How To Fix the “DNS Server Not Responding” Error on Windows and Mac

When your website or email suddenly stops working, few messages inspire more frustration than “DNS server not responding.” For business owners and digital teams, this can mean lost visibility, broken communication, and unnecessary downtime. The good news is that this issue usually has simple solutions that can get you back online fast.

This guide walks you through what the DNS server error means, why it happens, and how to fix it on both Windows and Mac devices. You’ll also learn proactive strategies to prevent future disruptions, because keeping your site visible and reliable isn’t just a technical goal; it’s a business imperative. Start by understanding what’s really happening behind that error message.

What Does “DNS Server Not Responding” Mean?

Every time someone visits your website, their browser uses the Domain Name System (DNS) to translate your domain name into an IP address that points to your server. If this process fails, your computer can’t find the correct address, resulting in the “DNS server not responding” message. Simply put, your device is asking for directions, but the server that should provide them isn’t answering.

This failure can happen for several reasons. Your local network might be down, your browser cache could be outdated, or your DNS settings might be misconfigured. Occasionally, the issue lies with your DNS provider itself, such as a temporary outage. Regardless of the cause, the result is the same: users can’t reach your website.

When you understand that DNS errors are communication breakdowns rather than total outages, troubleshooting becomes easier. In the next section, we’ll explore why resolving them quickly is vital for business continuity and customer trust.

Why DNS Errors Matter for Business Websites

DNS isn’t just a behind-the-scenes technology, it’s the first step in every online interaction your business has. When it fails, your website, email, and connected services all become invisible. For a business, that means customers can’t reach you, emails may bounce, and automated tools can’t sync data.

A DNS failure can also harm credibility. If your domain appears offline or your contact forms stop working, visitors may assume your brand is unreliable. Even short periods of downtime can disrupt sales, support, and campaigns, especially during high-traffic events or launches.

Taking DNS issues seriously isn’t about technical perfection, it’s about protecting your reputation and revenue. Even a few hours of downtime can cost businesses thousands in lost transactions and damaged search rankings.

Step-by-Step: How to Fix DNS Server Not Responding on Windows and Mac

When troubleshooting DNS problems, it’s best to move from simple to advanced actions. This method ensures you identify the true cause without making unnecessary changes. Start with these foundational steps, testing after each one to confirm whether the issue is resolved.

Each step below has been tested on both Windows and macOS systems, and none require advanced technical skills. You’ll only need basic access to your computer’s settings or network configuration tools. If you follow the process in order, you’ll systematically eliminate the most common causes.

Let’s begin with the quickest and simplest diagnostic: checking if the issue is actually happening on your end or elsewhere on the internet.

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1. Test Another Website or Device

Start by testing whether the issue affects all websites or just one. If every website fails to load, your DNS or network connection is likely at fault. If only one site fails, the problem might be limited to that domain or its host.

Using another device on the same network can help confirm whether the issue is specific to one computer. If the second device works fine, your DNS configuration may need a reset. If neither works, your router or provider is likely the culprit.

This first test prevents wasted time chasing local settings when the real issue is global. Once you’ve confirmed the scope of the problem, you can safely move to the next step: restarting your network hardware.

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2. Restart Your Router or Modem

Routers and modems store temporary data, including cached DNS lookups, to speed up connections. Over time, these caches can become outdated or corrupted, leading to lookup failures. Restarting your router clears those cached entries and resets the network connection.

To restart properly, power off your router or modem, wait 30 seconds, then turn it back on. Allow it a few moments to reconnect before testing your website again.

If the issue disappears, you’ve confirmed it was a local caching problem. If not, don’t worry, the next step checks whether your browser may be contributing to the error.

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3. Try a Different Browser

Sometimes, your browser can store old DNS or SSL information that interferes with new requests. Opening the same website in another browser can reveal whether this is the problem.

If the alternate browser works, clearing your main browser’s cache and cookies usually solves the issue. You can also check for browser updates to ensure you’re running the latest version.

If the error appears across all browsers, you know the issue lies deeper in your DNS or network configuration. Next, we’ll move on to one of the most effective resets: flushing your DNS cache.

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4. Flush the DNS Cache

Flushing your DNS cache tells your computer to ‘forget’ old website addresses and request fresh directions, like clearing your GPS history before a road trip.

Your operating system keeps a local record of DNS lookups to make browsing faster. But when a website changes hosting or DNS records, that stored information can cause misdirection. Flushing your DNS cache forces your computer to discard old records and fetch new ones from authoritative servers.

