How to Fix DNS_PROBE_FINISHED_NXDOMAIN Error on Google Chrome?

Almost each one of us has gone through DNS_PROBE_FINISHED_NXDOMAIN Error. As the name itself suggests, it is a DNS(Domain Name System) related error. NXDOMAIN stands for Non-Existent Domain. Mostly when your system is unable to resolve the address, you will get this error.

By default, all our computers are set to use the same DNS configured in our modem or router by the internet providers. However, it is always recommended to use public DNS servers or to change the DNS to avoid the occurrence of such errors. In this guide, I will walk you through the steps to fix DNS_PROBE_FINISHED_NXDOMAIN error. Keep reading!

What is DNS_PROBE_FINISHED_NXDOMAIN error?

It is really very difficult to remember the IP addresses of various websites. To keep this bit easy, after the invention of WWW(World Wide Web) it is not necessary to remember the IP addresses of any website to browse, you can enter its URL or domain name to browse that website. DNS will automatically resolve your request and connect you to that website.

When you enter any URL in your web browser, DNS connects that URL to the IP address of the actual server. This process is called DNS name resolution. This process involves a DNS precursor that is used to check with various nameservers to find out the actual IP address of a server. During this process, if DNS fails to resolve the domain name or address then you might encounter the DNS_PROBE_FINISHED_NXDOMAIN error. This error is quite similar to DNS Server isn’t responding error.

Why DNS_PROBE_FINISHED_NXDOMAIN error occurs?

Though it is a little bit difficult to conclude out the reason for DNS_PROBE_FINISHED_NXDOMAIN. However, the prime reason behind this issue is misconfiguration or problem with your DNS servers.

DNS_PROBE_FINISHED_NXDOMAIN refers to the Error that occurs due to slow Internet Connectivity or no connectivity at all. The DNS Probe Error Finished generates owing to DNS lookup failure trying to access a Webpage. Here the DNS Server becomes unresponsive and the Chrome firewall is being prevented from network access. In this case, the Error messages shown as “The Webpage is not available.”

Variations of this error depending upon the browser

Depending upon the browser you are using you may encounter different  DNS_PROBE_FINISHED_NXDOMAIN error messages for this error. Here I have listed the error messages displayed in various types of browsers for your ready reference. Here it is:

Google Chrome

This site can’t be reached or This webpage is not available.

Mozilla Firefox

We can’t connect to the server at domain.com.

Microsoft Edge

Make sure you’ve got the right web address: domain.com.

Safari

Safari can’t open the page “domain.com” because Safari can’t find the server “domain.com”.

Fix DNS_PROBE_FINISHED_NXDOMAIN error in Google Chrome on Windows 10

The methods mentioned above with specific instructions are believed to solve the issue, however, there are backup measures that can be taken in case these don’t work out.

Update Google Chrome

If your browser is not updated then it might cause this  DNS_PROBE_FINISHED_NXDOMAIN error. To fix this issue you need to update your browser. Follow these steps:

• Click on the three vertical dots available on the top right side of your browser. And then go to Help section.

• Then navigate to the About Chrome Section. It will start checking for the available updates if any and then update your browser if required.

• Restart your browser and check for the DNS_PROBE_FINISHED_NXDOMAIN error.

Clear Cache in Chrome

To fix this issue you need to clear the cache of your browser. Follow these steps:

• Click on the three vertical dots available on the top right side of your browser.

• Go to the More Tools section. Then navigate to Clear browsing data. 

• Click on the Advanced tab.

• And check the options Cookies and other site data and Cached images and files.
• Click on the Clear Data button.

• Your browser’s cache has been cleaned. Now, close Chrome and check for the error.

Configure DNS Server Address

DNS address couldn’t be found DNS_PROBE_FINISHED_NXDOMAIN Error. So better to configure or change DNS server address

• One needs to locate the Network Icon present in the toolbar/desktop as per individual’s settings and then click on Open Network and Sharing Center.

• After clicking the Network and Sharing Center, you need to right-click on the Active Network Connection you have viz. Wifi, LAN, Ethernet, etc. and thereon choose and click Properties.

• Now coming onto Wifi Properties there will be several options mentioned in the section “This connection uses the following items:”, under this choose and click Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4) and then right-click on the Properties Tab.

• Once you choose Properties Tab you will witness two Tabs viz. General and Alternate Configuration. Now under this purview, you need to choose to Use the following DNS Server Addresses present within the General Tab Section. Moving on further now you will need to add the following Server Address as mention below and then Click Ok.

Enter the following in Preferred DNS Server: 8.8.8.8
Now Enter the following in Alternate DNS Server: 8.8.4.4

Release and Renew IP Address

DNS_PROBE_FINISHED_NXDOMAIN Error can be sorted through some handy solutions when encountered in Google chrome through these steps of instruction:

• You need to run the Command Prompt from the Administrator’s perspective or can open the Command Prompt (Admin).

