Fix DNS Server Not Responding Error: Effective Ways

Table Of Contents show

If you’ve ever encountered a “DNS Server Not Responding” error while using your computer, you know how frustrating it can be. The DNS server isn’t responding Windows 10 error messages indicating that your computer is having trouble communicating with the Domain Name System (DNS) server, which translates domain names (such as google.com) into IP addresses your computer can understand.

In this blog post, we’ll explore some common reasons for the “DNS server isn’t responding” errors and provide tips to help you troubleshoot the issue on your Windows 10 computer.

What is a DNS error?

Before diving into troubleshooting tips, let’s briefly discuss a DNS error. When you type a website address into your web browser, your computer sends a request to a DNS server to look up the corresponding IP address.

If the DNS server doesn’t respond, your computer won’t be able to access the website. This is where the “DNS Server Not Responding” error message comes in. But what does this “DNS Server is not responding” mean exactly?

What does the “DNS Server Not Responding” Error mean?

The “DNS Server Not Responding” error message indicates that your computer cannot communicate with the DNS server. There are several possible reasons for the DNS server isn’t responding Windows 10 errors, including network connectivity issues, problems with your computer’s DNS settings, or issues with your ISP’s DNS server.

Fixes to DNS Server Not Responding Error:

So as you now know, what are the possible reasons for the “DNS server isn’t responding” messages, here are a few fixes for the DNS server not responding error.

Connect With a Different Device:

One way to determine if the DNS server isn’t responding Windows 10 issues with your computer or your network is to try accessing the website from a different device. If the website loads fine on another device, the problem is likely with your computer.

Start Your Computer in Safe Mode:

Another troubleshooting step for the DNS server is not responding error you can take is to start your computer in Safe Mode.

Starting your computer in a safe mode will start your computer with a minimal set of drivers and services, which can help isolate the issue.

If the website loads fine in Safe Mode, the issue may be related to a driver or service that’s running on your computer.

Disable IPv6:

If you’re still experiencing the “DNS Server Not Responding” error after trying all the solutions mentioned above in the blog, try disabling IPv6 on your computer.

Some ISPs don’t yet support IPv6, which can cause issues with DNS resolution.

Here’s how you can disable IPv6 on your computer:

How to disable IPv6 on your computer (Windows 10)

Open the Start menu and search for “Control Panel.”
Click on “Control Panel” to open it.
Click on “Network and Sharing Center.”
Click on “Change adapter settings.”

Source: softwarekeep.com

Right-click on your network adapter and select “Properties.”

Source: softwarekeep.com

Uncheck the box next to “Internet Protocol Version 6 (TCP/IPv6)” and click “OK.”

Source: softwarekeep.com

Restart your computer.

However, if you have Windows 7 version, here’s how you can Disable IPv6:

Open the Start menu and select “Control Panel.”
Click on “Network and Sharing Center.”
Click on “Change adapter settings.”
Right-click on your network adapter and select “Properties.”
Uncheck the box next to “Internet Protocol Version 6 (TCP/IPv6)” and click “OK.”
Restart your computer.

Here’s how you can disable IPv6 on Mac OS X:

Click on the Apple menu and select “System Preferences.”
Click on “Network.”
Select your network connection from the list on the left.
Click on the “Advanced” button.
Click on the “TCP/IP” tab.

Source: googleusercontent.com

From the “Configure IPv6” drop-down menu, select “Off.”
Click “OK” to save your changes.

Investigate Possible Network Issues:

The next step you can take to ensure the DNS server isn’t responding Windows 10 errors is to ensure that there are no network issues. Check all the cables and ensure they are securely plugged in and your modem and router are working properly.

Manually Set Your DNS Server:

Another way to solve the DNS server isn’t responding Windows 10 is to set your DNS server manually. Manually setting your DNS server can help if your computer is having trouble communicating with your ISP’s DNS server.

You can use Google’s Public DNS servers (8.8.8.8 and 8.8.4.4) or OpenDNS servers (208.67.222.222 and 208.67.220.220) while manually setting up your DNS server.

Disable All Network Connections Except for the Connection that you are Using:

The next thing you can do to solve the DNS server not responding error is to disable all the network connections except the one you are using if you are using multiple connections on your computers like WiFi and Ethernet.

Disabling all secondary network connections eliminates any conflicts that may be causing the “DNS Server Not Responding” error.

Manually Enter your MAC Address:

Source: softwarekeep.com

Sometimes, while facing the DNS server isn’t responding Windows 10, entering your MAC address manually can help resolve DNS issues.

To manually enter your MAC address, open the Command Prompt and type “ipconfig /all” to view your current network configuration. Locate your MAC address and enter it manually into your network settings.

Disable the Microsoft Virtual WiFi Miniport Adapter:

Source: softwarekeep.com

If you have the Microsoft Virtual WiFi Miniport Adapter enabled on your computer and have the “DNS server isn’t responding Windows 10” error, you can disable it as it may cause conflicts with your network settings sometimes.

Reset Your Network Protocols (TCP/IP):

Source: softwarekeep.com

If you’re still experiencing the “DNS Server Not Responding” error, resetting your network protocols may help.

To reset your network protocols, open the Command Prompt and type “netsh int ip reset” followed by “netsh winsock reset”.

Resetting your network protocols will reset your TCP/IP stack and Winsock catalogue, which can sometimes resolve DNS issues.

Power Cycle Your Modem and Router:

Source: kinsta.com

Power cycling your modem and router can also help resolve the DNS server isn’t responding Windows 10 errors.

To power cycle your modem and router, unplug both devices from the power source, wait for 30 seconds, and then plug them back in.

Also Read: How to Backup iPhone to iCloud? Step-By-Step Guide

Connect Your Computer to Your Router via Ethernet:

The next thing you can do to solve the DNS server isn’t responding Windows 10, is to connect your computer to your router via Ethernet if you’ve connected it to your WiFi.

Connecting your computer to WiFi will eliminate any issues that may be causing the “DNS Server Not Responding” error.

Editing the DNS Server:

Source: freecodecamp.org

If none of the above steps has resolved the issue of the DNS server isn’t re, you can try editing your DNS server settings manually.

To edit the DNS server:

Go to Control Panel > Network and Sharing Center > Change adapter settings.
Right-click on your network connection and select Properties.
Select Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4) from there and click on Properties.
Select “Use the following DNS server addresses” and enter the IP addresses of your preferred DNS servers (such as Google’s Public DNS servers).

Conclusion:

Encountering a “DNS Server Not Responding” error can be frustrating, but with the tips outlined in this blog post, you should be able to resolve the issue and get back to browsing the web.

By connecting with a different device, starting your computer in Safe Mode, disabling IPv6, investigating possible network issues, manually setting your DNS server, disabling network connections, entering your MAC address manually, disabling the Microsoft Virtual WiFi Miniport Adapter, resetting your network protocols, power cycling your modem and router, connecting your computer via Ethernet, or editing your DNS server settings, you can troubleshoot and resolve the “DNS Server Not Responding” error on your Windows 10 computer.

More form The Technographx

For more such useful and valuable information, keep visiting Technographx!