Regular Internet usage causes your computer to automatically cache IP addresses and other domain name system results. Clearing (or "flushing") this cache will refresh the data, getting rid of outdated data that may be causing connection issues.
NOTE: Complete these steps using an admin account. You will be typing prompts into the CMD console, so it is very important that you enter the commands exactly as shown.
The following steps are specific to PC users. If you use a Mac, learn how to reset your DNS cache straight from Apple.
Windows 10
- Hold down the Windows Key and press X
- Click Command Prompt (Admin).
- When the command prompt opens, type ipconfig/flushdns and press enter.
- Type ipconfig /registerdns and press Enter
- Type ipconfig /release and press Enter.
- Type ipconfig /renew and press Enter.
- Type netsh winsock reset and press Enter.
- Reboot your computer.
Windows 8
- Navigate to the desktop.
- Hold down the Windows key and press R. (This will open the Run dialogue.)
- Type cmd and press Enter. (This will open a command prompt.)
- Type ipconfig /flushdns and press Enter.
- Type ipconfig /registerdns and press Enter
- Type ipconfig /release and press Enter.
- Type ipconfig /renew and press Enter.
- Type netsh winsock reset and press Enter.
- Reboot the computer.
Windows 7
- Hold down the Windows key and press R. (This will open the Run dialogue.)
- Type cmd and press Enter. (This will open a command prompt.)
- Type ipconfig /flushdns and press Enter.
- Type ipconfig /registerdns and press Enter.
- Type ipconfig /release and press Enter.
- Type ipconfig /renew and press Enter.
- Type netsh winsock reset and press Enter.
- Reboot the computer.
Windows Vista
- Hold down the Windows key and press R. (This will open the Run dialogue.)
- Type cmd and press Enter. (This will open a command prompt.)
- Type ipconfig /flushdns and press Enter.
- Type ipconfig /registerdns and press Enter
- Type ipconfig /release and press Enter.
- Type ipconfig /renew and press Enter.
- Type netsh winsock reset and press Enter.
- Reboot the computer.
Setting an alternate DNS:
While a DNS refresh might solve your connection problems, the DNS itself could potentially not be working as intended, and connection issues will continue no matter how many times you flush your DNS cache.
You can check if you DNS is failing by trying to switch to a public DNS like Google DNS by following the steps on how to use Google Public DNS straight from developers.google.com.
- Google DNS might actually be slower than your normal DNS, but is useful to test and see if your connection problems are coming from your local DNS.
