When your browser says the DNS server isn't responding, websites may stop loading even though your device still shows a Wi-Fi connection. The message means your device couldn't get the DNS response it needs to find a website. It doesn't automatically mean your router is broken.
The problem could be limited to one device, caused by a router or DNS setting, or coming from your internet provider. Start by checking which situation you're dealing with. That way, you won't waste time changing settings that aren't responsible.
Find out where the problem is
- Try another device on the same Wi-Fi. If websites work on your phone but not your computer, focus on the computer. If nothing can browse, check the router or internet service.
- Try a different network. Connect the affected device to a phone hotspot. If websites load there, the problem is likely with your home network or provider.
- Try another website and browser. If just one site fails, it may be that site's problem. If the same sites fail in one browser but work in another, check that browser's extensions and settings before changing DNS.
These checks help narrow the cause before you move on to fixes.
Try the simple fixes first
- Restart your router and modem. If they're separate devices, unplug both. Wait about 30 seconds, reconnect the modem first, and give it time to reconnect to the internet. Then turn the router back on. If you have a combined modem-router, restart that unit instead.
- Restart the affected device. A restart can clear a temporary network problem. On a phone, you can also turn Airplane Mode on for a few seconds, then turn it off and reconnect to Wi-Fi.
- Check your internet provider's status. Look at its service-status page or app, or contact support if you can't get online. There's little point changing DNS settings during a confirmed outage.
- Temporarily disconnect your VPN. Some VPNs route DNS requests through their own service. If that service has a problem, browsing may stop. Disconnect the VPN briefly and test a website; reconnect it afterward. If this fixes the issue, check the VPN app for an update or service notice.
If other devices work normally and these steps don't help, continue with the affected device.
Clear the DNS cache on your computer
Your computer keeps a temporary cache of DNS lookups so it doesn't have to ask for the same information every time. If a cached entry is outdated or incorrect, clearing the cache can help.
Windows
- Open the Start menu and search for Command Prompt.
- Open it, then enter
ipconfig /flushdnsand press Enter. - Wait for the confirmation message, then try loading the website again.
Mac
The Terminal command for clearing DNS varies by macOS version. Use Apple's guidance or a reliable guide that matches your exact macOS version rather than copying a command intended for another release. Restarting your Mac is a simpler first step if you aren't comfortable using Terminal.
Change your DNS server
If your current DNS service isn't responding, switching to a trusted alternative may restore access. Common options include Google Public DNS (8.8.8.8 and 8.8.4.4) and Cloudflare DNS (1.1.1.1 and 1.0.0.1). You don't need to change DNS if the problem is actually a wider internet outage.
Windows 11
- Open Settings and select Network & internet.
- Choose your active Wi-Fi or Ethernet connection and open its properties.
- Find DNS server assignment, select Edit, and choose Manual.
- Enable IPv4, enter the preferred and alternate DNS addresses, and save.
- Open a browser and test a few websites.
In Windows 10, DNS settings are available through the network adapter's properties, under Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4). The exact route may differ slightly depending on your setup.
Mac
Open System Settings > Network, select your active connection, open Details, and choose DNS. Add the DNS addresses you want to use and save the change. Menu names can vary by macOS version.
Phone or router
On a phone, DNS options depend on the operating system and whether you're using Wi-Fi or mobile data. Check the network's own settings rather than installing an unfamiliar app just to change DNS.
You can also change DNS in your router's administration settings, which may apply the setting to devices across your home network. The menu differs by router model, so follow its manual. If you're unsure, changing DNS on just the affected computer is easier to reverse.
Use DNS addresses from a provider you trust. An untrusted DNS service can direct you to the wrong destination, including fake websites.
If the error continues on Windows
If the problem affects only one Windows computer, check whether its network adapter is working properly. Open Device Manager, expand Network adapters, and look for a warning symbol next to the Wi-Fi or Ethernet adapter. If one appears, check Windows Update or the computer manufacturer's support page for a suitable driver. Avoid downloading drivers from unfamiliar sites.
You can also reset Windows networking as a later step. Open Command Prompt as an administrator and run these commands one at a time:
netsh winsock resetnetsh int ip reset
Restart the computer afterward and test the connection. These commands reset network components; if you use a manually configured IP address or other custom network settings, you may need to enter them again.
Check security or filtering software
Security software, parental controls, or custom web filters can sometimes interfere with DNS requests. If the error began after installing or updating one of these tools, check its settings and recent alerts. Don't leave your antivirus or firewall turned off as a workaround. If you test by briefly pausing a specific web-filtering feature, turn it back on immediately and restore any setting that doesn't solve the problem.
Confirm that the connection is fixed
After making a change, open several websites rather than relying on a single page that may still be cached. If possible, try both a familiar site and one you haven't visited recently. Then reconnect your VPN, if you use one, and check again. If the error returns only after reconnecting a VPN or enabling a filter, you've narrowed down what to investigate next.
If you're still connected to Wi-Fi but have no internet access, this guide to fixing Wi-Fi connected with no internet access covers the broader connection problem. If the router itself keeps failing or dropping the connection, see how to restart, reset, and troubleshoot a router.
When to contact your internet provider
Contact your provider if every device on your home network has the same problem, restarting the equipment hasn't helped, or the connection works on a phone hotspot but not through your home service. Tell support which devices you tested, whether a hotspot worked, and whether changing DNS made any difference. Those details can help them distinguish a local setup issue from a problem with their service.
In most cases, the quickest route is to test another device, restart the network equipment, and then focus on DNS or network settings only if the basic checks point that way.