Encountering a “DNS server not responding” error can be a frustrating experience, as it can prevent you from accessing websites and online services. This issue can arise due to a variety of reasons, from misconfigured network settings to problems with your internet service provider (ISP). Fortunately, there are several effective methods you can try to resolve this problem on both Windows and macOS devices.
1. Switch to a Different Browser
The first step in troubleshooting a “DNS server not responding” error is to try accessing the website or online service from a different web browser. This can help determine if the issue is specific to your current browser or more widespread. If the problem is resolved by using a different browser, you may need to update your default browser or uninstall and reinstall it.
2. Start Your Computer in Safe Mode
If the “DNS server not responding” error persists across multiple browsers, the issue may be related to your operating system. Starting your computer in Safe Mode can help isolate the problem by limiting the number of running processes and drivers, which can sometimes interfere with DNS resolution.
3. Temporarily Disable Your Antivirus Software and Firewall
Antivirus software and firewalls can sometimes block or interfere with DNS queries, leading to the “DNS server not responding” error. Try temporarily disabling these security measures and see if the problem is resolved. If the issue goes away, you may need to adjust your security software settings or whitelist the affected websites or services.
4. Disable Secondary Connections
If you have multiple network connections enabled on your device, such as a wired Ethernet connection and a wireless Wi-Fi connection, it can sometimes cause conflicts that result in DNS issues. Try disabling any secondary connections and see if that resolves the problem.
5. Disable the Windows Peer-to-Peer Feature
In some cases, the Windows Peer-to-Peer feature can interfere with DNS resolution, leading to the “DNS server not responding” error. To disable this feature, open the Control Panel, navigate to the Network and Sharing Center, and then click on “Change advanced sharing settings.” From there, you can turn off the Peer-to-Peer feature.
6. Restart Your Router
Your router plays a crucial role in the DNS resolution process, as it is responsible for communicating with the DNS servers provided by your ISP. Restarting your router can help clear any temporary issues or cached data that may be causing the “DNS server not responding” error.
7. Install Updated Network Adapter Drivers
Outdated or malfunctioning network adapter drivers can also contribute to DNS-related issues. Try updating your network adapter drivers to the latest version, which may resolve the “DNS server not responding” error.
8. Flush Your DNS Cache and Reset Your IP
Cached DNS data on your device can sometimes become outdated or corrupted, leading to the “DNS server not responding” error. You can try flushing your DNS cache and resetting your IP address to see if that resolves the issue.
9. Disable IPv6
The transition from IPv4 to IPv6 can sometimes cause compatibility issues with DNS, particularly on older systems. Try disabling IPv6 on your device and see if that resolves the “DNS server not responding” error.
10. Change the Default DNS Server
If the previous methods have not resolved the issue, you can try changing the default DNS server on your device. This can be done by manually configuring your network settings to use a different DNS server, such as those provided by Google (8.8.8.8 and 8.8.4.4) or OpenDNS (208.67.222.222 and 208.67.220.220).