Yous 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 answer.

At that place are a variety of reasons these types of DNS errors can occur. Fortunately, well-nigh of them have simple resolutions. In fact, fixing the effect could be as easy as restarting your computer or irresolute spider web browsers.

In this postal service, we'll explain what the "DNS Server Non Responding" message means and some common causes for information technology. Then we'll walk you through several solutions for how to fix information technology, both on Windows and macOS devices.

Permit's get started!

What Does "DNS Server Not Responding" Hateful?

A DNS is a naming organisation 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 accost into your browser, it is forwarded to a DNS server from your router, where it's and then dissolved and returned as an IP address. Nevertheless, if the DNS server is unable to properly complete this name resolution process, the stop result is usually a message indicating that the DNS server is not responding.

"DNS Server Non Responding" means that your browser was unable to institute a connection to the internet. Typically, DNS errors are acquired 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 exist attributed to a temporary server outage that renders the DNS unavailable.

Therefore, it's possible that y'all might be able to resolve the problem simply past switching browsers. In other cases, you may need to disable connections, change DNS servers, or flush the DNS cache.

How to Set up the "DNS Server Not Responding" Error in Windows and macOS (10 Methods)

Now that you understand what this message means and are familiar with some potential causes, information technology's time to get to work resolving it. Let's have a look at ten potential ways you lot can fix "DNS Server Not Responding" on Windows and Mac devices.

1. Switch to a Unlike Browser

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

To exercise this, endeavor accessing the spider web from a dissimilar browser. For example, if your default browser is Safari or Google Chrome, visit the desired website from Mozilla Firefox or Microsoft Border instead.

If switching browsers works, you'll probable need to update your default browser to the latest version or uninstall and reinstall it. Yet, if y'all still see the "DNS Server Not Responding" message, y'all can dominion out your browser as the source of the issue.

2. Offset Your Computer in Safe Manner

If your operating system is not operation properly, it can effect in the "DNS Server Not Responding" error message. Therefore, you may desire to try booting your Windows device in Safe Style to encounter whether this resolves this consequence.

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

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

windows power
The power button in Windows

Next, while yous're holding downward the Shift key, select Restart:

windows restart
The Windows restart choice

In the window that appears, click on Troubleshoot > Advanced. Under Advanced options, select Starting time-Up Settings, followed past Restart. More options will announced. You can press 4 or v to Enable Prophylactic Mode or Enable Safe Mode with Networking respectively. Your computer will then restart in Safe Mode.

If y'all're using Windows seven or earlier, you tin can restart it in Safe Mode by going to Power > Restart. And so, while it'south booting up, hold down the F8 primal.

The process is like on macOS devices.

While the machine is restarting and booting upward, concur downwards the Shift key. Once the Apple logo appears, you tin can release it. Your device will and then showtime in Safe Mode.

Once your figurer is in Prophylactic Fashion, try to access the website once more. 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.

3. Temporarily Disable Your Antivirus Software and Firewall

If switching browsers doesn't resolve the "DNS Server Not Responding" issue, the adjacent pace is to temporarily deactivate your firewall. Antivirus software and firewalls are critical for safeguarding your devices, only they can sometimes cause problems that interfere with network connections.

For Windows users, you can do this by going to your command 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, endeavor visiting the website again from your browser. If this resolved the issue, yous might consider switching antivirus programs or reconfiguring the settings of your existing awarding. Either way, remember to reactivate your firewall one time yous're done.

four. Disable Secondary Connections

If disabling your antivirus software or firewall didn't exercise the flim-flam, some other potential solution is to disable any secondary connections available on your device. You want to make sure that but the connection you're currently using is active.

To do this in Windows, type "Network connections" into the search box of your desktop taskbar. Side by side, click on View network connections:

view network connections 1
Windows network connections

This will bring you to the Network Connections folio. Whatever connections you're non currently using volition accept a red (Ten) side by side to them. Right-click on i, and and so select Disable:

disable secondary connection
Disabling secondary connections in Windows

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

If y'all're using a macOS, you can do this by clicking on the Apple icon, then navigating to Organization Preferences > Network. Your connections volition be listed on the left side of the window.

macOS network settings
macOS network settings

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

5. 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 Non Responding" mistake message, there'due south one more option you lot can endeavor: the Peer-to-Peer (P2P) feature. Note: This is something yous'll only find in Windows 10.

This feature helps preserve your device's download bandwidth. Essentially, it lets you lot download a Windows update ane fourth dimension, then use your device to spread or share the updated version across other computers included in your local network.

Unfortunately, it can besides sometimes interrupt DNS processes. Therefore, it'southward worth disabling to encounter if this resolves the error bulletin you lot're currently facing.

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

windows settings update
The Update & Security option in Windows settings

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

windows delivery optimization
The Windows Commitment Optimization carte

Next to the 'Allow downloads from other PCs' choice, toggle the switch to disable it:

windows p2p feature
The toggle switch for the Windows P2P characteristic

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

6. Restart Your Router

The next troubleshooting step is to restart your router. Doing then will flush your router's cache and could be the solution for resolving the "DNS Server Not Responding" message.

Most modems come up with a ability button that enables you to quickly power them off. After a minute or so, turn your modem back on and await for it to re-constitute a connectedness. Once it does, check to see whether you're able to access the net from your browser.

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Note that sometimes simply restarting the router isn't enough. Y'all may desire to reboot it by unplugging it entirely, and then waiting at least 30 seconds before plugging information technology back in and powering it on again.

