DNS Server Not Responding in Windows 11? 9 Ways to Fix It (2026 Guide)

The “DNS Server Not Responding” error in Windows 11 means your computer cannot translate website names (like google.com) into IP addresses, so web pages fail to load even though your internet connection may appear to be working. This can happen due to incorrect network settings, outdated network drivers, problems with your router, or a temporary issue with your ISP’s DNS servers. In this guide, you’ll learn the most effective ways to fix the DNS Server Not Responding error in Windows 11, from simple checks like restarting your router to resetting network settings and changing your DNS server. Follow the methods below one by one until your internet connection starts working again.

Why Does the “DNS Server Not Responding” Error Occur in Windows 11?

Every time you visit a website, Windows first contacts a Domain Name System (DNS) server to convert the website’s name into an IP address. Think of DNS as the internet’s phone book it helps your computer locate the correct server for every website you visit.

If Windows cannot communicate with the DNS server or receives no response, your browser won’t know where the website is located, resulting in the DNS Server Not Responding error.

Several issues can trigger this problem, including:

• A temporary router or modem issue: Your router may stop communicating properly with your ISP’s DNS servers after running continuously for a long time or due to a temporary network glitch.
• Problems with your ISP’s DNS servers: Sometimes the DNS servers provided by your internet service provider experience outages or become overloaded, making it impossible to resolve website addresses.
• Incorrect DNS or network settings: Manually configured DNS addresses, proxy settings, or other network configuration changes can prevent Windows from reaching a working DNS server.
• Outdated or corrupted network adapter drivers: Faulty or incompatible network drivers can disrupt communication between Windows 11 and your network, resulting in DNS-related errors.
• VPN, antivirus, or firewall software interference: Some security programs and VPNs filter or redirect network traffic, which can occasionally block DNS requests or cause connection issues.
• Corrupted Windows network components: Network settings can become damaged after a Windows update, software installation, or unexpected system shutdown, affecting DNS resolution.

Fix 1: Restart Your Router and Windows 11 PC

Before changing any network settings, start with the simplest fix. Temporary glitches in your router, modem, or Windows networking service can prevent your computer from communicating with the DNS server. A restart refreshes the network connection and often resolves the problem without any additional troubleshooting.

Restart Your Router

1. Turn off your router (and modem, if you have a separate device).
2. Unplug the power cable.
3. Wait 30 to 60 seconds.
4. Plug the power cable back in and turn the router on.
5. Wait until all the network indicator lights return to normal.

Restart Your Windows 11 PC

1. Click the Start button.
2. Select the Power icon.
3. Click Restart.
4. After Windows starts again, reconnect to your Wi-Fi or Ethernet network if necessary.

Once your PC reconnects to the internet, open your web browser and try visiting a few different websites.

Fix 2: Run the Network and Internet Troubleshooter

Windows 11 includes a built-in Network and Internet troubleshooter that can automatically detect and fix common network problems, including incorrect network settings, disabled services, and DNS-related issues. While it doesn’t solve every problem, it’s a quick step that’s worth trying before making manual changes.

1. Press Windows + I to open Settings.
2. Select System > Troubleshoot.
3. Click Other troubleshooters.
4. Find Network and Internet and click Run.
5. Follow the on-screen instructions and apply any recommended fixes.
6. Restart your PC if Windows asks you to.

After the troubleshooter finishes, open your web browser and check whether websites load normally.

Fix 3: Flush the DNS Cache

Windows stores recently visited website addresses in a local DNS cache to speed up browsing. If this cache becomes outdated or corrupted, your PC may be trying to use incorrect DNS records, and result the DNS Server Not Responding error. Flushing the DNS cache clears these stored records, allowing Windows to request fresh DNS information from the server.

1. Click Start, type cmd.
2. Right-click Command Prompt and select Run as administrator.
3. Type the following command and press Enter:

ipconfig /flushdns

4. You should see the message “Successfully flushed the DNS Resolver Cache.”

5. Close Command Prompt and open your web browser to check whether websites load correctly.

Fix 4: Change Your DNS Server

If your internet service provider’s DNS server is unavailable or responding slowly, switching to a public DNS service can often resolve the problem. Public DNS servers are generally reliable, free to use, and may provide faster DNS lookups than your ISP’s default servers.

For this guide, we’ll use Google Public DNS:

• Preferred DNS server: 8.8.8.8
• Alternate DNS server: 8.8.4.4

To change the DNS server in Windows 11:

1. Press Windows + I to open Settings.
2. Select Network & internet.
3. Click Wi-Fi or Ethernet, depending on your connection.
4. Select your active network.
5. Next to DNS server assignment, click Edit.
6. Change the setting from Automatic (DHCP) to Manual.
7. Turn on IPv4 and Enter the following DNS addresses:
   • Preferred DNS: 8.8.8.8
   • Alternate DNS: 8.8.4.4
8. Click Save.

Here are some of the free DNS providers and addresses you can use:

• Google: 8.8.8.8 | 8.8.4.4
• OpenDNS Home: 208.67.222.222 | 208.67.220.220
• Cloudflare: 1.1.1.1 | 1.0.0.1
• AlternateDNS: 76.76.19.19 | 76.223.122.150
• AdGuard DNS: 94.140.14.14 | 94.140.15.15
• Quad9: 9.9.9.9 | 149.112.112.112

Open your web browser and test a few websites to confirm the connection is working properly.

