If you’re having problems reaching some websites, flushing the DNS of your Windows computer might fix the problem.
There are several reasons why you may need to flush your DNS in Windows 10 and in older versions, but the most common are probably hiding your browsing habits and history and the one I mentioned earlier, which is websites and web pages not loading properly.
When you enter a website into your address bar and press enter, your computer sends a Domain Name Server (DNS) request to get the website’s IP address to access it. Whenever you connect to a website, your computer saves its IP address on a temporary database for easier and faster access later on.
If websites aren’t loading correctly, then there may be an issue with your DNS cache which may be storing out-of-date information, more specifically an incorrect address. Maybe the site you’re trying to visit recently changed servers, so it’s no longer located at the cached address.
There’s also the possibility that your computer might have been infected with some malware that’s trying to redirect you to malicious sites through commonly visited pages. If you suspect that malware is the culprit, try running a malware scan with a tool like Malwarebytes or a similar scanner tool first.
But it really doesn’t matter what the reason is. You can flush your DNS cache in Windows 10 (and in older versions) to access your favorite websites. Once you’ve cleared the DNS cache, your computer will once again look up those web addresses on the DNS server and domain name resolution errors will cease to occur.
Just take note that flushing your computer’s DNS differs from clearing your web browser’s cache. If clearing your web browser’s cache does not solve the problem, then clearing your DNS cache might be the best next step.
How to Flush DNS Windows 10?
To clear the DNS cache on your Microsoft Windows computer, follow the steps below:
1. Click the search box at the bottom left of your screen and type in “cmd.”
2. Now click on “Command Prompt.”
3. Type in “ipconfig /flushdns” in the Windows Command Window and press “ENTER.”
4. If done correctly, you will receive this message: Windows IP Configuration Successfully Flushed the DNS Resolver Cache.
What are the Benefits of Flushing DNS in Windows 10?
There are also benefits to flushing your computer’s DNS like an improved memory performance and fast reloading times. More on this below:
- Clear old DNS data stored in your computer.
- Remove faulty connections.
- Protect browsing history.
- Resolve other errors.