How to Flush DNS Resolver Cache in Windows 10, 8.1 and 7

If you notice your computer is finding it difficult to reach a certain website or server after windows 10 update, the problem may be due to a corrupt local DNS cache. And Flushing DNS cache most probably fixes the problem for you. Again there are many other reasons why you may need to flush DNS Resolver Cache in Windows 10, the most common one being that websites aren’t resolving correctly and it may be an issue with your DNS cache holding an incorrect address. Here this post we discuss what is DNS, and how to clear DNS cache on Windows 10.

What is DNS?

DNS (Domain Name System) is your PC’s way of translating website names (that people understand) into IP addresses (that computers understand). In simple words, DNS resolves Hostname (website name) to IP address and IP address to Hostname (human readable language).

Whenever you visit a website in a browser, it is pointed to a DNS server which resolves the domain name to its IP address. The browser is then able to open the website address. The IP addresses of all the websites you open are recorded in your local system’s cache called DNS resolver cache.

DNS cache

Windows PC cache DNS results locally (on a temporary database) to speed up future access to those hostnames. The DNS cache contains records of all the recent visits and attempted visits to websites and other internet domains. But sometimes corruption on the Cache database result difficulty to reach a certain website or server.

When troubleshooting cache poisoning or other internet connectivity issues, you must try to flush (i.e. clear, reset, or erase) the DNS cache, that not only stop domain name resolution errors but also enhances the speed of your system.

Clear DNS cache windows 10

You can clear DNS cache on Windows 10, 8.1 and 7 using ipconfig /flushdns command. And to do this you need open command prompt with administrative rights.

1. Type cmd on start menu search
2. Right click on command prompt and select run as administrator.
3. The Windows Command Prompt Window will appear.
4. Now type ipconfig /flushdns and press enter key
5. This will flush the DNS cache and you will get a message saying “Successfully flushed the DNS Resolver Cache“.

If you prefer Powershell, then use the command “Clear-dnsclientcache” to clear DNS cache using Powershell.

Also, you can use the command:

• ipconfig /displaydns: To Check out the DNS record under Windows IP configuration.
• ipconfig /registerdns: To register any DNS records that you or some programs may have recorded in your Hosts file.
• ipconfig /release: To Release your current IP address settings.
• ipconfig /renew: Reset and request new IP address to DHCP server.

Turn Off or Turn On DNS Cache

1. To turn off DNS caching for a particular session, type net stop dnscache and hit Enter.
2. To turn on DNS caching, type net start dnscache and hit Enter.

Note: when you restart the computer, the DNC caching will, in any case, be turned on.

Could not flush the DNS Resolver Cache

Sometimes while performing ipconfig /flushdns command you may receive error “Windows IP Configuration Could not flush the DNS Resolver Cache: Function failed during execution”. This is most likely because DNS Client service is disabled or not running. and start the DNS client service fix the problem for you.

1. Press Windows + R, type services.msc and ok
2. Scroll down and Locate the DNS Client service
3. right-click on it and select properties from the menu
4. Change startup type Automatic, and select start to start up the service.
5. Now perform ipconfig /flushdns command

Disable DNS Caching

If you don’t want your PC to store the DNS info about the sites you visit, you can disable it.

1. To do this again open Windows services using “services.msc”
2. locate DNS client service, right-click and Stop
3. If you look for permanently Disable DNS caching open DNS client service, Change the startup type Disable and stop the service.

Clear DNS cache chrome

• To clear cache for Chrome browser only
• Open google chrome,
• Here on address bar type chrome://net-internals/#dns and enter.
• Click on “Clear host cache.”

Hope you find this helpful, have any query suggestions feel free to discuss on the comments below. Also read:

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• Solved: Err_Connection_Timed_Out Error problem in Google Chrome
• PFN_LIST_CORRUPT (Bug Check 0x4E) BSOD on Windows 10, 8.1 and 7
• Top 10 Tips to Speed up Chrome Browser up to 5 times faster – 2019