To fix a DNS server not responding error, restart your router and computer, then flush the DNS cache and reset the network stack from an administrator Command Prompt. If the error comes back, switch to a public DNS server such as Google or Cloudflare, and keep Windows network reset as the last step.
What DNS server not responding actually tells you
DNS is the internet’s address book. When you type a website name, your computer asks a DNS server for the matching numeric IP address. If that request goes unanswered, Windows reports that the DNS server is not responding, even when your connection to the router looks fine.
The fault can sit in three places. Your computer may have a stale cache or a stuck network setting. Your router may have frozen or lost its connection upstream. Or the DNS server your internet provider assigns may be having trouble. Working out which one saves you from changing settings that were never broken.
Ruling out the router and your provider first
Check another device on the same network. If a phone on the same Wi-Fi also cannot load pages, the problem is upstream of your computer. If only one computer fails, focus on that machine.
Restart the modem and router by unplugging them, waiting a short while, then plugging the modem in first and the router once the modem’s lights settle. Restart the computer too. Many DNS errors clear at this stage.
Also switch off any VPN and any web filter in your security software for a moment, since both can route DNS requests through their own servers. If pages load with it off, adjust that program’s settings or contact its support.
Resetting the network stack from Command Prompt
This is the fix most people want when they search for a network reset from the command line. Open the Start menu, type cmd, right-click Command Prompt and choose Run as administrator. Then enter these commands one at a time, pressing Enter after each.
ipconfig /flushdnsclears the DNS resolver cache.ipconfig /releasedrops the current IP address, so you will be offline briefly.ipconfig /renewrequests a fresh address from the router.netsh winsock resetresets the Windows Sockets catalog to its default state.netsh int ip resetreturns TCP/IP settings to their defaults.
Restart the computer after the netsh commands so the resets take effect. Microsoft’s ipconfig command reference describes /flushdns as a way to discard negative cache entries during DNS troubleshooting, the leftover a failed lookup can leave behind.
Switching Windows to a public DNS server
If your provider’s DNS servers are unreliable, point Windows at a public service instead. Google and Cloudflare both publish their addresses.
| Service | Preferred DNS | Alternate DNS |
|---|---|---|
| Google Public DNS | 8.8.8.8 | 8.8.4.4 |
| Cloudflare | 1.1.1.1 | 1.0.0.1 |
On a Windows 11 PC, head to Settings, then Network and internet, pick your adapter, and select Edit next to DNS server assignment. Switch it to manual, turn on IPv4 and enter the addresses. In Windows 10, open the adapter options under Network and Internet, open the Properties for Internet Protocol Version 4, and choose Use the following DNS server addresses.
Google’s setup instructions recommend writing down your current DNS settings before changing anything, so you can switch back if you need to.
Network reset in Windows Settings as the last step
If nothing else works, Windows has a built-in network reset. It removes and reinstalls every network adapter and returns most networking components to their original settings. In Windows 10 it sits under Settings, Network and Internet, Status, Network reset, and in Windows 11 you can find it by searching Settings for network reset. Select Reset now, confirm, and the computer restarts.
The reset has a cost. Saved Wi-Fi networks and passwords are forgotten, and VPN clients or other networking software may need to be reinstalled. Have your Wi-Fi password handy before you start.
If every device still shows the error after all of this, call your internet provider, since the fault is likely on their side.
Frequently asked questions
Is DNS server not responding my internet provider's fault?
Sometimes. If every device on your network fails and restarting the modem and router does not help, the provider's DNS servers or connection may be down. If only one computer shows the error, the cause is usually on that computer, and flushing DNS or resetting the network stack often fixes it.
Does changing DNS servers make the internet faster?
It can make websites begin loading a little sooner if your current DNS server is slow to answer, but it does not raise your connection speed. Download and upload speeds depend on your plan, your router and your network, not on which server looks up addresses.
Is it safe to run netsh winsock reset?
Yes, it is a standard Windows troubleshooting command. It returns the Winsock catalog to its default state, and you need to restart afterward. Some VPN or security programs that hook into networking may need to be reinstalled or set up again once it finishes.
How does a DNS server resolve a domain name?
Your computer asks a resolver, usually your provider's or a public service. If the answer is not cached, the resolver asks a root server, which points to the servers for the ending, such as .com, which point to the domain's own name servers. Those return the IP address, and the resolver caches it for a set time.
How do I find out which DNS server I'm using?
On Windows, open Command Prompt, type ipconfig /all and press Enter, then read the DNS Servers line under your active adapter. If it shows your router's own address, such as 192.168.1.1, the router is passing lookups along, and its admin page or app lists the upstream servers it uses.
