How to Fix Domain Name Server (DNS) Problems
The Domain Name Server (DNS) is a server that translates website's addresses to its IP address so that your browser can connect to them. If you're having problems connecting to website or websites, it doesn't take much work to see if DNS is the cause, and if it is, try to fix it.
Ping is a computer network administration software utility used to test the reachability of a host on an Internet Protocol (IP) network. It measures the round-trip time for messages sent from the originating host to a destination computer that are echoed back to the source.
If you’re having trouble connecting to a site, you can find out if DNS is a potential culprit by first pinging the site to which you can’t connect: issue the ping command at the Command Prompt, like this:
If the DNS name is not resolved, you’ll get a response like this:
If you know the IP address of the site, you can try using its IP address instead of its name. If you ping a site’s IP address and it’s live, but you can’t connect to it with your browser or ping it by name, a DNS problem might be the reason. If you suspect you’re having a DNS problem, take the following actions:
Flush The DNS Cache
The problem might be related to the DNS cache, so flush it out.
1. Press
keys.
2. Type following command into Run box and click OK button.
Check The HOSTS File
If the HOSTS file contains an incorrect or outdated listing, you won’t be able to connect. Even if you don’t recall adding listings to a HOSTS file, it still might contain listings because some Internet accelerator utilities edit them without telling you. Open the HOSTS file with Notepad and see if the site you can’t connect to is listed there. If it is, delete the entry, and you should be able to connect. The HOST file is stored within the C:\Windows\System32\drivers\etc folder.
Check Your DNS Settings
You can make sure your DNS settings are correct. The cause might be your ISP. One possibility is that one of its DNS servers is down, and you’re trying to access the downed server. You can also use different DNS servers to test if issue resolves.
Faster, and Safer Web Browsing with OpenDNS
Reboot your router, access point, or cable modem
Many broadband routers and wireless access points have their own DNS server built-in. Even it gets confused sometimes. If all else fails, try powering down your router, access point, and/or cable or DSL modem. Wait about a minute and turn them back on to see if it clears up the problem.
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Ping is a computer network administration software utility used to test the reachability of a host on an Internet Protocol (IP) network. It measures the round-trip time for messages sent from the originating host to a destination computer that are echoed back to the source.
If you’re having trouble connecting to a site, you can find out if DNS is a potential culprit by first pinging the site to which you can’t connect: issue the ping command at the Command Prompt, like this:
Code:
Ping www.google.comIf the DNS name is not resolved, you’ll get a response like this:
Ping request could not find host. Please check the name and try again
If you know the IP address of the site, you can try using its IP address instead of its name. If you ping a site’s IP address and it’s live, but you can’t connect to it with your browser or ping it by name, a DNS problem might be the reason. If you suspect you’re having a DNS problem, take the following actions:
Flush The DNS Cache
The problem might be related to the DNS cache, so flush it out.
1. Press
keys.2. Type following command into Run box and click OK button.
Code:
cmd.exe /c ipconfig /flushdnsCheck The HOSTS File
If the HOSTS file contains an incorrect or outdated listing, you won’t be able to connect. Even if you don’t recall adding listings to a HOSTS file, it still might contain listings because some Internet accelerator utilities edit them without telling you. Open the HOSTS file with Notepad and see if the site you can’t connect to is listed there. If it is, delete the entry, and you should be able to connect. The HOST file is stored within the C:\Windows\System32\drivers\etc folder.
Check Your DNS Settings
You can make sure your DNS settings are correct. The cause might be your ISP. One possibility is that one of its DNS servers is down, and you’re trying to access the downed server. You can also use different DNS servers to test if issue resolves.
Faster, and Safer Web Browsing with OpenDNS
Reboot your router, access point, or cable modem
Many broadband routers and wireless access points have their own DNS server built-in. Even it gets confused sometimes. If all else fails, try powering down your router, access point, and/or cable or DSL modem. Wait about a minute and turn them back on to see if it clears up the problem.
Did you find this tutorial helpful? Don’t forget to share your views with us.