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What DNS Cache Is and Why It Matters

DNS stands for Domain Name System. Think of it as the internet's phone book. When you type a website address like www.example.com into your browser, your computer needs to find the actual location of that website. DNS does this job by converting the website name into a numeric address called an IP address, which computers use to communicate with each other.

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Your computer stores information about websites you visit in something called a DNS cache. A cache is like a storage box. Instead of looking up every website address from scratch each time you visit, your computer remembers the answer from the last time. This makes websites load faster because your device doesn't have to ask the question again.

However, this cached information can become outdated or incorrect. Sometimes website owners move their sites to new locations. Sometimes the cached data gets corrupted. Sometimes cached information contains errors that prevent you from reaching a website you're trying to visit. When this happens, clearing your DNS cache can solve the problem.

DNS caching happens at multiple levels. Your personal computer maintains a local DNS cache. Your internet service provider maintains a larger cache. Some routers also store DNS information. Understanding these layers helps explain why clearing your cache on one device might not solve all your connection problems.

Practical takeaway: DNS cache is useful for speed, but old or incorrect cached information can cause website connection problems. Clearing it is a basic troubleshooting step for internet connection issues.

Signs That Your DNS Cache Needs Clearing

Several common situations indicate that clearing your DNS cache might help fix internet problems. The most obvious sign is when you cannot reach a website that you know exists. You might see an error message saying the site cannot be found, or your browser might time out while trying to load the page. If other people can visit the website without problems, your DNS cache may be storing outdated information.

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Sometimes websites change their web addresses or move to new server locations. If you visited a website before it moved, your cache might still contain the old address. The website works fine for new visitors, but your computer keeps trying to find it at the wrong location. This situation often happens when companies redesign their websites or switch to new hosting services.

Another common sign is experiencing slow website loading times when other internet services work normally. If DNS lookups are cached incorrectly, your browser might waste time trying to reach wrong locations before eventually finding the correct site. This creates noticeable delays that clearing your cache can fix.

You might also notice that some websites work on your phone but not on your computer, or vice versa. This happens because each device maintains its own DNS cache. The problem exists only in the cache on one specific device. Clearing that single device's cache resolves the issue.

Email delivery problems can also point to DNS cache issues, particularly if you have mail servers configured. If emails fail to send or receive, but your internet connection otherwise works normally, clearing your DNS cache might resolve the problem.

Practical takeaway: Watch for website connection failures, slow loading times, and discrepancies between devices as signs that DNS cache clearing might help solve your problem.

How to Clear DNS Cache on Windows Computers

Windows computers store DNS cache information in the system memory. Clearing this cache requires accessing your computer's command line interface. The process is straightforward and takes only a few minutes, even for users with limited technical experience.

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Start by opening the Command Prompt application. On Windows 10 and later versions, click the Start button and type "cmd" into the search box. The Command Prompt application appears in the search results. Right-click on it and select "Run as administrator." Windows requires administrator access to clear the DNS cache for security reasons.

Once Command Prompt opens, type the following command exactly as shown: ipconfig /flushdns

Press Enter on your keyboard. Your computer processes this command, which tells Windows to clear all stored DNS information from its cache. You should see a message confirming that the DNS Resolver cache has been flushed successfully. The message typically reads: "Successfully flushed the DNS Resolver Cache."

After you see this confirmation message, you can close Command Prompt. Your DNS cache is now empty. The next time you visit a website, your computer will look up the current correct address and store that new information in your cache.

If you see an error message instead of a success message, make sure you opened Command Prompt with administrator privileges. You cannot clear DNS cache without administrator access. If you continue having problems, you may need to contact your computer's administrator or the technical support team for your organization.

Practical takeaway: Windows DNS cache clearing requires opening Command Prompt as administrator and typing one simple command: ipconfig /flushdns

How to Clear DNS Cache on Mac Computers

Mac computers handle DNS cache differently depending on which version of macOS you use. Clearing the cache requires accessing the Terminal application, which is Mac's command line interface. The specific command varies based on your operating system version.

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First, open the Terminal application. You can find it by clicking the Finder icon, navigating to Applications, then opening the Utilities folder. Double-click Terminal to launch it. Alternatively, use Spotlight search by pressing Command and Space together, then typing "terminal."

For Mac computers running macOS Catalina or later versions (released from 2019 onward), type this command: sudo dscacheutil -flushcache; sudo killall -HUP mDNSResponder

For older Mac computers running versions before Catalina, use this different command: sudo dscacheutil -flushcache

After typing the appropriate command for your macOS version, press Enter. Your computer will ask for your administrator password to confirm the action. This is a security measure. Type your password and press Enter again. You won't see the characters appear as you type, which is normal for security purposes.

The Terminal window may appear to do nothing for a moment. This is normal. The cache clearing happens in the background. Some versions of macOS display a confirmation message, while others simply complete the process without visible feedback. Either way, your DNS cache has been cleared.

After clearing your cache on a Mac, you should restart your browser to ensure it loads fresh DNS information for websites. Close your browser completely, then reopen it and try visiting websites again.

Practical takeaway: Mac DNS cache clearing uses Terminal with different commands depending on macOS version. Catalina and later require two commands; older versions require one.

How to Clear DNS Cache on Mobile Devices and Routers

Mobile devices including iPhones, iPads, and Android phones also maintain DNS caches, though the process for clearing them differs from computers. On iPhones and iPads, you cannot manually clear just the DNS cache. Instead, you clear the entire Safari browser cache, which includes DNS information. Go to Settings, find Safari, and select "Clear History and Website Data." This removes all stored information that Safari uses, including DNS data.

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For Android devices, the process varies by manufacturer and Android version. Most Android phones do not provide a direct way to clear DNS cache from settings. However, you can restart your phone, which clears the cache automatically. Power off your device completely, wait 30 seconds, then power it back on. This simple restart often solves DNS-related problems on Android devices.

Your home router also maintains a DNS cache. If multiple devices in your home are experiencing website connection problems, the router's cache might be the source. Most routers can be restarted by unplugging the power cable for 30 seconds, then plugging it back in. Wait two to three minutes for the router to fully restart and reconnect to your internet service.

Some advanced routers allow you to access their settings through a web browser and clear the DNS cache directly. You typically access this by typing your router's IP address (often 192.168.1.1 or 192.168.0.1) into a web browser and logging in with your router's administrator credentials. Consult your router's manual or manufacturer's website for specific instructions, as the process varies significantly between router brands and models.

If you experience DNS problems across all your devices simultaneously, clearing your router's cache often solves the problem for everyone in your household at once. This is more efficient than clearing each device individually.