How to Clear DNS Cache in Windows 11 & 10

If you’re having trouble accessing a website, clearing your PC’s DNS cache helps. This Domain Name System cache provides information about websites you have previously visited.

This makes it easier for your computer to reaccess these addresses. In fact, this is a temporary database that speeds up the work.

However, sometimes, these stored addresses need to be updated because they become corrupted. In short, this prevents us from surfing the Internet. In this article, we will explain how to clear the DNS cache on Windows 11 or 10.

Clearing DNS Cache on Windows 11 PC

Why Is It Necessary to Clear DNS Cache on PC?

We access a website on the Internet using the domain name. At this stage, our PC uses DNS, or Domain Name System, to convert the domain name into an IP address. At this point, our device communicates with the DNS servers. It then connects to the website’s server to perform the conversion and display its content.

If we reaccess the same website another time, our PC looks at the DNS info this time. That is, it does not contact the website’s server again. It looks directly at the records it stores locally. That’s why we access the relevant resources faster. Another plus of this process is that it reduces the load on servers.

However, in some cases, administrators make server changes on their websites. At this point, sometimes the hostname info has an old or incorrect IP address. Therefore, we need help accessing the website. When we encounter such situations, we need to clear the name server information.

How to Clear DNS Cache on Windows PCs and Improve Internet Connectivity

Clearing the DNS cache is simple. For example, we have Windows 11 or Windows 10 installed on our PC. These systems are so easy to use that we can do this in seconds. At this point, the tool that comes to our aid is the CMD tool.

We can use CMD to clear old registered IP address records on our PC. Frankly, I always get the job done cleaning using this tool. That’s why I advise you to refrain from unnecessarily installing a 3rd party program on your system.

Even if you are using Windows XP, Vista, 7, 8, 8.1, 10, or 11, the cleaning process is the same for all of them.

For example, if you can’t access Facebook.com, the first thing I recommend you do is to perform a DNS flush. To do this, you immediately open CMD and use the ipconfig /flushdns command.

You can then test the connection by pinging Facebook first. So, you send a request to the website’s server and measure the response time. If it responds, you can now access it from your web browser.

However, let me make a footnote for you. When you first visit the web page after deleting the name server information, the loading time will be slow. This is because it communicates with the server during the connection phase and adds new records to the cache.

How to Empty DNS Cache on Windows 11 & 10

After some explanations, let’s start the steps to reset, delete, or clear the DNS cache.

However, you may first want to see the existing records on your platform. To find out, use the ipconfig /displaydns command and see the results.

Step 1: Open CMD Command Prompt

The first step to removing your name resolution memory is to open Command Prompt (CMD). You may ask how I open this, but the answer is straightforward!

First, regardless of your system, press Windows Key + X on your keyboard. Then select Window Terminal or CMD tool from the menu that opens. This is called Terminal in Windows 11. However, in older versions, such as Windows 10, it is referred to as CMD or Command Prompt.

As a faster method, press Windows Key + R to open the screen in the image below. Thus, you will open the screen where you can quickly access almost all Microsoft settings.

Opening the Run Tool with Windows Keys in Windows 11

Now, type the “cmd” expression in the search box of the Windows 11 or 10 Run tool and click OK.

Running CMD (Command Prompt) in Windows 11 Run Tool

Step 2: Run the Command

After opening CMD, that is, Command Prompt, type the following command and press Enter.

ipconfig /flushdns

At this point, you will delete all the name system records you have previously visited on your PC using this command! Thus, you will refresh the IP addresses of the websites you are trying to access again.

NOTE: You may want to delete Cache records from the Windows Server system. Then, you should use this different command: dnscmd /clearcache.

Some networks give you IP addresses automatically. DHCP does this job. Use the guide to turn on DHCP and check your network settings.

Using the ipconfig /flushdns Command to Flush DNS Cache on CMD

Step 3: Verify Cache Clearing

The flushdns command clears the entire table. However, it would be best if you verified this on the CMD screen.

In short, as soon as you run the command, you should see the following text on the Windows IP Configuration screen:

Successfully flushed the DNS Resolver Cache

If you see the warning text above, it means you have successfully deleted the cache.

Verifying DNS Cache Clearing Process

Step 4: Restart Your Computer

Finally, I recommend restarting your Windows 11 or 10 computer. Because of that, you minimize the problems that may occur during the DNS deletion process.

This way, you can be more confident that you are entirely deleting cached entries. It also means that when you reboot your PC, you will now use the new DNS information.

How to View and Delete DNS Records with PowerShell

We can both see and clear the DNS cache with CMD on Windows PCs. We can also choose to use the PowerShell tool as a different method.

Step 1: Run PowerShell

This great PowerShell software from Microsoft is easy to run. First, press Windows Key + X or S again from your PC keyboard. In the options or menu you open, type PowerShell, search for it, and select it.

I used the Windows 11 search feature by pressing Win+S, as shown in the image below.

Running PowerShell

Step 2: See IP Records

First, ping facebook.com as an example to see older IP address information.

ping facebook.com

Now, check the records with IP addresses we got from looking up domain names.

