Sometimes the DNS fails to translate the domain to IP and that\u2019s when the browser shows you the DNS_PROBE_FINISHED_NXDOMAIN error.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Why does the DNS fail?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Possible causes for the DNS failing to translate the domain into IP are:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
- \n
- The domain name was incorrect<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- The domain is unregistered or has expired<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Your internet connection is temporarily disabled<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- The firewall from your security plugin<\/a> or CDN<\/a> is blocking access to your site<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- The DNS is not properly configured on your computer<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- A VPN is interfering with the connection, etc<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
It\u2019s worth noting that this particular error \ud83d\udca3 looks distinct in different browsers. Let\u2019s take a look at some variations of the DNS_PROBE_FINISHED_NXDOMAIN error:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
- \n
- Google Chrome<\/strong>: This site can\u2019t be reached or This webpage is not available. Example Domain<\/a> \u2019s server IP address could not be found<\/em>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Mozilla Firefox<\/strong>: Hmm. We\u2019re having trouble finding that site. We can\u2019t connect to the server at Example Domain<\/a><\/em>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Microsoft Edge<\/strong>: Hmmm\u2026can\u2019t reach this page. Try this: Make sure you\u2019ve got the right web address: Example Domain<\/a><\/em>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Safari<\/strong>: Safari can\u2019t find the server. Safari can\u2019t open the page \u201cExample Domain<\/a>\u201d because Safari can\u2019t find the server \u201cExample Domain<\/a>\u201d.<\/em>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
Now that you know why the DNS error occurs and how it may look based on the browser you are using, let\u2019s dive into the solutions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\t\t
<\/div>\n\t\t\t\n\t\t \t\n\t\t \t\t#DNS_PROBE_FINISHED_NXDOMAIN \ud83d\ude45 error: how to successfully fix \ud83d\udee0\ufe0f it<\/a>\n\t\t \t<\/div>\n\t\t \t\n\t\t \tClick To Tweet \n\t\t \t\t<\/span>\n\t\t \t<\/a>\n\t\t <\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\n\n<\/div>\n\n\n\nDNS_PROBE_FINISHED_NXDOMAIN fix: Troubleshooting steps<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Since we don\u2019t know the exact reason why the error appears on your website, we recommend trying out the following solutions one by one.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
1. Reboot the internet connection & restart your computer<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Since temporary network issues are known to cause DNS errors, we suggest that you start by rebooting your internet connection and restarting your system.<\/p>\n\n\n
<\/div>\n\n\n\n2. Flush DNS cache<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
If the above didn’t resolve the problem, stay with me. We still have seven other possible DNS_PROBE_FINISHED_NXDOMAIN fix attempts to work through and the next one is a common culprit.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Caching<\/a> refers to the process of storing frequently accessed data in a location where it can be quickly and easily retrieved, rather than repeatedly accessing the source of the data.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The DNS implements caching to store the IP addresses of websites that you visit so that it can load those websites faster when you visit them again in the future. Sometimes the stored IP address becomes outdated which is when the browser shows you the \u201csite can\u2019t be reached\u201c error.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
To fix this issue, you need to remove the DNS cache from your operating system (Windows or macOS). Here\u2019s what you need to do:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Flush DNS cache for Windows<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
Go to the Start <\/strong>menu and look for the Command Prompt<\/strong>. Select it and choose the Run as administrator<\/strong> option that appears underneath the app.<\/p>\n\n\n
\n![\"run](\"https:\/\/mllj2j8xvfl0.i.optimole.com\/cb:c5QE.37290\/w:auto\/h:auto\/q:mauto\/f:best\/https:\/\/themeisle.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/run-as-admin-command-prompt.png\")
<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\nA dark-colored window will open. Type in the following command and hit Enter<\/strong>:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
