How to Fix “DNS Server Not Responding” Error Fast

TL;DR: DNS Server Not Responding – Quick Fixes

Seeing a “DNS server not responding” error? Try these quick steps:

• Restart your router and device
• Flush DNS cache
• Try a different browser
• Switch to Google (8.8.8.8) or Cloudflare (1.1.1.1) DNS
• Disable VPN, firewall, or antivirus temporarily
• Update network drivers

If the issue persists across all devices, contact your ISP, the problem may be on their end.

Getting hit with a “DNS server not responding” error can feel like your internet just vanished. Your browser won’t load websites. Your apps can’t connect. Everything stops working.

This frustrating error affects millions of users daily. But here’s the good news: most DNS issues have simple fixes you can do yourself.

DNS problems happen for many reasons. Your internet service provider might have issues. Your router could need a restart. Sometimes your device’s network settings get mixed up.

This guide shows you exactly how to fix DNS server errors. We’ll start with quick solutions that work 80% of the time. Then we’ll cover advanced fixes for stubborn problems. You’ll be back online faster than you think.

What Does “DNS Server Not Responding” Mean?

DNS stands for Domain Name System. Think of it as the internet’s phone book. When you type “google.com” in your browser, DNS translates that name into an IP address like 172.217.164.142.

Your device needs this translation to connect to websites. Without working DNS, your browser can’t find where websites live on the internet.

The “server not responding error” means your device can’t reach the DNS servers. These servers might be down. Your internet connection might have problems. Or your device’s DNS settings could be wrong.

Here’s what happens when DNS fails:

• Web browsers show connection errors
• Apps can’t load new content
• Email clients won’t sync
• Streaming services stop working

But your internet connection isn’t necessarily broken. You might still have wi-fi or ethernet cable connectivity. The problem is specifically with DNS resolution.

What Are the Common Causes of DNS Server Errors?

Understanding why DNS fails helps you fix it faster. Here are the main culprits:

ISP-Related Issues

Your internet service provider runs DNS servers. When these servers go down, you lose DNS access. ISP DNS servers also get overloaded during peak hours. This causes slow responses or timeouts.

Misconfigured DNS Settings

Your operating system stores DNS server addresses. If these get corrupted or changed incorrectly, DNS stops working. Malware sometimes changes these settings too.

Router or Modem Problems

Your router acts as a middleman for DNS requests. When routers freeze up or overheat, DNS resolution fails. Old router firmware can also cause DNS problems.

Device Firewall or Antivirus Conflicts

Security software sometimes blocks DNS requests by mistake. Windows Defender and third-party antivirus programs can interfere with network settings. Firewalls might block the internet protocol version your DNS uses.

What Quick Fixes Should You Try First?

Start with these simple solutions. They fix most DNS problems within minutes.

Restart Your Router

This fixes about 60% of DNS issues. Unplug your router’s power cable. Wait 30 seconds. Plug it back in and wait 2 minutes for full startup.

Restarting clears your router’s memory. It gets fresh DNS settings from your ISP. This often resolves temporary glitches and overheating problems.

Try a Different Browser or Device

Test if other web browsers work. Try Chrome if you use Firefox. Switch to Safari on Mac or Edge on Windows.

Also test other devices on your network. Check your phone, tablet, or another computer. If other devices work fine, the problem is device-specific.

Check for Outages

Visit your ISP’s status page or social media accounts. Search Twitter for your provider’s name plus “outage” or “down.”

You can also use mobile data to check outage websites like DownDetector. If your ISP has widespread DNS problems, you’ll need to wait for their fix or use alternative dns servers.

What Are Advanced Troubleshooting Techniques?

When quick fixes don’t work, try these more technical solutions.

Flush DNS Cache

Your device stores DNS lookups in a cache. Corrupted cache entries cause DNS errors. Clearing this cache often fixes stubborn problems.

Flush DNS Cache for Windows:

1. Press Windows + R keys
2. Type “cmd” and press Enter
3. Type “ipconfig flushdns” and press Enter
4. Restart your computer

Flush DNS Cache for Mac:

1. Open Terminal from Applications
2. Type “sudo killall hup mdnsresponder” and press Enter
3. Enter your password when prompted
4. Restart your Mac

Flush DNS Cache for Linux:

1. Open Terminal
2. Type “sudo systemctl restart systemd-resolved”
3. Or use “sudo service network-manager restart”

Change to Google DNS or Cloudflare DNS

Your ISP’s DNS servers might be unreliable. Public DNS services like Google (8.8.8.8 and 8.8.4.4) or Cloudflare (1.1.1.1) often work better.

How to change DNS for Windows:

1. Go to Control Panel > Network and Internet
2. Click “Change adapter settings”
3. Right-click your connection and select Properties
4. Select “Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4)”
5. Click Properties, then “Use the following DNS server addresses”
6. Enter 8.8.8.8 as primary and 8.8.4.4 as secondary
7. Click OK and restart your computer

How to change DNS for Mac:

1. Go to System Preferences > Network
2. Select your connection and click Advanced
3. Go to the DNS tab
4. Click the + button and add 8.8.8.8
5. Add 8.8.4.4 as a second entry
6. Click OK and Apply

Reset TCP/IP Stack

Network protocol corruption can cause dns errors. Resetting the TCP/IP stack clears these problems.

