DNS problems can be caused by router issues, temporary ISP outages, incorrect DNS settings, corrupted network configuration, VPN or security software, or problems with the DNS server you’re using.

This guide explains practical ways to troubleshoot and restore internet access.

✅ Common Signs of a DNS Problem

You may experience:

• Websites won’t open
• Browser shows DNS_PROBE_FINISHED_NXDOMAIN
• Browser says DNS server isn’t responding
• WiFi says connected but websites don’t load
• Some websites work while others don’t
• Internet works on one device but not another
• IP addresses work but domain names don’t
• DNS errors appear after changing network settings

🛠️ Things You’ll Need

✔ Windows PC or laptop
✔ Working WiFi or Ethernet connection
✔ Administrator access
✔ Internet connection on another device, if available

⚠️ Before You Start

First determine whether the problem affects one device or your entire network.

Connect another phone, laptop, or PC to the same router and try opening a few websites.

If every device has the problem:

The issue may involve your:

• Router
• Modem
• ISP
• DNS service

If only one device has the problem:

The issue is more likely related to Windows network settings, DNS configuration, VPN software, or the network adapter.

🔧 Step-by-Step DNS Server Not Responding Fix

1️⃣ Restart Your Router and Modem

A temporary router or DNS connection problem can often be resolved with a restart.

1. Turn off your router.
2. Turn off your modem if you have a separate modem.
3. Wait about 30–60 seconds.
4. Turn the modem back on first.
5. Wait for its connection lights to stabilize.
6. Turn the router back on.
7. Reconnect your device.

Try opening a few websites afterward.

2️⃣ Restart Your Computer

Windows can occasionally have a temporary network-service problem.

1. Save your work.
2. Restart the computer.
3. Reconnect to WiFi or Ethernet.
4. Test your browser again.

If the issue disappears after restarting, it may have been a temporary DNS or network-service problem.

3️⃣ Check Whether You Have Internet Access

Before changing DNS settings, determine whether the issue is actually DNS.

Open Command Prompt and try:

ping 1.1.1.1

If you receive replies, your device may have internet connectivity while DNS resolution is failing.

Then try:

ping google.com

What this tells you

• IP address works but domain name fails: DNS may be the problem.
• Both fail: The issue may be broader than DNS.
• Both work but websites don’t open: Browser, firewall, proxy, VPN, or another network issue may be involved.

4️⃣ Flush the DNS Cache

Windows stores recently resolved domain information in a DNS cache.

A corrupted or outdated cache can sometimes cause connection problems.

Open Command Prompt as administrator and run:

ipconfig /flushdns

You should receive a confirmation that the DNS Resolver Cache was successfully flushed.

Then close and reopen your browser.

5️⃣ Renew Your IP Address

If your device has an incorrect or stale network configuration, renewing the IP address may help.

Open Command Prompt as administrator and run:

ipconfig /release

Then:

ipconfig /renew

Wait for the command to finish and test your internet connection.

6️⃣ Reset Winsock

Windows Winsock manages communication between applications and network services.

A corrupted Winsock configuration can cause network problems.

Open Command Prompt as administrator and run:

netsh winsock reset

Restart the computer afterward.

Then test your internet connection again.

7️⃣ Reset the TCP/IP Stack

If DNS and network problems continue, resetting TCP/IP can help restore Windows networking components.

Open Command Prompt as administrator and run:

netsh int ip reset

Restart your computer afterward.

You may need to reconnect to your WiFi network.

8️⃣ Change Your DNS Server

Your internet provider normally assigns DNS servers automatically. If those servers are temporarily unavailable or unreliable, switching to another reputable DNS provider can help.

Popular public DNS services include:

• Cloudflare: 1.1.1.1 and 1.0.0.1
• Google: 8.8.8.8 and 8.8.4.4

On Windows:

1. Open Settings.
2. Go to Network & internet.
3. Select your WiFi or Ethernet connection.
4. Open the relevant network properties.
5. Find DNS server assignment.
6. Select Edit.
7. Choose Manual.
8. Enable IPv4.
9. Enter your preferred DNS addresses.
10. Save the settings.

Reconnect to the network and test several websites.

9️⃣ Temporarily Disable VPN

A VPN can change DNS routing and network configuration.

If you use a VPN:

1. Disconnect from the VPN.
2. Close the VPN application.
3. Reconnect to your normal network.
4. Test a few websites.

If the internet starts working normally, check the VPN’s DNS and network settings.

Don’t permanently disable security or privacy software without understanding the consequences.

🔟 Check Proxy Settings

An incorrect proxy configuration can prevent websites from loading.

