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How to Fix “DNS Server Not Responding” Error

February 5, 2023

When you browse the internet, you may sometimes encounter “DNS Server Not Responding”. It is a type of DNS error indicating that your browser is not able to connect to the internet.

The Domain Name System (DNS) is the internet’s phonebook. It consists of IP addresses and domain names. Whenever enter the URL of a website in a web browser, DNS converts it into its corresponding IP address. So, when DNS fails to convert the domain name into the IP address, you get the error – “DNS Server Not Responding”.

This error can cause due to many reasons. Fortunately, you can easily and quickly resolve the error.

In this article, I’ll walk you through typical causes and proven ways to fix the “DNS Server Not Responding” error.

Also read about 404 Not Found Error, 500 Internal Server Error and 403 Forbidden Error.

What is the DNS Server Not Responding Error?

The error indicates that the DNS of the website you are trying to access is not available, or your browser fails to connect to the internet.

The role of DNS is very significant in accessing web pages on the internet. When the DNS is configured correctly, it automatically maps the domain names into their equivalent IP addresses without any obstruction. It sends the IP addresses to the server to display the web pages to users.

Usually, DNS Server Not Responding occurs at the user’s end. But there are multiple easy ways to fix this error. It is similar to fixing network problems.

Well, with multiple ways to troubleshoot, you must first identify the cause of the error.

How to Fix the “DNS Server Not Responding” Error?

1. Use a Different Browser

The first step is to check your DNS connections. You might only need to change or update your web browser to solve this issue.

Simply use a browser other than the default browser, such as Safari or Google Chrome. Use Mozilla Firefox or Microsoft Edge to access the specified page.

If changing browsers works, you’ll probably need to either remove and reinstall your preferred browser or upgrade it to the most recent version. If the “DNS Server Not Responding” error persists, you may check your browser to find out the cause.

Also Read: How to Clear Cache in Chrome, Firefox and Edge Browser

2. Troubleshoot Network Connections

The next solution is to run network diagnostics. Doing this will help identify and troubleshoot all issues relegated to the network.

Run Diagnostic on Windows

Open Control Panel → Network and Internet → Network and Sharing Center.
Choose Change your networking settings → Troubleshoot problems.
Click on Additional troubleshooters → Internet Connections → Run the troubleshooter.

Hold off until the troubleshooting procedure finishes. Simply adhere to the instructions provided to resolve the DNS difficulties if an error message pops up on the window.

Run Diagnostic on Mac

Close all the current apps and connect to the network with issues.
Press the Option key and select the Wi-Fi Status icon from the menu bar.
Choose Open Wireless Diagnostic.
To determine issues with the network, follow the provided steps on the screen.

After the scanning finishes, you may learn more about each item on the list by clicking the Info button in the Summary pane.

3. Connect With a Different Device

To access the website you’re experiencing difficulties with, use a different device connected to the same network.

The issue is with your primary device if the second device enables you to visit the website on the same network without difficulty.

Despite having additional devices on the same network, if you are still unable to access the website, it may be because of a problem with your router.

Making sure the problem with the connection is not on the website’s end by using alternative connections, such as mobile data, can also be helpful.

Read: 8 Best WiFi Routers You Can Buy

4. Use Your PC in a Safe Mode

One of the reasons for the DNS Server Not Responding errors is the improper functioning of the operating system. If this is the issue, you need to run your system in safe mode. This mode limits the files and resources running on your computer systems.

Here are the steps to run your Windows and macOS systems in safe mode.

Windows

From the Start Menu, choose the Power button, press the Shift key, and choose Restart.
Now, from the Choose an Option window, select Troubleshoot → Advanced options.
Select Startup Settings → Restart.
Hit F5 on the keyboard to select the Safe Mode with Networking option.

macOS

Go to Apple Menu and select Shut Down. Wait for the device to shut down.
Power on your Mac and immediately press and hold Shift until you see the login screen.

If the network connection works well in the mode, a third-party application can be the cause of the error. So, you need to identify the culprit application and delete it.

5. Restart Modem or Router

A malfunctioned modem or router can be the cause of the DNS Server Not Responding. You can restart your modem or router to clear the cache and troubleshoot the error.

To do so, turn off your router or modem and unplug the power cable from the power outlet. And, Switch it on after 30 seconds.

If this doesn’t work, try resetting its default settings. You can refer to the manual for the steps to rest your router or modem.

