The DNS server is not responding, what should I do? What to do if the DNS server does not respond. How to change the DNS server: necessary settings on video

Let's look at one pretty common problem, due to which Windows computer Internet access may not work. The problem is due to the DNS server being unavailable. Suppose you have lost access to the Internet, a yellow triangle appears on the connection icon in the tray, and an error is displayed in Chrome when you try to open any site.

As you can see, the problem is related to the DNS server, which cannot resolve the domain name (site) to an IP address. In most cases, this problem is caused by incorrect settings of your computer, router, or errors on the side of your Internet provider.

Try right-clicking the connection icon and selecting Diagnose Problem. After running connection diagnostics in the Diagnostics window Windows networks The error “DNS server is not responding” will appear.

Or this error: “The computer settings are configured correctly, but the device or resource (DNS server is not responding).”

In this article we will look at several simple tips which should help you fix the "DNS server is not responding" error on Windows 10 (and other supported versions of Windows).

First of all, try the simplest but quite effective methods:

  • Reboot your router or modem through which you are connected to the Internet (just turn off the power for 1-2 minutes).
  • Reboot your Windows device.
  • Check if the Internet is working on your other devices and if DNS errors are appearing on them.
  • Remember if you have recently installed any new programs. Some antiviruses with built-in firewall at incorrect setting may block Internet access.

For permission DNS queries on Windows devices the service must be running DNS client. Check if this service is running:

  1. Open the Services Management Console (services.msc).
  2. In the list of services, find DNS Client / DNS client.
  3. Double click on it and make sure it is in the Running status. If the service is disabled, move it to automatic start and launch it by clicking the Start button.
  4. After enabling the DNS service, it is advisable to restart your computer.

Perform a DNS cache reset network settings and TCP/IP stack parameters by running at an elevated command prompt following commands and restart your computer:

ipconfig /flushdns
ipconfig /renew
ipconfig /release
netsh winsock reset

Run the command nslookup. If the command returns DNS request timed out. timeout was 2 seconds, which means the DNS server is not accessible from your computer. IP DNS address server is present in the results of the nslookup command.

Check current settings primary and secondary DNS servers in the network connection properties. Open the Settings app and go to Network and Internet. In the window that opens, click on the item Setting the adapter parameter.

Find your Internet connection and open its properties. If your computer is connected to the Internet via cable, open properties Ethernet connections(Connection via local network), if through Wi-Fi network– connection properties “Wireless network”.

In the list of protocols, select Internet Protocol Version 4 / IP Version 4 (TCP/IPv4) and click the button Properties.

If you have DNS list servers manually specified the IP address of a server, try switching to the “Obtain DNS server address automatically” option, restart your computer and check your Internet connection.

If this does not help, try manually specifying IP addresses public DNS Google servers: 8.8.8.8 or 8.8.4.4.

Save your changes and restart your computer.

If you are connected to the Internet through a router and a problem with DNS servers occurs on all devices that access the Internet through it, you most likely need to check DNS settings servers on the router itself and change them to the ones indicated above.

Advice. A specific router settings menu item with DNS settings server may differ depending on the equipment model and type of Internet connection. First, check the WAN, Network setup, DNS, Basic Settings, etc. sections. Below is a screenshot from the sections in which you need to specify the DNS servers on popular Linksys routers.

If the methods discussed did not help fix it DNS error, try:


Sometimes users encounter a problem where the server is not responding. What to do in such a situation to get it back to work as quickly as possible? First, you should try to find out the cause of the failure, and then try to eliminate it.

Reasons why the server is not responding

Often the server does not respond due to a network problem. To eliminate it, you should make sure that it has a working and valid network connection. First of all, you need to check the serviceability of the corresponding client equipment, that is, cables and network cards. If this is all right, then you should make sure that it can contact routers or other computers that are on the same network using the ping command.

If you can contact the DNS server using regular network checks, but it does not respond to client DNS requests, you should check whether the DNS server is running and whether it can respond to client requests and listen for connections. To do this you need to use the nslookup command.

It happens that the DNS server is configured to provide limited service to a certain number of configured IP addresses. And the IP address that was originally used when checking the server responses was not included in this number. In this case, you should repeat the server check by specifying a different IP address, which is among the restricted interfaces. If the DNS server responded to the request from this address, then you should add the missing IP address.

