Last Updated On : Feb 16, 2022.

Effective Ways to Fix the DNS Server Not Responding error

People can only visit a website by accessing a DNS or a Domain Name Server. But sometimes, people face an unexpected message that displays’ DNS server not responding.’ It implies that the decentralized naming systems that turn hostnames into IP addresses are unable to respond. There are multiple causes for the occurrence of these kinds of DNS errors. You can also see a message that says, ‘Your computer appears to be correctly configured but the device or resource (DNS server) is not responding.’ But the great news is that you can quickly resolve these kinds of errors. In this article, you’ll discover various troubleshooting techniques for fixing the DNS server error. These solutions are suitable for both macOS and Windows device users.

What Is DNS Server Not Responding Error?

It’s essential to understand what DNS implies before you try to figure the meaning of this error. It is a naming system taking alphanumeric domain names, also called hostnames, and converting them into numeric IP addresses. So essentially, you can regard DNS servers as translators.

When you type a website’s URL on the address bar of your browser, it gets directed to a DNS server from your router. After that, it returns as an IP address. However, in those cases, when the DNS server cannot complete the process of name resolution correctly, you receive a message that tells you that the DNS server is not responding.

The DNS server not responding error implies that your browser cannot set up a connection to the internet. Generally, you will find these errors resulting from issues on the user’s part like with internet connection, incorrect DNS settings, or an obsolete browser. In rare cases, you can also find the error being caused by a brief server outage. It makes the DNS server unavailable. You can resolve this problem through various methods like switching browsers, disabling connections, or changing the DNS servers.

 

Why are You Unable to Access a Site When the DNS Server Not Responding?

As mentioned before, a DNS server translates the address of a site into the IP address so that your browser can link to it. If there’s any problem with your DNS server, you’ll be unable to access any site.

For example, when you need to access www.yahoo.com on a browser like Microsoft Edge, the DNS server will translate this into their public IP address, namely 191.122.70.191.88. It will facilitate the web browser to connect to it. But if the DNS server fails to respond, you’ll find yourself unable to access any website via the internet.

 

Ways to Troubleshoot the DNS Server Not Responding Error

After understanding the meaning of this error message and the various causes that lead to it, you can work to resolve it. Given below are some significant ways through which you can fix this error message on Windows and Mac devices.

 

1. Use a different browser.

It’s the foremost step you can use when the DNS server is not responding. You should test your DNS connections. The troubleshooting technique can be as simple as updating or switching to a different browser. The process for doing it is quite straightforward. Just access a website or web from another browser. If you utilize Google Chrome as your default browser and want to access a particular website, you can do so from Mozilla Firefox. You can also use Microsoft Edge for this purpose.

Suppose you find the problem resolving after switching browsers. In that case, it means you should update the default browser you have to the recent version. You can also uninstall the browser and reinstall it.

 

2. Rectify your DNS server address For Not Responding Error

The DNS server not responding to Windows 10 can be a result of a faulty DNS server address. To rectify the address, follow these points.

• Hit the Windows logo key and R simultaneously on your keyboard so as to launch the Run box.
• Input ‘Control’ and hit enter.
• Next, tap ‘Networking and Sharing Center’ in ‘Large icons.’
• Proceeding forward, tap ‘Change adapter settings.’
• Next, right-tap ‘Local Area Connection.’ Based on your Windows, you might have to right-tap either this or ‘Ethernet’ or ‘Wi-Fi.’ Then hit ‘Properties.’
• Tap ‘Internet Protocol Version 4(TCP/IPv4).’ Now, tap ‘Properties.’
• Tap on ‘Obtain an IP address automatically.’ Also, tap ‘Obtain DNS server address automatically.’ Hit ‘OK.’
• Tap ‘Internet Protocol Version 6(TCP/IPv6).’ Now, tap ‘Properties.’
• Hit ‘Obtain an IP address automatically’ and also ‘Obtain DNS server address automatically.’ Hit ‘OK.’
• Start your system again and attempt to access the site you wish to navigate to.

 

3. Open your system in Safe Mode.

If your operating system isn’t working correctly, you may see the DNS server error message. You should boot your Windows system in the Safe Mode to resolve it. When you boot your Windows device, it will restrict the resources and files employed for running Windows.

