“DNS server not responding” means your device can’t translate website names (like example.com) into the numeric addresses computers use. The connection itself may be fine — it’s the phonebook lookup that’s failing. This is one of the most fixable network errors, usually in under five minutes.
Fix it in order
- Restart router and device. Clears the most common temporary DNS faults.
- Try another browser or device. If one works, the problem is isolated to the first device’s settings.
- Flush the DNS cache. Windows: open Command Prompt and run
ipconfig /flushdns. Mac: runsudo dscacheutil -flushcachein Terminal. - Change your DNS server. Switch to a public DNS: Google (8.8.8.8 and 8.8.4.4) or Cloudflare (1.1.1.1). Set these in your device’s network settings — this fixes the majority of persistent DNS errors.
- Disable extra network adapters or VPNs that may be intercepting DNS.
How to change your DNS server
Windows: Network settings > your adapter > Edit DNS > Manual > enter 1.1.1.1 and 1.0.0.1. Mac: System Settings > Network > Details > DNS > add the same. Phone: WiFi settings > your network > configure DNS > Manual. Public DNS from Cloudflare or Google is typically faster and more reliable than a provider’s default, which is why this step fixes so many cases outright.
What DNS actually does
Every site name has to be looked up to find its real address, and your device asks a DNS server to do it. If that server is slow, overloaded or misconfigured, names won’t resolve — so pages fail even though your internet “works”. Pointing at a well-run public DNS sidesteps a flaky one entirely.
Related problems
If your WiFi shows connected but nothing loads at all, start with WiFi connected but no internet. If it’s the router admin page that won’t open rather than websites, see router page not loading.
How do I fix DNS server not responding?
Restart your router and device, flush the DNS cache, then change your DNS to a public one like Cloudflare (1.1.1.1) or Google (8.8.8.8). That resolves most cases.
What DNS should I use?
Cloudflare’s 1.1.1.1 and Google’s 8.8.8.8 are the popular public options — usually faster and more reliable than a provider’s default DNS.
How do I flush the DNS cache?
Windows: run ipconfig /flushdns in Command Prompt. Mac: run sudo dscacheutil -flushcache in Terminal. Then reload the page.
Is DNS the same as no internet?
Not quite — with a DNS error the connection can be fine but site names won’t resolve. That’s why apps sometimes work while browser pages fail.