How to Fix Your DNS Server Might Be Unavailable?
Are you encountering issues with your internet connection and seeing the error message “Your DNS Server Might Be Unavailable”? Don’t worry, you’re not alone.
This problem can occur due to various reasons, including misconfigurations or issues with your DNS settings. In this tutorial, we will guide you through the process of troubleshooting and fixing this error, ensuring a seamless browsing experience.
1. Check Your Internet Connection
Before diving into DNS-related troubleshooting, it’s essential to ensure that your internet connection is stable. Make sure your Wi-Fi or Ethernet cable is properly connected and functioning correctly.
Restarting your router or modem can also help resolve any temporary connectivity issues.
2. Flush DNS Cache
Sometimes, the problem might be caused by a corrupted DNS cache on your computer. To fix this, follow these steps:
- Open Command Prompt: Press Windows + R, type “cmd,” and hit Enter.
- Flush the DNS cache: In the Command Prompt window, type “
ipconfig /flushdns
” and press Enter. - Restart your computer: After executing the command successfully, restart your system to apply the changes.
3. Change Your DNS Server Settings
If flushing the DNS cache didn’t solve the issue, try changing your DNS server settings manually. Follow these steps based on your operating system:
Windows:
- Navigate to Network Connections: Press Windows + R, type “
ncpa.cpl
,” and hit Enter. - Open Network Adapter Properties: Right-click on your active network adapter and select “Properties. “
- Select Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4): In the Networking tab, find and select “Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4).”
Then, click on the “Properties” button.
- Change DNS server settings: In the properties window, select the option to “Use the following DNS server addresses” and enter the preferred DNS server address. You can use public DNS servers like Google DNS (8.8.8) or Cloudflare DNS (1.1.1).
- Apply changes: Click “OK” to save the changes and close all windows.
MacOS:
- Go to Network Preferences: Click on the Apple menu, select “System Preferences,” and then choose “Network.”
- Select your active network connection: From the left sidebar, choose your active network connection (Wi-Fi or Ethernet).
- Open Advanced settings: Click on the “Advanced” button in the bottom right corner of the window.
- Navigate to DNS settings: In the Advanced settings window, go to the “DNS” tab.
- Add new DNS servers: Click on the “+” button under “DNS Servers” to add a new DNS server address. Enter your preferred DNS server’s IP address and click
Add
. - Delete existing DNS servers: If there are any existing DNS servers listed, select them and click on the “-” button to remove them.
4. Disable VPN or Proxy Settings
If you’re using a VPN or proxy service, it’s possible that it is interfering with your DNS settings. Try disabling these services temporarily and check if the issue persists.
If disabling them resolves the problem, consider contacting your VPN or proxy provider for further assistance.
5. Restart DNS Client Service
Restarting the DNS Client service can also help resolve DNS-related issues. Follow these steps to restart the service:
- Open Command Prompt: Press Windows + R, type “cmd,” and hit Enter.
- Restart the DNS Client service: In the Command Prompt window, type “
net stop dnscache
” followed by “net start dnscache
” and press Enter after each command. - Check if the issue is resolved: After executing both commands successfully, check if you can access websites without encountering any DNS errors.
Conclusion
By following these troubleshooting steps, you should be able to fix the “Your DNS Server Might Be Unavailable” error and regain access to a stable internet connection. Remember to start with basic checks like verifying your internet connection before moving on to more advanced solutions like changing DNS server settings or restarting services.
If the problem persists after trying all these steps, consider reaching out to your internet service provider for further assistance.
Hopefully, this guide has helped you resolve the issue and provided a better understanding of DNS troubleshooting. Happy browsing!