Go to:

Settings → Network & internet → Proxy

Check whether a proxy has been configured.

If you don’t intentionally use a proxy, review the settings and disable an unwanted manual proxy configuration.

1️⃣1️⃣ Check Windows Network Troubleshooter

Windows provides built-in network troubleshooting tools.

Depending on your Windows version, go to:

Settings → System → Troubleshoot → Other troubleshooters

Run the available Network and Internet or network adapter troubleshooting option.

Follow the recommended fixes and test your connection again.

1️⃣2️⃣ Check the Network Adapter

A network adapter driver problem can sometimes appear as a DNS issue.

Open:

Device Manager → Network adapters

Look for:

• Yellow warning symbols
• Disabled adapters
• Missing network devices

Right-click the network adapter and check for driver updates.

If the problem began after a driver update, a driver rollback may also be worth considering when available.

1️⃣3️⃣ Try Another Browser

Sometimes the DNS-looking error is actually caused by a browser problem.

Try opening the website using another browser.

For example:

• Microsoft Edge
• Google Chrome
• Firefox

If only one browser has the problem:

Clear its cache and review browser extensions.

If every browser has the problem:

The issue is more likely to be at the Windows or network level.

1️⃣4️⃣ Check the Router’s DNS Settings

Some routers allow you to configure DNS servers directly.

Log in to your router’s administration page and look under settings such as:

• Internet
• WAN
• Network
• DNS

If you’ve manually configured DNS previously, verify that the addresses are correct.

Avoid changing unrelated router settings.

1️⃣5️⃣ Check for an ISP Outage

If every device connected to your router has DNS or internet problems, your ISP may be experiencing an outage.

Check your ISP’s official service-status page or contact its support service.

If the router shows a normal local WiFi connection but no internet access, the problem may be upstream of your home network.

🔄 16️⃣ Use Windows Network Reset

If you’ve tried the previous solutions and Windows networking remains broken, Network Reset can restore network adapters and settings.

Depending on your Windows version:

Settings → Network & internet → Advanced network settings → Network reset

Read the warning before using it.

A network reset can remove network adapters and reset their settings, so you may need to reconnect to WiFi afterward.

🧪 Advanced DNS Test

If you want to verify DNS resolution directly, use:

nslookup example.com

If the command returns an IP address, DNS resolution is functioning.

If it reports a timeout or server failure, your configured DNS server may be unavailable or unreachable.

You can also specify a DNS server:

nslookup example.com 1.1.1.1

If this works while the normal nslookup doesn’t, your default DNS configuration may be the problem.

🚨 When to Contact Your ISP

Contact your internet provider if:

• All devices have lost internet access.
• Router restart doesn’t help.
• DNS works intermittently across multiple devices.
• The modem shows an internet/WAN error.
• There is a known local outage.
• Your connection repeatedly drops.

Before contacting the ISP, note whether the problem affects all devices or only one.

⭐ Prevention Tips

✔ Keep your router firmware updated.
✔ Keep Windows network drivers updated.
✔ Avoid installing unknown VPN or network software.
✔ Don’t randomly change advanced DNS settings.
✔ Restart networking equipment occasionally when necessary.
✔ Keep backup DNS settings available if you rely on a custom DNS service.
✔ Monitor whether problems affect one device or the entire network.

❓ Frequently Asked Questions

What does “DNS Server Not Responding” mean?

It usually means your device cannot successfully communicate with the DNS server responsible for converting website names such as example.com into IP addresses.

Why does WiFi say connected but there is no internet?

Your device can have a successful connection to the router while still being unable to reach the internet or resolve domain names through DNS.

Will flushing DNS fix the problem?

It can fix problems caused by an outdated or corrupted local DNS cache, but it won’t fix an ISP outage, faulty router, or failing network hardware.

Should I change my DNS server?

If your current DNS service is unreliable, switching to a reputable public DNS provider can help. However, changing DNS won’t fix every type of internet connection problem.

Why does DNS work on my phone but not my PC?

The PC may have different DNS settings, a corrupted DNS cache, VPN/proxy configuration, firewall rules, or network-driver problems.

✅ Final Words

A DNS Server Not Responding error can look like an internet outage even when your device is still connected to the router. Start by restarting your router and PC, then test connectivity, flush the DNS cache, renew your IP address, and reset Windows networking if necessary.

If the problem continues, try a reputable DNS server such as 1.1.1.1 or 8.8.8.8, check VPN and proxy settings, and verify your network adapter.

If multiple devices are affected at the same time, the problem may be with your router, modem, or ISP rather than your individual PC.