Fix DNS Server Not Responding in Windows 10

Q: Does ipconfig /registerdns repair website DNS failures?

No, ipconfig /registerdns performs dynamic hostname registration. It is not a general repair for failures to look up public websites.

To fix DNS server not responding in Windows 10, restart your PC and router, clear the Windows DNS cache, then change DNS servers if websites still fail to load. Check another browser and another device first to find out whether the failure affects your PC or the shared connection.

Retry the affected website after each change, and stop when browsing works. Record any custom network settings before replacing them so you can restore them if a change does not help.

The short version

Narrow it down: Try another website, another browser, and another device on the same network.
Restart first: Restart Windows and disconnect your modem and router from power for at least 30 seconds.
Clear cached DNS: Run ipconfig /flushdns in an administrator Command Prompt.
Replace failing DNS: Try Google Public DNS or Cloudflare DNS through your active adapter’s properties.
Reset last: Save Windows network reset for problems that survive the earlier fixes.

Check or fix	When to use it	Main catch
Compare browsers and devices	Before changing settings	Use the same network for the device comparison
Try another trusted network	Check whether your usual connection is responsible	You need access to another connection
Restart Windows	Begin PC repairs	Save your work first
Restart the modem and router	Check the shared connection	Reconnect the modem first
Check cables or switch connection type	Ethernet or Wi-Fi may be failing	Requires suitable hardware
Try another Wi-Fi band	Your router advertises separate networks	Your PC must support that band
Check wireless switches	Wi-Fi is unavailable	Physical controls vary by laptop
Forget and reconnect to Wi-Fi	Reconnect to the saved network	You need its password
Flush the DNS cache	Websites fail across browsers	Requires administrator access
Compare DNS responses	Check whether another resolver answers	Does not change your DNS settings
Set Google Public DNS	Your configured resolver fails	Record previous settings
Set Cloudflare DNS	Try an alternative resolver	Record previous settings
Restore automatic DNS	Manual DNS settings cause trouble	Your network must supply working DNS
Remove obsolete DNS entries	Additional manual resolvers remain configured	Record entries before removing them
Complete public Wi-Fi login	A login page blocks access	Temporarily remove static addressing
Inspect IP configuration	Check DHCP status and configured servers	Inspect the active adapter
Renew DHCP configuration	Your adapter uses automatic IP assignment	Temporarily interrupts connectivity
Reset Winsock	Earlier connection repairs fail	Restart Windows afterward
Reset TCP/IP	Browsing still fails after Winsock reset	Record custom network configuration first
Check Chrome secure DNS	Only Chrome fails	Managed settings may restrict changes
Check Edge secure DNS	Only Edge fails	Policy may override your selection
Check Firefox encrypted DNS	Only Firefox fails	Menu layouts can vary
Disable a Chrome extension	A network or proxy extension may interfere	Check suspected extensions individually
Use Firefox Troubleshoot Mode	Check extensions and customizations	Restart normally to exit
Disable an unintended proxy	Traffic uses a failing proxy	Preserve required organization settings
Disconnect Proton VPN	Check whether the VPN causes the failure	A kill switch may still block access
Turn off the Proton VPN kill switch	Access stays blocked after disconnection	Restore your preferred protection afterward
Perform a clean boot	Suspect a background software conflict	Restore normal startup afterward
Roll back the network driver	The problem began after a driver update	A previous driver must be available
Check Windows Update for drivers	Your adapter may need an update	Availability depends on hardware and servicing eligibility
Install a manufacturer driver	You have a compatible driver package	Match the adapter and Windows architecture
Reset Windows networking	Earlier PC repairs have failed	You may need to reinstall VPN software
Check Xfinity outages	Other devices also fail	Applies to Xfinity service
Restart an Xfinity gateway through the app	You use an eligible rented gateway	Allow up to 12 minutes

Find out where the connection fails

Open another website, then try the failing website in another installed browser. If only one browser fails, move to the browser checks below before resetting Windows networking. If several websites fail in every browser, continue with the connection checks.

Test another device on the same home network. When that device also cannot browse, focus on the modem, router, or internet service. If your PC works on another trusted network, that also points toward a problem with your usual connection.

