Flushing your DNS cache clears stored records of domain-to-IP lookups on your device. This fixes a range of issues: sites not loading, showing old content, getting “server not found” errors after a site moves, and DNS-related browser errors.
Why Flush DNS?
Your device caches DNS records to speed up browsing — it remembers that example.com = 93.184.216.34 so it doesn’t have to look it up every time. But if a website changes its IP address, your cached record becomes stale and points to the old server. Flushing forces a fresh lookup.
How to Flush DNS on Windows 10 / 11
- Press Windows + R, type
cmd, right-click Command Prompt → “Run as administrator” - Type:
ipconfig /flushdns - Press Enter
- You’ll see: “Successfully flushed the DNS Resolver Cache”
Optional additional commands to fully reset: ipconfig /registerdns, ipconfig /release, ipconfig /renew
How to Flush DNS on Mac
The command varies by macOS version. For macOS Monterey, Ventura, Sonoma:
sudo dscacheutil -flushcache; sudo killall -HUP mDNSResponder
Enter your admin password when prompted. No confirmation message appears — that’s normal.
How to Flush DNS in Chrome
Chrome has its own DNS cache separate from the OS:
- Type
chrome://net-internals/#dnsin the address bar - Click “Clear host cache”
- Also go to
chrome://net-internals/#sockets→ “Flush socket pools”
How to Flush DNS on iPhone / iPad
iOS doesn’t have a direct DNS flush command. Options:
- Toggle Airplane Mode on, wait 10 seconds, toggle off
- Go to Settings → Wi-Fi → tap (i) on your network → tap “Renew Lease”
- Restart your device (most thorough)
How to Flush DNS on Android
- Open Chrome → type
chrome://net-internals/#dns→ Clear host cache - Or toggle Airplane Mode on and off
- Or restart the device
After Flushing: Test Your DNS
Use our DNS Checker to verify the correct IP is now resolving for the domain you’re having trouble with.