How to Fix DNS_PROBE_FINISHED_NXDOMAIN Error

Seeing a DNS_PROBE_FINISHED_NXDOMAIN error when you try to open a website can be frustrating, especially if it interrupts your work or browsing. This error happens when the Domain Name System (DNS) fails to resolve the site’s name into its server IP address, leaving the page unreachable.

The good news is that it’s a common issue with straightforward solutions. In this guide, we’ll explain the main causes and provide step-by-step fixes to help you restore your connection quickly.

TL; DR:

DNS_PROBE_FINISHED_NXDOMAIN occurs when a domain can’t be resolved, often from cache errors, DNS misconfigurations, or expired records. Solutions include flushing cache, changing DNS servers, resetting network settings, or checking hosts and security tools.

The DNS_PROBE_FINISHED_NXDOMAIN error simply means your browser can’t locate the website you’re trying to visit because the Domain Name System (DNS) failed to translate the domain name into its matching IP address.

The term “NXDOMAIN” stands for Non-Existent Domain, which indicates that the address either doesn’t exist or can’t be found. This issue often appears when a domain has expired or hasn’t been registered, when DNS settings are misconfigured on your device or network, or when local DNS caches or incorrect nameservers prevent the site from loading.

Common Causes of the DNS_PROBE_FINISHED_NXDOMAIN Error

Several factors can trigger this error, ranging from simple typos to deeper network or domain issues. Understanding these causes makes troubleshooting faster and more effective.

• Incorrect Domain Name Entry: A small typo in the website address, such as a missing letter or extra character, prevents the DNS from finding the correct IP address, leading to the NXDOMAIN error.

• Corrupted DNS or Browser Cache: Browsers and operating systems store DNS entries to speed up browsing. If these cached records become outdated or corrupted, your system may continue to point to the wrong or invalid IP address.

• Outdated or Misconfigured DNS Servers: If your DNS servers are unavailable, outdated, or incorrectly configured, domain queries won’t resolve properly. Switching to a reliable public DNS like Google or Cloudflare often fixes this.

• VPN or Proxy Conflicts: VPNs and proxies reroute traffic through other networks. If their DNS settings conflict with your system, they can block or misdirect requests, resulting in the error.

• Firewall or Antivirus Interference: Overly strict security tools may mistakenly block DNS requests, preventing your browser from reaching the intended website.

• Website or Domain-Level Issues: Sometimes the problem lies with the website itself. An expired or suspended domain, or broken DNS records such as incorrect A, CNAME, or nameserver entries, can trigger this error.

Before diving into technical troubleshooting, start with a few simple checks that often solve the problem quickly. Make sure the website address is typed correctly, as even a missing letter or wrong extension (.com instead of .org) can trigger the error.

If that’s not the issue, try opening the site on another device or switch to a different network, such as a mobile hotspot. You can also restart your modem or router by turning it off for 30 seconds and powering it back on to clear temporary connection problems.

If these checks didn’t solve the problem, a more detailed approach is needed. The following step-by-step instructions address the most common causes and provide practical solutions. Let’s walk through them one at a time.

Step 1: Flush DNS Cache

Your computer stores DNS information locally to speed up browsing, but outdated or corrupted records can block connections. Flushing the DNS cache forces your device to request fresh information from the DNS server.

On Windows, open Command Prompt as Administrator and type ipconfig /flushdns, then press Enter. On macOS, open Terminal and enter sudo dscacheutil -flushcache; sudo killall -HUP mDNSResponder, followed by your password.

Linux users can run sudo systemd-resolve --flush-caches, or restart the nscd service if their system uses it. After flushing the cache, reload the website to check if the error is resolved.

Step 2: Change DNS Server

If your Internet Service Provider’s DNS servers are slow or unreliable, switching to a public DNS can often restore connectivity. Reliable options include Google (8.8.8.8 and 8.8.4.4), Cloudflare (1.1.1.1 and 1.0.0.1), or OpenDNS (208.67.222.222 and 208.67.220.220).

On Windows, these can be changed in Network and Sharing Center → Change Adapter Settings → Properties (IPv4), while macOS users can update them in System Preferences → Network → Advanced → DNS tab.

If you prefer a network-wide solution, you can log into your router’s admin panel (commonly 192.168.1.1 or 192.168.0.1), enter the new DNS addresses, and restart the router.