For a temporary connection, select the taskbar Network icon, choose another trusted network, and select Connect. Enter its password and select Next; choose No for discovery on a public network. If you try a phone hotspot and cannot connect, follow the steps to fix a laptop hotspot connection before using that connection for comparison.

Restart Windows and your network equipment

Save your work, then select Start > Power > Restart. If Windows is frozen, use the steps to restart an unresponsive computer. Retry browsing once Windows starts.

Disconnect power from your modem and router and wait at least 30 seconds. Reconnect the modem first and wait for its lights to settle, then reconnect the router and wait for startup. Reconnect your PC and try the website again.

For Ethernet, reseat the cable at both the PC and a router LAN port, then try another cable. Switch between Ethernet and Wi-Fi to check whether the failure affects one connection type. On compatible hardware, you can also try the router’s other 2.4 GHz or 5 GHz network if it advertises them separately.

On Windows 10, open Settings > Network & Internet > Wi-Fi and make sure Wi-Fi is on. Open Airplane mode and turn Airplane mode off. Also turn on your laptop’s physical Wi-Fi switch if it has one.

To reconnect from scratch on Windows 10, open Settings > Network & Internet > Wi-Fi > Manage known networks. Select your network and choose Forget, then reconnect with its password.

Clear the Windows DNS cache

Search for Command Prompt, select Run as administrator, and select Yes. Enter the following command to clear the Windows DNS cache.

ipconfig /flushdns

Retry the affected website after the command finishes. If it still fails, keep the window open to compare your current DNS server with an alternative.

Run the first command below, then the second. The first uses your configured DNS server; the second asks Cloudflare’s server directly.

nslookup www.microsoft.com

nslookup www.microsoft.com 1.1.1.1

If the alternative lookup succeeds while the first fails, try changing DNS servers. You can repeat the comparison with the hostname of the website that fails. These commands check DNS responses without permanently changing your settings.

Change or restore your DNS servers

Open Control Panel > Network and Internet > Network and Sharing Center > Change adapter settings. Right-click your active adapter, select Properties, then select Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4) and choose Properties. Record the current DNS addresses and whether automatic assignment is selected.

Choose Use the following DNS server addresses. For Google Public DNS, enter 8.8.8.8 in Preferred DNS server and 8.8.4.4 in Alternate DNS server, then select OK. Alternatively, enter Cloudflare’s pair, 1.1.1.1 and 1.0.0.1, in those fields and select OK.

If you also configure IPv6 DNS, open Internet Protocol Version 6 (TCP/IPv6) > Properties. Choose Use the following DNS server addresses. Google’s addresses are 2001:4860:4860::8888 and 2001:4860:4860::8844; Cloudflare’s are 2606:4700:4700::1111 and 2606:4700:4700::1001. Select OK after entering the chosen pair.

If existing manual settings cause the failure, choose Obtain DNS server address automatically in the relevant protocol’s properties and select OK. This returns DNS assignment to your network, which must supply working servers. If obsolete addresses remain under Advanced > DNS, record them, remove the obsolete entries, and select OK before configuring the intended servers.

Reopen the website after changing DNS. If neither provider helps, restore your previous settings and continue with the connection repairs. On public Wi-Fi with a login page, temporarily remove static addressing, reconnect, and complete the login before restoring custom settings.

Renew your connection and reset the network stack

Release and renew the connection’s configuration only if your adapter uses DHCP. Skip renewal if you use a manually assigned IP address. If you are unsure, run the following command in the administrator Command Prompt and inspect the active adapter’s DHCP status, address, default gateway, and DNS servers.

ipconfig /all

For a DHCP connection, run the following commands in order in the administrator window. Your connection will be interrupted during renewal, so retry browsing after both commands finish.

ipconfig /release

ipconfig /renew

When renewal does not help, reset Winsock with the following command in the administrator window. Restart Windows afterward, then retry the connection.

netsh winsock reset

If browsing still fails, record any custom network configuration before resetting TCP/IP. Run the following command as an administrator, restart Windows, and retry browsing.

netsh int ip reset

Check browser DNS and interfering software

If only Chrome fails, open More > Settings > Privacy and security > Security. Under Advanced, turn off Use secure DNS to check the system resolver, or turn it on and choose another provider. Retry the affected website.

