Why Your Computer Says Its DNS Server Isn’t Responding While Other Devices Can Browsing Fine

Ever encountered a situation where your computer tells you that its DNS server isn’t responding while other devices on the same network can browse the internet without any issues? Frustrating, right? This article will guide you through the process of identifying and fixing the problem. Whether the issue lies with your internet service provider, your device, or your network settings, we have solutions for you. Follow the steps below to ensure you have the best internet experience possible.

Check the Internet Connection Status on Other Devices

Before diving into specific solutions, it's essential to establish whether the issue is device-specific or stems from a broader network problem. Loading a webpage on another device connected to the same network is an initial step. If you have a mobile device or another computer available, try to load a webpage. This simple check will guide you in determining the next steps:

If you can't load webpages on your mobile phone or other devices, it suggests a problem with your Internet Service Provider (ISP). If your other devices can load webpages without any issues, the problem likely lies with your device or network settings.

For an ISP issue, contact your ISP to report the problem. If it's with your device, continue to the next troubleshooting steps.

Power Cycle Your Router and Modem

The first and easiest solution involves power cycling your router and modem. Power cycler means unplugging the devices, waiting for a while, and then plugging them back in. This action restarts the network connection, resets any erroneous processes, and can help resolve DNS issues:

Unplug the router and modem from their power sources. Wait for 2 to 3 minutes before plugging the chargers back in. Allow the router and modem to turn on properly. After powering them back on, open a web browser and check if the DNS server problem is resolved.

Note: Ensure to wait at least 2 minutes between unplugging and plugging back in, as restarting too quickly can cause connectivity issues.

Flush DNS

Flushing the DNS involves removing cached DNS data, which can improve connectivity by clearing corrupt or outdated entries. Follow these steps to flush your DNS:

Click the Start Menu and type 'Command Prompt'. Run Command Prompt as an administrator. Paste the following commands one by one:
ipconfig /flushdns
ipconfig /registerdns

After flushing the DNS, check if the issue is resolved.

Switch to a Public DNS Server

If the DNS server issue persists after flushing, consider switching to a public DNS server. Public DNS servers are known for quick and stable performance. Common choices are Google (8.8.8.8 and 8.8.4.4) and Cloudflare (1.1.1.1 and 1.0.0.1). Here's how to change your device's DNS server settings to Google or Cloudflare:

Press the Windows Key and type 'Control Panel'. Click 'Control Panel' and navigate to 'Network and Internet Network and Sharing Center'. Select your connection type (Ethernet or Wi-Fi), then click 'Properties'. Select 'Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4)' and click 'Properties' again. Select 'Use The Following DNS Server Addresses' and enter the preferred and alternate DNS addresses for Google or Cloudflare. Click 'OK'.

After making these changes, check if the issue is resolved.

Reset Network Settings

If none of the above solutions resolved the issue, resetting your network settings might be the final solution. Here are the steps for resetting Winsock Catalog, IPv4 and IPv6, and the IP address:

Reset the Winsock Catalog

Click the Start Menu and type 'Command Prompt'. Run Command Prompt as an administrator. Paste the following command and press Enter:
NETSH winsock reset catalog

Reset IPv4 and IPv6

Click the Start Menu and type 'Command Prompt'. Run Command Prompt as an administrator. Paste the following commands one by one:
NETSH int ipv4 reset reset.log
NETSH int ipv6 reset reset.log

Reset IP Address

Click the Start Menu and type 'Command Prompt'. Run Command Prompt as an administrator. Paste the following commands to reset the IP address:
ipconfig /release
ipconfig /renew

Disable Your Antivirus Program

If you have an antivirus program installed, it might be blocking or altering the DNS resolution process. Temporarily disabling it can resolve the issue. However, you should re-enable it as soon as the connectivity problem is fixed to ensure your system's security:

Click on the Start button and type 'Windows Security'. Select 'Virus threat protection'. Click 'Open App' to access your antivirus settings. Disable the antivirus program for a certain period to see if it resolves the issue.

Reset Network Settings to Fix DNS Issues

If the issue still persists after trying all the above methods, resetting your network settings might help:

Click Start Menu and type 'Settings'. Launch Settings and navigate to 'Network Internet'. Scroll to the bottom and click 'Network Reset'. Click 'Reset Now' and restart your computer.

After the network reset, check if the DNS server problem is resolved.