Fix Vista Browsing Problems: Clear DNS Cache

Resolving DNS Errors: A Troubleshooting Guide

Have you encountered persistent DNS errors hindering your browsing experience, while other devices on the same network function normally? The root cause is often a need to refresh the DNS cache on the affected computer.

This issue can be addressed through two primary methods. One involves simply clearing the existing cache, and the other entails restarting the DNS client service, which manages the caching of DNS lookups.

NOTE: An updated version of this guide, compatible with Windows 10, 8, and 7, is now available.

Clearing the DNS Cache

Begin by opening a Command Prompt with administrator privileges. This is achieved by right-clicking the Command Prompt icon in the Start Menu and selecting "Run as Administrator."

Subsequently, enter the following command:

ipconfig /flushdns

This action typically resolves most DNS-related problems. If you utilize Firefox, it's also advisable to close and reopen the browser, as it maintains its own independent DNS cache.

Restarting the DNS Service via Command Line

Again, launch a Command Prompt as an administrator. Then, execute these commands sequentially:

net stop dnscache

net start dnscache

Using the command prompt is convenient, particularly since it's already open from the previous step.

Restarting the DNS Service Through Services

Access the Services application via the Control Panel, or by typing "services" into the Start Menu search bar. Locate the "DNS Client" service within the list and click the "Restart Service" button.

Ideally, these steps should restore normal functionality. These instructions are also applicable to Windows XP.

Update: A reader, Fred, suggested utilizing the "Repair" option in Windows XP or the "Diagnose" option in Vista. This can be found by navigating to the network connections list in the Control Panel, selecting the adapter, and choosing the appropriate option.