How to Fix DNS_PROBE_FINISHED_NXDOMAIN

In Google Chrome this error will show as DNS_PROBE_FINISHED_NXDOMAIN (as seen below), highlighting that this site can’t be reached, followed by server IP address could not be found.

In Mozilla Firefox it will simply show as Hmm. We’re having trouble finding that site (as seen below).

In Microsoft Edge, it will simply show as Hmmm… can’t reach this page (as seen below). Which isn’t very helpful.

In Safari, it will simply show as Safari Can’t Find the Server (as seen below).

Due to the fact that this is usually a client-side DNS issue, the very first thing you should do is try releasing and renewing the IP address on your computer. This also includes flushing your local DNS cache, which is similar to browser cache.

Windows

In Windows simply open up Command Prompt by pressing the Windows logo key and R. Then type “cmd” and hit Enter.

Type in:

and hit Enter. This will release your current IP address.

Then type in:

and hit Enter. This will flush your local DNS cache. You should see a “Successfully flushed the DNS resolver Cache” if it worked.

Then type in:

and hit Enter. This will renew your IP address.

You might also try resetting your IP settings and Winsock catalog with the following commands: netsh int ip set dns and netsh winsock reset

An alternative way to flush and renew your DNS is simply by disabling your network adapter and re-enabling it.

Mac

To release and renew your IP address on a Mac, go to System Preferences…

Click on the network icon and then click “Advanced.”

Click the TCP/IP tab heading if you aren’t already in there. Then click on the “Renew DHCP” lease button.

Just like we did above in Windows, Mac users can also clear their local DNS cache. Although this is done in a different place. Go to Utilities and then click on “Terminal.”

Enter in the following command:

Note: There is no success message on Macs.

If you’re running Windows you can try restarting the DNS client services which resolves and caches DNS domain names.

Simply open up Command Prompt by pressing the Windows logo key and R. Then type “services.msc” and hit Enter.

Scroll down to “DNS Client,” right click on it, and select “Restart.”

If the restart option is greyed out for you (as it was for us), an alternative way to do it is via the command prompt.

Open up Command Prompt by pressing the Windows logo key and R. Then type “cmd” and hit Enter.

Then enter the following commands:

Depending on the version of Windows you’re running you might get an error saying: "The requested pause, continue, or stop is not valid for this service."

This is most likely because you need to run CMD as a network service to issue the command. If you’re running into this error, we suggest trying the other alternatives below first.

The next thing you can try is changing your DNS servers. By default, DNS servers are automatically assigned by your ISP. But you could try temporarily changing these to a public DNS server, such as Google or Cloudflare.

• Some prefer to use Google’s public DNS (8.8.8.8 and 8.8.4.4) long-term due to them sometimes being more reliable.
• Cloudflare also just launched their new secure and blazing fast free DNS (1.1.1.1 and 1.0.0.1) which we will be using in this example. If you want to use Google’s the steps are the same, you simply replace the DNS server addresses with Googles.

Tip: If you’re already using a free DNS server and having issues, removing it and defaulting back to your ISP’s DNS servers also sometimes fix things. Google and Cloudflare aren’t perfect 100% of the time and there have been a few instances where we’ve noticed switching back has resolved the issue.

Windows

In Windows simply open up Command Prompt by pressing the Windows logo key and R. Then type “control panel” and hit Enter.

Click on “Network and Internet” and then “Network and Sharing Center.” On the left-hand side, click on “Change Adapter Settings.”

Right click on your current connection, this will either be Local Area Connection or Wireless Network Connection based on how you’re connecting. Then click on “Properties.”

Select Internet Protocol Version 4 and click on “Properties.”

Make a note of any existing settings in case you need to revert back. Click “Use the following DNS server addresses.” Enter the following, or replace the existing with these:

For IPv4: 1.1.1.1 and 1.0.0.1

Click OK, then Close. Restart your browser.

Mac

To change DNS servers on a Mac, go to System Preferences…

Click on the network icon and then click “Advanced.”

Click on the “DNS” tab.

Then add Cloudflare’s DNS server addresses.

For IPv4: 1.1.1.1 and 1.0.0.1

Sometimes Chrome settings or experimental features can get accidentally changed or messed up. You reset these back to default by entering chrome://flags into your browser and clicking on “Reset all to default.”

The restart your browser.

Sometimes VPNs and Antivirus software can conflict or override your network settings, including your DNS servers, etc. If you have any running, try temporarily disabling them (closing them) to see if it resolves the DNS probe finished nxdomain error in Chrome.

Every computer has what they call a local hosts file. This is a file that contains manual DNS entries which are mapped to specific IP addresses. Typically this is only edited when you want to preview your DNS before switching over domains to a new host. However, there is a multitude of different ways this file could have been changed or edited. Therefore, if none of the above options worked for you, it’s worth double checking your local hosts file to ensure the website you’re trying to access isn’t in there.

Windows

The hosts file typically requires additional access. So the first step is to open up your text editor as an administrator. Simply click on your start menu, search for your text editor, right-click on it and select “Run as administrator.” This can be done in any text editor such as Notepad, Notepad++, Visual Studio Code, etc. We are using Sublime in our example below.

Within your text editor click File → Open and browse to the following location:

Click on the hosts file and “Open.”

Double check and make sure the Menterprise site you’re trying to visit isn’t listed in there. If it is, remove it.

Mac

Go to Utilities and then click on “Terminal.”

Enter in the following command and press Enter (you will most likely be prompted for your administrator password as well).

Double check and make sure the website you’re trying to visit isn’t listed in your hosts file. If it is, remove it.

If you’re only getting the DNS_PROBE_FINISHED_NXDOMAIN error on a single Menterprise Publishing domain, even after checking your hosts file, you might need to check the DNS settings on the domain name itself. If you recently added your website (even if the green dot is there on your Menterprise Publishing dashboard) , it could be the DNS was cached incorrectly on your computer. In which case, Step 2 above should have resolved that.

We know it’s annoying, but it has to be mentioned. If none of the above options work, trying restarting your computer and even your router. Rebooting devices actually clears out a lot of temporary cache.