How to Fix "DNS Server Not Responding" Error? (original) (raw)

Last Updated : 23 Jul, 2025

The DNS or the Domain Name System Server is the backbone of what we do daily on browsers using the internet. But the concept of the DNS is not a recent one, the first milestone was established in 1983. Before the establishment of the DNS server, the process was executed with the help of the host machine name.

Encountering the "**DNS Server Not Responding" error can be frustrating and disrupt your internet connectivity. This common issue occurs when your DNS server is unable to translate domain names into IP addresses, preventing you from accessing websites. Whether you're using **Windows or another operating system, there are several methods to fix DNS server errors and restore your internet connection.

What is Windows DNS Problem

The DNS is a series of alphanumeric letters that converts itself to the form of an IP Address when a client-server is reached. Let us make it an easy one. Suppose a user puts a URL into its browser. Now, the browser shares the address with the DNS Server & the DNS Server sends the IP Address in return of. This complete process executes there.

During this process, if the server takes a long time or encounters an error, it shows a message & it is termed as an **Unresponsive DNS Server. Such an error means that the connection is not made with the DNS. Most of the time, such issues occur due to the fault of the internet or Wi-Fi. However, such issues can be resolved with a few methods.

Reasons for DNS Server Not Responding in Windows

The "DNS Server Not Responding" error in Windows can be caused by several factors, often related to network or system configurations. Below are the primary reasons for this issue:

• **Network Connectivity Problems: Issues with your internet connection or local network can prevent communication with the DNS server. This may include faulty cables, weak Wi-Fi signals, or ISP outages.
• **Incorrect DNS Settings: Misconfigured DNS settings on your computer or router can lead to the error. For example, using invalid or unreachable DNS server addresses will disrupt domain name resolution
• **DNS Server Outages: The DNS server you're trying to connect to might be down or experiencing high traffic, making it unresponsive. This is especially common with third-party DNS providers like Google DNS or Cloudflare.
• **Firewall or Antivirus Interference: Overly restrictive firewall or antivirus settings can block DNS queries, preventing your system from resolving domain names. Disabling these temporarily can help identify if they are the cause.
• **Corrupted DNS Cache: A corrupted or outdated DNS cache on your system can lead to resolution failures. Clearing the DNS cache is often a quick fix for this problem
• **Router Misconfigurations: Incorrect router settings or firmware issues can interfere with DNS requests. Restarting the router is a common troubleshooting step to resolve such problems
• **Unused Network Connections: Enabled but unused network adapters (e.g., VPNs or virtual network interfaces) can sometimes conflict with active connections and cause DNS issues
• **Outdated Browser or Software: In some cases, outdated browsers or network-related software can contribute to DNS errors. Updating or switching browsers might resolve the issue
• **Malware Infections: Network malware infections can disrupt DNS resolution by altering settings or overwhelming the network with traffic

Methods to Fix DNS Server Not Responding in Windows

If you're facing a DNS server error in Windows, explore 11 methods to fix the "DNS server not responding" issue and select the ones that resolve your problem.

Method 1: Change Browser & Device

Switch browsers (e.g., from Chrome to Firefox or Edge) to check if the issue is browser-related. Also, test the same webpage on another device (like a smartphone or tablet) to determine if the problem is with your device.

Method 2: Check Your Router

Power off your router, wait a few minutes, and reconnect. Repeat this process a few times to clear any cached data that might be causing the issue. If the problem persists, there could be a deeper issue with the router.

Method 3: Land In Safe Mode

**Step 1: In the Start Menu, press the **Power Button to get the **Restart button. While pressing the Restart button, press the **Shift Key on the keyboard.

**Step 2: After restarting it will enter into the boot menu. Now, browse to the **Troubleshoot option.

**Step 3: Under the Troubleshoot option, get the **Advanced Option.

**Step 4: Under the Advanced option, go for the **See More Recovery option.

**Step 5: Now, select the **Start-Up Settings & press the **F4 Key during the restarting of the device.

Hence, we have successfully resolved the DNS Server issue by landing on the Safe Mode.

Method 4: Disable Device Antivirus

**Step 1: Press the **Windows + R button to open the Run command prompt. Now, execute the command **gpedit.msc command there.

