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 is the culprit. 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.

Try these fixes

If you'd like to know why you can't browse the Internet due to the 'DNS server not responding, you can go to read the reason part. Otherwise, follow along with the solutions directly.

  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

Bonus Tip: Try using VPN to fix the connection problem.

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 the DNS server not responding?

First, let's figure 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 translates 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

The DNS server not responding error could be probably caused by an incorrect DNS server address. So you can follow these to correct your DNS server address:

1) On your keyboard, press theWindows logo keyandRat the same time to invoke the Run box.

2) Typecontroland pressEnter.

3) ClickNetwork and Sharing CenterinLarge icons.

4) ClickChange adapter settings.

5) Right-click onLocal Area Connection,Ethernet or Wi-Fiaccording to your Windows. Then clickProperties.|

6) ClickInternet Protocol Version 4(TCP/IPv4), thenProperties.

7) Tick onObtain an IP address automaticallyandObtain DNS server address automatically. Then clickOK.

8) ClickInternet Protocol Version 6(TCP/IPv6), thenProperties.

9) Tick onObtain an IP address automaticallyandObtain DNS server address automatically. Then clickOK.

Restart your computer and try to access the website you want to go to again and see if it succeeds.


Solution 2: Clear your DNS cache and reset your IP

1) Type cmdin the search box from the Start menu. Then right-click onCommand Promptto selectRun as administrator.

Note: ClickYeswhen prompted by the User Account Control.

2) On the open black window, type the following commands and pressEnterafter each.

                                                                            ipconfig /flushdns                                                  

ipconfig /registerdns

ipconfig /release

ipconfig /renew

Then restart your computer and try to access the website you want to visit again and see if it succeeds.


Solution 3: Update your network adapter driver

Your DNS server won't respond if the network adapter driver is outdated.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 theScan 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 a network connection to update drivers. If your windows can't access the Internet, please use the Offline Scan feature of Driver Easy to help you.

After updating your network adapter driver, please restart your computer. Try to access the website you want to go to 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 to 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.

363

363 people found this helpful

Available in other languages

Können Sie die Webseiten nicht öffnen und bekommen SIe eine Meldung DNS Server antwortet nicht? Keine Sorge. Hier finden Sie dafür 5 effektive Methoden!

Vous avez rencontré l'erreur serveur DNS qui ne répond pas ? Suivez ce texte et vous apprendrez 6 solutions utiles pour la réparer !