4 Quick ways to Flush DNS Cache in Windows 11

Flushing the DNS cache removes all the stored (cached) information, which forces the computer to retrieve relevant new data.

Did you experience trouble while accessing certain websites or apps on Windows 11? This issue usually occurs because of erroneous network configuration. You should try restarting your router or Windows 11 PC, but if still does not make any sense you need to flush the DNS cache on your Windows 11 PC. This article explains all about DNS cache and how flushing the DNS cache helps fix random connectivity issues on Windows 11.

What is DNS Cache?

Let’s first understand what DNS does and the purpose of the cache. DNS stands for domain name system the mechanism by which the internet translates the human-readable Domain name ( for example, windows101trickcs.com) you type into your browser into a machine-readable IP address that the computer can understand (for example 3.6.18.84).

- Advertisement -

Now let’s come to the DNS cache, it helps make the domain name resolution process quicker by storing a temporary database of your recent website visits and their associated IP address. It means when you visit a website and the connection is established between the device and the website the DNS stores the information about DNS lookups in temporary storage called DNS cache. This way the name resolution can be handled locally on your PC rather than sending a request to the server and wait for the response. And that results in the site loading faster the next time you open it. You can use ipconfig /displaydns command to display all the DNS information on your computer.

DNS cache is a file that includes the hostnames and IP addresses of the websites you have visited on your computer.

But if due to some reason the DNS cache database is corrupted or cluttered with useless records it may fail to resolve the domain name, display different errors while connecting or accessing a webpage or cause your browser to direct you to the wrong place.

How to Flush DNS Cache in Windows 11

Flushing the DNS cache removes the database of sites and IP addresses on your PC and forces your computer to retrieve updated DNS records from scratch. This is very helpful in cases where the website or service has changed its IP address and your cache has not been updated yet. Again flushing the DNS cache help to protect you against DNS spoofing, where an attacker modifies your DNS cache to redirect you to malicious sites. It also removes the records about the sites you have visited on your PC.

Using command prompt

You can quickly flush the DNS cache using the Windows command prompt.

  • Press Windows key + S and type cmd, right-click on the command prompt select run as administrator,
  • Type the command ipconfig /flushdns and press enter key,
  • It will display Windows IP Configuration Successfully flushed the DNS Resolver Cache

Now close the command prompt and reboot your PC and try loading your website again to see if flushing the DNS cache solved the issue.

Also, you can use the command:

  • ipconfig /displaydns: To Check out the DNS record under Windows IP configuration.
  • ipconfig /registerdns: To reregister DNS entries.
  • ipconfig /release: To Release your current IP address settings.
  • ipconfig /renew: Reset and request a new IP address to the DHCP server.

Note: We tested the method on Windows 10 but it should work fine on devices running Windows 11, 8, 7, Vista or XP even Windows server 2012, 2008, 2000.

Windows PowerShell

In addition, you can also use Windows PowerShell to Clear the DNS Cache in Windows 11

  • From the start menu search for PowerShell and click on run as administrator,
  • Type the command Clear-DnsClientCache and press enter key, Make sure to type the command correct capitalization
  • This will automatically clear the DNS cache on your system, note it didn’t display any output there

Using Run dialog

Also, you can clear the DNS cache straight from the Run dialog box without opening either the Command Prompt or PowerShell.

  • Press the Windows key + R to open the run window,
  • Type ipconfig /flushdns and press enter key,

Clear DNS Cache in Chrome

Also, you can use the default web browser Microsoft Edge or the popular web browser Google Chrome to flush DNS in Windows 11.

  • Open your browser and type edge://net-internals/#dns for edge browser or chrome://net-internals/#dns in the Chrome address bar press enter key,
  • It will load the DNS tab of Chrome’s “net internals” page.
  • Click “Clear host cache” to flush DNS in Windows 11.

In addition, you can clear the browser cache to fix web page loading problems on Windows 11. If your web pages still aren’t loading running internet troubleshooter or performing a network reset might help.

Also read:

Steve Ballmer
With over 7 years of experience in the IT industry, I have experience in IT support, helpdesk, sysadmin, network admin, and cloud computing. Certified in Microsoft Technologies (MCTS and MCSA) and also Cisco Certified Professional in Routing and Switching.

NordVPN Birthday Deal

2-Year plan: 67% off + 3 Months FREE

30-day money-back guarantee

Exit mobile version