DNS Server Not Responding in Windows 11? 9 Practical Fixes That Actually Work

If you’re suddenly unable to browse the web on your Windows 11 PC and keep seeing errors like “DNS server isn’t responding”, you’re not alone. This is one of the most common network issues in Windows. This error usually means your device can’t translate website names (such as google.com) to IP addresses due to corrupted cache, network issues, router/modem problems, firewall/antivirus interference, or ISP outages. However, in most cases, you can fix it yourself without calling your ISP. In this guide, we’ll walk you through 9 practical fixes that actually work to resolve DNS issues in Windows 11.

What Does “DNS Server Not Responding” Mean?

DNS (Domain Name System) is like the phonebook of the internet. When you type a website address like google.com, DNS translates that name into an IP address that your computer can understand.

When you see “DNS server isn’t responding”, it means:

Your PC can’t reach the DNS server
The DNS server is down, misconfigured, or blocked
Something on your device or network is interfering with DNS queries

As a result, web pages won’t load, even if your internet connection is technically active.

Common reason behind this:

DNS Cache Corruption: Old, incorrect DNS data stored on your device.
Network Issues: Weak Wi-Fi, bad cable, or general internet outages.
Router/Modem Problems: Malfunctioning hardware or incorrect settings.
Firewall/Antivirus/VPN: Security software blocking DNS traffic.
ISP Problems: Your Internet Service Provider’s DNS servers are down or overloaded.
Outdated Drivers: Network adapter drivers need updating.

Before You Begin: Quick Checks

Try these quick checks first:

Make sure your internet connection is active (check on your phone using the same Wi-Fi)
Restart your router/modem and PC
Try visiting multiple websites (not just one)

If the issue persists, start working through the fixes below.

Restart Your Router and Modem

Many DNS problems are temporary glitches at the router level. A simple restart often fixes them.

Here’s what to do:

Turn off your router and modem using the power button or unplug them from the power source.
Wait at least 30–60 seconds.
Plug them back in or turn them on.
Wait for all indicator lights to stabilize.
Restart your Windows 11 PC and try accessing a website again.

If the DNS error disappears, the issue was likely with your network equipment.

Forget and Reconnect to Your Wi‑Fi Network

Corrupted or outdated Wi‑Fi profiles can cause DNS or connectivity issues.

To forget and reconnect to Wi‑Fi in Windows 11:

Press Windows + I to open Settings.
Go to Network & Internet> Wi‑Fi.
Click Manage known networks.
Select your current Wi‑Fi network and click Forget.
Click the Wi‑Fi icon in the taskbar, select your network again, and enter the password to reconnect.

Test if websites now load normally.

Change Your DNS Server to a Public DNS

Your ISP’s DNS servers may be slow, misconfigured, or temporarily down. Switching to a reliable public DNS often resolves “DNS server not responding” errors.

Popular public DNS providers:

Google DNS
- Primary: 8.8.8.8
- Secondary: 8.8.4.4
Cloudflare DNS
- Primary: 1.1.1.1
- Secondary: 1.0.0.1

To change DNS in Windows 11:

Press Windows + I and open Settings.
Go to Network & internet.
Click Wi‑Fi (or Ethernet if you use a cable), then click your network connection.
Scroll down and click Hardware properties or Edit DNS settings (depending on your build).
Set DNS server assignment to Manual.
Turn on IPv4.
Enter:
- Preferred DNS: 8.8.8.8
- Alternate DNS: 8.8.4.4 (or Cloudflare’s values)
Set DNS over HTTPS (DoH) to On if available.
Click Save.

Close the window and try browsing again.

Flush DNS Cache and Reset Network Settings

Windows stores recent DNS lookups in a local cache. If this cache becomes corrupted, it can cause DNS errors.

You can clear the cache and reset core network settings using Command Prompt.

Steps:

Press Windows + S, type cmd.
Right‑click Command Prompt and select Run as administrator.
Run these commands one by one, pressing Enter after each:

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

Restart your PC after the commands complete.

Now check if the DNS issue is resolved.

Disable and Re‑Enable Your Network Adapter

Disabling and re‑enabling the adapter forces Windows to refresh its network configuration, which can fix minor glitches.