In Edge, open Settings and more > Settings > Privacy, search, and services > Security. Adjust Use secure DNS and its provider, then retry the website.

In Firefox, open the menu and select Settings > Privacy and security > DNS over HTTPS > Advanced settings. Choose Default protection for fallback or Off to use the default resolver, then retry. Older Firefox layouts use Privacy & Security.

In Chrome, open More > Extensions > Manage extensions, turn off a suspected network or proxy extension, and retry. For Firefox, close the browser, hold Shift while starting it, and select Open in the Troubleshoot Mode window. Check browsing, then restart Firefox normally to exit.

On Windows 10, open Settings > Network & Internet > Proxy. Under Manual proxy setup, turn off Use a proxy server if the proxy is unintended, then retry browsing. Preserve proxy settings required by your organization.

If you use Proton VPN, select Disconnect on its home screen and retry browsing. Its advanced kill switch can continue blocking internet access after disconnection, so open the app’s Settings > Connection > Kill switch and select Kill Switch Off. Apply the change if requested and retry without the VPN. Restore your preferred protection after diagnosing the problem.

For a suspected background software conflict, search for msconfig and open System Configuration as an administrator. Open Services, select Hide all Microsoft services, then select Disable all > Apply. Open Startup > Open Task Manager, record the enabled items, and disable them to stop apps from opening on startup for this diagnostic restart.

Close Task Manager, select OK, and restart. Retry browsing, then re-enable the disabled items progressively to identify any conflict. Restore normal startup afterward.

Repair a problematic network driver

If the failure began after a network driver update, right-click Start, open Device Manager, expand Network adapters, and right-click your adapter. Select Properties > Driver > Roll Back Driver, choose a reason, and select Yes. This requires an available previous driver. Restart if requested, then retry browsing.

To check for an updated driver on Windows 10, open Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update and select Check for updates. When optional driver updates are offered, select View optional updates, choose the relevant adapter driver, and select Download and install, then restart. Available updates depend on your hardware and servicing eligibility.

For a supported Intel adapter on Windows 10 64-bit, get a compatible package from the official Intel Wi-Fi driver download page. Match the package to your adapter, Windows version, and architecture, using a device manufacturer’s package when required. If the PC is offline, download on another device and transfer the package by USB.

Extract the driver package, then right-click the adapter in Device Manager, select Update driver, and select Browse my computer for drivers. Choose Browse..., select the extracted folder, and select OK > Next > Close. The automatic driver search in current Windows 10 searches the local computer; use Windows Update for online driver discovery. Retry browsing after the driver repair.

Reset Windows networking or address a shared outage

Use Windows network reset after the earlier repairs fail on this PC. On Windows 10, open Settings > Network & Internet > Status > Network reset, select Reset now, and select Yes. Allow Windows to restart; the reset resets adapters and their configuration, and you may need to reinstall VPN software.

If other devices also fail on the same connection, check the shared network before doing further PC repairs. If you use Xfinity, sign in to the Xfinity app and select View outage details when an outage is displayed. For an eligible rented gateway, select WiFi > Troubleshoot > Restart your Gateway and allow up to 12 minutes for completion.

Frequently Asked Questions

Should you disable IPv6 to fix a DNS error?

Microsoft advises against disabling IPv6 as a routine fix. When an administrator identifies an IPv6 path problem, Microsoft recommends changing protocol preference instead of disabling IPv6 across Windows.

Does Windows 10 have a DNS over HTTPS setting?

Windows 10 does not provide the Windows Settings DNS over HTTPS control. You can configure encrypted DNS separately in a browser that supports it.

Can you install Cloudflare WARP on ordinary Windows 10 Home or Pro?

Cloudflare’s current consumer WARP requirements list Windows 10 LTSC, not ordinary Windows 10 Home or Pro 22H2. You can still configure Cloudflare DNS manually without installing the client.

Does ipconfig /registerdns repair website DNS failures?

No, ipconfig /registerdns performs dynamic hostname registration. It is not a general repair for failures to look up public websites.

Can malware cause browsing or name resolution problems?

Yes, malware can affect name resolution or browsing. With Microsoft Defender Antivirus active, open Windows Security > Virus & threat protection > Scan options, select Full scan, then select Scan now. Follow any detected-threat remediation instructions.