How to Fix the DNS_PROBE_FINISHED_NXDOMAIN Error

The DNS_PROBE_FINISHED_NXDOMAIN error is a common issue encountered by internet users when trying to access a website. It essentially means your browser can’t find the website’s server because the Domain Name System (DNS) lookup failed. This can be frustrating, but thankfully, there are several troubleshooting steps you can take to resolve it. Let’s dive in!

Understanding the Error

Before we start fixing, let’s understand what’s going on. When you type a website address (like example.com) into your browser, your computer needs to translate that human-readable address into an IP address (like 192.0.2.1), which is how computers actually locate servers. The DNS is like a phonebook for the internet, handling this translation. DNS_PROBE_FINISHED_NXDOMAIN means that the DNS lookup process failed – the DNS server couldn’t find the IP address associated with the domain name you entered.

Troubleshooting Steps

Here’s a breakdown of methods you can use to fix this error. Work through them in order, testing after each step to see if the problem is resolved.

1. Check Your Internet Connection

This might seem obvious, but always start with the basics. A faulty internet connection is a primary cause of this error.

  • Verify connectivity: Ensure your modem and router are properly connected and powered on. Look for any blinking lights indicating a problem. Try accessing other websites to see if the issue is isolated to a specific site.
  • Restart your router and modem: Power cycle your network devices by unplugging them, waiting 30 seconds, and plugging them back in. This often resolves temporary connection glitches.
  • Check your Wi-Fi connection: If you’re using Wi-Fi, make sure you’re connected to the correct network and that the signal strength is good. Try moving closer to the router.

2. Clear Your Browser Cache and Cookies

Old or corrupted cache and cookie data can sometimes interfere with DNS resolution.

  • Chrome: Go to chrome://settings/clearBrowserData. Select “Cached images and files” and “Cookies and other site data”. Choose “All time” as the time range, and click “Clear data”.
  • Firefox: Go to about:preferences#privacy. Under “Cookies and Site Data,” click “Clear Data”. Select “Cookies and Site Data” and “Cached Web Content,” then click “Clear”.
  • Other browsers: The process is similar for other browsers. Look for options to clear browsing data, focusing on cache and cookies.

3. Flush the DNS Cache

Your operating system also keeps a DNS cache, which can become outdated or corrupted. Flushing it forces your system to fetch fresh DNS information.

  • Windows: Open the Command Prompt as administrator. Type ipconfig /flushdns and press Enter. You should see a confirmation message: “Successfully flushed the DNS Resolver Cache.”
  • macOS: Open Terminal. Type sudo dscacheutil -flushcache; sudo killall -HUP mDNSResponder and press Enter. You may be prompted for your administrator password.
  • Linux: The command varies depending on your distribution. Common commands include sudo systemd-resolve --flush-caches or sudo /etc/init.d/networking restart.

4. Reset TCP/IP

Resetting the TCP/IP stack can resolve network configuration issues.

  • Windows: Open the Command Prompt as administrator. Type netsh int ip reset and press Enter. Restart your computer.

5. Change DNS Servers

Your default DNS servers (usually provided by your ISP) might be experiencing problems. Switching to public DNS servers like Google Public DNS or Cloudflare DNS can often improve reliability.

  • Google Public DNS:
    • Preferred DNS server: 8.8.8.8
    • Alternate DNS server: 8.8.4.4
  • Cloudflare DNS:
    • Preferred DNS server: 1.1.1.1
    • Alternate DNS server: 1.0.0.1
  • How to change DNS servers (Windows):
    1. Open Control Panel > Network and Internet > Network and Sharing Center > Change adapter settings.
    2. Right-click on your network adapter and select “Properties”.
    3. Select “Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4)” and click “Properties”.
    4. Select “Use the following DNS server addresses”.
    5. Enter the preferred and alternate DNS server addresses.
    6. Click “OK” on all windows to save the changes.
  • How to change DNS servers (macOS):
    1. Go to System Preferences > Network.
    2. Select your network connection (e.g., Wi-Fi or Ethernet) and click “Advanced”.
    3. Click the “DNS” tab.
    4. Click the “+” button to add new DNS server addresses.
    5. Enter the preferred and alternate DNS server addresses.
    6. Click “OK” and then “Apply”.

6. Disable VPN or Proxy

VPNs and proxies can sometimes interfere with DNS resolution. Temporarily disable them to see if that resolves the error.

7. Check Your Hosts File

The hosts file is a text file that can be used to manually map domain names to IP addresses. It’s possible that an incorrect entry in your hosts file is causing the problem.

  • Windows: The hosts file is located at C:\Windows\System32\drivers\etc\hosts. Open it with a text editor like Notepad (as administrator). Look for any entries related to the website you’re trying to access. If you find any, comment them out by adding a # at the beginning of the line, or delete them entirely. Save the file.
  • macOS/Linux: The hosts file is located at /etc/hosts. Open it with a text editor (using sudo if necessary). Follow the same process as for Windows.

8. Reset Your Browser

As a last resort, resetting your browser to its default settings can sometimes resolve the issue. This will remove all your extensions, themes, and custom settings.

  • Chrome: Go to chrome://settings/reset. Click “Restore settings to their original defaults” and then “Reset settings”.
  • Firefox: Go to about:support. Click “Refresh Firefox”.

Conclusion

The DNS_PROBE_FINISHED_NXDOMAIN error can be caused by a variety of factors, but by systematically working through the troubleshooting steps outlined above, you should be able to identify and resolve the issue. Remember to test after each step to see if the problem is fixed. Good luck!