We have all known that Windows is the preferred Operating System around the World when it comes to OS of choice. Now, some of you may argue that MacOS is better than Windows. However, we will reserve that debate for some other day. If you are an avid Windows user, you might have known that there are some problems with it too. Specifically, the latest version of Windows which is Windows 10 has some known problems. Now, one of this known bugs is the DNS error which has been faced by a lot of people every day. One of the most common problems is DNS_Probe_Finished_no_Internet error on browser.
Therefore, we are going to tell you the steps in order to solve the DNS error on your Windows PC/Laptop. First of all, you must check whether your internet connection is working fine by checking your Wifi network with a smartphone or any other device. Still, if the problem persists then you are one of the Windows users affected with this bug.
1. Command Prompt Method
Now, first of the solutions that you can try is via the command prompt on your PC. this method works for some users but it is not guaranteed to work for you. First of all, open a command prompt window on your device. For this, press Windows key+R and type “cmd”. In the window, type the following command:
c:\netsh winsock reset
This command requires admin privileges on your PC, open command prompt using admin rights. After this, restart your computer and see if your problem is fixed. If not, head over to the next solution published below
2. Change automatic server to Open DNS servers
- Go to Network Connection on your PC and Right Click on Local Area Connection/Ethernet if you are connected via a LAN cable. If you are connected wirelessly, right click on Wi-fi.
- Select Properties and click on IPV4 from the list in the next window. Then, click on Properties once again to see IPV4 properties.
- In the General tab, click on “Use the following IP address:” instead of “Obtain an IP address automatically”.
- Now, enter this addresses in the boxes below:
Preferred DNS server: 208.67.222.222
Alternate DNS server: 208.67.220.220
- After this, check the box which says “Validate settings upon exit” and press OK.
This method solves DNS errors for most of the Windows users. Alternatively, you can also use Google DNS instead of Open DNS which is as follows:
Preferred DNS server: 8.8.8.8
Alternate DNS server: 8.8.4.4
However, if you are one of the unlucky ones whose problem is still not solved. Then, scroll below and see the remaining fixes which are bound to work.
3. Restart your Wifi Router and PC
If the problem is still there, you need to check if the problem is with your Wifi router or PC.
- Restart your PC.
- If the problem still exists, turn off your router and modem.
- Wait for 10-15 seconds and restart your modem and router at the same time.
This should most probably be the root cause of your problem. If the Wifi router was misbehaving then this method works every time and is recommended by service providers too. However, if the issue is still there then look at the fix mentioned below
4. Clearing Browser’s Cache/ Re-installing Browser
One solution you can try is to clear the cache of the browser that you are currently using. Preferably, you should use Firefox or Chrome on your PC. If you are using Firefox then clearing the data on your browser is very easy.
- Open Firefox
- Press Ctrl + Shift + Del keys and the cache will be cleared
If this does not work, you need to try resetting Firefox.
- Click on Menu inside Firefox and click on? sign at the bottom beside Customize settings
- Here, click on Troubleshooting information and select Refresh Firefox.. option
If you are on Google Chrome browser then the steps are different so follow the steps mentioned below to clear data and reinstall it.
- Open Chrome, go to its Settings and click on Show Advanced Settings
- In the privacy section, click on Clear Browsing Data
This will clear all the history as well as other browsing data from your PC. If this does not help, uninstall Chrome from your PC
- For this, go to Control Panel and open Installed Programs
- Now, look for Google Chrome and click on Uninstall
- After this, follow the steps to uninstall Chrome and re-install Chrome to see if the problem is fixed.
5. You should release/renew/flush your DNS
This is one of the best solutions if the problems is with your DNS stored locally on the PC. However, this step is not needed to be done most of the times. However, since you have reached here so you must be having a serious issue. To release/renew and flush DNS, you need to type some commands in the command prompt window.
- Open Command Prompt window, right click and select Run as Administrator
- In the Command Prompt window, type the following command to release DNS
ipconfig /release- After this, type the below command to renew DNS
ipconfig /renew- Finally, you have to type the below command to flush DNS
ipconfig /flushdns
Now, this is one of the fixes which should work every time if you have a DNS error on your PC. Make sure to restart your PC after doing the above steps so that the above changes can take place
6. Uninstall Ad Blockers/Malwares/Website Filtering Applications
If the problem has still not gone away than this might be because of some application that you have recently installed on your PC. Some of the applications cause the internet to not work properly. Also, some of the ad blockers, in the process of blocking ads from some websites, change some internet settings on our PC. This may sometimes become an issue and may cause DNS errors on the PC. Thus, you should uninstall this programs to solve this error
- Open Command Prompt and right-click to Run as Administrator
- Type the following command in the Command Prompt window and press enter:
netsh- Now, type the following command as well:
winsock reset
- After the process is completed, you can close the Command Prompt Window and reboot your Windows.
On rebooting, your problem will be solved once and for all. If the problem is still not resolved, you need to contact your internet service provider or factory reset your Windows PC.
7. Update Drivers
If the problem still persists even after trying all the steps above, try to update your system drivers. There are many software’s available on the internet to update all your system installed drivers with one click. To check the internet working or not your computer just try ping method to check.
Open your command prompt and ping a website as shown in the below picture.
That’s all for now. Please do share your views and feedback in the comment box.