What is what to do when dns server is not responding?

DNS Server Not Responding: Troubleshooting Guide

A "DNS server not responding" error indicates your computer can't communicate with the Domain Name System (DNS) server, which translates website names (like google.com) into IP addresses. This prevents you from accessing websites and online services. Here's a troubleshooting guide:

1. Initial Checks:

• Check your internet connection: Ensure your Wi-Fi is connected, or your Ethernet cable is plugged in properly. Restart your modem and router.
• Try a different browser: Rule out browser-specific issues.
• Temporary Outage: It might be a temporary server issue. Wait a few minutes and try again.

2. Restart Your Computer:

• A simple restart can often resolve temporary network glitches.

3. Flush DNS Cache:

• Your computer stores previously resolved DNS addresses in a DNS Cache. Flushing it can resolve outdated or corrupted entries.
  • Windows: Open Command Prompt as administrator and type ipconfig /flushdns then press Enter.
  • macOS: Open Terminal and type sudo dscacheutil -flushcache; sudo killall -HUP mDNSResponder then press Enter. You may need to enter your administrator password.

4. Change DNS Servers:

• Your Internet Service Provider (ISP) assigns DNS servers, but you can switch to public DNS servers like Google Public DNS or Cloudflare DNS.

  • 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

  • The way to change DNS server is depending on the Operating System . You can check how to do it with your operating system with a quick search.

5. Disable Firewall or Antivirus Temporarily:

• Sometimes, Firewall or antivirus software can incorrectly block DNS server communication. Temporarily disable them to see if it resolves the issue. Remember to re-enable them afterwards.

6. Check Your Router Settings:

• Access your router's configuration page (usually by typing its IP address, like 192.168.1.1 or 192.168.0.1, into your browser).
• Ensure your router is configured to automatically obtain DNS server addresses (DHCP).
• You might also be able to manually set DNS servers within your router's settings, applying the change for all devices connected to your network.

7. Run Network Diagnostics:

• Your operating system likely has built-in network diagnostics tools that can help identify and resolve network problems.

8. Contact Your ISP:

• If none of the above steps work, the problem might be with your ISP's DNS servers. Contact their technical support for assistance.