How to reset TCP/IP Stack For Windows:

1. Open Command Prompt as Administrator
2. Type these commands one by one:

• • netsh winsock reset
  • netsh int ip reset
  • ipconfig /release
  • ipconfig /renew

3. Restart your computer

How Do DNS Issues Differ Between Windows and macOS?

Both operating systems handle DNS differently. This affects how you troubleshoot problems.

Windows-Specific Solutions

Windows uses the Windows DNS Client service. Sometimes this service stops working. Restart it through Services.msc.

Windows also has a DNS cache that’s more aggressive than Mac’s. You might need to flush dns cache more often on Windows.

Try restarting your computer in safe mode if DNS problems persist. Safe mode loads minimal drivers and can bypass software conflicts.

macOS-Specific Solutions

Mac DNS problems often relate to the mDNSResponder service. The “sudo killall hup mdnsresponder” command restarts this service.

macOS also integrates with Bonjour for local network discovery. Bonjour conflicts can affect DNS resolution for some websites.

Check your network settings in System Preferences. Make sure “Configure IPv6” is set to “Automatically” unless you specifically need manual configuration.

How to Prevent Future DNS Errors

Prevention saves you time and frustration. Here’s how to avoid recurring dns server settings problems.

Keep Your Drivers and OS Updated

Outdated network drivers cause DNS instability. Windows Update usually handles this automatically. Mac users get network updates through System Updates.

Router firmware updates also fix DNS bugs. Check your router manufacturer’s website monthly for updates.

Set Reliable DNS Servers

Don’t rely solely on your ISP’s DNS. Configure backup DNS servers in your network settings. Use Google DNS (8.8.8.8 and 8.8.4.4) or Cloudflare (1.1.1.1) as alternatives.

Some routers let you set DNS servers at the router level. This protects all devices on your network automatically.

Use a VPN with DNS Fallback

Quality VPN services include their own DNS servers. When your ISP’s DNS fails, the VPN’s DNS takes over seamlessly.

VPNs also protect against DNS hijacking and provide faster DNS resolution in some regions.

When to Seek Professional Help to Fix DNS Problems?

Some DNS problems require expert intervention. Here’s when to call for help:

• DNS errors persist after trying all troubleshooting steps
• Multiple devices on your network have the same problem
• Your ISP confirms no outages but DNS still fails
• You suspect malware has changed your dns server address
• Business-critical applications depend on reliable DNS

Network administrators can run advanced diagnostics. They can check DNS propagation, test different DNS servers, and identify configuration conflicts you might miss.

For businesses, consider hiring IT professionals to set up redundant DNS infrastructure. This prevents single points of failure.

Why Hosting Quality Impacts DNS Reliability?

Your website’s hosting provider affects DNS performance too. Cheap hosting often means unreliable DNS infrastructure.

Budget hosting companies use outdated DNS servers. These servers go down frequently and respond slowly. Your visitors see loading errors even when your website works fine.

Quality hosting providers invest in redundant DNS infrastructure. They use multiple DNS servers across different locations. If one server fails, others take over automatically.

Premium DNS services also offer faster response times. Visitors can access your website quicker when DNS lookups complete faster.

Skynethosting.net: Fast, Stable, and Secure DNS Performance

At Skynethosting.net, we understand how critical DNS reliability is for your business. Our 20 years of hosting experience taught us that DNS problems can kill your online presence.

Advanced DNS Infrastructure

Our VPS and dedicated servers include enterprise-grade DNS management. We use multiple DNS servers across our 25 worldwide locations. This redundancy ensures your website stays accessible even during server maintenance.

Our NVMe storage systems are 900% faster than traditional drives. This speed boost applies to DNS lookups too. Your visitors reach your website faster with our optimized infrastructure.

Built-in DNS Management Tools

Every hosting plan includes easy DNS management through your control panel. You can modify DNS records instantly without technical expertise. Our WHMCS automation handles DNS updates seamlessly.

We also provide 24/7 expert support for DNS configuration. Our technicians help you set up complex DNS scenarios like load balancing and failover systems.

Get Back Online with Confidence

DNS server errors are frustrating but fixable. Start with simple solutions like restarting your router and temporarily disable your antivirus. Most problems resolve within minutes using these basic steps.

For persistent issues, flush the dns cache and change to alternative DNS servers like 8.8.8.8 and 8.8.4.4. These public DNS services often work better than ISP defaults.

Remember that prevention beats troubleshooting. Keep your operating system updated, use reliable DNS servers, and consider quality hosting for your websites.

Fix DNS issues permanently with high-performance hosting from Skynethosting.net. Our enterprise-grade DNS infrastructure prevents the reliability problems that plague budget providers. Contact us today to learn how our 23 years of hosting expertise can keep your websites running smoothly.

Frequently Asked Questions about “DNS server not responding” error