ipconfig \/flushdns<\/code><\/p>\n\n\n\n![\"flushing](\"https:\/\/mllj2j8xvfl0.i.optimole.com\/cb:c5QE.37290\/w:auto\/h:auto\/q:mauto\/f:best\/https:\/\/themeisle.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/flushing-dns-in-command-prompt.png\")
<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\nFlush DNS cache for macOS<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
Open the Terminal<\/strong> on mac and enter the following command:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
sudo dscacheutil -flushcache; sudo killall -HUP mDNSResponder<\/code><\/p>\n\n\n\nHit the Enter <\/strong>key when you are done.<\/p>\n\n\n
\n![\"How](\"https:\/\/mllj2j8xvfl0.i.optimole.com\/cb:c5QE.37290\/w:auto\/h:auto\/q:mauto\/f:best\/https:\/\/themeisle.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/flush-dns-cache-mac.jpg\")
<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\nYou will be asked to enter your password<\/strong>. Do it and hit the Enter <\/strong>key again.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
After flushing your DNS, open your website and check if the DNS error is gone. If not, then proceed with the next solution.<\/p>\n\n\n
<\/div>\n\n\n\n3. Renew the IP address on the computer<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Another solution that could potentially work as a DNS_PROBE_FINISHED_NXDOMAIN fix is renewing the IP address on your Windows or Mac.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Renewing IP address on Windows<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
Open Command Prompt <\/strong>and select Run as administrator<\/strong> (see the screenshots above if you’re not sure how to do this<\/em>).<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Type in the following command and hit Enter<\/strong>:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
ipconfig \/release<\/code><\/p>\n\n\n\nThen, enter this next command and hit Enter<\/strong>:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
ipconfig \/renew<\/code><\/p>\n\n\n\nThis will renew your IP address.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Restart your computer before checking your website.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Renewing IP address on macOS<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
Go to System Preferences \u2192 Network<\/strong>, then select your current internet connection <\/strong>and click on the Advanced <\/strong>button.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Next, go to the TCP\/IP <\/strong>tab, select the Renew DHCP Lease <\/strong>option, and hit OK<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n
\n![\"How](\"https:\/\/mllj2j8xvfl0.i.optimole.com\/cb:c5QE.37290\/w:auto\/h:auto\/q:mauto\/f:best\/https:\/\/themeisle.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/renew-ip-1.jpg\")
<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\nRestart your computer before checking your website.<\/p>\n\n\n
<\/div>\n\n\n\n4. Restart DNS client service (Windows only)<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
To restart the DNS client service on Windows, open Command Prompt<\/strong>, insert the following command, and hit Enter<\/strong>:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
net stop dnscache<\/code><\/p>\n\n\n\nThis will stop the DNS service. To restart it, insert <\/strong>the following command and hit Enter<\/strong>:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
net start dnscache<\/code><\/p>\n\n\n\nTry opening your website now.<\/p>\n\n\n
<\/div>\n\n\n\n5. Change the DNS server<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Your DNS is assigned by your Internet Service Provider (ISP) but you can temporarily switch to a public server like Cloudflare or Google. We will demonstrate using Google\u2019s DNS server<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Change the DNS server on Windows<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
Open Command Prompt<\/strong>, type “control panel<\/strong>” and hit the OK<\/strong> button.<\/p>\n\n\n
\n![\"opening](\"https:\/\/mllj2j8xvfl0.i.optimole.com\/cb:c5QE.37290\/w:auto\/h:auto\/q:mauto\/f:best\/https:\/\/themeisle.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/opening-control-panel-using-command-prompt.png\")
<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\nA new window will open. In this window, select Network and Internet \u2192 Network and Sharing Center \u2192 Change Adapter Settings<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Right-click <\/strong>on your current connection and select the Properties <\/strong>option.<\/p>\n\n\n
\n![\"opening](\"https:\/\/mllj2j8xvfl0.i.optimole.com\/cb:c5QE.37290\/w:auto\/h:auto\/q:mauto\/f:best\/https:\/\/themeisle.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/opening-properties-in-network-connections.png\")
<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\nSelect the Internet Protocol Version 4 <\/strong>option and click on the Properties <\/strong>button.<\/p>\n\n\n
