Fixes / Windows · Checked September 30, 2026

DNS server is not responding in Windows: causes and fixes

Short answer

Windows is connected to your network, but the DNS server that turns website names into IP addresses is not answering. The usual cause is a stuck router or a DNS outage at your internet provider. Unplug the modem and router for 30 seconds. If that doesn't fix it, set DNS to 1.1.1.1 and 8.8.8.8 in the adapter's IPv4 properties, then run ipconfig /flushdns.

What this message means

This message comes from Windows Network Diagnostics (the network troubleshooter). It means your PC has a working link to the router and a valid IP address, but its DNS lookups get no reply. DNS is the service that turns a name like google.com into a numeric IP address. Without it, browsers show 'This site can't be reached' and apps say they are offline, even though the Wi-Fi or Ethernet icon says you are connected. The fault can be in the DNS server itself (your router or your provider), in something on the PC that sits in the path (a VPN, proxy or security software), or in the PC's own network settings, driver or cache.

Common causes

Cause	How to tell
The router or modem is stuck, or its built-in DNS relay has stopped responding	Phones, TVs and other devices on the same Wi-Fi or router also can't load websites. Restarting the router usually brings everything back.
Your internet provider's DNS servers are down or overloaded	Other devices on your network fail too, but in Command Prompt `ping 8.8.8.8` gets replies while `ping google.com` says 'could not find host'. This means the internet works and only name lookups fail.
Corrupted DNS cache, TCP/IP stack or Winsock settings on this PC	Only this PC is affected and every other device on the same network works. It often starts after a Windows update, a crash, or uninstalling a VPN or security program.
A VPN, proxy, or third-party antivirus or firewall is intercepting DNS	The error started after you installed or updated a VPN or security suite, or it goes away when you disconnect the VPN or pause the security software. `ipconfig /all` may list an extra virtual adapter (TAP, WireGuard and so on) with its own DNS servers.
A faulty or outdated network adapter driver	In Device Manager, the adapter under Network adapters shows a yellow warning icon. Or the problem started right after a driver or Windows feature update and happens only on one adapter (for example, Ethernet fails but USB tethering from a phone works).
A wrong or dead DNS address was set manually	`ipconfig /all` shows DNS Servers that are not your router (often 192.168.x.1) or a public resolver you chose, for example an old company or VPN address.

How to fix it

1. Confirm it's DNS, then restart the modem, router and PC

Press Windows key + R, type cmd and press Enter.
Type `ping 8.8.8.8` and press Enter, then type `ping google.com` and press Enter. If the first gets replies and the second fails, the problem is DNS and not your connection.
Unplug the power cable from both the modem and the router (or the single combined box).
Wait at least 30 seconds, plug the modem back in, and wait until its lights are steady. Then plug in the router and wait again.
Restart the PC (Start > Power > Restart) and try a website.

2. Set a public DNS server manually

Windows 10 and Windows 11 (same Control Panel steps on both)

Press Windows key + R, type ncpa.cpl and press Enter to open Network Connections.
Right-click the adapter you use (Wi-Fi or Ethernet) and select Properties.
Select Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4), then select Properties.
Choose 'Use the following DNS server addresses'. Enter 1.1.1.1 as Preferred DNS server and 8.8.8.8 as Alternate DNS server.
Tick 'Validate settings upon exit', select OK, then Close.
On Windows 11 you can also do this in Settings > Network & internet > Wi-Fi or Ethernet > your connection > DNS server assignment > Edit > Manual.
To undo it later, go back to the same screen and choose 'Obtain DNS server address automatically'.

3. Flush the DNS cache and reset TCP/IP and Winsock

Select Start, type cmd, right-click Command Prompt and choose Run as administrator.
Run these commands one at a time, pressing Enter after each: `ipconfig /flushdns`, `ipconfig /release`, `ipconfig /renew`, `ipconfig /registerdns`.
Then run `netsh winsock reset`, `netsh int ip reset` and `netsh winhttp reset proxy`.
Restart the PC. The resets only take effect after a reboot.

4. Turn off VPN, proxy and third-party security software

Disconnect or quit any VPN app, and make sure it isn't set to reconnect automatically.
Open Settings > Network & internet > Proxy. Under Manual proxy setup, make sure 'Use a proxy server' is off (on Windows 11, select Edit or Set up to check it).
Temporarily pause third-party antivirus or firewall protection (Microsoft Defender can stay on), then test a website.
If that fixes it, update the VPN or security app or change its DNS or web protection settings. If you already uninstalled one, reinstall it and remove it again with the vendor's removal tool, because leftover network filter drivers often cause this error.

5. Reinstall or update the network adapter driver

Right-click Start and select Device Manager.
Expand Network adapters, right-click your Wi-Fi or Ethernet adapter and select Update driver > Search automatically for drivers.
If that finds nothing, right-click the adapter again, select Uninstall device, confirm, and restart. Windows reinstalls a driver at startup.
If that still doesn't work, use another device to download the latest driver from your PC or motherboard maker's website, copy it over on a USB stick and install it.

6. Run Network reset

Windows 11: Settings > Network & internet > Advanced network settings > Network reset. Windows 10: Settings > Network & Internet > Status > Network reset.

Open the Network reset page using the path for your Windows version.
Select Reset now, then Yes to confirm.
Let the PC restart (it does so automatically after about 5 minutes).
Reconnect to Wi-Fi with your password, and reinstall or reconfigure any VPN client afterwards, because network reset removes all adapters and returns networking settings to their defaults.

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Still not fixed?

If other devices also fail after all this, the problem is your router or your internet provider. Sign in to the router's admin page (usually 192.168.0.1 or 192.168.1.1) and set its DNS to 1.1.1.1 and 8.8.8.8, or install a firmware update. If you can't do that, call your provider and tell them your internet works (ping to 8.8.8.8 succeeds) but DNS lookups fail. If only this PC fails on every network, including a phone hotspot, suspect the network adapter itself. Try a USB Wi-Fi or Ethernet adapter, or take the PC to a repair shop.

Questions people ask

Why does it say my computer is correctly configured if nothing works?

The troubleshooter checks that your PC has an IP address and a route to the router, and those tests pass. It is only the DNS lookup that gets no answer, so the PC's side looks fine even though you can't open websites.

Is it safe to change my DNS to 8.8.8.8 or 1.1.1.1?

Yes. Google Public DNS (8.8.8.8, 8.8.4.4) and Cloudflare (1.1.1.1, 1.0.0.1) are widely used free resolvers. You can switch back at any time by choosing 'Obtain DNS server address automatically'.

Why do my phone and other devices work but my PC doesn't?

Then the router and provider are fine, and the fault is on the PC. Usually it's a VPN or security program, a corrupted TCP/IP or Winsock setting, or the network driver. Work through the flush and reset, VPN and driver fixes above.

Does this error mean my internet is down?

Not necessarily. If `ping 8.8.8.8` gets replies in Command Prompt, your connection works and only DNS is failing, so changing the DNS server usually fixes it right away.

Will network reset delete my files?

No. It only removes network adapters and resets networking settings, so you will need to re-enter Wi-Fi passwords and may have to reinstall VPN software.

Sources

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