Is Your DNS Server Not Responding? These Practical Steps Will Guide You

Do you need help connecting to the internet? It can be annoying, especially when you need it for work or fun. But if websites are not loading or apps are freezing, it might be because of a problem with your DNS settings. Sometimes, you might encounter the DNS Server Not Responding issue, which can further raise these problems. So, this blog post will present some simple steps to fix the problem. As a result, it will get your internet working again.

What Does The “DNS Server Not Responding” Error Mean?

When you have trouble with websites, knowing how DNS servers work can help you fix the problem. Websites have names and numbers. The name is what you type into your web browser to visit the website. Furthermore, the IP Addresses tell the internet where the website is located. DNS Servers match the website’s name to its IP Address.

When you enter a website’s name, your browser asks a nearby DNS server for the IP address. The DNS server then gives the IP Address to your browser, which further lets you connect to the website. But if the DNS server is down or not working, your browser cannot get the IP address, and it will show you an error.

Why Are We Facing The “DNS Server Not Responding” Error?

The “DNS Server Not Responding” error can stop you from going online and be annoying. Knowing why it happens will help you fix this error.

1. Browser-Related Issues
2. Device-Specific Problems
3. Problems in Your Router
4. Network-Wide Issues
5. Outdated DNS Server
6. Too Much Cache & Cookies
7. IPv6 Enabled
8. Firewall and Antivirus Enabled
9. Improper DNS Settings
10. Outdated Network Adaptor Driver

To fix the “DNS Not Responding” error, try out the steps mentioned. Doing so will often solve the problem and get your internet working again in a smooth way.

How To Fix The “DNS Server Not Responding” Error?

Seeing the “DNS Server Not Responding” error can stop you from going online. Thus, this section will show you some simple steps to fix the problem and get your internet working again.

Steps To Fix “DNS Server Not Responding” On Windows

Are you having trouble on your Windows system due to the DNS Server Not Responding error? Well, here are some easy steps that will help you out quickly.

Fix The Network Connection

1. Start by opening the “Control Panel” on your computer and click on the “Network And Internet” option.
2. Then you must click on “Network And Sharing Center” and look for the “Change Your Networking Settings” section.
3. After that, you need to click on the “Troubleshoot Problems” -> “Additional Troubleshooters” options.
4. Now you should select the “Internet Connections” -> “Run The Troubleshooter” options.
5. Finally, let the troubleshooter do its job. But it finds any issues that may lead to DNS Server Not Responding. Next, you need to follow the on-screen instructions it gives you.

Start Your Windows Computer In A Safe Mode

1. First, you should find and open the “Recovery” options.
2. Now click on the “Restart Now” option under Advanced Startup. Then click on the “Troubleshoot” option.
3. Next, choose the “Advanced Options” -> “See More Recovery Options” -> “Startup Settings” -> “Restart” options.
4. Finally, pick the “Safe Mode” option you need from the “Startup Settings” menu and press:

• F4 to start the Windows in a Safe Mode. This mode only uses the basic drivers and services, so it is helpful for troubleshooting.
• F5 to start the Windows in a Safe Mode With Networking.
• F6to start the Windows in a Safe Mode With Command Prompt.

1. Now log into your computer using your Account Name & Password. The computer will start in Safe Mode.
2. Afterward, go to the “Start” menu when you are done fixing things.
3. Finally, you can click on the “Power” button and then the “Restart” option to reboot your computer.

Following these steps should help you solve the DNS Server Not Responding in Windows system and it will never appear again.

Troubleshooting The “DNS Server Not Responding” Error On Mac

If you see the “DNS Server Not Responding” error on your Mac, it means you cannot connect to the internet. Thus, this section will help you fix the problem.

Turn Off Network Connection

1. First of all, you should click on the “Apple” menu and select the “System Settings” -> “Network” options.
2. Now you will see a list of all your network connections. You need to turn off (or disable) all the connections except for the WiFi connection.
3. Finally, try opening the web page again in your web browser once only the WiFi network is turned on.

Temporarily Disable Your System’s Antivirus Software

1. To turn off the firewall on your Mac, open your antivirus app and find the settings. Then look and select the “Quit” or “Stop” option.
2. In the Dock, right-click (Or Control-Click) on the antivirus app’s icon and choose the “Quit” option.
3. Next, right-click it and choose the “Quit” or “Stop” option if you see the app’s icon in the menu bar at the top of the screen.
4. Afterwards, press the “Command” + “Option” + “Escape” buttons, find your antivirus software in the list, and click on the “Force Quit” option.
5. Then open the “Activity Monitor” section by going to the “Applications” -> “Utilities” option.
6. Finally, go to the “System Settings” -> “Network” -> “Firewall” sections. Now you should turn off the firewall if it is controlled by your antivirus software.

By using these easy steps, you can fix the “DNS Not Responding” error and get back online. Thus, keeping your system updated can help avoid this problem in the future.

Steps To Change The Default DNS Server

Changing your default DNS server can make your internet faster and more secure. So, go through the following section to learn about how you can change the default DNS server.

1. First of all, you should click on the “Windows” button in the bottom-left corner and type the “Network Connections” command into the search bar. Next, choose the “View Network Connections” option from the list.
2. Afterwards, find and right-click on the internet adaptor you are using and choose the “Properties” option.
3. In the window that pops up, access the “Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4)” section. Now you must click on the “Properties” option.
4. To use a different DNS server, check “Use The Following DNS Server Addresses” and enter the new DNS server address.
5. For instance, you can type “8.8.8.8” for the preferred DNS Server and “8.8.4.4” for the alternative DNS server. Then you need to click on the “OK” option.
6. If you use a Mac, click the Apple icon and go to the “System Preferences” section.
7. Next, select the “Network” option, choose your current network, and click on the “Advanced” option.
8. Thereafter, go to the “DNS” tab, click on the (+)  button to add new DNS Addresses, and hit the “Enter” button.
9. Finally, you should enter the new DNS information, and click on the “OK” -> “Apply” buttons. Now restart your web browser and try visiting the website again.

After you change your device’s DNS server, you should notice better speed and security. But if something goes wrong, check the settings again. Otherwise, you should also look for helping your device’s support options.

Concluding The Thoughts

Having trouble getting online can be annoying, especially if you need the internet for work or fun. If websites are not loading or apps are freezing, it might be due to issues with your DNS settings. The “DNS Server Not Responding” error means your web browser cannot find the website you want to visit. So, this blog posts the meaning of this error and why you might be facing it. After that, it also sheds light on how you can fix this error on Mac & Windows and the steps to change the default DNS server. With this final note, let’s wrap up this blog post.

FAQs

Question. Are there tools to check DNS issues besides built-in ones?

Answer. You should try using a different network, like a mobile hotspot. But if the problem still exists, it might be your Internet Service Provider. Thus, you should contact your ISP admin and ask them to provide customer support.

Question. How can I tell if my ISP is causing the “DNS Server Not Responding” problem?

Answer. Yes! Tools like “DNS Leak Test” or “MTR” can diagnose DNS problems. You can also use command-line tools like “nslookup” or “dig” for detailed information.

Question. How often should I update or change my DNS servers?

Answer. You can update or change DNS servers if you face frequent issues or want better performance. So, you should update your DNS servers at regular intervals that will resolve slow connections. Moreover, it will also help you if you are trying to use advanced features.