The Domain Name System, or DNS, helps Windows translate website names into IP addresses so your computer can connect to websites and online services. Windows temporarily stores some DNS information in a local cache to make repeated connections faster.
Sometimes the stored DNS information can become outdated or corrupted. This can cause problems such as websites not loading correctly, certain websites opening on one device but not another, or network changes not being recognized properly.
Flushing the DNS cache removes the stored DNS information from Windows and allows the system to request fresh DNS information. Windows 11 provides several ways to flush DNS, with Command Prompt being the simplest method.
Method 1: Flush DNS Using Command Prompt
The quickest way to clear the DNS cache in Windows 11 is through Command Prompt.
- Press the Windows key.
- Type Command Prompt.
- Right-click Command Prompt.
- Select Run as administrator.
- Select Yes if User Account Control appears.
- Type the following command:
ipconfig /flushdns- Press Enter.
Windows should display a message indicating that the DNS Resolver Cache was successfully flushed.
The DNS cache has now been cleared.
You can close Command Prompt and try opening the website or online service that was having problems.
Method 2: Flush DNS With Windows Terminal
Windows 11 also allows you to run the same DNS command through Windows Terminal.
- Press Windows + X.
- Select Terminal (Admin).
- Select Yes when prompted.
- Enter:
ipconfig /flushdns- Press Enter.
Windows will clear the DNS resolver cache.
Windows Terminal can run both traditional Command Prompt commands and PowerShell commands, so ipconfig /flushdns works normally in this environment.
After the command completes, close Terminal or continue using it for other network troubleshooting commands.
Method 3: Flush DNS Using PowerShell
You can also clear DNS-related information using PowerShell.
- Press the Windows key.
- Search for PowerShell or Windows PowerShell.
- Select Run as administrator.
- Confirm the User Account Control prompt.
- Enter:
Clear-DnsClientCache- Press Enter.
PowerShell will clear the DNS client cache.
Unlike some commands that return a confirmation message, this command may simply return to the PowerShell prompt after completing the operation.
You can then test your internet connection or try accessing the website again.
Method 4: Flush DNS and Renew the IP Address
If clearing the DNS cache does not solve the network problem, you can combine it with other IP configuration commands.
Open Command Prompt as administrator and run:
ipconfig /flushdnsThen run:
ipconfig /releaseAfter that, run:
ipconfig /renewThe commands perform different tasks.
ipconfig /flushdns clears the DNS resolver cache.
ipconfig /release releases the current DHCP-assigned IP configuration.
ipconfig /renew asks the DHCP server for a new IP configuration.
If you are troubleshooting a temporary network configuration problem, running these commands in sequence can help refresh the network configuration.
Method 5: Restart the DNS Client Service
Windows uses the DNS Client service for DNS-related functions.
If DNS continues to behave incorrectly after flushing the cache, you can check the service.
- Press Windows + R.
- Type:
services.msc- Press Enter.
- Find DNS Client in the list.
- Check its status.
The DNS Client service is normally managed automatically by Windows.
Avoid changing service startup settings unnecessarily. If the DNS Client service is running normally, flushing the cache may be all that is required.
Method 6: Check DNS After Flushing the Cache
After flushing DNS, test whether the problem has been resolved.
Open Command Prompt and use:
nslookup example.comReplace example.com with the website you are trying to access.
Windows will query the configured DNS server and display information about the domain.
You can also test basic connectivity with:
ping example.comKeep in mind that some websites block or restrict ping requests, so a failed ping does not necessarily mean the website is unavailable.
For a more practical test, open the website in your browser after flushing the cache.
Method 7: Restart the Computer After Flushing DNS
In many cases, restarting Windows is not required after using ipconfig /flushdns. However, restarting can be useful if you are troubleshooting a broader network problem.
After flushing the cache:
- Close your browser.
- Save any open work.
- Restart Windows.
- Reconnect to your network if necessary.
- Open the browser again.
- Test the affected website.
Restarting also reloads various Windows networking components and can help distinguish a temporary system problem from a persistent network issue.
Method 8: Check Your DNS Server Configuration
Flushing DNS clears the local cache, but it does not change the DNS server your computer uses.
If websites still cannot be resolved after clearing the cache, check the DNS configuration.
- Press Windows + I.
- Select Network & internet.
- Select your active network connection.
- Open the connection properties.
- Review the DNS server settings.
Windows may be using DNS servers provided automatically by your router or internet service provider.
If you have manually configured DNS servers, make sure the addresses are correct.
Changing DNS servers is a separate troubleshooting step from flushing the DNS cache, so you should not change them simply because you flushed DNS.
What Does Flushing DNS Actually Do?
Flushing DNS removes cached DNS records stored by the Windows DNS client.
When Windows needs to resolve a domain again, it can request fresh DNS information instead of relying on the previously cached information.
This can be useful after a website changes its IP address, after DNS records are updated, or when cached information is causing a connection problem.
Flushing DNS does not delete your browser history, cookies, saved passwords, or personal files.
When Should You Flush DNS?
You may consider flushing DNS when:
- A website does not load correctly after a DNS change.
- A domain recently moved to a different server.
- Windows appears to be using outdated DNS information.
- Some websites work while others fail to resolve.
- You are troubleshooting a DNS-related connection problem.
It is not normally necessary to flush DNS regularly on a healthy computer.
Does Flushing DNS Improve Internet Speed?
Flushing DNS is not normally an internet-speed optimization.
It simply clears cached DNS information. Your internet connection speed, Wi-Fi signal, ISP performance, and server speed are separate factors.
If your internet connection is slow, flushing DNS alone is unlikely to increase your download or upload speed.
Conclusion
Flushing the DNS cache in Windows 11 is a simple troubleshooting step that can help when DNS information has become outdated or when a website is not resolving correctly.
The easiest method is to open an elevated Command Prompt and run ipconfig /flushdns. You can also run the same command through Windows Terminal or use Clear-DnsClientCache in PowerShell.
If the problem continues, you can combine DNS flushing with commands such as ipconfig /release and ipconfig /renew, check the DNS Client service, or investigate your configured DNS servers.
Remember that flushing DNS only clears locally cached DNS information. It does not change your internet connection, delete browser data, or automatically switch your DNS provider. If the underlying problem is with your router, ISP, DNS server, or network connection, additional troubleshooting may be necessary.
FAQs
1. What is the command to flush DNS in Windows 11?
Open Command Prompt as administrator and run:
ipconfig /flushdnsPress Enter to clear the DNS resolver cache.
2. Does flushing DNS delete my browsing history?
No. Flushing DNS only clears the Windows DNS resolver cache. It does not delete browser history, cookies, saved passwords, or personal files.
3. Do I need to restart Windows after flushing DNS?
Usually, no. The DNS cache is cleared immediately. However, restarting the computer can be useful when troubleshooting a broader network problem.
4. How often should I flush DNS?
There is normally no need to flush DNS regularly. It is mainly a troubleshooting step for DNS resolution or network problems.
Quick Summary
- Use
ipconfig /flushdnsto clear the DNS cache in Windows 11. - Command Prompt, Windows Terminal, and PowerShell can be used to flush DNS.
- DNS flushing does not delete browser history or improve internet speed by itself.
- If the problem continues, check IP configuration, DNS settings, and other network components.