How Do I Know if My DNS Server Is Working Windows 2016?

Are you having trouble accessing websites or experiencing slow internet connection on your Windows 2016 server? The issue might lie with your DNS server.

The Domain Name System (DNS) is responsible for translating domain names into IP addresses, allowing you to access websites through their easy-to-remember names instead of typing in lengthy numerical addresses. In this article, we will explore how you can determine if your DNS server is working properly on Windows 2016.

Checking DNS Server Settings

Before we dive into troubleshooting, let’s start by checking the DNS server settings on your Windows 2016 server. Here’s how:

1. Open the Network Connections window by pressing the Windows key + R on your keyboard, then type “ncpa.cpl” and hit Enter.
2. Right-click on the network adapter you are currently using and select “Properties”.
3. In the network adapter properties window, scroll down and locate the “Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4)”.
4. Select “Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4)” and click on the “Properties” button below it.
5. In the next window, ensure that both “Obtain an IP address automatically” and “Obtain DNS server address automatically” are selected.
6. If these options were already selected or if you made any changes, click on “OK”.

Pinging a Domain Name

If your DNS server settings are correct but you are still experiencing issues, you can verify if your DNS server is working by pinging a domain name. Here’s how:

1. Open the Command Prompt by pressing the Windows key + R, typing “cmd”, and hitting Enter.
2. In the Command Prompt window, type ping www.example.com, replacing “www.com” with the domain name you want to ping.
3. Press Enter to execute the command.
4. If the ping command returns a response with IP addresses, it means that your DNS server is working properly. However, if it returns an error message or does not receive any response, there may be an issue with your DNS server.

Using NSLookup

An alternative method to check if your DNS server is functioning correctly is by using the NSLookup command. Follow these steps:

1. Open Command Prompt as mentioned earlier.
2. Type nslookup followed by a space and the domain name you want to check (e.g., nslookup www.com). Press Enter.
3. The output will display the IP address associated with the domain name.

   If it shows an IP address, your DNS server is working fine. However, if it fails to provide an IP address or displays incorrect information, there might be an issue with your DNS server configuration.

Contacting Your Network Administrator or ISP

If you have performed all the above checks and are still unsure whether your DNS server is working correctly, it’s recommended to contact your network administrator or internet service provider (ISP) for further assistance. They will be able to analyze the issue and provide you with a solution.

By following these steps, you can easily determine if your DNS server is functioning correctly on Windows 2016. Remember, a properly working DNS server is essential for smooth internet browsing and accessing websites without any hassle.

Now that you have the knowledge, go ahead and troubleshoot your DNS server to enjoy uninterrupted internet connectivity!