You can\u2019t navigate to or visit a website without first accessing the Domain Name Server (DNS).<\/p>\n
A Domain Name System is a directory that translates hostnames or domain names into IP addresses and allows users to access websites on the web through web browsers.<\/p>\n
However, during this process, it\u2019s common to encounter messages like \u201cDNS Server Not Responding,\u201d where the DNS Server fails to correctly map IP addresses and hostnames.<\/p>\n
This error has several reasons, including incorrect DNS Server addresses or misconfigured network adapters.<\/p>\n
In this blog, we\u2019ll learn more about what exactly this error means and ways to fix the DNS Server Not Responding error on both Windows and macOS devices.<\/p>\n
DNS Servers play a massive role in accessing websites and web addresses online. They require proper DNS configuration to retrieve an IP address automatically whenever a user enters a site\u2019s URL in a browser.<\/p>\n
This error typically lies on the user\u2019s end and doesn\u2019t require much technical knowledge or support to fix it.<\/p>\n
They mainly occur because of outdated browsers, misconfigured DNS settings, or an internet or network connection.<\/p>\n
Fixing this error can include numerous solutions, like connecting with a different device, troubleshooting network issues, disabling IPv6, or updating the network adapter driver.<\/p>\n
Now that we\u2019ve understood the meaning of its error and why it occurs, let\u2019s look at the potential ways you can fix the DNS Server Not Responding error on macOS and Windows devices.<\/p>\n
The first and most common step to resolve this issue is testing your DNS Server connections by updating or switching your web browser.<\/p>\n
For this, try accessing the web from different web browsers. For instance, if your default web browser is Google Chrome, you can visit your website through other browsers, like Safari, Mozilla Firefox, or Microsoft Edge.<\/p>\n
If you can access your website through other browsers, it indicates that the issue is with your default browser. In that case, you must uninstall and reinstall your browser or update it to its latest version.<\/p>\n
Running network diagnostics is the next common step to solving the DNS Server Not Responding error.<\/p>\n
It can help diagnose and solve all the detected network errors without hassle.<\/p>\n
Here are the steps to run network diagnostics on Windows<\/strong>:<\/p>\n Here are the steps to run network diagnostics on Mac<\/strong>:<\/span><\/p>\n If this method doesn\u2019t work, follow the next steps mentioned below.<\/p>\n Firewalls and antivirus software protect your device from malicious hackers. However, they can also block your device\u2019s internet connection despite this important role.<\/p>\n For this, it\u2019s recommended to temporarily disable or deactivate your firewall programs and antivirus software to check if they\u2019re causing the DNS Server Not Responding error.<\/p>\n If you\u2019re using <\/span>Windows<\/span><\/b>, click the <\/span>Start<\/span><\/b> button, and go to <\/span>Settings<\/span><\/b> -> <\/span>Update & Security<\/span><\/b> -> <\/span>Windows Security<\/span><\/b> -> <\/span>Virus & threat protection<\/span><\/b>.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n If you\u2019re a <\/span>Mac<\/span><\/b> user, go to <\/span>System Preferences<\/span><\/b> -> <\/span>Security & Privacy<\/span><\/b> -> and then <\/span>Firewall<\/span><\/b>.<\/span><\/p>\n After deactivating these programs, rerun the network diagnostics and try opening the desired website from the browser again. If this step solves your problem, reconfigure or update your firewall and antivirus programs before you reactivate them.<\/p>\n Suppose disabling the firewall and antivirus programs don\u2019t work. In that case, another solution is to disable secondary connections available on your device and ensure that the connection you\u2019re using is the only active connection.<\/p>\n If you\u2019re a <\/span>Windows<\/span><\/b> user, search for \u201cNetwork connections\u201d in the search bar and click <\/span>View Network Connections<\/span><\/b>.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Once you\u2019re on the <\/span>Network Connections page<\/span><\/b>, disable the connections having a red X beside them (the ones you\u2019re not using) by right-clicking and selecting the <\/span>Disable<\/span><\/b> option.