The DNS Server Not Responding error is a common issue faced by internet users when they try to visit a website, but their browser fails to load the page. This error occurs when your computer or device cannot communicate with the DNS (Domain Name System) server responsible for translating human-readable website addresses into IP addresses.

In this guide, we’ll explore why this error occurs, how to troubleshoot and fix it, and offer practical steps to resolve the issue on different devices and network setups.

What is DNS and Why is it Important?

Before diving into troubleshooting, it's important to understand what DNS is and how it works.

The Domain Name System (DNS) is essentially the phonebook of the internet. When you type a website address (e.g., www.example.com) into your browser, the DNS server converts that human-readable domain name into an IP address, which your device uses to find and connect to the website.

For example:

• You enter www.example.com
• The DNS server returns an IP address like 93.184.216.34
• Your computer uses that IP address to access the website.

If your device can’t communicate with the DNS server, you won’t be able to access websites, and you may see the "DNS Server Not Responding" error.

Common Causes of the "DNS Server Not Responding" Error

There are several reasons why you may see the "DNS Server Not Responding" error. The causes can be broadly categorized into network issues, DNS server problems, and device configuration issues.

Network Issues

• Network Connectivity Problems: Your device may not be connected to the internet properly. This could be due to a poor Wi-Fi signal, Ethernet cable issues, or a misconfigured router.

• Router Configuration Issues: The router might not be set up correctly, or it could be blocking your connection to DNS servers.

DNS Server Problems

• DNS Server Down or Unreachable: The DNS server you're using may be down, offline, or experiencing issues. This is often the case when using third-party DNS services.

• Slow DNS Servers: Some DNS servers may be slow or unreliable, leading to timeouts and errors when your device tries to reach them.

Device Configuration Problems

• Incorrect DNS Settings: Your device may have incorrect or outdated DNS settings. This can occur if you’ve manually configured DNS settings, or your ISP has made changes to their DNS server.

• Corrupted DNS Cache: Sometimes, your local DNS cache can become corrupted, leading to DNS resolution issues.

Firewall or Antivirus Blocking DNS Connections

• Firewall or Security Software Blocking DNS Traffic: Firewalls or security software may block access to DNS servers, leading to the error.

Troubleshooting the "DNS Server Not Responding" Error

Check Your Internet Connection

Before diving into DNS-specific solutions, ensure that your device has a stable internet connection. Follow these steps:

1. Verify Wi-Fi or Ethernet Connection: Check if you’re properly connected to the internet by visiting other websites or running a speed test.
2. Restart Your Router: Unplug your router, wait 10 seconds, and plug it back in. This can often resolve network connectivity issues.
3. Check for Internet Outages: If your ISP (Internet Service Provider) is having issues, this can also lead to DNS errors. Contact your ISP to check for outages in your area.

Restart Your Device

Sometimes, simply restarting your computer or device can resolve temporary issues with the DNS server. This refreshes network settings and clears any cached DNS data.

Clear DNS Cache

Your computer or device may have stored outdated or corrupt DNS information. To fix this:

1. On Windows:

   • Open Command Prompt as an administrator.
   • Type the following command and press Enter:

     ipconfig /flushdns
     

   • You should see a message saying that the DNS cache has been successfully flushed.

2. On macOS:

   • Open Terminal.
   • For macOS Sierra or later, type the following command and press Enter:

     sudo killall -HUP mDNSResponder
     

   • Enter your password when prompted.

3. On Android:

   • Go to Settings > Wi-Fi.
   • Tap on the Wi-Fi network you're connected to and select Forget.
   • Reconnect to the network.

4. On iOS:

   • Go to Settings > Wi-Fi.
   • Tap the information (i) button next to your connected Wi-Fi network.
   • Tap Forget This Network and then reconnect.

Change DNS Servers

If the DNS server you are using is slow, unreliable, or not responding, consider changing your DNS server. You can use faster, public DNS services like Google DNS, Cloudflare DNS, or OpenDNS.

To change DNS servers:

1. On Windows:

   • Open Control Panel and go to Network and Sharing Center > Change adapter settings.
   • Right-click your active network adapter and select Properties.
   • Select Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4) and click Properties.
   • Choose Use the following DNS server addresses and enter:
     • Google 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
     • OpenDNS:
       • Preferred DNS server: 208.67.222.222
       • Alternate DNS server: 208.67.220.220

2. On macOS:

   • Go to System Preferences > Network.
   • Select your active connection and click Advanced.
   • Under the DNS tab, click the + button to add a new DNS server.
   • Enter the preferred DNS server addresses (Google, Cloudflare, or OpenDNS).

Disable Antivirus or Firewall Temporarily

Sometimes, antivirus or firewall software may block DNS queries, causing the "DNS Server Not Responding" error. To check if this is the issue:

1. Temporarily disable your antivirus software or firewall.
2. Try visiting a website to see if the error persists.
3. If the issue is resolved, check the software's settings to ensure DNS queries are allowed. You may need to add exceptions or adjust settings related to DNS traffic.

Reset TCP/IP Stack

Resetting the TCP/IP stack can resolve network issues related to DNS. Here's how you can reset it:

1. On Windows:

   • Open Command Prompt as an administrator.
   • Type the following command and press Enter:

     netsh int ip reset
     

   • Restart your computer.

2. On macOS:

   • Open System Preferences > Network.
   • Select your active connection and click the Advanced button.
   • Click the Renew DHCP Lease button to reset the TCP/IP stack.

Try Using a Different Device

If the issue persists on one device, try accessing the internet on another device using the same network. If the error doesn’t occur on the second device, it may be an issue specific to your original device.

DNS Server-Specific Solutions

If you’re using a third-party DNS provider, such as Google DNS, Cloudflare DNS, or OpenDNS, there may be specific issues related to that server. Here are some server-specific solutions:

Google DNS

• If you’ve set your DNS to Google’s public DNS servers and you’re still encountering issues, check Google’s status page for any outages.
• Additionally, try switching to a different DNS provider temporarily to check if the issue is specific to Google DNS.

Cloudflare DNS

• Cloudflare DNS (1.1.1.1) is known for its speed, but if you encounter issues, ensure that your router is not blocking the DNS server or that it’s not being filtered by your ISP.
• You can also try flushing the DNS cache on your router.

OpenDNS

• If you’re using OpenDNS and experiencing DNS errors, visit OpenDNS’s status page to verify if there are any ongoing outages.