How to Flush DNS Cache in Windows 11
Jul. 31, 2021If you are having problems accessing some websites or apps, one way to solve it is by flushing the DNS cache on your computer. How you do that depends on the device you are using because it will vary from Windows to Mac and from Chrome OS to Linux. In this article, we will show you how to flush DNS cache in Windows 11. We will also tell you all about DNS cache and how flushing it can help fix random connectivity issues.
If you are experiencing connectivity issues even afterdeleting the temporary filesand clearing the app cache on your Windows 11 computer, the underlying problem might be with the way the network is configured. To correct it, you willneed to flush the DNS resolversettings in your computer. Best practice dictates that you also restart your modem and router to clear out all cached DNS settings. With that said, let’s get started:
Note: This tutorial focuses on flushing DNS cache in Windows 11. For other platforms, check out how toflush DNS cache in Androidandclear DNS cache on macOS devices.
DNS cache is a file that includes the hostnames and IP addresses of the websites you have visited on your computer. As the name suggests, it caches the webpage, which results in the site loading faster the next time you open it. The caches are located in the client computer, as well as in the servers of the ISP (Internet Service Provider).
While most systems connected to the internet automatically update the cache and hostname, problems arise when the IP address of a webpage changes before the update. That’s when you can have connectivity issues, with the page failing to load in your browser. Flushing the DNS cache removes all the stored (cached) information, which forces the computer to retrieve relevant new data rather than serving up old and obsolete data.
Note:This guide only deals with clearing your DNS cache. To change your DNS service provider, check out our detailed tutorials on how tochange DNS settings on Windows.
Another way to flush the DNS cache on Windows 11 PCs is by using PowerShell. Here’s how you do that:
You can also clear the DNS cache straight from the Run dialog box without opening either the Command Prompt or PowerShell. This is probably the easiest way to clear DNS cache on Windows computer, and here’s how it works:
Finally, if you would rather automate the process of flushing the DNS cache on your Windows PC, you can create and use a batch file for the purpose. So, downloadthis batch fileand run it to clear the DNS cache in Windows 11.
A batch file, in case you are unaware, includes a set of commands and you can just run the file at scheduled intervals or on-demand to execute those commands. To know more, check out ourdetailed article on batch filesand how to use them to automate tasks on Windows.
Some Windows apps, including Google Chrome, have DNS caches of their own. It is separate from the DNS cache stored by your operating system. In these cases, you will have to clear the DNS Cache of these applications as well. For Google Chrome, this is how you do it:
Flush DNS Cache to Solve Connectivity Issues in Windows 11
Flushing DNS cache may sound like a ton of tech jargon, but it’s an easy undertaking, as you now know. There are multiple ways to flush the DNS cache in Windows 11 PCs, including using the Command Prompt, the PowerShell, and the Run command. So go ahead, flush the cached DNS data on your Windows 11 computer to fix any underlying connectivity issues and improve your privacy. Once you do that, check out some of our other DNS-related articles, including thebest DNS serversyou can use andthe difference between VPN and DNS.
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