\n![\"opening](\"https:\/\/mllj2j8xvfl0.i.optimole.com\/cb:c5QE.37290\/w:auto\/h:auto\/q:mauto\/f:best\/https:\/\/themeisle.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/opening-internet-protocal-version-4-option.png\")
<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\nOn the next window, select the Use the following DNS server addresses <\/strong>option and insert the IP addresses in their appropriate places (see image below):<\/p>\n\n\n\n
- \n
- For IPv4: 8.8.8.8 (preferred DNS Server) and 8.8.8.4 (Alternate DNS Server)<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- For IPv6: 2606:4700:4700::1111 and 2606:4700:4700::1001<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
![\"adding](\"https:\/\/mllj2j8xvfl0.i.optimole.com\/cb:c5QE.37290\/w:auto\/h:auto\/q:mauto\/f:best\/https:\/\/themeisle.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/adding-google-dns-server-.png\")
<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\nHit the OK <\/strong>button, restart <\/strong>your browser, and check if the DNS error is still showing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Change the DNS server on macOS<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
Go to System Preferences \u2192 Network<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Select your current local area connection and hit the Advanced <\/strong>button.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Then select the DNS <\/strong>tab. Click on the + <\/strong>button at the bottom of the DNS servers list and enter <\/strong>an IPv4 (8.8.8.8) or IPv6 (2001:4860:4860::8888) address<\/a>. Hit the OK <\/strong>button, go to the browser, and try opening the website.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Here’s an example of what it looks like managing DNS on Mac (our screenshot shows Cloudflare’s DNS, though<\/em>):<\/p>\n\n\n
\n![\"How](\"https:\/\/mllj2j8xvfl0.i.optimole.com\/cb:c5QE.37290\/w:auto\/h:auto\/q:mauto\/f:best\/https:\/\/themeisle.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/mac-dns-change.jpg\")
<\/figure><\/div>\n\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n6. Disable antivirus & VPN<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Antivirus apps don’t just scan your website, they also monitor your browsing activities and block you from accessing harmful websites. Occasionally they block websites even when the site is completely secure.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A VPN or Virtual Private Network also prevents users from accessing malicious websites but could unintentionally block harmless sites.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Disable both VPN and antivirus apps if you have them installed on your computer. Then check whether the DNS_PROBE_FINISHED_NXDOMAIN error is still showing. If you have a VPN installed on your browser, disable that too.<\/p>\n\n\n
<\/div>\n\n\n\n7. Check local hosts file settings<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Every computer has a local host file that helps match a domain name with its IP address.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The local hosts file can be used to block access to certain sites for security, parental control, or productivity reasons. You can check whether your site has been added to the file to prevent users from accessing it online.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Check local hosts file settings on Windows<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
Go to the Start <\/strong>menu and look for Notepad<\/strong>. You can use any kind of text editor like Sublime, Atom, TextPad, TextEdit, etc.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Select the text editor and choose Run as administrator<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Next, within the text editor go to File \u2192 Open<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n
\n![\"file](\"https:\/\/mllj2j8xvfl0.i.optimole.com\/cb:c5QE.37290\/w:auto\/h:auto\/q:mauto\/f:best\/https:\/\/themeisle.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/file-and-open-option-in-notepad.png\")
<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\nA new window will appear with an option called File Name<\/strong>. In that option insert the following location and hit Enter<\/strong>:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
C:\\Windows\\System32\\drivers\\etc\\hosts<\/code><\/p>\n\n\n\nThe file will open in the text editor.<\/p>\n\n\n
\n![\"opening](\"https:\/\/mllj2j8xvfl0.i.optimole.com\/cb:c5QE.37290\/w:auto\/h:auto\/q:mauto\/f:best\/https:\/\/themeisle.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/opening-hosts-file-in-windows.png\")
<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\nOn the text editor, search for “::1 localhost<\/strong>” line.<\/p>\n\n\n
\n![\"finding](\"https:\/\/mllj2j8xvfl0.i.optimole.com\/cb:c5QE.37290\/w:auto\/h:auto\/q:mauto\/f:best\/https:\/\/themeisle.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/finding-localhost-in-hosts-file.png\")