To open your system in Safe Mode and resolve the DNS server not responding windows 10 problem, follow these steps.

• Choose the ‘Windows’ and put the cursor on the Power icon.
• When you hold down the Shift key, choose ‘Restart.’
• In the Window that comes on the screen, tap on ‘Troubleshoot’ and then go to ‘Advanced.’
• Choose ‘Start-Up Settings’ below the ‘Advanced Options’ followed by ‘Restart.’ You’ll see a few more options.
• Hit 4 to ‘Enable Safe Mode’ and 5 to ‘Enable Safe Mode with Networking.’ Your device will start again in Safe Mode.

 

Steps for Mac users

To open your macOS in Safe Mode, you can follow a similar procedure. While your system is starting to restart and boot, hold down the Shift key. After the appearance of the Apple logo, release it. The system will restart in the Safe Mode. After your device is in Safe Mode, access the website, you want to navigate again.

 

4. Temporarily deactivate the firewall and antivirus software.

If you find the problem not resolving even after switching browsers or opening the system in the Safe Mode, you can try temporarily disabling the Firewall. Although firewalls and antivirus software are essential to secure all your devices, they can cause certain issues. They interfere with network connections, as a result of which this DNS issue arises. Windows users can disable their antivirus software by following these points:

• Go to ‘Control Panel.’
• Navigate to ‘Update & Security.’
• Then go to ‘Windows Security’ and from there to ‘Virus & Threat Protection.’
• Lastly, choose ‘Manage Settings.’

 

For Mac users

• Go to ‘System Preferences.’
• Then choose ‘Security & Privacy.’
• Lastly, choose ‘Firewall’ and deactivate it.

After you deactivate the Firewall, visit the desired website from your browser. If you find the issue resolved, you might want to switch to the antivirus program. You can also try to reconfigure the application setting. But don’t forget to reactivate the antivirus software or Firewall after you are done.

 

5. Turn off secondary connections.

Another way to resolve this problem is to disable secondary connections on your device. Ensure that the only active connection is the one you are using. Follow these steps below to disable secondary connections.

• In the Search box, input ‘Network connections.’ Tap on ‘View network connections.’
• You’ll come to the ‘Network Connections’ page.
• The connections you are not presently using will show a red (X) beside them. Right-tap on one and choose ‘Disable.’
• Repeat this process for all connections that aren’t active. After that, start your browser again and go to the website you want to access.

 

Steps for macOS users

Mac users can perform this process by tapping on the Apple icon and going to ‘System Preferences.’ From there, go to ‘Network.’ You’ll see all the connections on the Window’s left side. To disable a connection, choose it and tap on the minus sign at the bottom of the window. Hopefully, this measure will resolve the DNS server not responding Wi-Fi problem.

 

6. Restart the router

Another effective troubleshooting technique to fix this error is to restart your router. Restarting the router flushes its cache and resolves this error message. A lot of modems feature a power button that allows the user to power or switch them off instantly. You just have to press the button and power of your router. After about 60 seconds or a minute, switch on the modem back and let it re-establish the connection. After the connection gets established again, you can check if you can access the website on the internet using your browser.

However, at times, just restarting the router won’t be able to resolve the issue. You will have to reboot the router. Do it by unplugging it entirely. Wait for half a minute or 30 seconds before you plug it back in and power it again. Now access the website from your web browser.

 

7. Flush the DNS cache and reset the IP To Solve Server not Responding Error

Often, users find that the DNS server not responding message doesn’t go even after switching their browser, disabling the Firewall, and rebooting the router. In such a case, you might wonder what could be causing the problem. Well, you need to focus on your DNS settings now. Similar to router cache, your DNS can also accumulate cache and demands to be cleared in order to connect to the internet properly. It might be that your IP needs a reset.

• Windows users can flush the DNS cache by adhering to the following steps.
• On the search field, type’ cmd.’ The search field is present along the taskbar.
• Select the ‘Command Prompt’ application.
• You’ll find a window opening. Here, input ‘IP config/flush DNS.’ Ensure that you don’t input the quotations. Then press Enter.
• After the process completes, you’ll notice a message which will allow you to know that the DNS cache has been flushed. Now you should repeat the process for the commands mentioned below.

