How to Flush the DNS Cache in Windows 11

Select Start, type cmd, and open Command Prompt. Type ipconfig /flushdns and press Enter. When you see Successfully flushed the DNS Resolver Cache, it’s done.

Flushing the DNS cache makes Windows look up website addresses again. It can help when a site won’t load, loads an old version, or goes to the wrong place after a network change.

Applies to: Windows 11.

Flush the DNS cache with Command Prompt

1. Select Start, type cmd, and select Command Prompt.
2. Type this command and press Enter:

ipconfig /flushdns

3. Look for the message Successfully flushed the DNS Resolver Cache.

Close Command Prompt and try the website again.

Use Terminal instead

Right-click Start and select Terminal, then type ipconfig /flushdns and press Enter. It works the same way.

See what’s in the DNS cache

To list the saved entries before you clear them, type ipconfig /displaydns in Command Prompt and press Enter.

Clear Microsoft Edge’s DNS cache

Edge keeps its own short list of addresses. If a site still won’t load in Edge after you flush Windows:

1. In Edge, type edge://net-internals/#dns in the address bar and press Enter.
2. Select Clear host cache.

Then close and reopen Edge. Edge’s saved pages and images are a separate cache, covered in clearing cache in Windows 11.

Clear the DNS cache in Chrome and Firefox

• Google Chrome: type chrome://net-internals/#dns in the address bar, press Enter, and select Clear host cache.
• Firefox: type about:networking#dns in the address bar, press Enter, and select Clear DNS Cache.

When flushing DNS helps

• A website moved to a new server and still won’t load for you, but works on your phone.
• You see errors such as DNS_PROBE_FINISHED_NXDOMAIN or ERR_NAME_NOT_RESOLVED.
• You just changed your DNS server or edited the hosts file and want the change to take effect right away.

It won’t fix a slow connection or a site that’s down for everyone.

Go further if flushing isn’t enough

Open Command Prompt as an administrator and run ipconfig /release, ipconfig /renew and netsh winsock reset, then restart the PC. This refreshes your IP address and resets the network software settings.

Troubleshooting

• “Could not flush the DNS Resolver Cache: Function failed during execution.” The DNS Client service isn’t working. Restart the PC and try again, and run sfc /scannow if it keeps happening.
• “The requested operation requires elevation.” That message comes from other commands, such as netsh. Open Command Prompt as an administrator.
• The site loads on another network but not yours. Your router or provider’s DNS may be the problem. Try a public DNS server in your network settings.

Frequently asked questions

Is it safe to flush the DNS cache?

Yes. Windows builds the cache again as you visit websites. The first visit to each site may take a moment longer.

What if a site still won’t load?

Restart your PC and your router. If only one browser has the problem, try another browser to rule it out. If no sites load over Wi-Fi, see how to fix Wi-Fi not working in Windows 11.

Does flushing DNS delete my browsing history?

No. It only clears saved website addresses in Windows. Your history and favorites stay.

How often should I flush the DNS cache?

Only when you have a problem. Windows clears old entries automatically, so there’s no need to do it as routine maintenance.

Do I need administrator rights to flush DNS?

No. ipconfig /flushdns works in a normal Command Prompt or Terminal window.

Will flushing DNS make my internet faster?

No. It can fix a site that won’t load, but it doesn’t speed up your connection.

Is flushing DNS the same in Windows 10?

Yes. The ipconfig /flushdns command and the browser steps work the same way in Windows 10.

Does a restart flush the DNS cache?

Yes. Restarting the PC clears the Windows DNS cache, though flushing is quicker if you’re in the middle of something.

If a Wi-Fi network still won’t work, try forgetting the Wi-Fi network in Windows 11 and joining again. When nothing connects at all, the last resort is to reset network settings in Windows 11.

Every ipconfig option is listed in Microsoft’s ipconfig command reference. If you changed the hosts file, here’s how to edit the hosts file in Windows 11.