Flush Dns Cache in Windows, macOS, Ubuntu

Flush DNS to resolve Internet connection-related troubles

Flush DNSCache operation is a thing that stands for getting your DNS cache clear. While browsing the Internet on any operating system, your PC saves the DNS-addresses automatically to the cache, in order to make further calls to this server more rapidly than it was at the first attempt. However, some DNS addresses may get outdated, or be broken because of incorrect saving. If your PC tries to connect to the site whose DNS address has such problems, you will see the INET_E_RESOURCE_NOT_FOUND error. Flushing the DNS cache will wipe out the entries that cause this error. This action is often used together with the IP renew/release operation.

“…I’m having an issue with a single website that is not displaying correctly in Chrome. I have cleared my cache, checked specific settings for that website, and also relaunched. It’s not displaying in Firefox or Safari either. What else can I try?”, — writes Twitter user @karlecco.

Regardless of the OS you use – macOS, Windows, or Linux, you can perform this action manually. Just follow the guidelines below; you can go exactly to the guide for the operating system you use through the Table of Contents.

The following guidelines demonstrate how to flush DNS on the below-said operating systems:

• Windows 10, 8.1, 8, 7, Vista, 2000, NT, XP, 98;
• MacOS versions from 10.6 (Snow Leopard) to 10.15 (Catalina);
• Linux;
• Ubuntu;
• Chrome.

Tips to Flush DNS Cache on Microsoft Windows

Windows 10

Fush DNS on Windows 10 is an easy command that must be entered in Windows Command Processor, also known as Command Prompt (CMD). You need to, however, open CMD with the Administrator’s right. This is what you ought to do.

1. In Windows 10, apply Windows search and specify Command Prompt.
2. Right-click Command Prompt and select Run as Administrator.
3. In User Account Control pop-up, confirm by clicking on Yes.
4. In CMD, specify ipconfig /flushdns and hit Enter.

Windows 8 / Windows 8.1

For flushing DNS on Windows 8 or 8.1, be sure to apply the Command Prompt with Admin’s rights. Perform these guidelines for clearing your DNS cache.

1. In Windows 8/8.1, apply Windows search and specify Command Prompt.
2. Right-click Command Prompt and select Run as Administrator.
3. In User Account Control alert, click Yes.
4. In CMD, specify ipconfig /flushdns and hit Enter.

Windows Vista / Windows 7

For flushing the DNS cache on Windows 7, you must open Command Prompt with the Administrator’s right. Below please find tips explaining how to do it.

1. Click on Start > All Programs > Accessories and locate Command Prompt.
2. Right-click Command Prompt and select Run as Administrator.
3. In CMD, specify ipconfig /flushdns and hit Enter.

Windows XP / 2000 / NT / 98

In case you’re searching for how to clear DNS cache on previous Windows versions, there’s a much simpler solution. All you have to do is:

1. Go to Start > Run > cmd.exe > OK.
2. Specify ipconfig /flushdns and hit Enter.