Are you working on an important project, not getting access to the website due to the “Your DNS server might be unavailable” or “the DNS server isn’t responding” message?
We can get you. Let us tell you; you are not the only one who’s in the same situation. Almost everyone in their life has once faced an error of the DNS server not responding.
We are here to help you fix “DNS server not responding” errors and get you started doing your work as soon as possible.
There was a time when people used to wait for hours and hours to get to a website or download a movie, and today all of that happens in the blink of an eye. But sometimes, when you see the “Your DNS serve might be unavailable” or “DNS server isn’t responding” message, you may feel frustrated, and that’s fine because we live in a fast-modern world.
In this blog, we will discuss what a DNS server is, why DNS errors occur, what happens when a DNS server fails and how to fix the “your DNS server might be unavailable” error.
So, without any further delay, let’s get started!
Before knowing why the error occurs and how to fix DNS server response issues, let’s first understand what DNS is.
👉 What is a DNS Server?
Source: kinsta.com
DNS, or Domain Name System, is the system that translates a website’s domain name into its corresponding IP address. When you type a website’s URL into your browser’s address bar, your computer requests the DNS server to resolve the domain name into an IP address. This IP address is then used to access the website’s server and retrieve the web page.
In simpler terms, a DNS server acts as a phonebook for the internet, allowing you to access websites using their familiar names rather than their numerical IP addresses.
👉 Why Does DNS Error Occur?
Source: freecodecamp.org
There are several reasons why a DNS error can occur. Some common causes include:
➡ Incorrect DNS Configuration:
If the DNS server settings on your computer or router are incorrect, you may encounter a DNS error.
➡ Network Connectivity Issues:
If your computer or router cannot connect to the DNS server due to a network issue, a DNS error may occur.
➡ DNS Server Down:
You may encounter a DNS error if the DNS server is down or experiencing technical issues.
➡ Internet Service Provider (ISP) Issues:
If your ISP is experiencing issues, it can affect your ability to access websites and cause a DNS error.
👉 Why Am I Getting a “DNS Server is Not Responding” Message?
Source: insider.com
The “DNS server is not responding” or “The DNS server isn’t responding” message appears when your computer cannot establish a connection to the DNS server. This can be due to various issues, including incorrect DNS configuration, network connectivity issues, or a DNS server that is down or experiencing technical issues.
👉 What Happens When DNS Server Fail?
Source: freecodecamp.org
When you get the “DNS server not responding” message, it means that the DNS server has failed, leading to many further problems like inability to access certain websites, slow website loading time, or having no internet access in some extreme cases.
Now that you know what a DNS server is, why a DNS error occurs and what happens if the DNS server fails, let’s discover how to fix the “Your DNS server might be unavailable” error.
Fix the DNS Server Issues With Effective & Proven Solutions
When it comes to solving DNS server issues, there are many possible solutions. Here are some of the most effective solutions for you to get things sorted:
1. Switch to a Different Browser:
Sometimes, when facing a DNS server issue, the problem may be with the browser you are using. Try accessing the internet using a different browser to see if the issue persists.
2. Start Your Computer in Safe Mode:
Starting your computer in Safe Mode can help you determine if a third-party program is causing the DNS error.
Here’s how to start your computer in Safe Mode:
- Press the power button to turn on your computer.
Source: kinsta.com
- As soon as you see the login screen, press and hold the “Shift” key.
- Keep the “Shift” key pressed until you see the login screen.
- Click on the power icon in the bottom right corner of the screen, and then hold the “Shift” key while you click on “Restart.”
- Click on “Troubleshoot” in the menu that appears.
- Click on “Advanced options.”
- Click on “Start-up Settings.”
- Click on the “Restart” button.
Source: kinsta.com
- Press the number corresponding to the option you want to choose. To start your computer in Safe Mode, press “4” or “5”.
Note: The exact steps may vary depending on your operating system and computer version.
3. Temporarily Disable Your Antivirus Software and Firewalls:
The antivirus software and firewalls can sometimes block your connection to the DNS server. Try disabling them temporarily to see if they cause the issue.
4. Disable Secondary Connections: –
The next fix for the DNS server error is to disable multiple internet connections, in case you have any.
Here’s How to Disable Secondary Connections:
- Go to the Control Panel on your computer.
- Click on “Network and Internet.”
Source: kinsta.com
- Click on “Network and Sharing Center.”
- Click on “Change adapter settings.”
Right-click on each secondary connection (e.g. Ethernet, Wi-Fi, VPN) and select “Disable.”
Source: kinsta.com
Alternatively, you can disable the secondary connections by going to the system tray (usually located in the bottom right corner of the screen) and right-clicking on the connection icons. From the menu that appears, select “Disable.”
Keep in mind that disabling a secondary connection will give you access to the primary connection that is left enabled.
5. Disable the Windows Peer-to-Peer Feature:
Please note that this is only for Windows users. The peer-to-peer feature can sometimes cause issues with the DNS server.
To disable it, go to the Control Panel and click “Network and Sharing Center.” Click on “Change advanced sharing settings,” and then scroll down to the “Peer-to-peer file sharing” section. Turn off the feature by selecting “Turn off file sharing.”
6. Restart Your Router:
Though this may sound funny, sometimes simply restarting your router can resolve issues with the DNS server. Plus, disconnect the wire and plug it back in after 30 seconds to see if it helps solve the problem.
