If you’re encountering the “DNS Server Isn’t Responding” error on your Windows 10 computer, don’t worry. This issue can be frustrating, but luckily there are several troubleshooting steps you can take to resolve it. In this article, we’ll guide you through the process of fixing the DNS server problem.
What is DNS and why is it important?
DNS stands for Domain Name System. It is a crucial component of the internet that converts domain names (like www.example.com) into IP addresses (like 192.168.0.1). Without DNS, we would have to remember and type in long strings of numbers for every website we want to visit.
When the DNS server isn’t responding, it means that your computer is unable to establish a connection with the DNS server responsible for resolving domain names.
Here are some solutions to fix the DNS server issue:
1. Check your internet connection
The first step is to ensure that your internet connection is working properly.
Make sure your modem and router are powered on and connected correctly. Restarting them might also help resolve any temporary issues.
2. Flush DNS cache
If there’s a problem with your local DNS cache, flushing it may solve the issue.
- To flush the DNS cache, open the Command Prompt by pressing Windows Key + X and selecting “Command Prompt (Admin)” from the menu.
- In the Command Prompt window, type
ipconfig /flushdnsand press Enter. - This command will clear your DNS cache.
3. Change DNS servers
If the default DNS servers provided by your Internet Service Provider (ISP) are causing the problem, you can try using public DNS servers like Google DNS or OpenDNS.
- To change your DNS servers, go to the Control Panel and open the “Network and Sharing Center”.
- Click on your active network connection, then click “Properties”.
- Select “Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4)” and click “Properties” again.
- In the new window, select “Use the following DNS server addresses” and enter the preferred and alternate DNS server addresses. For example, you can use Google DNS with these values: Preferred DNS server: 8.8.8, Alternate DNS server: 8.4.
- Click “OK” to save the changes.
4. Disable antivirus or firewall temporarily
In some cases, antivirus software or firewall settings may interfere with your internet connection and cause the DNS server issue.
- If you suspect this to be the case, temporarily disable your antivirus software or firewall and check if that resolves the problem.
- If disabling them resolves the issue, consider adjusting their settings to allow internet access without causing conflicts.
5. Update network drivers
Outdated or corrupt network drivers can also cause problems with your internet connection and result in a DNS server error.
- To update your network drivers, press Windows Key + X and select “Device Manager”.
- In Device Manager, expand the “Network adapters” category.
- Right-click on your network adapter and select “Update driver”.
- Follow the on-screen instructions to update the driver.
By following these troubleshooting steps, you should be able to fix the “DNS Server Isn’t Responding” error on Windows 10. Remember to restart your computer after making any changes to ensure they take effect. If the problem persists, you may need to contact your ISP for further assistance.
In conclusion, resolving DNS server issues involves checking your internet connection, flushing DNS cache, changing DNS servers, temporarily disabling antivirus/firewall, and updating network drivers. By applying these solutions, you can get your internet connection back up and running smoothly.
We hope this guide has been helpful in resolving the DNS server problem on your Windows 10 computer.