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Once done, restart your browser and try loading the website again.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n If you\u2019re a <\/span>Mac<\/span><\/b> user, click on the <\/span>Apple icon<\/span><\/b>, navigate to <\/span>System Preferences<\/span><\/b> -> <\/span>Network<\/span><\/b>, and disable the connections you\u2019re not using by clicking on the (-) sign at the screen\u2019s bottom-left.<\/span><\/p>\n Another method is connecting a different device to the same home network and accessing the website you want to access but have trouble accessing.<\/p>\n If the second device you connect to the same network can access the website, the issue is with your primary device. However, despite connecting to the second device, it must be the router’s issue if you still face trouble visiting the website on the same network.<\/p>\n At the same time, using other network connections, like mobile data, can also help ensure the network connection failure error isn\u2019t from the website\u2019s end.<\/p>\n Another reason behind the DNS Server Not Responding error is that your operating system (OS) isn\u2019t functioning correctly.<\/p>\n You need to boot your Windows device in Safe Mode and see if it solves your issue. This will limit the resources and files used for running Windows and can effectively troubleshoot all the problems.<\/p>\n Click on the <\/span>Windows button<\/span><\/b> -> <\/span>Power icon<\/span><\/b> -> hold the shift key and click on <\/span>Restart<\/span><\/b>.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Next, click on <\/span>Troubleshoot<\/span><\/b> -> <\/span>Advanced<\/span><\/b> -> <\/span>Start-up Settings<\/span><\/b> -> <\/span>Restart<\/span><\/b>. Finally, <\/span>press 5 or 4<\/span><\/b> to Enable Safe Mode with Networking or Enable Safe Mode.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n If you\u2019re a <\/span>Windows 7<\/span><\/b> user, you can go to <\/span>Power<\/span><\/b> -> Restart and <\/span>hold down the F8 key<\/span><\/b> to restart your device in safe mode.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n The process is the same for MacOS devices.<\/p>\n Try accessing your website once the device is in Safe Mode.<\/p>\n An ill-functioning router or modem is another cause for an unresponsive DNS Server and failed connection.<\/p>\n Hence, you can restart your modem or router to clear the cache and fix the DNS Server issues. But first, press the router\u2019s or the modem\u2019s power button and unplug its cable from the power outlet.<\/p>\n Wait for at least a minimum of 30 seconds before you press the power button to restart the router or modem again. If it doesn\u2019t work, you can reset its default settings.<\/p>\n IPv6 is the latest internet protocol that identifies and detects devices on the local and internet networks.<\/p>\n However, it can also lead to the DNS Server Not Responding error, which you can resolve by disabling the IPv6.<\/p>\n For this:\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n If you\u2019re a <\/span>Mac<\/span><\/b> user,\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Once done, restart your device and check if you can access the website.<\/p>\n Flushing or clearing the router cache can help you solve the DNS Server Not Responding error.<\/p>\n Follow these steps to flush the DNS cache on Windows<\/strong>:<\/p>\n You can try accessing your website once it resolves the issue.<\/p>\n If you use Mac<\/strong>, flushing the DNS cache is also quite simple. However, running the correct command prompt is essential based on your existing operating system version.<\/p>\n Open the terminal on your Mac by pressing the F4 button and then entering the \u201cterminal\u201d in the search box of the Launchpad. Once it opens the app, run the command that best suits your macOS version.<\/p>\n sudo dscacheutil -flushcache; sudo killall -HUP mDNSResponder<\/p>\n sudo killall -HUP mDNSResponder<\/p>\n sudo killall -HUP mDNSResponder<\/p>\n sudo killall -HUP mDNSResponder<\/p>\n sudo killall -HUP mDNSResponder<\/p>\n\n
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Disable your firewall and antivirus software temporarily<\/h3>\n
Disable secondary connections<\/h3>\n
Connect with a different device<\/h3>\n
Start your computer in safe mode<\/h3>\n
Restart your router or modem<\/h3>\n
Disable IPv6<\/h3>\n
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Flush the DNS cache<\/h3>\n
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