Encountering the “DNS_PROBE_FINISHED_NXDOMAIN” error can be frustrating, especially when you’re trying to access a website or browse the internet. This error typically indicates a DNS (Domain Name System) resolution issue, where the DNS server cannot resolve the domain name to an IP address. Fortunately, there are several steps you can take to troubleshoot and resolve this error. In this article, we’ll explore some effective methods for fixing the DNS_PROBE_FINISHED_NXDOMAIN error and getting back online.
Method 1: Check Your Internet Connection
Before diving into more advanced troubleshooting steps, start by checking your internet connection. Ensure that your device is connected to a stable and functioning network, whether it’s Wi-Fi or Ethernet. If you’re using Wi-Fi, try restarting your router or modem to reset the connection. Additionally, test your connection by visiting other websites to confirm if the issue is specific to a particular site or affecting all web browsing.
Method 2: Clear Browser Cache and Cookies
Sometimes, cached data and cookies stored in your web browser can cause DNS-related errors. Clearing your browser’s cache and cookies can help resolve these issues and improve browsing performance. To do this:
1. Open your web browser (Chrome, Firefox, Edge, etc.).
2. Access the browser settings or preferences.
3. Navigate to the “Privacy and Security” or “Clear browsing data” section.
4. Select the option to clear cache and cookies.
5. Restart your browser and try accessing the website again.
Method 3: Flush DNS Cache
Flushing the DNS cache on your device can help refresh DNS records and resolve DNS-related errors like DNS_PROBE_FINISHED_NXDOMAIN. Here’s how to flush the DNS cache:
1. Open the Command Prompt (Windows) or Terminal (Mac/Linux) with administrator privileges.
2. Type the following command and press Enter:
– Windows: ipconfig /flushdns
– Mac/Linux: sudo dscacheutil –flushcache
3. Wait for the command to execute and confirm that the DNS cache has been flushed.
4. Close the Command Prompt/Terminal and try accessing the website again.
Method 4: Change DNS Server
Switching to a different DNS server can sometimes resolve DNS resolution issues and bypass any problems with your current DNS provider. You can use public DNS servers like Google DNS or Cloudflare DNS. Here’s how to change your DNS server:
1. Open your device’s network settings.
2. Locate the DNS settings and select the option to manually configure DNS servers.
3. Enter the IP addresses of the preferred DNS servers:
– Google DNS: 8.8.8.8 and 8.8.4.4
– Cloudflare DNS: 1.1.1.1 and 1.0.0.1
4. Save the changes and restart your device.
5. Try accessing the website again to see if the error persists.
Method 5: Check Hosts File
Sometimes, incorrect entries in the hosts file on your computer can lead to DNS resolution errors. You can check and edit the hosts file to ensure it doesn’t contain any conflicting entries. Here’s how to do it:
1. Open the hosts file using a text editor with administrator privileges.
– Windows: C:\Windows\System32\drivers\etc\hosts
– Mac/Linux: /etc/hosts
2. Look for any entries related to the website causing the DNS_PROBE_FINISHED_NXDOMAIN error.
3. If you find any, delete or comment out the entries by adding a “#” at the beginning of the line.
4. Save the changes to the hosts file and close the text editor.
5. Try accessing the website again to see if the error has been resolved.
The DNS_PROBE_FINISHED_NXDOMAIN error can be resolved by following these troubleshooting methods. By checking your internet connection, clearing browser cache and cookies, flushing DNS cache, changing DNS server, and checking the hosts file, you can effectively diagnose and fix DNS-related issues, allowing you to browse the internet without interruptions. If the error persists despite trying these methods, consider contacting your internet service provider or IT support for further assistance.