How to Flush DNS Cache on Windows

Clearing the DNS cache on Windows can fix websites that won’t load, old IP address lookups, and strange browser errors after a site changes servers. Windows stores recent DNS results locally to speed up browsing, but that cache can become outdated or corrupted. Flushing it forces Windows to ask for fresh DNS records the next time you visit a site.

What Causes This?

Windows keeps a local DNS resolver cache so it does not have to look up the same domain name every time you open a website. Problems happen when that cached entry is stale, incorrect, or left over after a server, network, VPN, or DNS provider change.

This can also happen after malware cleanup, router resets, switching between Wi-Fi networks, or changing your DNS settings. In those cases, Windows may keep using bad cached records until you clear them.

Common Symptoms

• A website loads the wrong page or old version
• You get errors like “DNS_PROBE_FINISHED_NXDOMAIN” or “Server not found”
• A site works on other devices but not on your Windows PC
• Browsing problems started after changing DNS servers, using a VPN, or resetting your router
• Some websites open normally while others fail randomly

How to Fix It Manually

1. Open Command Prompt as administrator.

   • Click Start
   • Type cmd
   • Right-click Command Prompt
   • Select Run as administrator
   • Click Yes if Windows asks for permission

2. Flush the DNS cache.

   • In Command Prompt, type:

     ipconfig /flushdns

   • Press Enter
   • You should see: Successfully flushed the DNS Resolver Cache

3. Restart your browser.

   • Close all browser windows completely
   • Reopen Chrome, Edge, Firefox, or the browser you use
   • Try the website again

4. If the problem continues, renew your IP settings.

   • In the same administrator Command Prompt window, run these commands one at a time:

     ipconfig /release
     ipconfig /renew

   • Wait for each command to finish before entering the next one

5. Reset the Windows network stack if DNS errors still happen.

   • In Command Prompt, run:

     netsh winsock reset
     netsh int ip reset

   • Restart your PC after running these commands

6. Check your DNS server settings.

   • Press Windows + I to open Settings
   • Go to Network & Internet
   • Click Wi-Fi or Ethernet, depending on your connection
   • Open your active network, then find DNS server assignment
   • If needed, switch from a bad custom DNS server to Automatic (DHCP), or try a trusted public DNS provider
   • Save changes and test again

7. Restart your router if multiple devices have the same issue.

   • Unplug the router for about 30 seconds
   • Plug it back in
   • Wait for the connection to return, then test the site again

Fix It Automatically with Kudu

If you do not want to work through Command Prompt and network reset steps manually, Kudu can help. It can detect common DNS and network misconfigurations, clear stale cache-related issues, and apply safe fixes in one place.

Download Kudu Free →