Clear Windows DNS Cache
Contributed by David Kirk 
Tagged: Windows Command to reset, flush or clear your DNS cache.
Vista, Windows 7, and WIndows 8
These same directions work in versions of Windows after XP; however, you’ll need to gain admin privileges first:
Vista, Windows 7, and Windows 8 directions for flushing the dns cache.
XP
XP remembers negative (DNS unable to resolve) entries for a few minutes. Often this can be a pain when moving and debugging sites. As long as that negative entry sits in your DNS cache, your box will continue to give you a cannot find server error. By cleaning out your DNS cache, you can fix this problem.
Rebooting will flush your cache… but there is an easier way.
Drop to a command box and type:
ipconfig /flushdns
If you wish to stop XP from placing negative entries into cache, you can make this change in your registry.
1. Goto HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\ Dnscache\Parameters
2. Build a new DWORD value called NegativeCacheTime and give it a value of 0
I believe the default time is 5 minutes. I always use zero for my default time, but I think the value above is in seconds. So if you only want to save them for 1 minute, then I am assuming you would change that value to 60.
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How to force a Windows 2K3 domain controller to reregister its DNS records
iPad: How to Clear Safari's Cache, History, and/or Cookies
big said on November 8, 2008
my bro the computer give me this
Windows IP Configuration
Could not flush the DNS Resolver Cache: Function failed during execution.
big said on November 8, 2008
pleace tell me what to do
thanx 4 your help
JMal said on November 9, 2008
yah mine says the same thing and my internet explorer or mozilla firefox wont work. when i click on repair it stops at clearing the dns and says windows could not finish repairing the problem. Its wierd because my internet games that came with the computer like internet backgammon, checkers, hearts, reversi, and spades still connect to the internet and let me play against other people. WHAT DO I DO?
Eric said on November 12, 2008
I have the same problem … When i run cmd under XP, and type ipconfig /flushdns
i get an error : Could not flush the DNS Resolver Cache: Function Failed During Execution.
Is there a way to fix this issue or will i have to perform a low-level format and re-up XP ?
obijon said on November 18, 2008
what you need to do is go here – http://support.microsoft.com/kb/919746
the DNS service is not running on your pc, and you gotta start it up…
Josh Mc said on January 13, 2009
I have kind of a unique problem.
a specific website (realclearpolitics) redirects to a different website owned by the same website. However, this problem only exists on my machine. when I contacted the system administrators for the website they informed me that only my machine was requesting that specific IP all others routed properly to the website. I am able,as a work around to visit the site by leaving off the “www.” so instead of http://www.realclearpolitics.com i address only realclearpolitcs.com.
When I saw this entry I thought that perhaps this was the key. however I recieved a response of “The requested operation requires elevation.”
Does anyone have any ideas?
Vijay Nag said on January 15, 2009
Navigate to Control panel –>Administrative Tools –>services.(double click on services.). There you see a list of services and select the DNS Client. A separate window opens as Dns client properties. Then in the startup combo box select automatic and click on apply to make the changes.The most important part is to start the service by clicking on the start button. Then u get a status that the service is started .Try repairing it will work like a charm.
Omid said on January 19, 2009
Thanks Vijay :)
Your solution is great .
Nico said on February 1, 2009
Thanks Vijay
It works for me
nai said on February 15, 2009
Good comment
Thank
Vijay Nag said on February 25, 2009
Try to clear the cookies.Probably that is doing the trick.To confirm once use another browser and check out if the same problem occurs.If not u ll have to clear cookies and take other options like changing ur IP address.
Don said on March 15, 2009
When I run ipconfig/flushdns i grt a message Could not flush the DNS resolver cache:function failed during execution.
What should I do to resolve this issue?
Manaji said on April 8, 2009
Hi Friends,
how to clear dns cache & i am ping to any website BUt Not open any website
Give me solution
Avery said on April 14, 2009
This works for me. Thanks!
andra said on April 21, 2009
Thank’s man, the best solution about Clear DNS
Sally Jane said on April 29, 2009
what is a command box? where is it?
Sally Jane said on April 29, 2009
Okay the movie i bought on itunes will not download unless i flush this dns cache. How do i do it ?
daniel said on May 11, 2009
awesome help thanks!!
Anonymous said on May 14, 2009
sir my computer give me this
Windows IP Configuration
Could not flush the DNS Resolver Cache: Function failed during execution.
SCWard said on May 17, 2009
What does “drop to a command box” mean?
What is a “command box” ?
How do you go about “dropping to” it ?
This entry appears to be written in English, but makes no sense.
How do i “goto HKEY_Local_ [etc] parameters “?
Is that something i can do, if i “drop to ” a “command box” ?
then, “Build a new DWORD value”, ….huh?
If i were already a computer programmer, i would not be searching for help.
newbie said on May 18, 2009
Yes, it is all our fault that you don’t know how to get to a command line, and all programmers know everything and never need help too.
Good points SCWard.
mehoe said on May 29, 2009
ipconfig /flushdns
SC Ward said on June 3, 2009
actually quite simple, once you know;
start/ run/ cmd/ ipconfig/ flushdns
but in 20 posts, no one had offered that.
