How to Fix DNS Server not responding on

Windows [Solved]
By April Cai - Last Updated: 4 weeks ago Common Errors network

Suddenly you cannot access any websites through the Internet. Then you try to troubleshoot the
network problems on your Windows. It tells you the DNS server not responding error. You may
see one of these:

The DNS server isn’t responding.

Your computer appears to be correctly configured, but the device or resource (DNS
server) is not responding.

Don’t worry if this problem occurs. You can fix this problem with our following guide.

Fixes for ‘DNS server not responding’?

If you’d like to know why you can’t browse the Internet due to ‘DNS server not responding, you
can go to read the reason part. Otherwise, follow along with the solutions directly.
Here are 4 solutions according to different reasons. You may not have to try them all; just work
your way down the list until you find the one that works.

1. Correct your DNS server address

2. Clear your DNS cache and reset your IP
3. Update your network adapter driver
4. Restart your modem and router

Note: The screens shown below are from Windows 10, but all the methods also apply to
Windows 7/8.

Why can’t I access websites when DNS server not responding?

First, let’s firgure out what a DNS server is. DNS(Domain Name System) server helps to
translate the website address into the IP address for your browser to connect to.

For example, when you want to access our website: www.drivereasy.com on Chrome, the DNS
server translate it into our public IP address: 144.217.68.24 for Chrome to connect to.

So you may know if there’s any wrong with your DNS server, you cannot access any website on
your browser. No exception that if your DNS server stops responding, you cannot access the
websites through the Internet.

Solution 1: Correct your DNS server address

This problem could be probably caused by your incorrect DNS server address. So you can follow
these to correct your DNS server address:

1. On your keyboard, press the Windows logo key and R at the same time to invoke the
Run box.
2. Type control and press Enter.
3. Click Network and Sharing Center in Large icons.
4. Click Change adapter settings.
5. Right-click on Local Area Connection, Ethernet or Wi-Fi according to your Windows.
Then click Properties.|
6. Click Internet Protocol Version 4(TCP/IPv4), then Properties.
7. Tick on Obtain an IP address automatically and Obtain DNS server address
automatically. Then click OK.
8. Click Internet Protocol Version 6(TCP/IPv6), then Properties.
 9. Tick on Obtain an IP address automatically and Obtain DNS server address
automatically. Then click OK.

10. Try to access the website you want to go again and see if it succeeds.

Solution 2: Clear your DNS cache and reset your IP

1. Type cmd in the search box from the Start menu. Then right-click on Command
Prompt to select Run as administrator.

Note: Click Yes when prompted by the User Account Control.

2. On the open black window, type the following commands and press Enter after each.

ipconfig /flushdns

ipconfig /registerdns

ipconfig /release

ipconfig /renew
 3. Try to access the website you want to go again and see if it succeeds.

Solution 3: Update your network adapter driver

This problem could be also caused by an old or incorrect network adapter driver. You can update
your network adapter driver manually or, if you’re not confident playing around with drivers,
you can do it automatically with Driver Easy.

Driver Easy will automatically recognize your system and find the correct drivers for it. You
don’t need to know exactly what system your computer is running, you don’t need to risk
downloading and installing the wrong driver, and you don’t need to worry about making a
mistake when installing.

You can update your drivers automatically with either the FREE or the Pro version of Driver
Easy. But with the Pro version it takes just 2 clicks (and you get full support and a 30-day money
back guarantee):

1. Download and install Driver Easy.

2. Run Driver Easy and click the Scan Now button. Driver Easy will then scan your
computer and detect any problem drivers.

3. Click Update All to automatically download and install the correct version of all the
drivers that are missing or out of date on your system (this requires the Pro version –
you’ll be prompted to upgrade when you click Update All).
 Note: You can do it for free if you like, but it’s partly manual.

Note: Driver Easy requires network connection to update driver. If your windows can’t
access the Internet, please use the Offline Scan feature of Driver Easy to help you.

4. After updating your network adapter driver, please restart your computer. Try to access
the website you want to go again and see if it succeeds.

Solution 4: Restart your modem and router

If your modem or router doesn’t work properly, the DNS server could stop responding, either.
You can restart your modem and router if you have one to solve the problem.

1. Press the power button of your modem or router to power off, then wait for a while and
press the power button again to start it again.

2. Try to access the website you want to go again and see if it succeeds.

Hopefully this article has helped you fixed the problem. Feel free to comment below with your
own experiences and share with your friends or colleagues if they’re experiencing the same
problem.