How To Troubleshoot DNS Server Error Quickly? Get Easy Tips

When you can’t access any website, it might occur due to DNS server error. Now, run the network troubleshooter and you may see “Your computer appears to be correctly configured, but the device or resource (DNS server) is not responding”. Sometimes, “The DNS server isn’t responding” may also appear.

The DNS server allows the user to translate the address of the website to its corresponding IP address. This error can come up when the DNS (Domain Name Server) can’t carry out the translation. 

So, let’s discuss what’s causing this server error and how to fix it. 

Causes of DNS Server Error

There are multiple reasons for the occurrence of this problem. Some of the common reasons are mentioned here.

• Incorrect DNS server address 
• Corrupted DNS cache
• Outdated network adapter
• Websites blocked by firewall

So, you might face this problem due to any of these issues or any additional factors. However, you can troubleshoot them using the following fixes.

Learn How to Fix DNS Server Error

In this section, we will cover a few methods that can resolve the error regarding the DNS server.

Solution 1: Clear DNS and reset TCP\IP

If the data present within the DNS cache gets corrupted or becomes full, then you might encounter this problem. Now, the best method to resolve this problem is to flush the DNS cache and reset the TCP/IP configuration. To do that successfully, follow the below steps.

• First, press both the keys ‘Windows + R’ simultaneously to open the new Run dialog box.
• Now, type “cmd” beside the label ‘Open:’ and hit the ‘OK’ button. This will launch a new ‘Command Prompt’ window.
• Type the following commands – “ipconfig /release”, “ipconfig /flushdns” and “ipconfig /renew”. Then, tap the ‘Enter’ key to execute each of them.
• Once the execution of those commands is over, type the next batch of commands as follows – “ipconfig /flushdns”, “nbtstat – r”, “netsh int ip reset”, “netsh winsock reset”. Also, press the ‘Enter’ key after every command.

At last, reboot the computer and see if this error comes up or not.

Solution 2: Network Driver Update

If the network driver of the computer is not up to date, then you can encounter this problem. Now, the feasible solution to rectify this problem is to install an update for the network driver. In order to do that, follow the steps underneath.

• First, locate and then right-click on the ‘Windows’ logo to launch the ‘Options Menu’. Next, select the ‘Device Manager’ option and locate the ‘Network adapters’. Then double-click on it to expand all its drivers on a sublist. 
• After that, choose the appropriate driver and then right-click on it. From the popup menu, select the ‘Update Driver Software…” option. At this time, a new window will come up with the two links. Out of them, choose the first option that says ‘Search automatically for updated driver software’.
• Now, the Windows OS will look for any updates that are available for the network adapter. If there is any update, it will be downloaded and installed automatically.
• Repeat the third, fourth and fifth steps in this method to update all the remaining drivers in the ‘Network adapters’.

Once the update process is complete, exit the ‘Device Manager’ window. Finally, reboot the computer and then inspect whether this problem appears or not.

Solution 3: Change DNS Configuration

When the DNS configuration of the computer is not set correctly, you might face this problem. So, the correct way to resolve this issue is to alter the DNS settings of the machine from ISP specified DNS to Google DNS. For that to happen, follow the steps provided here.

• First, go to the right edge of the taskbar and locate the ‘Network’ icon beside the ‘Battery’ icon. After that, right-click on it and choose the ‘Open Network and Sharing Center’ option. As soon as you do that, the ‘Network and Sharing Center’ window will come up.
• Go to the left panel and choose the ‘Change adapter settings’ link. Now, on the new window that comes up, locate and right-click on the active network.
• Next, from the popup menu choose the ‘Properties’ option. Once you click on it, a new ‘Properties’ dialog box for that specific network will appear.
• From the ‘Networking’ tab, choose the ‘Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4) option. Now, double-click on that option to launch the ‘Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4) Properties’ window.
• In that window, select the radio button for ‘Use the following DNS server addresses”. Then put the following addresses “8.8.8.8” and “8.8.4.4” for “Preferred DNS server” and “Alternate DNS server” respectively.

At last, click on the ‘OK’ button to confirm the changes. Hopefully, the DNS server issue won’t appear anymore. 

Solution 4: Disable Windows Defender Firewall

Sometimes, the firewall of the Windows Operating System can block access to some websites. Due to this reason, you might come across this error. So, the best way to resolve this problem is to deactivate the Windows Defender Firewall. The steps are as follows.

• First, press both the ‘Windows + S’ keys simultaneously to open the default search section. Type “control panel” and choose the ‘Control Panel’ option from the search list.
• Next, select the ‘System and Security’ option and navigate to the ‘Windows Defender Firewall’ option. Go to the left panel and choose the “Turn Windows Defender Firewall on or off” link.
• Now, another page having the name ‘Customize Settings’ will appear. So, choose the “Turn off Windows Firewall (not recommended)” radio button for both “Private network settings” and “Public network settings”.

To apply the changes to the machine, tap the ‘OK’ button and restart it.

Solution 5: Powercycle the Router

When none of the above-discussed processes can solve this issue, you need to restart the router. Follow these steps below in order to reboot the router.

• First, press and hold the Power button of the router to turn it off.
• Now, unplug both the ‘Power’ and the ‘Ethernet’ cables from the router and wait for nearly thirty seconds.
• Next, insert all the cables of the router back into its places and switch on the device.
• Try to access any website and see if this issue has been resolved or not.

So, to fix the DNS server error, all you need is to follow every method discussed in the previous section.