How to do it:

Press Windows + X, then select Network Connections (or open Settings > Network & internet).
Click Advanced network settings.
Under Network adapters, locate your active adapter (Wi‑Fi or Ethernet) and select Disable.
Wait a few seconds, then right‑click the same adapter again and choose Enable.

Try loading any website to see if the DNS error is gone.

Temporarily Disable Third‑Party Antivirus or Firewall

Over‑protective security software can sometimes block DNS traffic or interfere with your network stack.

To check if this is the cause:

Temporarily disable your third‑party antivirus or firewall (check the app’s system tray icon or settings).
Try browsing the web again.

If the error disappears while the antivirus is disabled, you have two options:

Adjust the antivirus/firewall settings to allow DNS and network traffic properly.
Switch to a different security solution that doesn’t cause conflicts.

Note: Don’t stay unprotected for long. Re‑enable your antivirus as soon as you finish testing.

Turn Off Any VPN or Proxy

VPNs and proxies route your traffic through additional servers. If those servers have DNS issues, you’ll see errors even if your local network is fine.

To disable VPN in Windows 11:

Open Settings with Windows + I.
Go to Network & Internet> VPN.
Disconnect or remove any active VPN connections.

If you’re using a VPN app:

Open the VPN client and click Disconnect or Turn Off.

To disable proxy:

Go to Settings > Network & internet > Proxy.
Under Manual proxy setup, turn Use a proxy server Off (unless you specifically need it).

Test your browser again.

Update or Reinstall Your Network Adapter Driver

Outdated or corrupted drivers can cause a range of network issues, including DNS errors.

Update your network driver via Device Manager:

Press Windows + X and select Device Manager.
Expand Network adapters.
Right‑click your active adapter (e.g., Intel, Realtek, Qualcomm) and choose Update driver.
Select Search automatically for drivers.

If no updates are found or the issue persists, try reinstalling the driver:

In Device Manager, right‑click the adapter and choose Uninstall device.
Tick Attempt to remove the driver for this device if available, then click Uninstall.
Restart your PC. Windows will reinstall a generic driver automatically.

Check if the DNS server error is resolved after the reboot.

Use the Windows Network Troubleshooter

Windows 11 includes a built‑in troubleshooter that can automatically detect and fix common network and DNS issues.

To run the troubleshooter:

Open Settings with Windows + I.
Go to System > Troubleshoot > Other troubleshooters.
Find Network and Internet and click Run.
Follow the on‑screen instructions.

If prompted, let Windows check both internet connections and network adapters.

When to Contact Your ISP

If you’ve tried all the fixes above and you’re still seeing “DNS server isn’t responding”:

Test another device on the same network (phone, another PC)
- If all devices have issues, the problem is likely with your router or ISP’s DNS servers.
Try using mobile data (hotspot) on your PC
- If it works fine with the hotspot, your home network/ISP is the culprit.

In that case, contact your ISP’s support and mention that you’ve:

Restarted your router
Changed DNS servers
Flushed DNS and reset the network stack

They can check for outages or misconfigurations on their end.

If none of these steps helped, your ISP or network hardware may be experiencing a deeper issue—and it’s time to get professional support.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What does “DNS server not responding” mean?
It means your PC can’t reach the DNS server that translates website names (like google.com) into IP addresses, so pages can’t load.

2. Is this a problem with my PC or my internet provider?
It can be either. If multiple devices on the same network have the same issue, it’s likely your router or ISP. If only one PC is affected, it’s probably a Windows or settings problem on that device.

3. Will changing DNS to Google or Cloudflare fix this?
Often yes. Switching to Google (8.8.8.8, 8.8.4.4) or Cloudflare (1.1.1.1, 1.0.0.1) can solve DNS errors caused by your ISP’s servers.

4. Is it safe to flush the DNS cache in Windows?
Yes. Running ipconfig /flushdns only clears temporary DNS records. It doesn’t delete files or personal data.

5. Can antivirus or firewall software cause DNS errors?
Yes. Overly strict antivirus or firewall settings can block DNS requests. Temporarily disabling them is a good test—but turn them back on after checking.

6. Does using a VPN affect DNS?
Yes. VPNs often use their own DNS servers. If the VPN’s DNS has issues, you may see this error. Disconnect the VPN to test.