How to Fix DNS Server not responding on Windows?

Domain name System (DNS) is a nomenclature for computers and other devices and services connected to the internet. DNS in simple language is the address of the website you visit. Each website is hosted on a server having a unique IP address. For example, to reach our website, you search https://devicetricks.com/ in your browser. Here devicetricks.com is the DNS of the website and let’s say 192.25.25.03 is the IP address of the same website. It’s easy to remember the DNS, then to remember the IP addresses of websites. This is why DNS servers were implemented. When your computer is not able to connect to your DNS, you get the ‘DNS server not responding’ error.

In this guide, I will try to explain the DNS server isn’t responding error along with some troubleshooting steps to fix this error. Keep reading.

What is a DNS Server?

The DNS stands for Domain Name System. It is an important part of a bit of the internet that translates human-friendly domain names like devicetricks.com into machine-readable IP addresses.

Further, DNS Servers maintain the public DNS as well as domain names of the website just like a phonebook. When you type the website URL to the browser, the system detects the IP addresses automatically. Basically, it is a computer system that is registered to join the DNS (Domain Name System).

What is the ‘DNS server not responding’ error?

When you try to connect your computer or devices to the internet, the device simply won’t connect sometimes show “DNS Server isn’t responding” error. It won’t allow you to connect with the site even after internet access. This means that your device failed to connect to the host which is possible due to many reasons. The problem may be in your device configuration, or the DNS server is not available. You need to fix the DNS problems such as the server isn’t responding error.

If you’re on Windows 10, the network troubleshooting will show you the following dns errors in your window:

‘The DNS server isn’t responding’
Your computer appears to be correctly configured, but the device or resource (DNS server) is not responding

Troubleshooting tips to fix “DNS server is not responding” error

Before we give you a full-fledged solution, it’s important that you try troubleshooting instead of playing with some critical settings of your device network.

• Restart your router: More often than thought, most of the errors occur because of the router that you’re using. Restarting the router works wonders.
• Open the HOSTS file as notepad and check the list for the site you want to connect to. If you could find the entry, delete it and save the file. Now, you will most likely be able to get connected to the site.

Fix “DNS server isn’t responding” Error

If the troubleshooting didn’t work for you, we suggest you follow the solutions given below step-by-step. If you face further difficulties, feel free to reach out in the comments section and our experts will be happy to serve you.

Windows 7

Change Adaptor Settings

Before changing the adapter settings take a backup of the wired or wireless router and its firmware settings. To manually change the DNS server with adapter settings follow the following steps:

• Open the Control Panel from your system.

• Select Network and Sharing Centre.

• Click ‘Change Adaptor Settings’ on the left side of the panel.

• Once you click on the option, you will see the adapters list. Select network adapter you want to use. And then right click on your selected network and go to the ‘properties.’

• Look for TCP/IPv4 and click on it. You will get to see Internet Protocol properties.

• Select the option ‘Use the following DNS server addresses.’

• Enter the Preferred DNS address as 67.222.222 and Alternative DNS as 67.220.220.
• Click the ‘Validate settings upon exit’ checkbox.

• Click on ok and exit from the screen.

• After this, you have to put the same DNS settings in the router configuration.
• Start installing and configuring OpenDNS by going to http://www.opendns.com/

Give the physical address in the network adapters setting.

• Open Command Prompt by typing ‘cmd’ in the start option and type IPCONFIG/ALL. And then find your LAN network adapter and note down the address.

• Click on Start and type CPL.

• Right-click on the network adapter and choose properties.

• Select Configure button.

• Click Advanced tab -> Network address.

• Select the redial button value and type the address manually you noted before. (Example: remove the dashes and type only the alphabets and numbers A86BAD20A237) and then click on the Ok and restart your system.

• Note down your Network Adapter model and look for the appropriate drivers from the manufacturer’s site. Install and update the drivers. This might solve your DNS server down issue.
• In the last be sure to disable the network firewall settings since there is a chance that firewall may block the connection.

Reset DNS Settings

If the above solution does not work, follow the below steps to fix your DNS Server is not responding error.

• Open the command prompt.

