How To Fix DNS_PROBE_FINISHED_NXDOMAIN on Windows

Don't let your PC bother you. Learn how you can fix the DNS_PROBE_FINISHED_NXDOMAIN error on your Windows computer with these easy solutions.

Anyone who works with WordPress regularly will run into CMS-specific errors. Errors nicknamed the "white screen of death," also known as database connection errors, are pretty common in this environment. More often than not, you'll encounter errors in relation to your internet connection and the DNS server.

When attempting to access a web page, Google Chrome users frequently encounter the error "This site cannot be reached - Server IP address could not be found," along with the DNS_PROBE_FINISHED_NXDOMAIN error code.

In this article, you'll learn how to fix this error and prevent it from happening again! Let's get started.

What Is the DNS_PROBE_FINISHED_NXDOMAIN Error?
What Is a DNS?
What Causes the DNS_PROBE_FINISHED_NXDOMAIN Error?
Fixed: DNS_PROBE_FINISHED_NXDOMAIN Error on Windows
Method 1. Restart Your Computer and Router
Method 2. Release and Renew Your IP Address
Method 3. Restart the DNS Client Service
Method 4. Temporarily Disable Your Antivirus
Method 5. Change to a Different DNS Server
Method 6. Modify Your Local Hosts File
Method 7. Empty the Cache in Your Browser
Method 8. Reset Network Settings
Conclusion

What Is the DNS_PROBE_FINISHED_NXDOMAIN Error?

The DNS_PROBE_FINISHED_NXDOMAIN error can occur while using any browser, but Google Chrome is the only one that provides detailed information about this type of problem.

In fact, the browser will notify you with an error message stating that it is "impossible to reach the site" and detailing the cause of the error.

This is one of several errors that can occur when using Google Chrome; if you're interested, you can also read my articles on how to resolve the "Aw, Snap!" error in Google Chrome or how to fix the ERR_NAME_NOT_RESOLVED error.

In any case, the failure to resolve the domain name or its address is what causes this type of DNS error. However, to understand the cause of this issue, a brief explanation of how DNS works is required.

What Is a DNS?

The DNS, or Domain Name System, is used to connect domain names to the physical addresses of servers. In practice, it functions similar to a telephone directory. It matches a number (understandable by machine language) to a name (easier and more practical to remember for people).

What Causes the DNS_PROBE_FINISHED_NXDOMAIN Error?

The error message DNS_PROBE_FINISHED_NXDOMAIN indicates that the DNS is unable to contact the IP address associated with the domain you are attempting to visit.

This does not necessarily imply that the domain does not exist but that a difficulty prevents DNS from identifying it, such as the domain not yet visible due to DNS propagation latency.

Fixed: DNS_PROBE_FINISHED_NXDOMAIN Error on Windows

Here are the best working solutions to fix the DNS_PROBE_FINISHED_NXDOMAIN error on your Windows computer or laptop. Some solutions may require you to have administrative permissions on your local account. Click here to learn more.

Method 1. Restart Your Computer and Router

To restart your Router

Unplug your Router
Wait about a minute.
Plug the modem back in and press the Power button.
Now, wait again until your router boots up and connects to your ISP.

Your devices should automatically reconnect to the internet after your Routerris back up. Check if you've resolved the issue by performing this solution. If not, continue reading!

To restart your PC:

Click on the Windows icon from the lower-left corner of your Windows taskbar. This will open the Start menu.
Click on the Power button.
Click Restart to reboot your device.
Once done, try to see if the error still happens after restarting your devices.

Method 2. Release and Renew Your IP Address

Because this is typically a client-side DNS issue, you should first release and renew your machine's IP address. This includes cleaning your local DNS cache, which is analogous to the browser cache.

Open the search bar in your taskbar by clicking on the magnifying glass icon. You can also bring it up with the Windows + S keyboard shortcut.
Type Command Prompt in the search box. When you see it in the results, right-click on it and choose Run as Administrator.
When prompted by the User Account Control (UAC), click Yes to allow the app to launch with administrative permissions.
Input the commands below in the following order, pressing the Enter key on your keyboard after each line:
- ipconfig /flushdns
- ipconfig /registerdns
- ipconfig /renew
- ipconfig /release
Close the Command Prompt and open any web browser. Check if you're able to access a website without running into the same DNS error.

Method 3. Restart the DNS Client Service

If you're using Windows, restart the DNS client services, which resolve and cache DNS domain names.

Press the Windows + R keys on your keyboard. This is going to bring up the Run utility.
Type in services.msc and click on the OK button. This is going to launch the Services window, which might take a few seconds to fully load.
Right-click on the DNS Client service and choose Refresh from the context menu. This will automatically turn the service off, and back on again safely.
After refreshing the DNS Client service, check if you're able to browse the internet properly.

Method 4. Temporarily Disable Your Antivirus

Antivirus apps are notorious for causing all sorts of problems on Windows. False positives, performance issues, and the DNS_PROBE_FINISHED_NXDOMAIN error are all among the issues that can be caused by antivirus apps.

