Understanding DNS_PROBE_FINISHED_NXDOMAIN: What It Is and How to Fix It

Published October 3, 2024 | By Matt

You’re not alone if you’ve ever encountered the dreaded “DNS_PROBE_FINISHED_NXDOMAIN” error while browsing. This error can be frustrating, but the good news is that it’s usually fixable with a few troubleshooting steps. This post’ll dive into what this error means, why it occurs, and nine effective ways to resolve it.

What Is DNS_PROBE_FINISHED_NXDOMAIN?

The error message DNS_PROBE_FINISHED_NXDOMAIN indicates that the Domain Name System (DNS) was unable to find the IP address to the domain you’re trying to access. Essentially, your browser tried to locate the website but failed because the domain doesn’t exist or cannot be reached.

Why Does This Happen?

There are several common reasons for this error:

Domain Name Issues: The domain may be expired, unregistered, or incorrectly typed.
DNS Cache Problems: Outdated DNS information may be stored on your computer or network.
DNS Server Issues: Your Internet Service Provider’s (ISP) DNS servers may be down or misconfigured.
Local Configuration Problems: The problem could originate from your network, antivirus software, VPN, or even your browser.

Nine Ways to Fix DNS_PROBE_FINISHED_NXDOMAIN

Here are nine troubleshooting steps you can take to resolve the DNS_PROBE_FINISHED_NXDOMAIN error:

Flush the DNS Cache

Your device stores a temporary DNS cache that might hold outdated or incorrect information. Flushing this cache can force your system to look up the correct DNS information.

Windows: Open Command Prompt (Run as Administrator) and type:
bash
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ipconfig /flushdns
macOS: Open Terminal and run:
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sudo killall -HUP mDNSResponder

Release and Renew Your IP Address

Releasing and renewing your IP address can help resolve network and device conflicts.

Windows: Run the following commands one after the other in Command Prompt:
bash
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ipconfig /release
ipconfig /renew
macOS: Go to System Preferences > Network > Advanced > TCP/IP, then click Renew DHCP Lease.

Change DNS Servers

Your ISP’s DNS servers may be unreliable or slow. Switching to a public DNS server like Google’s (8.8.8.8) or Cloudflare’s (1.1.1.1) can often solve this issue.

Windows: Control Panel > Network and Sharing Center > Change adapter settings, right-click your connection, and choose Properties. Then, find Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4) and manually enter a new DNS server.
macOS: In System Preferences > Network, choose your active connection and modify the DNS settings under Advanced.

Restart DNS Client Service (Windows Only)

Restarting the DNS client service can refresh your system’s DNS settings if you’re using a Windows device.

Open Services from the Start menu and scroll down to DNS Client. Right-click and restart the service.

Check the Local Hosts File

Your computer’s hosts file can block certain websites by mapping them to incorrect IP addresses. Checking and modifying this file can help resolve DNS-related issues.

Windows: The hosts file is stored at C:\Windows\System32\drivers\etc\hosts.
macOS: You can access the hosts file by running sudo nano /etc/hosts in Terminal.

Reset Chrome Flags

Chrome Flags are experimental features that can sometimes interfere with DNS resolution. Resetting them to default may resolve the issue.

Open Chrome and enter chrome://flags in the address bar. Click Reset all to revert everything to default.

Disable VPN or Antivirus Software

Antivirus programs or VPNs can interfere with DNS resolution by blocking certain IP addresses or changing network settings. Temporarily disable them which help troubleshoot the issue.

Disable Your CDN (Content Delivery Network)

If you own a website and the DNS issue originates from your server, temporarily disabling your CDN may resolve the caching issues causing the problem.

For example, if you use Cloudflare, you can log in to your dashboard and pause the CDN under Settings.

Reboot Your Router

Sometimes, simply rebooting your router can refresh your internet connection and resolve DNS errors. Unplug the router, wait about 30 seconds, then plug it back in.

Conclusion

A variety of issues can cause the DNS_PROBE_FINISHED_NXDOMAIN error, but fortunately, it’s often easy to resolve. Whether it’s flushing your DNS cache, changing DNS servers, or checking your local network configuration, following these steps should help you get back online.