How to Fix DNS Server Not Responding Problem

Step-by-Step Guide

1. 1

   Step 1: Try connecting with a different device.

   If you can connect a phone, tablet, or computer to the network and access the webpage that you're having trouble with on your primary device, the issue is definitively with the device and not the router.
   
   Not being able to connect with the second device doesn't necessarily mean that the router is the problem.
   
   If you're having trouble with a specific website, try accessing it using mobile data.
   
   If you still can't access the site, the issue is on the site's end.
2. 2

   Step 2: Try a different browser.

   This is one of the quickest ways to test your DNS connections.
   
   Download a different free browser such as Firefox or Chrome and attempt to connect to the internet; if the problems persist, you can rule out browser problems as the reason for your DNS server not responding.
   
   If the issues are resolved, uninstalling and then reinstalling your old browser will likely fix the problem. , This will clear your router's cache and thus may resolve DNS errors.
   
   To do so:
   Unplug your modem's power cable as well as your router's power cable.
   
   Allow both your modem and your router to sit for at least 30 seconds.
   
   Reconnect your modem and wait for it to come back online.
   
   Reconnect your router to your modem and wait for it to come back online. , If you're already using Ethernet, skip this step.
   
   If you can connect to a web page while using Ethernet, the problem may stem from your router.
   
   You'll most likely need to reset it.
   
   If you can't connect to a web page while connected via Ethernet, your DNS settings may be the problem. , Click the Windows logo in the bottom-left corner of the screen, or press ⊞ Win., Doing so searches your computer for the Command Prompt app., It's at the top of the Start window.
   
   This will open Command Prompt., This command removes any saved DNS addresses.
   
   The next time you try to open a website, a new DNS address will be created., Doing so refreshes your browser's cache.
   
   If you can now connect to the webpage you were having trouble with earlier, the problem is resolved.
   
   If you're still experiencing connection issues, proceed to the next method. , It's in the top-right corner of the screen.<ul,, Spotlight will begin searching for Terminal on your Mac., It should be the first option at the top of the Spotlight results., This will run the DNS flush command and erase your Mac's DNS cache.
   
   You may have to enter your administrator password first. , This refreshes your browser's cache as well.
   
   If you can now connect to the webpage with which you were having issues, the problem is resolved., On Windows:
   Open Start , click Settings , click Network & Internet, and click Change adapter options.
   
   On Mac:
   Open the Apple menu , click System Preferences, and click Network. , You can remove any connection to which you aren't currently connected; this includes Bluetooth and wireless connections.
   
   The most common cause for DNS issues is the existence of "Microsoft Virtual WiFi Miniport Adapter"., Simply click a connection to select it.
   
   On Windows, each icon on the page represents a connection.
   
   On Mac, the connections are on the left side of the window. , To do so:
   Windows
   - Click Disable this network device at the top of the window.
   
   Mac
   - Click the minus sign (-) at the bottom of the network window. , If you can access your webpage, then the issue is resolved.
   
   If not, proceed to the next method., It will be on the Connections page.
   
   This will select it., This button is in the top row of options in the window.
   
   Clicking it will open the connection's settings., It's in the window that's in the middle of the Wi-Fi Properties pop-up.
   
   Doing so will select it.
   
   If you don't see this window, click the Networking tab at the top of Wi-Fi Properties. , This option is near the bottom of the window., It's near the bottom of the Properties window., This goes in the "Preferred DNS server" field near the bottom of the window.
   
   Reliable DNS servers include the following:
   OpenDNS
   - Enter
   208.67.222.222.
   
   Google
   - Enter
   8.8.8.8. , This goes in the "Alternate DNS server" field below the first field.
   
   Depending on what you entered in the "Preferred" field, what you enter here will vary:
   OpenDNS
   - Enter
   208.67.220.220.
   
   Google
   - Enter
   8.8.4.4. , Doing so saves your DNS settings., It's at the bottom of the window., Once your computer finishes booting up, you can test your network connection; if it works now, your computer's default DNS server was the problem.
   
   If your computer can connect, consider calling your Internet Service Provider to notify them about the DNS issues.
   