Step 3: Reset Network Configuration

Network settings sometimes become misconfigured or conflicted, blocking DNS resolution. Resetting the configuration clears these issues and forces fresh connections. On Windows, open Command Prompt as Administrator and run ipconfig /release, ipconfig /renew, and netsh int ip reset, then restart your PC.

On macOS, renew the DHCP lease under System Preferences → Network → TCP/IP tab. Linux users can run sudo dhclient -r followed by sudo dhclient to refresh network leases.

Step 4: Disable VPN, Proxy, or Antivirus (Temporarily)

VPNs, proxies, and antivirus tools can sometimes interfere with DNS by redirecting or blocking requests. To test whether they are causing the issue, temporarily disable your VPN, turn off proxy settings in your browser or system preferences, and pause antivirus real-time protection.

After testing, re-enable them one at a time to identify which one was creating the conflict.

Step 5: Apply Browser-Specific Fixes

Browsers also maintain caches and settings that can trigger this error. In Chrome, reset all flags by visiting chrome://flags, selecting Reset All, and relaunching. You can also clear its DNS cache under chrome://net-internals/#dns or test the site in Incognito mode to rule out extension conflicts.

Firefox users can clear cache with Ctrl+Shift+Delete and temporarily disable add-ons under Add-ons and Themes. In Edge, clearing cache under Settings → Privacy → Clear browsing data or restoring default settings under Reset settings often resolves the issue.

Step 6: Check Hosts File for Blocked Entries

Every operating system has a hosts file that can manually block domains. If your target website is listed there, it may be getting redirected locally. On Windows, open Notepad as Administrator and navigate to C:\Windows\System32\drivers\etc\hosts. On macOS or Linux, use Terminal with sudo nano /etc/hosts.

Look for entries beneath 127.0.0.1 localhost or ::1 localhost that include your domain, and remove them if present. Save the file and reload the site to confirm the fix.

Mobile devices can also run into the DNS_PROBE_FINISHED_NXDOMAIN error, but the fixes are simple. Restart your Android or iPhone to clear temporary conflicts, update Chrome or Safari to avoid bugs, and clear app data or cache if corrupted settings are causing the issue (Settings → Apps → Chrome → Storage on Android or Settings → Safari on iOS).

You can also change DNS settings—Android users can set Google DNS (8.8.8.8 and 8.8.4.4) under Wi-Fi options, while iOS users can go to Settings → Wi-Fi → [i] → Configure DNS → Manual.

The error itself may also look different depending on the browser: Chrome shows “This site can’t be reached,” Firefox says “Hmm. We’re having trouble finding that site,” Edge reports it can’t reach the page,” and Safari warns “Safari Can’t Find the Server”—but all point to the same DNS resolution failure.

1. Clear Cache Regularly: Both browser caches and DNS caches can store outdated records that lead to resolution errors. Clearing them on a routine basis ensures your system always queries fresh and accurate domain data.

2. Use a Reliable DNS Provider: Switching to established DNS services like Google DNS, Cloudflare, or OpenDNS reduces the chance of failures. These providers maintain global infrastructure with fast query handling, strong uptime, and built-in protections against DNS-related issues.

3. Keep Router and Operating System Updated; Firmware updates on routers and patches for operating systems often include fixes that improve DNS handling and network stability. Applying these updates regularly prevents conflicts that could trigger DNS resolution errors.

4. Monitor Domain DNS Health: For website owners, routine checks on DNS records such as A, CNAME, and MX help ensure they are valid and pointing to the correct servers. Using tools like DNSChecker.org confirms global propagation and identifies potential misconfigurations early.

The DNS_PROBE_FINISHED_NXDOMAIN error is a common but solvable issue that blocks websites from loading by disrupting the process of domain name resolution. Causes range from corrupted DNS cache and browser conflicts to misconfigured DNS records or expired domains, but each has clear solutions.

By methodically working through simple fixes like flushing caches, changing DNS servers, or resetting network settings before moving to more advanced steps, users can usually restore connectivity quickly.

For long-term stability, however, reliable DNS management plays an even bigger role. Verpex provides user-friendly DNS tools and reliable infrastructure that reduce the risk of misconfigurations and help ensure consistent uptime.