Get-DnsClientCache

How to Ping Facebook and Check DNS Cache

Step 3: Clear and Verify Cache with PowerShell

You viewed IP information in PowerShell and now want to delete it. So, quickly run the command below to get rid of them immediately.

Clear-DnsClientCache

This PowerShell command will clear your DNS repository. It will then reset your computer to get new IP info from your ISP.

Also, execute Get-DnsClientCache again. This time, you can verify that you have deleted Facebook’s IP address.

Verifying Deleting DNS Records with PowerShell

Video

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FAQ About DNS Cache

Does clearing the DNS cache harm my computer?

No, not at all. This task only deletes temporary DNS records. It never touches your system files or documents.

Honestly, I have run this command on my own machines for years. Windows rebuilds the records you delete in a short time. So no lasting damage can occur.

Therefore, you can try it with peace of mind. For example, a policy may block you on a work PC without admin rights. In that case, just ask your IT department.

How do I open the command prompt as admin in Windows 7?

Type cmd in the Start menu search box. Right-click the icon and pick “Run as administrator.”

Also, you can open the Run box with Windows + R. But this method does not give you admin rights. For that, you must use Ctrl + Shift + Enter.

This way, you can run the ipconfig /flushdns command without issues. If you cannot find the cmd icon, check the Accessories section.

What should I do if the ipconfig /flushdns command gives an “Access denied” error?

This error usually shows up when you lack admin rights. After all, you did not open CMD as admin.

Close the window and restart it as admin. However, if antivirus software blocks the command, turn it off for a bit. Your account may even be a standard user.

For instance, you can open PowerShell as admin and try the Clear-DnsClientCache command. Also, if access stays blocked, ask your system admin for help.

Why does the internet slow down after clearing the DNS cache?

On first visits, your computer asks the DNS server again. You see a small delay until the server finds the IP address.

Meanwhile, every site queries again because the cache sits empty. Within a few minutes, the records rebuild and speed returns to normal. If slowness persists, your DNS server may run slow.

Along with that, you can try addresses like Google DNS 8.8.8.8 or Cloudflare 1.1.1.1. Still, do not panic, because this state is not permanent.

Do I need to clear the browser’s own DNS cache too?

Yes, most of the time you must clear the browser cache too. Yet many users just run the Windows command and stop.

As a result, an OS cleanup does not always affect the browser. In Chrome, go to chrome://net-internals/#dns and press “Clear host cache.” For Firefox, the cleanup on the about:networking#dns page is enough.

In addition, follow the edge://net-internals/#dns path in Edge. Moreover, if the problem continues, delete your browser history and cookies too.

Is changing the DNS server better than clearing the cache?

That depends entirely on the source of the problem. If old records cause your connection issue, a cleanup is enough.

In particular, if your ISP’s DNS server is slow or blocked, switching servers brings lasting relief. Cloudflare 1.1.1.1 and Google 8.8.8.8 are addresses I pick often. You see, these addresses usually respond faster.

Even so, try the flushdns command first. If that is not enough, switch to an alternative DNS. That said, you can also use both together.

How can I view current DNS records before clearing?

Open CMD and type the ipconfig /displaydns command. When you press Enter, you see all records in the cache.

Finally, the Get-DnsClientCache command in PowerShell does the same job. In short, the output may look cleaner. For example, if you see two different IPs for facebook.com, a problem exists.

Reviewing this list is quite helpful for diagnosis. After that, you run the flushdns command and delete old records. Otherwise, you keep having problems.

Does restarting the computer clear the DNS cache?

No, a restart does not always clear the cache. When Windows shuts down and starts up, it often keeps these records.

So a reboot alone is not enough. As you can see, you must also run the ipconfig /flushdns command. On top of that, a restart is still a good habit.

It seems some services only read new DNS settings at startup. In truth, the command alone is the safest bet.

Do I need permission from the network admin at work?

Yes, you must always get permission on corporate networks. Company PCs have group policy limits, and you may lack admin rights.

Just like that, the network admin can give you special permission. Otherwise, contact your IT department. They can run the cleanup for you.

First of all, do not interfere on your own. On the other hand, the system keeps security logs. All in all, asking for permission is the cleanest path.

When do deleted records rebuild, and can I shorten that time?

Records start to form right away. When you visit a site, the computer makes a DNS query and writes the response to the cache.

A record stays in the cache until its TTL expires. TTL usually ranges from 300 seconds to 86400 seconds. To shorten the time, you can use a faster DNS server.

Plus, you can pick an address like 1.1.1.1. In addition, you can warm the cache by opening sites you visit often. This way, new records settle in fast.

Conclusion

To sum up, we have examined the solution to the DNS server not responding to the error you encounter while researching on the Internet. In fact, the cause of this error is the changes made by web admins on their servers. For this reason, the old domain name system’s records remain on our desktop or laptop computers.

I recommend clearing the DNS cache to fix problems on our systems, such as Windows 11 or 10. Whether you use CMD or PowerShell, both methods are ideal. Experience whichever is easiest for you and see the results!

How to Clear DNS Cache on Windows 11, 10, 8.1, 8, and 7