7. Install Updated Network Adapter Drivers on Your Calculator

Another reason you may be seeing the "DNS Server Non Responding" bulletin is if your current Windows network adapter driver is former or outdated. If this is the case, getting a new adapter commuter or updating yours may be the solution y'all demand.

In that location are a couple of ways to update your network adapter driver. One is to do it manually, which y'all should only do if you lot are at to the lowest degree somewhat familiar working with drivers. Alternatively, you tin do it using an automated tool such as Driver Easy or Snappy Driver Installer (SDI):

snappy driver installer
The Snappy Commuter Installer website

Either of these solutions will automatically recognize your system and locate the advisable drivers for yous to use with information technology. Nosotros recommend this method because it eliminates the run a 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 attempt reconnecting to the internet, to determine whether this resolved the effect.

8. Flush Your DNS Cache and Reset Your IP

If you've eliminated your browser, antivirus software, and router as the source of the upshot, it'southward fourth dimension to turn your attention to your DNS settings. Equally with the router enshroud, it may exist that your DNS needs to be cleared before it tin can properly make a connection to the internet, or your IP might need a reset.

If you lot're using Windows, offset by typing "cmd" into the search field along the taskbar, and so selecting the Command Prompt app:

command prompt app
The Command Prompt application in the Windows menu

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

windows command prompt
The Command Prompt in Windows after flushing the DNS cache

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

          ipconfig /registerdns  ipconfig /release  ipconfig /renew        

If you're using a Mac device, y'all can flush your DNS cache by opening the Concluding application (press the Command + Infinite keys, and then type "Last" into Spotlight). In the Terminal awarding window, enter the following:

          dscacheutil -flushcache        

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

9. Disable IPv6

IPv6 is the latest Cyberspace Protocol version that helps route traffic between networks and the internet. Unfortunately, it may besides be behind the "DNS Server Not Responding" message you're currently seeing.

Therefore, another potential solution to effort is disabling IPv6 on your computer. To exercise this in Windows, open your Network Connections control panel, then right-click on your current connexion. In the drop-down menu, select Backdrop:

network connection properties 1
The network connection Properties bill of fare option in Windows

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

ipv6 windows
Net Protocol Version 6 (TCP/IPv6) in Windows Network Connections

If it's selected, unselect the box, then click on OK. Refresh your browser and attempt connecting to the internet once more.

To disable IPv6 in macOS, you first demand to determine what network interface y'all're using. To practise this, open the Terminal awarding, and so effect the following command:

          networksetup -listallnetworkservices        

If you desire to disable IPv6 for a wireless connection, you would use the following control:

          networksetup -setv6off Wi-Fi        

For an Ethernet connection, you would use:

          networksetup -setv6off Ethernet        

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

x. Change the Default DNS Server on Your Windows Estimator

Another solution you can endeavor in order to gear up "DNS Server Not Responding" in Windows is to change your default DNS server. To do this in Windows vii, 8, or 10, the first stride is to access your network connexion backdrop.

Start past clicking on the Windows button in the lesser-left corner of the chore bar. In the search field, type "Network connections", and then select View network connections in the menu that appears:

view network connections
The View Network Connections control console in the Windows menu

Next, cull the cyberspace adapter you're currently using (WLAN for wireless network connections or LAN for ethernet cable connections). Correct-click on the cyberspace adapter, followed past Properties:

network connection properties
The Network Connexion Properties menu item in Windows

In the window that opens, choose Cyberspace Protocol Version iv (TCP/IPv4), and then click on the Properties push:

ipv4 properties
The Wi-Fi Backdrop panel in Windows

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

internet protocol DNS
The DNS Server Addresses panel in Windows

For instance, yous can enter Google's DNS server, which is "8.viii.viii.8", under Preferred DNS server. Then you can add "8.8.4.4" under Culling  DNS server, and hit OK.

If you're running macOS, yous can locate these settings past clicking on the Apple icon followed by Organisation Preferences:

macos system preferences
The System Preferences card item in Mac

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

mac network system
The Advanced button in the Mac Network System window

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

mac dns server
Entering new DNS information in macOS

Afterwards you enter the new DNS information, clickon OK followed by Apply. Restart your web browser, then visit the website you were trying to access. You should discover that the "DNS Server Not Responding" effect is now resolved.

Summary

Trying to access a website merely to be met with a "DNS Server Not Responding" bulletin can be both frustrating and concerning. While in that location are a variety of reasons this error may occur, the good news is that most have simple resolutions.

Every bit nosotros discussed in this commodity, there are ten potential solutions y'all can use to set a "DNS Server Not Responding" bulletin, in both Windows and macOS:

  1. Switch to a different browser, and if necessary, update your default browser to the latest version.
  2. First your figurer in Rubber Mode.
  3. Temporarily disable your antivirus software and firewalls.
  4. Disable secondary connections.
  5. Disable the Windows Peer-to-Peer feature.
  6. Restart your router.
  7. Install updated network adapter drivers on your computer.
  8. Affluent your DNS enshroud and reset your IP.
  9. Disable IPv6.
  10. Change the default DNS server on your computer.

Suggested reading:
How to Prepare the DNS_PROBE_FINISHED_BAD_CONFIG Error Lawmaking.
How to Gear up DNS_PROBE_FINISHED_NXDOMAIN Error Code


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