7. Install Updated Network Adapter Drivers on Your Computer:
Outdated drivers can cause issues with the DNS server. Ensure you have the latest drivers installed on your computer to avoid and fix DNS server issues.
8. Flush your DNS Cache and Reset Your IP:
The next thing on the list to fix DNS server issues is flushing your cache and resetting your IP.
Here’s how to flush your DNS and reset your IP on Windows and Mac:
On Windows, you can do this by opening the command prompt and typing “ipconfig /flushdns” and “ipconfig /release” followed by “ipconfig /renew”.
On Mac, you can do this by opening the Terminal and typing “dscacheutil -flushcache” and “sudo killall -HUP mDNSResponder”.
9. Disable IPv6:
IPv6 is the successor to IPv4, and some users have reported success in fixing DNS errors by disabling IPv6.
To disable IPv6 on Windows, go to the Control Panel and click on “Network and Internet.” Click on “Network and Sharing Center,” and then click on “Change adapter settings.”
Right-click on your network adapter, and then click on “Properties.” Uncheck the box next to “Internet Protocol Version 6 (TCP/IPv6),” and then click “OK.”
10. Change the Default DNS Server on Your Computer: –
Sometimes, all you need to fix the DNS server issue is to change the default DNS server on your computer. You can try using a different DNS server, such as Google Public DNS or OpenDNS.
To change the DNS server on Windows, go to the Control Panel and click on “Network and Internet.”
Source: kinsta.com
Click on “Network and Sharing Center,” and then click on “Change adapter settings.”
Source: kinsta.com
Right-click on your network adapter, and then click on “Properties.” Click on “Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4),” and then click “Properties.”
Source: kinsta.com
Click on “Use the following DNS server addresses,” and then enter the addresses of the DNS server you want to use.
Source: kinsta.com
11. Manually Set Your DNS Server:
When nothing is working to fix your DNS issues, you may need to manually set the DNS server on your computer.
To set the DNS server manually, go to the Control Panel and click on “Network and Internet.”
Click on “Network and Sharing Center,” and then click on “Change adapter settings.”
Right-click on your network adapter, and then click on “Properties.” Click on “Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4),” and then click “Properties.”
Click on “Use the following DNS server addresses,” and then enter the addresses of the DNS server you want to use.
12. Investigate Possible Network Issues:
If none of the above solutions works, there may be an issue with your network. Check for problems with your modem, router, or cables, and try power cycling your equipment to see if it resolves the issue.
13. Try Accessing a Website With a Different Device:
If you are experiencing DNS errors on a specific device, try accessing the internet using a different device to see if the issue persists. This can help you determine whether the issue is with the device or the DNS server.
14. Get Closer to Your Internet Router:
If you use a wireless connection, try moving closer to your router to see if it improves your connection. Sometimes, the solution relies on small moves.
15. Update Your Default Browser to the Latest Version:
An outdated browser can cause issues with the DNS server. Make sure you have the latest version of your browser installed.
Here’s how to update the latest version of your browser:
- Open your browser.
- Click on the menu icon (usually located in the window’s top right corner).
- Click on “Help” or “About” in the menu.
Source: googleusercontent.com
- If an update is available, follow the prompts to install the update.
Alternatively, you can check for updates by going to the browser’s official website and downloading the latest version.
Note: The exact steps may vary depending on your browser.
16. Check for Issues With the Website:
The website you are trying to access may be experiencing issues, which can cause a DNS error. Contact the website’s administrator to see if there are any issues from their end.
17. Reset the TCP/IP Stack:
If nothing else is working to fix the DNS server issue, you can reset the TCP/IP stack.
Here’s how to reset the TCP/IP stack on Windows and Mac:
On Windows, you can do this by opening the command prompt and typing “netsh int IP reset resetlog.txt.”
Source: widgetbox.com
On Mac, you can do this by opening the Terminal and typing “sudo killall -HUP mDNSResponder.”
18. Check for Malware:
Lastly, you can check Malware to fix DNS errors. Run a scan to check for and remove any malware.
Source: amazonaws.com
Also Read: What Is GitHub? A Complete Beginner’s Guide to Know
FAQs:
There can be many reasons for DNS server issues. Some reasons include incorrect DNS configuration, network connectivity issues, DNS service down, and connectivity issues from the internet provider.
How Do I Fix The Google DNS Server Not Responding?
To ensure that Google public DNS server responds properly, check that you are reaching the Google Public DNS servers. If you are unable to open the dns. Google homepage, there could be a network problem or blockage that prevents you from reaching Google Public DNS.
How Do I Fix My DNS on Google Chrome?
You can do many things to fix DNS on Chrome. Some of them include clearing Chrome’s cache, resetting Chrome’s settings, flushing the DNS cache, and changing DNS settings. You can see all the processes in detail mentioned above in the blog.
Also Read: Fix ERR_SSL_PROTOCOL_ERROR On Windows 10 & in Other Systems
Conclusion:
DNS errors can be frustrating and confusing, but there are several things you can try to fix them. From restarting your computer and router to flushing your DNS cache and resetting your IP, there are many potential solutions to try.
If none of these solutions works, there may be an issue with your network or the website you are trying to access. In these cases, it may be helpful to seek assistance from a technical support professional.
Remember, a variety of factors can cause a DNS error, so it may take some trial and error to find the solution that works for you. With some patience and persistence, you should be able to resolve the issue and get back to browsing the internet as usual.
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