Windows:
Open Command Prompt as an administrator and type:

ipconfig /flushdns

Press Enter. You’ll see a confirmation message once it’s complete.

macOS:
Open Terminal and enter:

sudo dscacheutil -flushcache; sudo killall -HUP mDNSResponder

Then press Enter and enter your password if prompted.

Once flushed, test your site again. If it loads correctly, the issue was likely just outdated DNS information. If not, we’ll move on to updating your DNS servers.

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5. Change Your DNS Server

Many ISPs provide default DNS servers that are convenient but not always reliable. Switching to a public DNS provider can improve speed and reduce errors caused by temporary outages.

Popular options include:

• Google DNS: 8.8.8.8 and 8.8.4.4
  
• Cloudflare DNS: 1.1.1.1 and 1.0.0.1
  

Windows:
Open Network Connections → Right-click your active connection → Properties → select Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4) → Properties. Then select Use the following DNS server addresses and enter the public options above.

macOS:
Go to System Settings → Network → Details → DNS, and add the new server addresses.

Switching to a global provider often restores connectivity immediately. If it doesn’t, your issue may be tied to an outdated protocol setting.

If you’re using managed hosting, check whether your provider offers proprietary DNS servers. Many hosts include optimized name servers in their infrastructure that may perform better than public alternatives. Review your account dashboard or contact support to confirm which DNS configuration is recommended for your setup

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6. Disable IPv6 Temporarily

IPv6 is the modern protocol for internet addressing, but some networks still struggle with compatibility. Disabling it temporarily can help you identify whether it’s causing DNS resolution errors.

On Windows, open Network Connections, right-click your active adapter, choose Properties, and uncheck Internet Protocol Version 6 (TCP/IPv6). On macOS, open Terminal and enter:

networksetup -setv6off Wi-Fi

(Replace “Wi-Fi” with “Ethernet” if using a wired connection.)

Once disabled, reconnect and test your site. If it loads properly, you can re-enable IPv6 later once you’ve updated your router or OS.

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7. Check DNS Settings at Your Registrar or Hosting Account

Sometimes the “DNS server not responding” error isn’t your device, it’s your domain configuration. If you’ve recently changed hosting providers, updated your email provider, or edited DNS records, double-check that everything points to the right locations.

Log in to your registrar or hosting control panel and verify that your A, CNAME, and MX records are correct. Even a small typo in an IP address or subdomain can prevent resolution.

Confirming these records helps you identify whether your DNS changes are still propagating or if something was entered incorrectly. That leads us directly into understanding DNS propagation delays.

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8. Understand DNS Propagation Delays

When you change a DNS record, that information must spread across hundreds of DNS servers worldwide, a process known as DNS propagation. Depending on TTL (Time To Live) values, ISP refresh rates, and geographic distance, this can take from a few minutes to up to 48 hours.

Pro Tip: Before making DNS changes, lower your TTL (Time to Live) to 900 seconds (15 minutes) at least 24 hours in advance. This speeds up propagation and reduces downtime. Learn more in our DNS Propagation Guide.

Understanding propagation prevents panic when updates don’t appear immediately. If propagation isn’t the cause, you can continue troubleshooting with online lookup tools.

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9. Verify DNS Resolution with Public Tools

Sometimes you just need confirmation that your domain is resolving correctly around the world. Public DNS tools like DNSChecker.org and WhatsMyDNS.net let you see live DNS results from multiple regions.

These tools display whether your updated records have propagated and whether the problem is isolated to a particular country or provider. If your records appear consistent globally but you still can’t connect, the issue is likely local.

Knowing how to verify your records provides peace of mind and narrows down your troubleshooting. If you find that DNS errors are affecting only email services, the next section will guide you through that scenario.

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10. Troubleshoot Email-Related DNS Issues

DNS also controls how your email is delivered. If webmail or email clients fail to connect, the same “DNS server not responding” issue may be blocking access.

Start by verifying that your MX, SPF, DKIM, and DMARC records are correct. If you can’t load your webmail using example.com/webmail, try webmail.example.com instead, this bypasses common port restrictions. If you’ve forgotten your password, reset it from cPanel before trying again.

By checking these settings, you’ll ensure that your communications stay functional even when DNS issues appear. If the issue persists after all these steps, it’s time to involve your hosting support team.

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11. Contact Support if DNS Still Fails

Sometimes the issue lies beyond your local network or DNS configuration. If your host’s name servers are unresponsive or propagation has stalled, professional support can identify the root cause quickly.

