How to Fix “DNS Server Not Responding” (All Devices)

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“DNS Server Not Responding” means your device sent a DNS query and got no answer. Your internet connection may be working fine at the hardware level, but your device can’t resolve domain names — so websites don’t load even though you’re technically “connected.”

Quick Diagnosis First

Open Command Prompt (Windows) or Terminal (Mac/Linux) and run:

ping 8.8.8.8

If this succeeds, your internet connection is working but DNS is broken. If it fails, the problem is deeper (your connection itself is down).

Fix 1: Switch to a Public DNS Server

This is the fastest fix. Your ISP’s DNS server is likely down or slow. Switch to Google or Cloudflare:

On Windows: Settings → Network → Change adapter options → Right-click your connection → Properties → Internet Protocol Version 4 → Use the following DNS server addresses → enter 8.8.8.8 / 8.8.4.4

On Mac: System Settings → Network → your connection → Details → DNS → add 1.1.1.1

On Router: Log into your router admin panel (usually 192.168.1.1) → Find DNS settings → Enter 1.1.1.1 and 8.8.8.8

Fix 2: Flush DNS Cache and Renew IP

On Windows, open Command Prompt as administrator and run:

  • ipconfig /flushdns
  • ipconfig /registerdns
  • ipconfig /release
  • ipconfig /renew
  • netsh winsock reset

Restart after running these commands.

Fix 3: Disable IPv6 Temporarily

IPv6 DNS issues sometimes cause this error. On Windows: go to your network adapter properties → uncheck “Internet Protocol Version 6 (TCP/IPv6)” → click OK → test again.

Fix 4: Disable Your Antivirus Firewall Temporarily

Security software sometimes intercepts DNS queries. Temporarily disable your antivirus’s firewall (not the antivirus itself) and test. If it fixes the issue, add an exception for your DNS server in the security software settings.

Fix 5: Try a Different Browser and Device

If the problem only appears in one browser, clear its cache and try a private/incognito window. If it works on another device on the same network, the issue is device-specific. If nothing on the network works, the problem is your router or ISP.

Fix 6: Restart in Safe Mode With Networking

On Windows, boot into Safe Mode with Networking to rule out third-party software conflicts. If DNS works in Safe Mode, a startup program is interfering with DNS on normal boot.

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