How to Flush and Reset DNS Cache

DNS (Domain Name System) is a resolution mechanism to translate, resolve and return real IP address of the serving machine against the fully qualified domain name of the URL (Uniform Resource Locator), aka link location. Whenever a domain has been resolved, the DNS resolution is stored and cached locally for future use.

The caching of DNS on local system ensure the fastest speed to resolve any domain name, and reducing hits, and directly load and burn of DNS name servers. However, it may cause some issues such as some website and web pages not loading or cannot be contacted and connected when browsing, causing by changing of IP address or nameservers that hasn’t been reflected and refreshed on local copy. The symptom is more obvious when user set web browser to use proxy to surf the Internet, and these sites now can be loaded properly.

When encountering any inaccessible or unable to load web page issue, one possible resolution is to try to flush (empty and reset) the DNS cache on the system. To flush the DNS on Windows system (Windows XP and Vista inclusive), follow these steps:

  1. Click on Start button and then click on Run (alternatively just hit Windows + R keys) to open Run command dialog. Type Cmd into the Run box, and hit Enter. In Windows Vista, open an elevated command prompt.
  2. A command prompt DOS window will open. Type ipconfig /flushdns and then press Enter to purge the DNS resolver cache.

4 Responses to “How to Flush and Reset DNS Cache”

  1. JL
    March 23rd, 2009 07:55
    4

    I have the same problem as vivek.
    I can’t install my D-link, because upon internet connection repair it fails to clear DNS cache.
    Does it have anything to do with Kaspersky virus protection?

  2. Kyle
    December 22nd, 2008 08:51
    3

    Got to start > programs > administrative tools > services

    You’ll likley find you DNS client has been disabled

  3. Steve
    August 26th, 2008 09:58
    2

    Cool it worked

  4. vivek
    August 24th, 2008 16:33
    1

    I have tried this several times but getting this error:

    “Could not finish the DNS resolver cache:Function failed during execution”

    Thanks

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