6. Turn Off Antivirus and Firewall

Antivirus and firewall software helps you prevent accessing malicious websites. So, while accessing any unprotected web page, these tools may block your internet connection.

Try deactivating your antivirus and firewall to check if the DNS Server Not Responding goes off.

Windows

Go to Start Menu and select Settings.
Choose Update & Security → Windows Security → Virus & threat protection. Turn it off.

Mac

Go to System Preferences → Security & Privacy → Firewall. Turn off.

Restart the network diagnostics after turning off your antivirus and firewall software, then reopen the page on your browser.

If this fixes the issue, update or modify the firewall and antivirus software before reactivating it.

7. Disable Other Connections

Disabling unused connections is yet another solution to fix the DNS server error.

Here are the steps on Windows and macOS to disable unused connections.

Windows

From the Control Panel, choose Network and Sharing Center under Network and Internet.
Select Change adapter settings on the left column.
The page of Network Connections pops up. Right-click on Local Area Connection and other unused connections. Select Disable.

Mac

From the Apple menu, choose System Preferences → Network.
You will find all the connections on the left side of the screen. Choose all unused collections and click the minus (-) button to disable them.

After disabling all unused connections, try visiting the web page to see if the error does not exist.

8. Change the DNS Server Address

Try changing your DNS server address if none of those mentioned above fixes worked to access the website.

ISP automatically provides a DNS server address. So, the internet services will halt if the DNS server address from your ISP is not responding, is wrong, or does not exist.

To fix the issue, you can use another DNS server address. By doing this, you enable your browser’s ability to continue loading any web pages on the internet.

Many services, such as Cloudflare and Google Public DNS, provide public DNS servers.

Windows

In the Windows search box, type ncpa.cpl and press Enter to access the Network Connections page.
Right-click the connection you are currently using and choose Properties.
Select Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4) → Properties. Under this option, Mark the checkboxes for Obtain an IP address automatically and Use the following DNS server Addresses.
Type the desired DNS Server address in the Preferred DNS Server and Alternate DNS Server fields.
Mark the checkbox for Validate settings upon exit and click OK.

Finally, restart your PC.

Mac

From the Apple menu, under System Preferences choose Network.
On the primary connection tab, choose Advanced → DNS.
Click the + button and enter the new DNS server address.
Hit OK → Apply.

Reset your internet connection and check for the DNS Server Not Responding error.

9. Flush DNS Cache

Flushing the DNS cache is also an effective solution to the DNS error.

Here are the steps to flush the DNS cache on Windows and Mac.

Windows

Go to the Command Prompt by entering cmd in Windows Search and press Enter.
Now, type ipconfig/flushdns and hit Enter.

If the process finishes successfully, you receive a message about the same on the screen.

Mac

Go to Terminal by pressing F4 or entering ‘terminal’ on Launchpad’s search box.

There are different commands to flush the DNS on Mac based on your OS version.

Big Sur

sudo dscacheutil -flushcache; sudo killall -HUP mDNSResponder

Catalina, Mojave, High Sierra, Sierra, El Capitan, X Mavericks, X Mountain Lion, or X Lion

sudo killall -HUP mDNSResponder

Yosemite

sudo discoveryutil udnsflushcaches

Snow Leopard

sudo dscacheutil -flushcache

Leopard

sudo lookupd -flushcache

10. Disable IPv6

Internet Protocol Version 6 is the latest internet protocol to identify devices on the internet and local network.

IPv6 can, however, also be the root of the DNS server not responding problem. If the above fixes fail to resolve the issue, think about turning off IPv6.

Disable IPv6 on Windows and Mac

Windows

Go to Network Connections, right-click on the current connection, and choose Properties.
Select the Networking tab and unselect the box for Internet Protocol Version 6 (TCP/IPv6).
Lastly, click OK.

Mac

Go to System Preferences from the Apple Menu and select Network.
Choose the current network connection and click on Advanced → TCP/IP.
Select the Configure IPv6 drop-down menu and turn it off.
Click OK.

Also Read: 4 Ways to Fix “DNS Probe Finished No Internet” Error in Chrome Browser

Ending Words

When your browser does not connect to the internet or the website you are accessing is not available, you get DNS Server Not Responding. A few potential causes of this error are an unavailable DNS provider, a router or modem malfunction, hardware or network issues, and antivirus and firewall tools.

I have covered all effective solutions to fix the error in this article. Please let me know in the comments if you run across any difficulties.