Troubleshooting Guide for “DNS Server Not Responding” Issue

Welcome to codedamn, the space where we strive to simplify complex technical issues for you. Today's blog post is dedicated to the topic of DNS, specifically an issue that can plague users: the dreaded "DNS Server Not Responding" message. This is a common problem a lot of us encounter in our day to day internet activities. But fret not, we are here to provide a step-by-step guide to troubleshoot this issue.

Understanding DNS

Before we delve into the problem-solving aspect, it's important to understand what DNS is. DNS or Domain Name System is a protocol within the set of standards for how computers exchange data on the internet and on many private networks, known as the TCP/IP protocol suite. Its basic job is to turn a user-friendly domain name into an Internet Protocol (IP) address.

The "DNS Server Not Responding" Issue

Now that we have a basic understanding of DNS, let's look at the "DNS Server Not Responding" issue. This typically happens when the DNS server that translates the hostname is not reachable. Your browser display this error when the DNS server is down or when there are network connectivity issues.

Troubleshooting the "DNS Server Not Responding" Issue

Let's now move on to the main section of this blog where we will guide you through the troubleshooting process.

1. Restart Your Router

The first and most straightforward solution is to restart your router. This helps in clearing out any issues that your network may be facing.

2. Change Your DNS Server

If the problem persists, try changing your DNS server. You can use Google's Public DNS, which is a secure and reliable option. Here's how you can do that:

Open Control Panel.
Click on Network and Internet -> Network and Sharing Center -> Change adapter settings.
Select the connection for which you want to configure Google Public DNS.
Select the Networking tab, Click Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4) or Internet Protocol Version 6 (TCP/IPv6) and then click Properties.
Click Advanced and select the DNS tab, then click OK.
Replace those addresses with the IP addresses of the Google DNS servers: For IPv4: 8.8.8.8 and/or 8.8.4.4. For IPv6: 2001:4860:4860::8888 and/or 2001:4860:4860::8844
Restart the connection.

3. Flush DNS Cache

Another common solution to this problem is flushing your DNS cache. Here's how you can do it:

Press Windows + R.
Type "cmd" and press Enter.
In the Command Prompt, type "ipconfig /flushdns" and press Enter.

4. Disable Extra Connections

Sometimes, extra connections can be the reason behind this problem. Here's how you can disable them:

Press Windows + R.
Type "ncpa.cpl" and press Enter.
Right-click on the extra connections and select Disable.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

To finish up, let's address some frequently asked questions about the "DNS Server Not Responding" issue.

1. What is a DNS server?

A DNS server is a server that contains a database of public IP addresses and their associated hostnames. When you type a URL into your browser, your browser will first send a request to a DNS server to get the IP address of the corresponding website.

2. Why does the DNS server not respond?

The DNS server might not respond for a variety of reasons, such as server downtime, network issues, or configuration problems.

3. Can I use any public DNS server?

Yes, you can use any public DNS server, but it's best to use a reliable and secure one like Google's Public DNS.

For more detailed information about DNS, you can check the official documentation here.

Remember, troubleshooting is a process of trial and error. Stay patient and keep trying different solutions until you find the one that works for you. Should you need additional help, don't hesitate to reach out to us here at codedamn. Good luck and happy troubleshooting!