Sometimes, the reason that the server has stopped responding may be that it is using a non-standard service port. In this case, you should make sure that the DNS server is not using a non-standard configuration. If this is the case, you should investigate whether the intermediate proxy or firewall is specifically configured to block traffic through known service ports that are used for DNS. If not, then you should add a packet filter to these settings, then traffic will be allowed to standard ports DNS. In addition, you should check the DNS server event log to see if any critical 414 events have occurred, which will help indicate why the server is not responding. Now you know what to do if the server stops responding and you can fix the problem yourself. If you did not find the cause of the failure in this article, then you can ask a question about this on the official Microsoft website.

Users usually start the troubleshooting process when they detect a yellow exclamation mark on the Internet icon. After the procedure, the system may display the message “DNS server is not responding.” What this means and how to deal with it, we will tell you in the article. The solution may be trivial (for example, rebooting the router or changing the browser), in some situations you will have to check the functionality of the DNS service or clear the cache.

What does this error mean?

Most people don't know what a DNS server is and what it's for. Each resource on the Internet has its own IP address, consisting of 4 bytes. But the user is not able to remember the numerical addresses of numerous sites, so they were invented domain names(names of sites you enter in address bar). The DNS server serves to associate a domain with an IP address, so that the user gets to the desired resource.

Now that you know what DNS is, you can understand why your computer won't connect to the Internet. Typically, the DNS server is unavailable due to network problems. Problems with the provider may well be the cause of this error. But there may be situations when the source of the problem is your computer. In the following chapters, you will learn what to do if the DNS service is not responding.

Primary actions

If you encounter the DNS server is not responding message, do not panic, because the problem may not be the resource itself, but the device. Recommends doing a series of simple actions, which in most situations solve the problem:

  • Reboot your computer and router. Unplug the router and leave it turned off for a few minutes. Turn on your router and then boot up your computer.
  • Change your browser. If the error appears in your browser window, try a few alternatives.
  • Update network drivers. Outdated driver is common cause the error under discussion. Download the necessary software from the official website of your network card manufacturer.

Contact the provider

After primary actions Contact your ISP to find out why the server is not responding. The provider may require your full name, contract number, model of the router used or other information. If the problem is on the side of the service provider, you do not need to perform any manipulations. It is enough to wait for corrections. Otherwise, proceed to the subsequent paragraphs of the article.

Checking the DNS client service

The DNS client may be disabled on the computer. In this situation, all previous steps will be ineffective. The following instructions will help you check the client’s status and enable it:


Now you know one of the reasons why the DNS server is not responding. Activating the client will clear the error so you can freely use the Internet.

Changing addresses or settings of DNS servers

Client activity does not guarantee full functionality. Incorrectly configured settings may limit access to global network. As a rule, the settings include the option to automatically obtain DNS addresses, but the router may give them incorrectly. You must set the addresses manually. Follow these steps to make the correct setup:

You can also obtain DNS server addresses from your ISP. Now you know how to fix the DNS server not responding error.

Clearing the DNS cache

To speed up access to specific sites, the computer caches information about DNS servers. Information is located in system partition Windows. Often this cache is out of date and therefore leads to incorrect operation system, which becomes the cause of the already known error. The solution to the problem is simple - clear the cache. The procedure is performed using the command line or restarting the appropriate client.

To get in command line possible in the following ways:

  • Windows 10: Right-click Start and then select Command Prompt (Admin).
  • Windows 7/8/8.1. Click Win combination+R, type cmd and press Enter.

On the command line itself, enter the following commands in sequence:

  • ipconfig /flushDNS;
  • ipconfig /registerDNS;
  • ipconfig /release;
  • ipconfig /renew;
  • netsh winsock reset.

After each of them, press Enter. The final step is to restart your computer. Clearing the cache will help solve connection problems when DNS is not responding. Alternative way– restart the client. To do this, enter the list of services (described in detail in the DNS service check paragraph). By clicking on required line right-click, click "Restart".

If you encounter problems accessing websites, we recommend that you regularly clear your cache.

Setting up a firewall

Windows has its own security features. Their list includes “Windows Firewall” (or in other words, firewall). A firewall can block access to resources that it considers potentially dangerous to your computer. If you are confident in the reliability of the resources you are using, you can disable the firewall on your computer.

Disabling occurs in a few clicks:


Attention! On some systems, the firewall settings will be unavailable, as their powers will be taken over by the antivirus. In this situation, you will have to temporarily disable your antivirus to change the settings. Disabling FireWall in some cases removes the “no access to DNS server” message.

