How Can I Reset My DNS Server?

Resetting your DNS server can be a useful troubleshooting step when you’re experiencing network connectivity issues or encountering DNS-related errors. In this tutorial, we will walk you through the process of resetting your DNS server using different methods.

Method 1: Flush DNS Cache

One common way to reset your DNS server is by flushing the DNS cache. The DNS cache holds information about previously visited websites, and by flushing it, you can force your computer to retrieve the latest information from the DNS server. Here’s how to do it:

1. Open a command prompt window. You can do this by pressing Windows key + R, typing cmd, and hitting Enter.

2. Type the following command and press Enter: ipconfig /flushdns

3. You should see a message confirming that the DNS resolver cache has been successfully flushed.

4. Restart your computer to ensure that the changes take effect.

Method 2: Change DNS Server Settings

If flushing the DNS cache doesn’t resolve your issue, you can try changing your DNS server settings. By default, your computer uses the DNS servers provided by your Internet Service Provider (ISP).

However, you can switch to alternative public DNS servers like Google Public DNS or OpenDNS. Here’s how:

1. Open the Control Panel on your computer.

2. Navigate to Network and Internet > Network and Sharing Center > Change adapter settings.

3. Right-click on your active network connection and select Properties.

4. In the Networking tab, scroll down and double-click on Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4).

5. Select the option Use the following DNS server addresses.

6. Enter the preferred and alternate DNS server addresses. For example, you can use Google Public DNS by entering 8.8.8 as the preferred DNS server and 8.4.4 as the alternate DNS server.

7. Click OK to save the changes.

Method 3: Reset Router Settings

If you’re facing DNS issues on multiple devices connected to your network, resetting your router settings may help resolve the problem. Here’s how you can do it:

1. Locate the reset button on your router. It is usually a small hole labeled “Reset” or “Factory Reset.”

2. Using a paperclip or a similar object, press and hold the reset button for about 10-15 seconds.

3. Your router will restart, and its settings will be reset to their default values.

Remember that resetting your router will also reset any custom configurations you have made, so make sure to note them down before proceeding.

In Conclusion

Resetting your DNS server can often resolve network connectivity issues or DNS-related errors that you may encounter while browsing the internet or accessing certain websites. By flushing the DNS cache, changing your DNS server settings, or resetting your router, you can ensure that your computer is using the latest DNS information and resolve any potential conflicts that may be causing the problem.

We hope this tutorial has helped you understand how to reset your DNS server effectively. By following these steps, you should be able to troubleshoot and resolve most DNS-related issues.