If you're still getting the DNS_PROBE_FINISHED_NXDOMAIN error, then you may be able to fix it by temporarily disabling your antivirus. To do this, follow these steps:

Right-click on an empty space in your taskbar and choose Task Manager from the context menu.
Switch to the Startup tab using the header menu located at the top of the window. Here, find your antivirus application from the list and select it by clicking on it once.
Click on the Disable button now visible in the bottom-right of the window. This will disable the application from launching when you start your device.
Restart your computer and see if you're able to use your computer without the same error showing.

Method 5. Change to a Different DNS Server

Another solution you can try is switching to a different DNS server manually. This may even help your internet connection and give you more privacy!

Press Ctrl + X on your keyboard, and then click on Network Connections from the context menu.
Select your current connection type (for example "Wi-Fi" or "Ethernet") in the left pane, and then click on Change adapter options on the right pane.
Right-click on the connection you're currently using and select Properties.
Scroll down until you see the Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4) option. If there's no checkmark next to it, click on the box once to enable it. Afterward, click on the Properties button to open a popup window.
Select Use the following DNS Server addresses. Now, you have some choices for what DNS server you want to use:
1. Type 1.1.1.1 into the first row, then 1.0.0.1 into the second row. This will change your DNS to the popular 1.1.1.1 server, which you can read more about by clicking here.
2. Alternatively, use Google's DNS server by typing in 8.8.8.8 as the Preferred DNS server and 8.8.4.4 as the Alternate DNS server.
3. You can also use OpenDNS if you type in 208.67.222.123 and 208.67.220.123 to their respective fields.

Select the Validate settings upon exit option if you don't want to restart your computer — otherwise, and then click OK and reboot. See if the changes have helped you restore your connection to the website.

Method 6. Modify Your Local Hosts File

Every computer contains a file called the local host's file. This is a file containing manual DNS entries that are associated with certain IP addresses. Check your local "hosts" file to make sure the website you're trying to access isn't in there.

Press the Windows + E keys on your keyboard to open File Explorer. Navigate to the following location: C:\Windows\System32\drivers\etc
Right-click on the host's file, and then select Open from the context menu.
Select Notepad from the available options, and then click on the OK button. You should see a new notepad window open displaying the contents of the hosts file.
Check if the website giving you the error is listed in the host's file. If it's there, simply delete it and save the file.

Method 7. Empty the Cache in Your Browser

If you're still having problems, try clearing the cache, cookies, and other site data of your browser. This may fix the problem with the DNS_PROBE_FINISHED_NXDOMAIN error.

How to Clear Browsing Data in Google Chrome

If you use Google Chrome for browsing, follow the steps below to clear your browsing data.

Click on the More icon (the three dots placed vertically next to your Chrome user icon), and then hover over More tools. Select Clear browsing data from the drop-down menu.
Make sure the time range is set to All time.
Enable all of the following options:
- Browsing history
- Cookies and other site data
- Cached images and files
Click on the Clear data button. After the process is over, restart Google Chrome and check if this helped you resolve the problem.

How to Clear Browsing Data in Firefox

If you use Mozilla Firefox for browsing, follow the steps below to clear your browsing data.

Type about:preferences#privacy into the address bar and press the Enter key on your keyboard. You'll be redirected to Firefox's settings page.
Scroll down to the Cookies and Site Data section. Here, click on the Clear Data button.
Select both Cookies and Site Data and Cached Web Content, and then click on the Clear button to proceed. Wait for Firefox to process your request and delete the data.
Restart your browser after the task has concluded.

How to Clear Browsing Data in Microsoft Edge

If you use Microsoft Edge for browsing, follow the steps below to clear your browsing data.

Click on the Edge menu button in the top-right corner of the browser, and then click on Settings from the available options.
Switch to the Privacy, search, and services tab using the pane on the left side. Here, scroll down until you see the Choose what to clear button, and then click on it.
Make sure to set the time range to All time.
Select Browsing history, Download history, Cookies and other site data, and Cached images and files then press the Clear now button.
Wait for the process to finish, and then test if the same error occurs when you browse with Edge.

Method 8. Reset Network Settings

The last thing you can try is resetting your network settings to their default values.

Click on the Windows icon in the bottom left of your screen to bring up the Start menu. Choose Settings, or alternatively use the Windows + I shortcut.
Click on the Network & Internet tile.
Make sure to stay on the Status tab. Here, scroll down to the bottom of the page and click on the Network reset link.
Before beginning the network reset procedure, read the precautions. Click the Reset now button once you've acknowledged what this feature does.
Click Yes. After all your network profiles have been reset, check if you're able to go online without seeing the DNS_PROBE_FINISHED_NXDOMAIN error.

Conclusion

It's important to resolve the DNS_PROBE_FINISHED_NXDOMAIN error to ensure you can access all your pages online. It's a common problem, and many of the solutions provided above should prevent it from happening again in the future.

Do you have any questions? Feel free to start chatting with one of our IT professionals here at SoftwareKeep using the Live Chat function on this page! You can also reach out to us via the communication platforms provided below.

Thank you for reading — we're always here to help!

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