Windows - DNS Troubleshooting

If you're experiencing connectivity issues or need to reset your DNS settings, follow the steps below.

1️⃣ Open Network Connections

• Right-click the Start menu.

• Select Network Connections from the menu.

• In the Network Connections window, click Properties.

• Choose Change DNS Settings for All Networks.

• Select Edit under the DNS Server Assignment / IPv4 DNS Servers section.

  Alternatively, you can click More Adapter Options, select the network connection, and then click Properties.

2️⃣ Set the DNS Server

• In the DNS Properties window, choose Use the following DNS server addresses.
• Enter the DNS addresses you want to use. For example:
  • Google DNS
    • Primary: 8.8.8.8
    • Secondary: 8.8.4.4
  • Cloudflare DNS
    • Primary: 1.1.1.1
    • Secondary: 1.0.0.1
• Click OK to save your changes.

3️⃣ Flush the DNS Cache

• Open Command Prompt or PowerShell.
• Run the following command to clear the DNS cache

ipconfig /flushdns

This will ensure that your system is using the new DNS settings you configured.

Testing your DNS Settings

After configuring your DNS settings, it’s a good idea to test whether they’re working as expected. 

1️⃣ Test with the following:

• Open Command Prompt or PowerShell.
• Run the following command to verify the DNS resolution:

nslookup google.com

If the DNS settings are correctly configured, you should receive the IP address of google.com.

Troubleshooting DNS Issues

If you're still experiencing connectivity issues after configuring your DNS settings:

1️⃣ Verify DNS Server Reachability

Make sure the DNS servers you entered are reachable. 

You can use the ping command to test the server. 

(If you decided on another DNS, replace the 8.8.8.8 with that)

ping 8.8.8.8

If ping fails, you will need to ensure that your network allows ping / ICMP requests through. 

2️⃣ Check for Incorrect DNS Settings

If the DNS settings were entered incorrectly, they may cause connectivity problems. Double-check the DNS addresses you’ve entered, and ensure there are no typos.

3️⃣ Restart Your Router or Modem

In some cases, DNS issues might be related to your router or modem. Restarting these devices can help resolve network-related problems.

4️⃣ Reverting to Automatic DNS Settings

If you want to revert to your system’s default DNS settings (automatic DNS assignment), follow these steps:

• Go back to the DNS Properties window (as described in Step 2).
• Select the option Obtain DNS server address automatically.
• Click OK to save your changes.

After reverting, your system will use the DNS servers provided by your internet service provider (ISP).