<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\nCheck whether your site\u2019s domain name appears below that line. If it does, that means the local hosts file has blocked the site. Remove<\/strong> the domain name, save <\/strong>changes, and exit <\/strong>the editor.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Check local hosts file settings on macOS<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
Navigate to Go \u2192 Utilities <\/strong>and select Terminal<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Next, enter the following command:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
sudo nano \/private\/etc\/hosts<\/code><\/p>\n\n\n\nAs soon as you hit Enter<\/strong>, you will be asked to insert your password<\/strong> and then directed to your local hosts file.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Look for the “::1 localhost<\/strong>” line and see if your domain name <\/strong>appears beneath that line. If it does, that means the file is blocking that domain.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Delete <\/strong>your domain, save <\/strong>the file, and exit <\/strong>the editor.<\/p>\n\n\n
\n![\"Edit](\"https:\/\/mllj2j8xvfl0.i.optimole.com\/cb:c5QE.37290\/w:auto\/h:auto\/q:mauto\/f:best\/https:\/\/themeisle.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/macos-hosts.jpg\")
<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\nNow, you should be able to access your website without encountering the DNS error.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It\u2019s worth noting that the local hosts file does not automatically blacklist sites. So it was probably manually edited by a user to block access to your website.<\/p>\n\n\n
<\/div>\n\n\n\n8. Reset Chrome flags<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
If none of the previous DNS_PROBE_FINISHED_NXDOMAIN fix attempts worked, you still have one last shot at it – don’t give up! Chrome flags might just do the trick. If you’ve never heard of them, what they refer to is a hidden menu of options that allow users to enable or disable experimental features in the browser. These features are not officially launched and are only made available for trial purposes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Some of these experimental features can cause the DNS_PROBE_FINISHED_NXDOMAIN error due to misconfiguration. Resetting the Chrome flags should resolve this issue.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Insert “chrome:\/\/flags<\/strong>” into your browser address bar and hit Enter<\/strong>. Then select the Reset All<\/strong> button on the top of the screen.<\/p>\n\n\n
\n![\"chrome](\"https:\/\/mllj2j8xvfl0.i.optimole.com\/cb:c5QE.37290\/w:auto\/h:auto\/q:mauto\/f:best\/https:\/\/themeisle.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/chrome-flag-reset-all.png\")
<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\nYou will be prompted to relaunch the browser. Do it and then try opening your website.<\/p>\n\n\n
Go to top<\/a><\/div>\n\n\n\nFinal thoughts on the DNS_PROBE_FINISHED_NXDOMAIN fix<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\n\nUnlike resolving common WordPress errors, implementing the DNS_PROBE_FINISHED_NXDOMAIN fix does not involve going to the backend of your site and making risky modifications to your files. The DNS error indicates a problem with your computer.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\n\t\t \t\n\t\t \t\t#DNS_PROBE_FINISHED_NXDOMAIN \ud83d\ude45 error: how to successfully fix \ud83d\udee0\ufe0f it<\/a>\n\t\t \t<\/div>\n\t\t \t\n\t\t \tClick To Tweet \n\t\t \t\t<\/span>\n\t\t \t<\/a>\n\t\t <\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n\ud83d\udc49 To fix this particular issue, you need to take the following steps:<\/p>\n\n\n
\n\n\n\n- \n
- Reboot the internet connection and restart your computer<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Flush DNS cache<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Renew the IP address on the computer<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Restart DNS client service (Windows only)<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Change the DNS server<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Disable antivirus & VPN<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Check local hosts file settings<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Reset Chrome flags<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n
\ud83d\udca1 If you’re encountering any other issues with your WordPress site, we have lots of troubleshooting articles similar to this one. A good place to start is our tutorial on how to fix the most common WordPress errors<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
If you have any additional questions about implementing a DNS_PROBE_FINISHED_NXDOMAIN fix, let us know in the comments.<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n
- Mozilla Firefox<\/strong>: Hmm. We\u2019re having trouble finding that site. We can\u2019t connect to the server at Example Domain<\/a><\/em>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n