When contacting support, provide your domain name, affected services, and any command results such as ping or traceroute. This information speeds up diagnosis and ensures the team can replicate the issue.

If your host offers 24/7 support, don’t hesitate to reach out, especially if the issue is affecting revenue or customer access. A good hosting provider can diagnose name server issues, check propagation status, and identify misconfigurations that aren’t visible from your end.

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How to Prevent DNS Problems in the Future

After resolving a DNS error, it’s smart to take steps that prevent it from recurring. Proactive management keeps your site stable and your customers connected.

Here are six proven strategies businesses can apply without needing dedicated IT teams: redundant name servers, monitoring, backups, smart timing, alignment of DNS and SSL settings, and choosing a dependable DNS host. Each of these protects performance and reliability over the long term.

Let’s review what each one means in practice so your business never faces another unexpected DNS outage.

Use Redundant Name Servers

Having multiple name servers in different regions ensures that if one fails, others can still resolve your domain. This redundancy prevents downtime during outages and strengthens your global reach.

When setting up redundancy, make sure each server mirrors the same zone files to avoid inconsistencies. Verify this configuration regularly to maintain accuracy.

A small redundancy investment can pay off in large uptime gains, giving customers uninterrupted access even when the unexpected happens.

Monitor DNS Health

Monitoring tools like DNS Spy or UptimeRobot automatically alert you when resolution times slow down or fail. Continuous oversight means you can act before users notice an issue.

Set alerts for both DNS lookups and server response times. That way, if a provider outage occurs, you can temporarily reroute traffic or communicate transparently with customers.

Monitoring is a business safeguard that helps maintain reliability and trust.

Keep Zone Files Backed Up

Backing up your DNS zone files gives you an instant recovery option if you ever make a mistake. Simply export your existing settings or take screenshots before making changes.

If something goes wrong, restoring a known-good configuration takes minutes instead of hours. It also provides a reference point when comparing propagation results.

Think of DNS backups as digital insurance: simple to maintain, invaluable in a crisis.

Plan DNS Changes During Low Traffic

Scheduling DNS updates during off-peak hours minimizes customer impact if propagation takes longer than expected.

Review your analytics data to identify ideal maintenance windows. Communicate updates with your team or clients ahead of time, so everyone knows what to expect.

This simple planning habit turns potential downtime into a controlled, low-risk event.

Align DNS, Email, and SSL Settings

Whenever you update hosting, email, or SSL certificates, check that all related DNS records (especially A, CNAME, and MX) match. Inconsistent entries can cause “domain not found” or security warnings.

Testing these changes immediately prevents email loss or certificate mismatches. Document each modification to maintain a clear change history.

A coordinated approach ensures that every digital service connected to your domain stays synchronized.

Partner with a Reliable DNS Host

Your hosting infrastructure plays a major role in DNS reliability. Look for providers that offer NVMe-backed storage, redundant name servers across multiple data centers, and uptime guarantees backed by SLAs. These features ensure that DNS resolution stays fast and consistent, even during traffic spikes or regional outages.

A quality host offers not just speed, but accountability and expert support when something goes wrong. Choosing a provider that engineers infrastructure for business continuity ensures DNS reliability isn’t left to chance.

A quality host offers not just speed, but accountability and human expertise when something goes wrong. Choosing a provider that prioritizes performance ensures DNS reliability isn’t left to chance.

Reliable hosting isn’t an expense, it’s a business enabler that keeps your digital foundation strong.

Common DNS Mistakes to Avoid

Even experienced users can make small errors that lead to DNS problems. Avoid these common pitfalls to save yourself time and frustration.

Some frequent missteps include forgetting to update DNS after a migration, using duplicate CNAMEs, setting TTLs too high, or overlooking SSL verification. These may seem minor but can disrupt website access and email delivery.

By knowing what to avoid, you maintain consistency across your DNS setup and reduce the likelihood of repeat outages.

Key Takeaways

DNS errors can happen to anyone, but how you respond determines their impact. Quick, structured troubleshooting helps you restore visibility and protect customer trust.

Flushing DNS caches, changing servers, and monitoring propagation are simple but powerful actions that keep your website accessible. Pair those with redundancy, monitoring, and communication to make DNS downtime a thing of the past.

With the right knowledge and hosting partner, “DNS server not responding” becomes a short-lived inconvenience rather than a business disruption.

Need help troubleshooting DNS issues or want infrastructure built to prevent them? Our team monitors DNS health 24/7 and provides real-time support for business-critical sites. Explore hosting built for uptime.