DNS_PROBE_FINISHED_NXDOMAIN

How to Fix “DNS_PROBE_FINISHED_NXDOMAIN”

DNS Error 📄 Chrome, Edge, Brave
⚡ Quick answer

This error means your browser could not find the IP address for the domain you typed. Either the domain does not exist, your DNS server is not responding, or your DNS cache has a corrupted entry.

First, check if your internet is working and what your current IP address is:

🔍 Check My IP Address →

What Causes the “DNS_PROBE_FINISHED_NXDOMAIN” Error?

DNS_PROBE_FINISHED_NXDOMAIN stands for "Non-Existent Domain." Your browser asks a DNS server to translate a domain name (like google.com) into an IP address — and the DNS server replied that the domain does not exist. This can happen for several reasons: you mistyped the URL, the website is genuinely down, your DNS server is unreachable, your DNS cache has a bad entry, or your ISP is blocking the domain. It is a Chrome/Edge/Brave-specific error message — Firefox shows the same problem as "Server Not Found."

How to Fix It — 5 Methods

1 Check the URL for typos ▶

The most common cause is simply a mistyped domain name. Double-check the URL in your address bar for:

  • Misspelled domain names (e.g. goggle.com instead of google.com)
  • Wrong extension (e.g. .co instead of .com)
  • Missing www or extra characters

Try typing the URL again from scratch rather than copying it.

2 Flush your DNS cache ▶

Your computer stores DNS lookups in a local cache. A corrupted cache entry can cause this error even when the site is working fine.

Windows:

  1. Press Win + R, type cmd, press Enter
  2. Type: ipconfig /flushdns
  3. Press Enter and wait for the confirmation message
  4. Restart your browser and try again

Mac:

  1. Open Terminal (Applications → Utilities)
  2. Type: sudo dscacheutil -flushcache; sudo killall -HUP mDNSResponder
  3. Enter your password and press Enter
3 Change your DNS server ▶

Your ISP's DNS server may be slow, down, or blocking the site. Switch to a faster, more reliable public DNS.

Windows:

  1. Open Settings → Network & Internet → Change adapter options
  2. Right-click your connection → Properties
  3. Select "Internet Protocol Version 4" → Properties
  4. Set Preferred DNS to 8.8.8.8 and Alternate DNS to 8.8.4.4
  5. Click OK and restart your browser

Mac:

  1. System Settings → Network → your connection → DNS
  2. Add 8.8.8.8 and 1.1.1.1
4 Restart your router and modem ▶

A stuck router can cause DNS failures across your whole network.

  1. Turn off your router and modem completely (unplug from power)
  2. Wait 30 seconds
  3. Plug the modem back in first, wait 30 seconds
  4. Plug the router back in and wait for all lights to stabilise
  5. Reconnect your device and try the site again
5 Use a VPN to bypass ISP blocking ▶

If the error only happens on specific websites, your ISP may be blocking them. A VPN routes your traffic through a different server, bypassing the block entirely.

  1. Install a VPN (PureVPN or IPVanish work well for this)
  2. Connect to a server in a different country
  3. Try accessing the site again

This is especially effective if the site works on mobile data but not your home Wi-Fi — a sign that your ISP or router is the problem.

🔒
Some errors are caused by ISP blocks or network restrictions
A VPN bypasses them instantly by routing through a different server.
PureVPN → IPVanish →

✅ Fixed it? Visit tools.examineip.com to confirm your IP address and connection are working correctly.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does DNS_PROBE_FINISHED_NXDOMAIN mean the website is down?
Not necessarily. It means your DNS server could not find the website, but the site itself might be working fine. The problem is often on your end — a misconfigured DNS, corrupted cache, or ISP block. Try visiting the site on mobile data to check if the site itself is down.
Why does this error only happen on some websites?
If the error only affects specific sites, it usually means your ISP is blocking those domains, or you have a corrupted DNS cache entry for that specific site. Flushing your DNS cache or using a VPN usually fixes this.
Is DNS_PROBE_FINISHED_NXDOMAIN the same as a 404 error?
No. A 404 error means the website was found but the specific page does not exist. DNS_PROBE_FINISHED_NXDOMAIN means the website itself could not be found at all — the browser never even connected to the server.

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Last updated: March 29, 2026 • Report an error

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