Fix 5: Restart the DNS Client Service

The DNS Client service in Windows is responsible for caching DNS records and helps your computer resolve domain names efficiently. If this service stops running or encounters a temporary issue, Windows may fail to communicate with DNS servers correctly. Restarting the service can restore normal DNS functionality.

1. Press Windows + R to open the Run dialog.
2. Type services.msc and click OK.
3. In the Services window, locate DNS Client.
4. Right-click DNS Client and select Restart.
5. If the Restart option is unavailable, verify that the service status is Running and the Startup type is set to Automatic.
6. Close the Services window and test your internet connection.

Note: On newer versions of Windows 11, the DNS Client service may be managed by the operating system and cannot be restarted manually. If the Restart option is unavailable, simply move on to the next troubleshooting method.

Fix 6: Reset TCP/IP and Winsock

If your DNS settings appear to be correct but you’re still unable to access websites, the problem may be caused by corrupted TCP/IP or Winsock settings. These networking components allow Windows to communicate over the internet. Resetting them restores the default network configuration and can resolve many DNS and connectivity issues.

1. Click Start, type cmd.
2. Right-click Command Prompt and select Run as administrator.
3. Run the following commands one at a time, pressing Enter after each:

netsh winsock reset
netsh int ip reset
ipconfig /release
ipconfig /renew

4. Restart your computer after all the commands have finished.

Once Windows restarts, reconnect to your network if necessary and check whether websites load normally.

Fix 7: Update or Reinstall the Network Adapter Driver

Network adapter drivers allow Windows 11 to communicate with your wired or wireless network. If the driver is outdated, corrupted, or incompatible after a Windows update, it can cause DNS errors and other internet connectivity problems. Updating or reinstalling the Network adapter driver can often restore a stable connection.

Update the Network Driver

1. Right-click the Start button and select Device Manager.
2. Expand Network adapters.
3. Right-click your Wi-Fi or Ethernet adapter and select Update driver.
4. Choose Search automatically for drivers.
5. Follow the on-screen instructions to install any available updates.
6. Restart your PC if prompted.

Reinstall the Network Driver

If updating doesn’t help:

1. Open Device Manager.
2. Expand Network adapters.
3. Right-click your network adapter and select Uninstall device.
4. Confirm the uninstallation.
5. Restart your computer. Windows will automatically reinstall the required network driver during startup.

If Windows does not reinstall the driver automatically, download the latest driver from your PC or motherboard manufacturer’s support website and install it manually.

Fix 8: Temporarily Disable Your VPN or Antivirus

Some VPNs, antivirus programs, and third-party firewalls filter or redirect DNS requests to improve security and privacy. If these programs are misconfigured or experiencing a temporary issue, they may prevent Windows 11 from communicating with DNS servers.

To check if they’re causing the problem:

1. Disconnect from your VPN if you’re using one.
2. Temporarily disable your third-party antivirus or firewall software.
3. Open your web browser and try visiting a few websites.
4. If the internet starts working, re-enable your security software and check its network or DNS protection settings.
5. Update the VPN or antivirus software to the latest version if an update is available.

Important: Only disable your antivirus or firewall temporarily for testing. Turn it back on immediately after checking your connection to keep your PC protected.

Fix 9: Reset Network Settings

If none of the previous solutions worked, resetting your network settings can help. This process reinstalls your network adapters and restores all networking components to their default configuration. It also removes saved Wi-Fi networks, VPN connections, and any custom network settings, so you’ll need to reconnect to your network afterward.

• Press Windows + I to open Settings.
• Select Network & internet.
• Click Advanced network settings.
• Under More settings, select Network reset.
• Click Reset now.
• Click Yes to confirm.
• Wait for Windows to restart your computer.

After your PC restarts, reconnect to your Wi-Fi network or plug in your Ethernet cable, then check whether you can browse the internet normally.

What to Do If the DNS Server Is Still Not Responding

If you’ve tried all the fixes above but the “DNS Server Not Responding” error still occurs, the problem may not be with your Windows 11 PC. It could be related to your router, internet service provider, or a temporary outage affecting your connection.

Here are a few additional things you can check:

• Test another device: Connect a phone, tablet, or another computer to the same network. If none of the devices can access websites, the issue is likely with your router or ISP.
• Restart or reset your router: If restarting didn’t help, consider resetting the router to its factory settings. Keep in mind that this will erase your custom Wi-Fi name, password, and other network settings.
• Check for an ISP outage: Visit your internet provider’s website or contact their support team to see if there’s a service disruption in your area.
• Try a different internet connection: Connect your PC to a mobile hotspot or another Wi-Fi network. If the internet works on a different network, your original connection is likely the source of the problem.
• Contact your ISP: If the issue persists across multiple devices or networks, your ISP can check for account, line, or DNS server issues that you can’t resolve from your PC.

If the error only occurs on your Windows 11 computer while other devices on the same network work normally, consider performing a System Restore or using Reset this PC as a last resort if you suspect Windows network components have become corrupted.

Frequently Asked Questions