• Type the following commands one by one and press enter after each command:

Ipconfig /flushdns 

ipconfig /registerdns

ipconfig /release

ipconfig /renew 

netsh winsock reset 

• By rebooting your computer, you can probably solve the DNS Server isn’t responding issue.

Using Safe Mode

If the problem still persists, try connecting the internet in the Safe Mode. It is because sometime the 3rd party software may disturb your connection. The advantage of Safe Mode is that it opens only required Window files. And, to rectify such a problem, try to open connection in Safe Mode.

• Restart your computer and press the F8 key to get the option to open the system in Safe Mode.

• If your internet connects easily without any problem then, some 3rd party software or anti-virus is causing you trouble.

Disable extra Connections

If you have configured any numbers of connections, it is better to disable the unused ones. Most of the time, Windows install them automatically. And, such unwanted, extra connections can trouble your active network. Follow the following steps to find the extra connections:

• Go to Control Panel -> Network and Sharing Centre -> Change Adaptor Settings.

• Locate the extra and unused connections in your system and simply right click on that connection and press Disable.

Use third-party software

If none of the above fixes your DNS server problem, then get help from the 3rd party software.

A popular tool “Smart DNS Server Fixer” can resolve Windows Registry errors and rectify invalid entries and the DNS server is unavailable error. The software scans the registry files of the system completely and displays the number of problems to be fixed. You can just click “Fix All” to resolve the issue effortlessly.

By using any of the above solutions, you can fix your ‘DNS server is not responding’ issue in Windows 7 operating system without much hassle.

Windows 8

If you are using Windows 8 on your system, follow the below steps to fix the ‘DNS Server is Not Responding’ Error.

Use Command Prompt

• Select Windows and type cmd in the search box to open the command prompt.

• In the command prompt, enter the below command to reset the IP address automatically and press Enter.

netsh int ip reset c:resetlog.txt

• Type the below command and press enter. This command will ask you to restart your system but ignore it.

netsh winsock reset

• To delete the DNS cache that is stored already, enter the below command and press enter.

ipconfig /flushdns

• Restart your computer to check if it works.
• If it doesn’t fix the problem, shut down your computer and modem. After 5 minutes, restart again to check if it’s fixed.
• If the problem still persists, press Windows key + R to open the Run window and enter the below command. This will open the network connections.

ncpa.cpl

• Right-click on your “local area network” and go to properties.

• Click internet protocol version 4 (TCP/IPv4) and click properties.

• Go to “Use following DNS server addresses” option and change the DNS server address to global DNS value as given below.

Preferred DNS address:  208.67.222.222

Alternate DNS address:  208.67.220.220

Using Normal Method

• Locate the computer icon on the taskbar and click it to open the Network and Sharing Center.

(Or)

• Go to Start –> Control Panel –> Network and Internet –> Change adapter settings

• Right-click on your “Local Network Connection” and go to properties.

• Click Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4) from the window that appears and choose properties.

• Change the DNS server address to the global address as follows.

Prefered DNS Server address: 208.67.222.222

Alternate DNS Server address: 208.67.220.220

• Also, check the “Validate settings leading exit” checkbox and press ok.

• Go to Command Prompt and type the below command and press enter to get the physical address automatically under “Ethernet adapter local area network” field.

ipconfig/all

• Type the below command to open Network Connections.

ncpa.cpl

• Right-click on the “local area connection” and go to properties and press configure.

• Go to the option Advanced and click “Network Address” in the Property field. In the value field, enter the physical address manually, obtained from the command prompt without dashes.

For example: 00-FF-9A-BD-FB-DB should be entered as 00FF9ABDFBDB.

• Ensure to click OK and restart the system.
• If the problem is not solved after restarting, then check for security options.
• Disable the security system in your PC and restart your PC in Safe Mode.

• If the internet is still not working then, the cause of DNS errors message might be due to some issues in your drivers or other programs.

Use third-Party software

If the DNS server is not available error is due to drivers or other unknown applications, it is better to apply the third-party repair tool.

• Download PC Repair Tool and install it.
• To check for errors, click the “Scan” button.
• Then click “Fix errors” to resolve all the errors.