**Step 2: Now, under the **Windows Components, an option will present as **Windows Antivirus. Clicking that a few more options will be present on the right-hand side. Among them, click on the **Turn Off Windows Defender Antivirus.

**Step 3: Now, click on the **Disabled option and the OK button will present below that should be clicked.

Hence, we have successfully resolved the DNS Server issue by disabling Windows Antivirus.

Method 5: Disable The Ethernet

**Step 1: Open the **Control Panel & Among a few options go for the **Network And Internet.

**Step 2: Now, on the left-hand side, click on the **Change Adapter Settings option.

**Step 3: Now, Right-Click on the **Ethernet option. Press the **Disable option present there.

Hence, we have successfully resolved the DNS Server issue by disabling the Ethernet.

Method 6: Disable Delivery Optimization

**Step 1: Open the **Settings option & go for the **Windows Update from the left-hand side.

**Step 2: Now, on the Right-Hand side you will find an option called **Advanced Option, go for it.

**Step 3: Under that option, you will find the **Delivery Optimization option. Click on that.

**Step 4: **Disable the button to complete the process.

Hence, we have successfully resolved the DNS Server issue by disabling the Delivery Optimization feature.

Method 7: Remove DNS Cache

**Step 1: Open the **Search Bar & search for **Command Prompt. Go with the best available result & open the CMD in the **Administrative form.

**Step 2: Execute the following command. The command will help to flush all kinds of DNS Cache from the device.

**Command: ipconfig /flushdns

Hence, we have successfully resolved the DNS Server issue by flushing all DNS Cache.

Method 8: Stop Internet Protocol Version 6 (IPv6)

**Step 1: Open the **Control Panel & click on the **Network And Internet.

**Step 2: Now, on the left-hand side, click on the **Change Adapter Settings option.

**Step 3: A small new window will appear there. In that window, go for the **Properties option.

**Step 4: In the next window, uncheck the **Internet Protocol Version 6 (IPv6) & click on **OK to save.

Hence, we have successfully resolved the DNS Server issue by disabling Internet Protocol Version 6 (IPv6).

Method 9: Updated Network Adapter

After performing all the above operations, if the DNS is still not responding, then the problem might be with the Windows Network Adapter. It is a very rare kind of thing an individual can witness. Normally, the Windows Network Adapter gets updated with time & Windows Updates. But a few times it can't able to update.

In such cases, the Windows Network Adapter becomes old or outdated one that stops working. Updating the Drivers manually can become a tedious task. So, many software programs take care of the Network Adapters on the internet. Some free software is present along with some paid ones like Driver Easy or SDI, etc.

Method 10: Restart PC if DNS is Still Not Responding

Your PC might give you faulty error code of "DNS Not Responding" and another method to fix this issue is to restart your system. This might help your PC to run efficiently after reeboting.

Below are the steps to Restart PC:

• On your Left Side Bottom, you will find a **Start Menu / Windows icon, click on it
• Select the **Power Button
• You will now find 3 different options i.e. Sleep, Shutdown & Restart
• Click to **Restart now

By following the above steps, you can easily restart your PC to avoid getting DNS server issue.

Method 11: Fix DNS Not Responding issue - Change DNS Server Address

If the above methods are not working out for you then changing the DNS server address might help to provide you a stable connectivity.

To fix DNS not responding issue, follow the below-mentioned steps:

1. Open Windows Search Box or press **Windows+R and type **ncpa.cpl

2. A new window will open as **Network Connections with options of Ethernet, Wifi, etc. Right click on the Properties of any option that you're using

3. A drop down will appear, click on **Properties-> Internet Protocol Version 4->Properties

4. Now, select the Obtain an IP address automatically and Use the following DNS server Address

5. Now, select the DNS server address within **Preferred DNS Server and **Alternate DNS Server field boxes

7. Select **OK & Restart your PC

This option is well convenient to **change the DNS Server Address and this can possibly resolve "not responding" issue.

So, these are the few methods that can be used to get rid of the DNS Server problem. We understand how it feels when a desired item is not coming to the screen due to a DNS problem. The internet is the core element for which an individual sits on a laptop or desktop.