• Type the command ipconfig/release and press Enter to release your current IP address.

• Now type the command ipconfig/flushdns and hit Enter. It will successfully flush your DNS cache.

• Type the command ipconfig/renew and press Enter to renew your IP address.

You can try to reset your IP addresses using the alternate method also.

• Type the command netsh int ip set dns.

• And net winsock reset and hit Enter to release your current IP address.

• Now in order to see the effect of its function, you need to Restart your System. After Restarting process, now you can check whether your Internet Connection is functional or not. If the issue persists even after following the two methods of rectifying this then you need to execute the other methods.

Restart DNS services

To fix this issue you can Restart DNS services. To do so follow these steps:

• Press Windows+R keys to open the Run window and type services.msc and hit Enter.

• Find DNS Client, right-click on it, and choose Restart.

• If this way is not working on your system then you can use the Command Prompt method.
• Open search window and type cmd and right-click on it to choose Run as Administrator.

• In the next window, click Yes. Enter the following commands into the Command Prompt one by one and hit Enter after each command:
  net stop dnscache

net start dnscache

• Hopefully, this method has worked for you, if not then you can choose the next method.

Reset Flag Settings

• In order to reset the Flag Settings, one needs to type this in the web browser’s address bar: chrome://flags/ and then hit Enter.

• Now you will see an option written as Reset all to default in a button format, so you now need to right-click on it and then reload the browser by pressing the F5 key present on the system keyboard in the top row of the button options.

Clear DNS Cache in Google Chrome

Server DNS could not be found DNS_PROBE_FINISHED_NXDOMAIN

This method has been mentioned in the second last, yet it is considered the best and successful method to get rid of this issue in the most simplistic manner.

• In the Google Chrome Browser Window type the following in the URL: chrome://net-internals/#dns

• You will now see a Tab that states the Clear-Host Cache button that comes in the category Section of Host resolver cache.

• You can now close down all the browser windows and restart the browser again. Once you restart with a fresh browser window, you will get the Internet back in place functioning all smoothly as before.

Try using Safe Mode

The Safe Mode is generally put into use when some functions can be run without affecting the system in a negative way and also understanding the implications of conflicting applications creating problems. You need to Boot your system into the Safe Mode and should try to load the Google Chrome Browser Page, it will help you with the identification and discovery of the third-party software acting as the root cause of the issue as the Safe Mode only contains in itself the useful files.

In order to run this identification process, you will need to reboot your system and press the F8 key for a few seconds. Thereafter which you need to select the option as “Safe Mode with Networking” from the list of options mentioned in it.

Temporary Disable Antivirus or Windows Firewall

Sometimes your Antivirus or Firewall might block your system access to some websites. There are chances that some antivirus embedded on your system to track web browsers and VPN add-ons may be preventing to browse through certain sites. In such a case, this error can be fixed by disabling the Antivirus or Windows Firewall temporarily.

Fix DNS PROBE FINISHED NXDOMAIN error in Google Chrome on Mac

We have seen the methods to fix the error on Windows. Now I will tell you some methods to fix this dns_probe_finished_nxdomain error for Mac users. Here we go:

Configure DNS Server Address

To configure or change DNS server address on macOS follow these steps:

• • Go to System Preferences.

• • Click on the Network icon.

• • Then click Advanced.

• • Now, click on the DNS tab and add the Cloudfare DNS addresses as mentioned below:

For IPv4: 1.1.1.1 and 1.0.0.1
For IPv6: 2606:4700:4700::1111 and 2606:4700:4700::1001

Release and Renew IP Address

To release and renew the IP addresses in macOS follow these steps:

• Go to System Preferences.

• Click on the Network icon.

• Then click Advanced.

• Click the TCP/IP tab. Then click on the Renew DHCP lease button.

• As we have done in Windows, likewise we can do for Mac also to clear their local DNS cache. Go to Utilities and click on Terminal.

• Type the following commands and hit Enter.
  sudo dscacheutil-flushcache

 sudo killall -HUP mDNSResponder 

• Restart your Mac and check for the DNS_PROBE_FINISHED_NXDOMAIN error.

Edit your Local Hosts File

Follow these steps to edit the local hosts file on macOS:

• Go to Utilities and click on Terminal.

• Type the command sudo nano /private/etc/hosts and hit Enter.

• Check that the website you are trying to visit is not listed in your hosts file, if it is there then Delete it.

Conclusion

The methods mentioned above in detail with the step by step instructional guide will prove to be your knight in the shining armor. It works very well and can be executed as per the individual’s feasible levels. Let us know in the comment section which method worked for you? Wanna some more DeviceTricks? Stay tuned to this space to get the latest updates on errors related to Windows, macOS, and Android.

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