1. Ipconfig /register DNS
2. Ipconfig /release
3. Ipconfig /renew

 

Steps that Mac users should follow

For those using Mac devices, flushing the DNS cache is done by launching the ‘Terminal’ application. To open this application, hit the ‘Command’ + ‘Space’ keys on your keyboard. Then do the following.

• Input ‘Terminal’ into the Spotlight.
• In the Window of ‘Terminal Application’ type in the following command:
• dscacheutil –flush cache
• Hit the enter key. You won’t find any success message here like you can on a Windows device. But it doesn’t mean that the DNS cache has not been flushed. Now you can launch your browser and try to access a website.

 

8. Turn off the functionality of Windows Peer-to-Peer.

If you are a Windows user but have found that turning off secondary connections or Firewall hasn’t fixed the DNS server error message, there’s another technique for you. Windows 10 users can find the Peer-to-Peer (P2P) functionality on their device.

This functionality maintains the download bandwidth of your Windows device. It permits you to download a Windows update once and then employ your device to spread the updated version to other computers that are there in your local network. But it can also interfere with the DNS processes. So, it’s worth it to try to disable this feature once and see if it resolves the DNS server not responding to Windows 10 messages. Go through the steps below to disable this feature.

• Tap on the Windows icon. And then click on the ‘Settings’ icon. From there, go to ‘Update & Security.’
• On the left-hand side, you’ll see a window opening. Here, choose ‘Delivery Optimization.’
• Besides the option of ‘Allow downloads from other PCs,’ toggle the switch to turn it off.
• After you complete this process, start your system again.
• Now, attempt to access the website you want to navigate to again.

 

9. Disable the latest internet protocol version (IPv6)

IPv6 is the recent internet protocol version. It uses a 128-address and provides 1028 times more addresses than IPv4. IPv6 also possesses an in-built network security layer. This internet protocol version routs traffic between the internet and networks. This error that you are trying to resolve can also be a result of IPv6. So a good solution is to disable IPv6 on your system.

Windows users can follow the process given below to disable IPv6.

• Launch the ‘Network Connections control panel.’
• Right-tap on your existing connection.
• Select ‘Properties’ in the dropdown.
• Below the ‘Networking’ tab, scroll till you notice the Internet Protocol version 6 (TCP/IPv6).
• If it is selected, uncheck the box and tap ‘OK.’
• After that, refresh your browser. Now connect to the internet once more.

 

Steps that Mac users should follow

macOS users should first find the network interface they are using to disable IPv6. Follow these points.

• Open the ‘Terminal’ application.
• Input the command given here.
• networksetup –listallnetworkservices
• To disable IPv6 for a Wi-Fi connection, use this command.
• network setup –setv6off Wi-Fi
• Use the following command for an Ethernet connection
• network setup –setv6off Ethernet
• Hit enter.
• Now refresh your browser. See if the error is resolved.

 

10. Let your internet service provider resolve the problem.

At times, the DNS server not responding error can result from the side of your internet service provider. If your ISP is facing specific issues, you will find this error on your screen. In this case, the best action on your part is to just let your ISP fix the technical difficulties. You might be required to wait for a couple of hours until your ISP resolves the issue.

 

11. Turn off the Microsoft Virtual Wi-Fi Miniport Adapter.

When a DNS server not responding a Wi-Fi problem occurs, it may be because of Microsoft Virtual Wi-Fi Miniport Adapter. To resolve the issue, you must locate and disable each one of the adapters. For disabling the Virtual Wi-Fi Miniport Adapter, navigate to ‘Device Manager and follow the steps listed below.

• Upon the opening of ‘Device Manager, go to ‘View’ and choose ‘Show hidden icons.’
• Locate the ‘Microsoft Virtual Wi-Fi Miniport Adapter,’ right-tap on it, and select ‘Disable.’
• Do this process again for every available Virtual Miniport Adapters.
• When you are finished, exit ‘Device Manager and see if the issue has been fixed.

 

Final Words

Hopefully, you are now armed with various ways to resolve the DNS server not responding error. Try the numerous fixes and find your problem disappearing. You’ll be able to access your preferred website on your browser. If you have any queries about these troubleshooting techniques, feel free to connect with professional technical support services. The expert WordPress support personnel are always ready to tackle and troubleshoot any technical issue for you. You can contact them whenever you want advanced technical assistance.

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