🖥️ Full Guide: Fixing “DNS Error — Can’t Resolve Website”

DNS problems are one of the most common reasons a browser says “can’t resolve website.” Below is a friendly, step-by-step guide to help you find the problem and fix it — from quick checks to advanced troubleshooting. ⚡

🔍 Common Causes

• ❌ Incorrect or corrupted DNS settings on your device
• 🌐 Your ISP’s DNS server is experiencing problems
• 🔄 Outdated or broken cached DNS entries
• 🔒 Firewall, VPN, or antivirus software blocking DNS requests
• 📶 Router or local network problems
• 🌍 The website itself might be down

🛠 Step 1 — Quick Checks

• ✅ Check if the website is actually down
  Use any “is it down” tool from another device. If it’s down globally, the problem isn’t on your end.
• ✅ Test from another device or network
  Try the same site on your phone using mobile data. If it loads there, the issue is likely your computer or home network DNS.

🛠 Step 2 — Restart Basics

• 🔄 Restart your computer or device.
• 🔌 Restart your router/modem — unplug for 30 seconds, then plug back in.

🛠 Step 3 — Clear DNS Cache

Run the appropriate command for your operating system to clear any stale DNS entries.

Windows

Open Command Prompt (Run as administrator) and type:
  ipconfig /flushdns
  ipconfig /release
  ipconfig /renew
  

Mac

Open Terminal and type:
sudo dscacheutil -flushcache; sudo killall -HUP mDNSResponder

Linux (systemd)

Open Terminal and type:
sudo systemd-resolve --flush-caches

🛠 Step 4 — Change DNS Servers

If your ISP’s DNS is unreliable, try public DNS servers.

• Google DNS: Primary 8.8.8.8 — Secondary 8.8.4.4
• Cloudflare DNS: Primary 1.1.1.1 — Secondary 1.0.0.1

How to change DNS on Windows 10 / 11

• Open Control Panel → Network & Internet → Network Connections.
• Right-click your active network adapter → Properties.
• Select Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4) → Properties.
• Choose Use the following DNS server addresses and enter the new DNS addresses → OK.

🛠 Step 5 — Disable Conflicting Apps

• 🚫 Turn off any VPN temporarily and test again.
• 🚫 Temporarily disable firewall or antivirus (only while testing) to see if they block DNS.

🛠 Step 6 — Reset Network Settings

Windows

Open Command Prompt (Run as administrator) and type:
netsh int ip reset
netsh winsock reset

Then restart your PC.

Mac

Go to System Preferences → Network. Remove the Wi-Fi or Ethernet interface, then add it back and reconnect.

🛠 Step 7 — Advanced Fixes

• 🔄 Update your network adapter drivers (Windows Device Manager or your laptop maker’s support site).
• 📁 Check your hosts file to ensure the site isn’t blocked manually:
  Windows: C:\Windows\System32\drivers\etc\hosts
  Mac / Linux: /etc/hosts
• 🌐 Try a different browser — browser extensions can interfere with DNS or site loading.
• 🧰 Use a DNS-over-HTTPS (DoH) capable browser (modern Chrome/Firefox) for extra privacy and reliability.

🚨 If Nothing Works

• 📞 Contact your ISP — they may be having DNS problems or blocking the site.
• 🔒 Consider using a trusted VPN if your ISP is blocking certain sites (only if allowed in your area).
• 🧭 As a temporary workaround, use an alternate DNS provider (Google or Cloudflare) or a DoH/DoT solution.

✅ Follow these steps and you’ll resolve most DNS resolution errors. If you want, paste the exact error message or the commands’ output and I can help you interpret them. 👍