Obviously, i found it elsewhere.
Thanks so much for your useful input.
carol said on June 5, 2009
ipconfig/flushdns
Goodomen said on June 10, 2009
Also, once your in there if you right click on a blank area in the right hand box you will get the option to create a new string, one of these is the DWORD
Kumar said on June 23, 2009
Thanks alot my friend. this woks for me. great solution.
carpet cleaning miami said on July 2, 2009
This will help a lot.. Thank for the output.. hope this will works..
help said on July 5, 2009
that still wont work and i got no idea about registery could use help
Anonymous said on July 18, 2009
I don’t get how to make a new string.
Because once i clear the cache, the box disappears.
Can someone give more details on how to do
>> HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESYSTEMCurrentControlSetServices DnscacheParameters
-Sorry because i’m a noob
Anonymous said on August 27, 2009
i have an xp pc. when i run the command “ipconfig /flushdns” i get the error message “could not flush the dns resolver cache: function failed during execution”. suggestions? the problem at the root is i can’t get to a website i am building on my xp machine in either ie7 or firefox but can in either on my other pcs.
Anonymous said on August 28, 2009
Sorry i could not understand can you discuss me in details
Anonymous said on August 28, 2009
My window still not clearing DNS cache
Anonymous said on August 29, 2009
i have a problem that is ..I m using ipconfig /flushdns but instead of having 26 dns server only one dns is pinging . nither i m not be able to ping my primary dns nor secondary dns. have uninstalled my NIC Driver but my problem is not solved
Ray said on August 31, 2009
I ran the DOS command (ipconfig /flushdns) and now I can reach the internet via IE, but not via FireFox. I wonder if anyone has resolved this? Thanks very much for the help! Ray
Sam said on October 10, 2009
It is a DOS box.
Inder said on November 1, 2009
Thanks You are a genius.
May i request you to kindly advise me to resolve a problem which I am facing for a lomng time. i had some problem with my computer so i started recovery with help of CD (HP) 24 hour the progrmme continued.I stopped it and tried withcing on it did witch on then it started on a window showing that the programme is being loadedthen i have to put the system on standby then again to start after that it functions OK. may i request your advise
ALLEN RICHARDS said on December 28, 2009
I’m no expert on the registry but I noticed(unless this was a typing error)there should have been a space between the word ipconfig and /and a space between the / and flushdns.
Anonymous said on January 7, 2010
flushdns
Anonymous said on February 21, 2010
Great!!!!! Free advice!!!!!!!! which saved me a lot of tyme and $$$$$$$. You go men/women.
Thanx,
Kenknee
Anonymous said on March 20, 2010
if you cant access any website your pc got virus.
try this
START>>RUN>>TYPE cmd>>TYPE net stop dnscache
try accessing the website you cant access now.
to START dnscache in cmd prompt TYPE net start dnscache
Anonymous said on March 21, 2010
When I do searches in google.com or yahoo.com I get connection time out messages. I have no idea if it is a dns issue. I have tried the following and nothing has worked : (
1. cleared cookies,temp files,etc.
2. run mcafee security scan>>found no virus
3. tried changing Google DNS server :
http://code.google.com/speed/public-dns/docs/using.html
>>didn’t work
4. tried fixing host file (“fix it for me option”):
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/972034
>>I got the “connection timed out mssg”
5.run ipconfig/flushdns
NuocHoa4U.com said on April 7, 2010
I tried but not success
Anonymous said on April 7, 2010
none of this stuff works – what then?
Taha said on June 30, 2010
Great Post Thx
Anonymous said on July 1, 2010
Thank you, worked perfectly!
Regards from Thailand
S. said on July 30, 2010
Great comment. Was having issues of my own, and this worked like a charm.. Thanks for taking the time… Cheers~ S.
Rcavalier86 said on July 30, 2010
A simple way to clear your DNS cache is to download CCleaner and check the box DNS cache and that will take care of it. There are other utilities that do the same thing.
Stutommies6 said on September 25, 2010
Thanks, obijon! Cleared up my problem & I learned something new!!
Popoki Iti said on October 11, 2010
That’s what I did – it’s nice and easy which I love!
Rcavalier86 said on October 12, 2010
Glad to be of service.
Meinfenton said on November 2, 2010
Thank you so much for this information, it was driving me crazy not being able to connect to a wireless network, could only connect my laptop by using an ethernet cable.
I will think of you every time I connect to the net THANK YOU.
Android said on December 2, 2010
I have using the flushdns but it not working. Still same result.
Ap_design said on January 10, 2011
You need to run as administrator. Right click cmd and run as adimn
Badboy Ctc said on February 13, 2011
THNXXX.. U ROCK…..
Test said on April 27, 2011
no, sorry
Anonymous said on May 3, 2011
Work Great for me.Thanks David
Anonymous said on June 16, 2011
Hello Mr. Helper,
I want to contact you, can u plz mail me at prensoni0143@yahoo.com ?
houston carpet repair said on June 28, 2011
Loving your computer and upgrading it shows that it is really important and useful to you. It is same as the carpet. If your computer malfunctioned you make some repair, it is also the same as carpet.