Checking the system for viruses

On Windows 10 and other OS versions, the “DNS server is not responding” message may be caused by malware. Viruses can completely block access to the network or to individual Internet resources. It is recommended to scan the system with an antivirus or using Live media (for example, a flash drive).

VPN and other programs

To solve the problem when the DNS server does not respond, specialized software will help, which allows you to manually install a server from the list of available ones. Bright representative in this segment – ​​DNS Jumper. The program does not require installation. The application can select a service automatically, but if necessary, the user can manually set the desired server.

DNS (Domain Name System) is a domain name system that is presented on servers in the form a certain hierarchy. When working on the network, you can encounter errors in the operation of domains, which is why changing the server used will save you. In Windows 7, it is possible to configure the DNS server and change its parameters, which is done very simply, in just a couple of steps.

Purpose of DNS

Computing devices do not understand our language, as well as the address that we enter into the search bar of the browser we use. The computer only understands IP - the code designation of the client (user). Such information is provided to the server in the form binary system number, for example, 00100010.11110000.00100000.11111110. This set of numbers is automatically converted to the decimal system, for our understanding. In this case with the example above, it would be 255.103.0.68.

For clients, remembering even such a set is extremely difficult. Therefore, when registering a domain on the appropriate resources, we come up with some kind of letter designation.

After registering a domain, we receive both an alphabetic expression of the future site and a numerical one, presented in the form of binary or decimal system Reckoning

When a user sends a request to the server (specifies the address in search bar), it goes to the DNS server - where the site domain is stored. System in automatic mode searches for matches, and if everything is fine, then we get to the site.


All computer queries are made using DNS

Among other things, this address ensures the user’s security while surfing the Internet. In this way, we protect ourselves from various types of malicious software. If this parameter is disabled on the computer, the client will not be able to access this or that resource on the network.

When should you change your DNS address and where to get it?

By default, the option to automatically obtain a DNS address is enabled on your computer. This setting is optimal for most users. Only in exceptional situations should it be changed. For example, when you need to access a certain resource on which you have been blocked.

Some servers may be located quite far from the hosting. This has a direct impact on the loading speed of website pages. It is recommended to use free addresses, which you can easily obtain from many search engines. For many users this will be the best way out from the current situation. Ideal: Yandex.DNS or Google Public DNS. In this case, the connection will be made through the nearest server.


Yandex.DNS or Google Public DNS services are free to use and very reliable

It is most advisable to change the DNS address for owners of their own resources. When a user sets this information in the site domain, he automatically “tells” the entire global Internet community about the location of the resource so that it can be found, opened and the information stored there can be read.

Changing DNS will allow you to access blocked sites.

The same addresses from Yandex and Google are not bound by any obligations with Roskomnadzor, unlike Internet providers who provide you with the opportunity to operate the network.

How to find out DNS and where it is located

As is the case with most system parameters, you can find information about the DNS server through the control panel.

  • Open the Start menu and select Control Panel.

    Open Control Panel from the Start menu

  • In the window that appears, open the “Network and Internet” tab and click on “View network status and tasks.” Here you will find the “View active networks” section. It will contain all the networks to which your computer is connected. Click on the one that is responsible for connecting to the Internet.

    Select active network, which is responsible for connecting to the Internet

  • Now go to the properties of the selected network. Click on "Properties"
  • Once clicked, a window with many options will appear. You need "Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4)". Select it with your mouse and open Properties. Highlight “Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4)” and click on “Properties”
  • The window that opens will contain all the information you are interested in. By default, automatic retrieval of the server address should be enabled.
    Automatic receipt IP address is optimal for mobile users
  • In order to install new address, you should repeat the manipulations mentioned above (go to the properties “Internet Protocol version 4 (TCP/IPv4)”).

    You need to change the checkbox from “Obtain DNS server address automatically” to “Use the following DNS server addresses” and enter the desired address.

    Check "Use the following DNS server addresses" and set the DNS address you need

    Such options should be changed with extreme caution and care. Analyze DNS servers in advance and avoid using little-known ones.

    Video: installing a DNS server

    DNS Settings

    Setting up and changing an address is carried out in the same way as obtaining information about it. First, you again need to go to the “Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4)” properties. You can configure and change the DNS server in the “Advanced...” tab.