Try using any of these solutions to resolve the ‘DNS server is not available’ issue.

Windows 10

Windows 10 is totally different from Windows 8 and 7. If you encounter ‘DNS Server Not Responding’ Error on Windows 10 then, follow the following steps.

Change DNS Servers manually

Usually, your computer won’t connect to the internet or the DNS servers of ISP automatically.

It is because there is an issue in your ISP’s DNS servers that prevents you from connecting to the site.

So, it is advised to change your DNS servers to OpenDNS or Google DNS addresses. This may resolve DNS server not responding error messages.

• Press Windows logo key + X to open Network Connections.

• On your active network connection, and choose properties.

• Click Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4) and choose properties.

• Selection the option, “Use the following DNS server addresses” and enter the below addresses and click ok.
• To change to Google DNS IPv6:

Prefered DNS server address: 8.8.8.8

Alternate DNS server address: 8.8.4.4

Or

• To change to Open DNS Windows 10:

Preferred DNS server address: 208.67.222.222

Alternate DNS server address: 208.67.220.220

Check if the problem resolves. Also, note that depending on your location, changing the DNS server address manually can slow your internet connection.

Manually Enter the MAC Address

• Press Windows + X and select Command Prompt (Admin).

• In the command prompt, put the below command and press enter.

ipconfig /all

• Take the physical address from your network connection and note it down. Close Command prompt.

• Click Network Connection and Select properties.

• Click on Configure and go to the Advanced tab and locate the Network Add from the Properties field.
• Select the Value option and enter the MAC address you noted from the command prompt without any dashes.

• Make sure to click OK to save changes.

This method works better than changing the DNS server Windows 10 address.

Find the latest Drivers and Install Them

Sometimes the drivers in your PC may cause DNS Server Not Responding error.

To download the latest driver for your PC, visit the website of your network adapter manufacturer. Locate the right driver as per your model and install them on your system.

Disable Antivirus and Firewall Software

In some cases, antivirus and firewall can disrupt the internet connection. Disable your antivirus and firewall temporarily and check if it resolves the problem.

If the error message not gets fixed then, change to the different configuration of antivirus and firewall or change the software itself.

Reset IP & Clear DNS Cache

• Open the command prompt as an administrator from the start menu. Then, type the below commands one by one and press enter.

netsh int ip reset

netsh winsock reset

ipconfig /flushdns

ipconfig /renew

• Restart your PC and check if it solves the problem.

Safe Mode

• Open the Start menu. Click the Power button and hold down the Shift key. Select the Restart option.

• You will be seeing 3 options. Select “Troubleshoot.”
• Click Advanced options -> Startup Settings -> Restart.
• Select Advanced options > Startup Settings and click the Restart button.
• Once your PC restarts, press F5 and select Safe Mode with Networking

When you are in the Safe Mode, check to access the internet is working fine or not.

Disable Microsoft Virtual Wi-Fi Miniport Adapter

• Open Device Manager.

• Go to View -> Show hidden devices.

• Find out Microsoft Virtual Wi-Fi Miniport Adapter. Right-click on it and select Disable. You have to repeat this procedure to all the Virtual Miniport Adapters.

Once it is done, check if it resolves the error.

Disable IPv6

• Open Network Connections and right-click on your connection. Choose properties.
• Select Internet Protocol Version 6 (TCP/IPv6) and uncheck it.

• Hit ok and save.

Disabling IP V6 will not have any negative effect on your system. But, it might solve the DNS Server Not Responding error.

Disable Additional Connections

Your system might be configured with some different internet connections. To fix this error, it is better to disable those additional connections.

Go to Network Connections and right-click on your additional connections and select disable. Make sure you do not touch your active network connection.

As per my findings, these are the best solutions to fix DNS Server Not Responding Error on Windows 10.

I hope one of my solutions will help you to resolve the error.

Conclusion

DNS server is not responding is the common issue for the Windows users. Use our easy-to-follow instructions and let us know in the comments if it works for you. We’re always happy to solve your problems.
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Also read: DNS_Probe_Finished_No_Internet Error.