mDNSResponder
Router: unplug for 30 seconds and plug back in.
Run nslookup or dig to query specific resolvers and confirm answers. Use these tools to test whether your DNS queries reach a resolver and receive a valid answer.
FAQs
How to check whether DNS is the problem?
One quick way is to test a website by entering its IP address directly. If the site loads, the internet connection is fine but DNS is broken. Tools like nslookup or dig also help confirm whether DNS servers are replying correctly.
Will switching to a public DNS resolver help?
Yes, it usually makes things faster and more reliable. Public DNS servers from Google or Cloudflare respond quickly and avoid many ISP-related issues. Changing to one of these servers is often the simplest fix for recurring DNS errors.
Should the router be restarted when DNS fails?
Restarting the router is a smart first step. It clears temporary glitches and refreshes the connection with the ISP. If problems continue after a reboot, then deeper fixes like updating firmware or changing DNS settings may be needed.
When is it time to contact the ISP?
Contact the ISP when every device shows DNS errors even after rebooting the router. It’s also time to call if their status page confirms a server issue. Sharing the times and steps already taken helps the support team diagnose faster.
Can antivirus or firewall software cause DNS failures?
Yes, security tools sometimes block DNS queries by mistake. A quick test is to pause them briefly and see if websites load. If they’re the cause, adjust the settings or add DNS servers to the safe list instead of keeping them off.
How to fix DNS on Windows and macOS quickly?
Flushing the DNS cache usually does the trick. On Windows, run ipconfig /flushdns in Command Prompt, while on macOS use sudo killall -HUP mDNSResponder in Terminal. Restarting the device afterwards often clears stubborn errors.
Can a web agency fix DNS problems affecting a website?
Yes, especially when the problem comes from the website’s own DNS records. Pure Website Design can audit DNS settings, correct misconfigurations, and make sure WordPress sites resolve smoothly for every visitor. That means less downtime and more reliability.
Who handles ongoing DNS monitoring and emergency fixes?
A reliable web agency or hosting provider can monitor DNS 24/7 and react when problems appear. Pure Website Design offers monitoring, backup nameservers, and quick fixes so WordPress sites stay accessible and secure. It’s a safety net worth having.
Wrap Up
A failing DNS resolver is often fixable. Start simple. Reboot, test another device, flush caches, switch to a public resolver, and check security software. Use stepwise elimination to find the faulty layer. Keep records of what you try and when.
If this still blocks you, ask for professional help. For site owners running WordPress, a stable site requires accurate DNS and strong hosting practices. Pure Website Design builds, secures, and troubleshoots WordPress sites.
They configure DNS records correctly, harden servers, and monitor uptime. Contacting a specialist reduces downtime and offloads complex DNS configurations.