    In the “Advanced” tab, you can independently change the order in which the client accesses the servers

    You should know that all sites and domains are stored on different servers, and their great amount. Thus, if you specify a specific address, and it is not on one server, the machine automatically switches to another, and so on, until the desired result is found.

    You can configure DNS suffixes, but unless necessary, it is better not to change anything in this setting

    DNS suffixes are needed exclusively by network providers to provide various levels of access, since the address of any site can be divided into several parts.

    Domain levels are counted from the end, for example, in the address server.domain.com there are three levels and server is the third.

    There is no need to configure anything here, since everything should already be done for you. You run the risk that you will completely lose access to most sites and will have to set everything up again.

    DNS server not responding: how to fix problems in Windows 7

    This is one of the most popular problems that users may encounter while surfing the Internet. By the way, it is not the most pleasant, since there can be many reasons for its appearance. Similar problems can be solved in several ways.

    First of all, you need to check whether the corresponding service is activated on your personal computer.

  • Open Control Panel and go to System and Security.
  • In the Administration option, select Services.
  • In the list presented, find the “DNS client” entry and double-click on it with the left mouse button.
  • In the window that appears, change the service startup type to “Automatic”.
  • If the automatic startup type has already been set, then the problem is not with your computer, but is on the side of the server you are using. You can get rid of the problem by changing the address, as described above.

    It's best to use addresses search engines: the address from Google is 8.8.8.8, and from Yandex - 77.88.8.1.

    One of the options described should definitely help. If this still does not happen, update your drivers network adapter and check the cable connection to the computer. If this doesn't help, call your Internet provider.

    If the error appears to be incorrect DNS name resolution, you will also need to change the address.

    What is a DHCP server and how does it differ from DNS

    DNS is part of DHCP, which is a much more advanced system. DHCP deals with the organization of the network used, the distribution of IP addresses and the creation of the network ecosystem. It contains the most various information, which is processed and exploited in the future: host IP address, gateway IP address and DNS server information. All these parameters are configured by the system automatically, and changing them is highly not recommended.

    DNS are designed to transmit IP addresses, obtain data about resources and connect to them. If necessary, any user can change the address to speed up the network, protect their computer from unwanted consequences and optimize the operation of sites in general. All this is possible by changing the domain server.

    In Windows, as well as in any other operating system, errors may occur. Here is an example of one of these errors: “The computer settings are configured correctly, but the device or resource (DNS server) is not responding.” In this case, it is impossible to connect to the Internet. How can this problem be solved?

    I want to say right away that I will only describe possible solutions that can help. Each situation must be considered separately.

    Possible Solution

    So, the first and simplest solution is to . To do this, unplug it from the outlet and wait about 10 seconds. In this case, all warning lights on the device will go out. After the specified time, connect the router to power and wait a while until it connects to the network.

    If the above method does not help, then you need to use the command line, with which you can clear the cache of some parameters. Run a command prompt as an administrator: click the “Start” button, and in the “Search programs and files” line write cmd. A program shortcut will appear at the top of the window. You need to right-click on it and select “Run as administrator”:

    ipconfig /flushdns

    ipconfig /registerdns

    ipconfig /release

    Enter each command by pressing the Enter key after EACH one.

    Perhaps the problem is in the TCP/IP parameters, if installed specific addresses DNS servers. This actually happens, but with some types of connections you need to register strictly the DNS addresses that the user receives from the provider. Be extremely careful.

    In Control Panel, select "Network and Sharing Center" shared access", opening which you will see basic information about the network. On the left side of the window, select “Change adapter settings.”

    Select your connection, click on right button mouse, click on “Properties”.

    In the new window, select “Internet Protocol Version 6 (TCP/IPv6)” and “Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4)” in turn, and click on the “Properties” button.

    Check the boxes “Obtain an IP address automatically” and “Obtain a DNS server address automatically.” Click OK.

    I repeat once again that you need to be extremely careful with these actions, because if the connection requires a specific IP address and DNS addresses, the Internet will stop working altogether until you enter the addresses that your provider gave you. All responsibility for this falls on your shoulders.

    By the way, if the solution helps with getting automatic addresses, you can register Google DNS servers: 8.8.8.8 and 8.8.4.4, which, as Google itself assures, provide faster loading of web pages by increasing the efficiency of data caching, as well as improved protection against spoofing.

    You have alternative solutions? I will be glad if you share them in the comments.