How to Flush DNS Cache in Windows 11 (2026 Guide)

If websites won’t load, display outdated content, or you’re seeing DNS-related errors, flushing the DNS cache can often resolve the problem. Windows stores recently visited website addresses (DNS records) locally to speed up browsing, but these records can sometimes become outdated or corrupted, preventing your computer from connecting to websites correctly. Flushing the DNS cache clears these stored records and forces Windows to retrieve fresh DNS information from your DNS server. It’s a safe troubleshooting step that can help fix website loading issues after changing DNS settings, switching web hosts, or encountering connection problems.

In this guide, you’ll learn how to flush the DNS cache in Windows 11 using Command Prompt, Windows PowerShell, and Windows Terminal. We’ll also show you how to verify that the DNS cache has been cleared and answer some common questions about the DNS cache.

When Should You Flush the DNS Cache?

You don’t need to flush the DNS cache regularly. However, it can help resolve connection problems when your computer is using outdated or incorrect DNS information.

Consider flushing the DNS cache if:

• You can’t open a specific website, but it works on other devices.
• You recently changed your DNS server (such as Google DNS or Cloudflare DNS).
• A website was moved to a new hosting provider, but your PC still loads the old server.
• You’re seeing DNS-related errors, such as DNS_PROBE_FINISHED_NXDOMAIN.
• Some websites load slowly or fail to load after network changes.

Tip: Flushing the DNS cache only clears locally stored DNS records. It doesn’t delete your browser history, cookies, saved passwords, or other personal data.

Method 1: Flush DNS Cache Using Command Prompt

The quickest way to clear the DNS cache is by using the ipconfig /flushdns command in an elevated Command Prompt.

1. Press Windows + S, type cmd, then right-click Command Prompt and select Run as administrator.
2. If prompted by User Account Control (UAC), click Yes.
3. Type the following command and press Enter:

ipconfig /flushdns

4. If the command is successful, you’ll see the following message:

Windows IP Configuration
Successfully flushed the DNS Resolver Cache.

That’s it. Windows has now cleared the stored DNS records and will retrieve fresh DNS information the next time you visit a website.

Tip: If the command returns an error, make sure Command Prompt is running with administrator privileges before trying again.

Method 2: Flush DNS Cache Using Windows Terminal

Windows Terminal provides another quick way to clear the DNS cache. It supports both Command Prompt and PowerShell, so you can use whichever profile you prefer.

1. Right-click the Start button and select Terminal (Admin) or Windows Terminal (Admin).
2. If prompted by User Account Control (UAC), click Yes.
3. Open the PowerShell profile if it isn’t already selected.
4. Type the following command and press Enter:

Clear-DnsClientCache

If the command runs successfully, PowerShell won’t display a confirmation message. This is normal and indicates that the DNS cache has been cleared.

Note: You can also open the Command Prompt profile in Windows Terminal and run ipconfig /flushdns if you prefer using Command Prompt commands.

How to Verify the DNS Cache Was Cleared

If you want to check whether Windows is still storing DNS records, you can display the current DNS resolver cache using Command Prompt.

1. Open Command Prompt as an administrator.
2. Type the following command and press Enter:

ipconfig /displaydns

If you’ve just flushed the DNS cache, the list should be empty or contain only a few recently created DNS entries. As you continue browsing the web, Windows will automatically rebuild the DNS cache with new records.

Note: It’s normal for new DNS entries to appear soon after flushing the cache, as Windows caches recently visited websites to improve browsing performance.

Final Thoughts

Flushing the DNS cache is a quick and safe troubleshooting step that can resolve many common website and DNS-related connection problems. If you’re unable to access certain websites, recently changed your DNS settings, or suspect Windows is using outdated DNS records, clearing the DNS cache is often one of the first fixes to try.

For most users, the ipconfig /flushdns Command is the fastest and easiest method. After flushing the cache, revisit the website or restart your browser to check if the issue has been resolved. If the problem persists, you may also need to change your DNS server or perform additional network troubleshooting.

Frequently Asked Questions