   If you still can't connect, proceed to the next method. , It's in the top-left corner of the screen., You'll find it near the top of the Apple drop-down menu., This globe-shaped icon is in the System Preferences window., It's in the pane on the left side of the window., You'll find this near the middle of the window., It's at the top of the window., This option is below the DNS Servers window., OpenDNS and Google both have reliable, quick DNS servers:
   Google
   -
   8.8.8.8 or
   8.8.4.4.
   
   OpenDNS
   -
   208.67.222.222 or
   208.67.220.220 , It's on the far-right side of the tabs at the top of the window., This box is near the top of the Hardware page., The "MTU" box is below the "Configure" box., It's below the "MTU" box., It's at the bottom of the page., This button is at the bottom of the page.
   
   Doing so saves your settings and applies them to your current Wi-Fi network., Once your computer finishes booting up, you can test your network connection; if it works now, your computer's default DNS server was the problem.
   
   If your computer can connect, consider calling your Internet Service Provider to notify them about the DNS issues.
   
   If you still can't connect, proceed to the next method. , This button is usually on the back of the router.
   
   You'll usually need a needle, a paperclip, or a similarly thin item to press the "Reset" button.
   
   Resetting your router will also disconnect every device you have connected to the router. , Hold it for at least 30 seconds to ensure that the router completely resets., Use the factory password that's printed on the bottom of your router to complete the connection., If you still can't connect to the Internet or access the site you're trying to use, it's time to contact your Internet Service Provider to make them aware of the DNS issues you're facing.
   
   If resetting the router does indeed resolve the DNS issues, consider picking up a newer router if yours is more than a couple of years old.
3. 3

   Step 3: Power cycle your modem and router.

4. 4

   Step 4: Connect your computer to your router via Ethernet.

5. 5

   Step 5: Open Start .

6. 6

   Step 6: Type command prompt into Start.

7. 7

   Step 7: Click Command Prompt.

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   Step 8: Type in ipconfig /flushdns and press ↵ Enter.

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   Step 9: Restart your web browser.

10. 10

    Step 10: Open Spotlight .

11. 11

    Step 11: You can also press ⌘ Command+Space to open Spotlight.

12. 12

    Step 12: Type terminal into Spotlight.

13. 13

    Step 13: Click Terminal.

14. 14

    Step 14: Type this command into Terminal: sudo killall -HUP mDNSResponder;say DNS cache has been flushed and press ⏎ Return.

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    Step 15: Restart your web browser.

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    Step 16: Open your computer's Network Settings.

17. 17

    Step 17: Look for extra connections.

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    Step 18: Select an extra connection.

19. 19

    Step 19: Remove the connection.

20. 20

    Step 20: Try visiting a webpage.

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    Step 21: Click your current connection's name.

22. 22

    Step 22: Click Change settings of this connection.

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    Step 23: Click the "Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4)" result.

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    Step 24: Click Properties.

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    Step 25: Check the "Use the following DNS server addresses" circle.

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    Step 26: Enter a preferred DNS address.

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    Step 27: Enter an alternate DNS address.

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    Step 28: Click OK.

29. 29

    Step 29: Click Close.

30. 30

    Step 30: Restart your computer.

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    Step 31: Open the Apple menu .

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    Step 32: Click System Preferences.

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    Step 33: Click Network.

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    Step 34: Click your current Wi-Fi network.

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    Step 35: Click Advanced.

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    Step 36: Click the DNS tab.

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    Step 37: Click +.

38. 38

    Step 38: Enter a DNS server address.

39. 39

    Step 39: Click the Hardware tab.

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    Step 40: Click the "Configure" box

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    Step 41: then click Manually.

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    Step 42: Click the "MTU" box

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    Step 43: then click Custom.

44. 44

    Step 44: Type 1453 into the text field.

45. 45

    Step 45: Click OK.

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    Step 46: Click Apply.

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    Step 47: Restart your computer.

48. 48

    Step 48: Find your router's "Reset" button.

49. 49

    Step 49: Press and hold the "Reset" button.

50. 50

    Step 50: Connect to your network.

51. 51

    Step 51: Try accessing the website you were having trouble with.

Detailed Guide

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