In some cases, loading websites or applications can become slow or give your errors, such as DNS errors. You can solve this problem by changing your computer's DNS servers or flushing your DNS cache.
What is DNS?
The Domain Name System (DNS) is the Internet's phonebook. Domain names, such as nytimes.com or espn.com, are used by humans to access information online. Web browsers communicate using Internet Protocol (IP) addresses. DNS converts domain names to IP addresses so that browsers can access Internet resources.
How to reset your Windows 10 DNS settings
- Right-click the Start button and select Run.
- Typ "ncpa.cpl" (without the quotation marks) and press Enter on your keyboard.
- Right-click the network adapter for which you want to reset the DNS settings and then click Properties.
- Select Internet Protocol Version 4 (IPv4) and then click Properties.
- Select Use the following DNS server addresses and use the Google DNS servers for faster search:
- Preferred DNS server: 8.8.8.8
- Alternate DNS server: 8.8.4.4
- Alternatively, select Obtain DNS server address automatically if you want to use your modem/router settings.
Flush your Windows DNS cache
We recommend flushing your DNS cache, which keeps track of all recent and attempted visits to websites and other internet domains.
- Right-click the Start button and select Run.
- Typ CMD and press Enter on your keyword.
- Typ the command "ipconfig /flushdns" (without the quotation marks) and press Enter on your keyboard.
- Restart your computer.
How to reset your Mac DNS settings
- Open System Preferences and open the Network settings.
- Click Advanced and then the DNS tab.
- Remove any visible DNS servers, or use the IP address of your gateway if you want to use your modem/router settings.
- Click on the + sign to add a new DNS server.
- Use the Google DNS servers for faster search:
- DNS server: 8.8.8.8
- Alternate DNS server: 8.8.4.4
- Click OK and then click Apply to save the changes.
Flush your Mac DNS cache
- Navigate to Applications > Utilities, and open the Terminal.
- Typ the command "sudo killall -HUP mDNSResponder" (without the quotation marks) and press Enter on your keyboard.
- Restart your Mac.
Do you need help with a different device? Leave a reply in the comments below or visit our support page for direct support.
