Clearing the DNS cache on Windows 10 can actually fix a bunch of browsing headaches. Sometimes your system holds onto outdated or just gobbledygooked DNS info, which leads to weird sites not loading or giving errors. Clearing it forces your PC to go ask the DNS servers again for fresh data, often fixing the problem. Of course, it’s not the miracle cure for everything, but it’s a handy step. Just beware, on some setups, it’s needed to run some commands with admin rights or restart a few times before things settle.
How to Clear DNS Cache on Windows 10
If your internet’s acting sluggish or you’re hitting errors with certain sites, clearing the DNS cache might help. It’s pretty straightforward—just a few commands in Command Prompt that reset that little database Windows keeps for speeding up repeated DNS lookups. You’ll get a fresh start, hopefully without any hiccups.
Open Command Prompt with Admin Rights
First off, hit the Start menu, type in “Command Prompt, ” then right-click and choose Run as administrator. You need admin privileges because Windows keeps DNS cache protected, and if it’s not open with enough permissions, the command won’t work. Sometimes, if you’re on a locked-down setup or a work PC, this step trips people up — just make sure to run as admin, and you should be good. When the User Account Control prompt pops up, hit Yes.
Run the Flush DNS Command
With the prompt open as admin, type in ipconfig /flushdns and hit Enter. That command explicitly tells Windows to wipe out the DNS resolver cache. Usually, you’ll get a message like “Successfully flushed the DNS Resolver Cache, ” which is a good sign. If you get an error, double-check you’re running as admin, or restart the Command Prompt with elevated rights and try again. Sometimes, on certain machines, it takes a few tries or a reboot to fully get rid of stubborn cached info.
Check if the Cache Cleared Properly
Want to see what’s left in there? Just type in ipconfig /displaydns and hit Enter. Normally, after flushing, this list should be empty or have just a handful of entries — proof that your cache cleared out. If you see tons of entries, no worries — some leftover info is normal, but the main thing is that recent or problematic entries are gone.
Close Command Prompt
Type exit then hit Enter, or just click the little X in the top corner to close it. That wraps up the cache clearing, and your system is now set to fetch fresh DNS info next time you visit a site. Don’t forget: if issues linger, a restart can sometimes push things into a clean state.
Optional: Restart Your Computer
Because Windows has to make it more complicated than it needs to be, a quick reboot can really seal the deal. It stops any lingering DNS stuff from hanging around and ensures your network refreshes completely. Not everyone needs to do this, but if you’re still stuck after flushing the cache, a restart isn’t a bad idea.
Once done, your PC is better equipped to fetch the latest DNS data, which can help troubleshoot weird website errors, slow speeds, or access issues. It’s a simple fix but surprisingly effective in the right situation.
Tips for Clearing DNS Cache on Windows 10
- Make sure your internet connection is active before flushing — no point flushing if you’re offline.
- Regular clearing can sometimes help if your browsing feels sluggish or websites aren’t updating DNS changes properly.
- Always run Command Prompt as administrator otherwise the command might just bounce back with errors.
- If clearing doesn’t help, consider resetting network settings or changing DNS servers (like switching to Google’s 8.8.8.8).
- And, yeah, check your network adapter settings in Network & Internet > Change adapter options if things are still wonky.
Frequently Asked Questions
What exactly is DNS cache?
It’s basically a tiny store inside your Windows that remembers websites’ IP addresses for quicker access. But sometimes it gets outdated or corrupted.
Why clear it at all?
If you’re seeing funny errors, sites not updating, or just slow browsing, a fresh DNS cache might fix that. It’s like clearing your browser history but for DNS info.
How often should this be done?
No hard rules — only when something’s acting weird. If you change DNS servers, or after major network changes, giving it a refresh with this method can help.
Can this fix slow internet speeds?
Potentially, if slow speeds are caused by outdated DNS info. But, if your slowdown is due to other stuff like hardware or ISP issues, this won’t do much.
What if nothing changes after flushing?
Try restarting your router, resetting your network stack (`netsh int ip reset`), or contacting your ISP. Sometimes, deeper issues are lurking behind the scenes.
Summary
- Run Command Prompt as admin.
- Type
ipconfig /flushdns. - Check the cache with
ipconfig /displaydns. - Close the prompt and restart if needed.
- Try browsing again.
Wrap-up
This whole DNS cache flushing thing is kinda like giving your PC a quick mental reboot. On one hand, it’s simple, but on the other, it can solve some really annoying network problems. On some machines, it works on the first try, on others, a reboot helps. Either way, it’s worth a shot—especially if websites are misbehaving or your connection feels wonky.
Hopefully, this shaves off a few hours or at least gets your internet back on track. Because, of course, Windows has to make it more complicated than necessary. But once you get the hang of it, it’s a pretty quick fix with pretty decent results.