How To Fix DNS_PROBE_FINISHED_NXDOMAIN Error

If you’ve ever seen the DNS_PROBE_FINISHED_NXDOMAIN error while trying to visit a website, you know how frustrating this can be. This error message pops up when your browser can’t find the server that hosts the domain you’re trying to access. Think of it as dialing a phone number and getting a “number not found” message—it means something is wrong with how your device connects to the internet.

This error can lead to lost traffic and potential revenue loss. Moreover, it can impact user experience and SEO. Therefore, in this guide, you will learn what DNS_PROBE_FINISHED_NXDOMAIN means, why it occurs, and, most significantly, how to fix it. If you’re a seasoned webmaster or a beginner, these clear, easy-to-follow steps will help you get your site back online.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

1. The DNS_PROBE_FINISHED_NXDOMAIN error happens when your browser can’t find the server for a website.
2. Common causes include incorrect DNS settings, network issues, and problems with DNS servers.
3. The basic solutions are checking your internet connection, restarting your router, clearing your browser cache, flushing the DNS cache, and changing DNS servers.
4. Advanced solutions include resetting the TCP/IP stack, checking and correcting DNS settings, updating network drivers, editing the hosts file, disabling VPN or proxy, and checking for malware or security software interference.
5. This error can be prevented by regularly updating network drivers and browsers, using reliable DNS servers, maintaining good network security practices, periodically clearing caches, and ensuring proper DNS configuration.
6. Reach out to your Internet Service Provider (ISP) for help if all else fails.

What Is DNS_PROBE_FINISHED_NXDOMAIN?

The DNS_PROBE_FINISHED_NXDOMAIN error is a common issue that prevents you from accessing a website, whether this is a personal blog or an affiliate marketing site. But what does this mean? Let’s break it down.

DNS stands for Domain Name System. It’s like the internet’s phone book. When you type a website address (like www.example.com) into your browser, the DNS translates that address into an IP address (a series of numbers) your computer can understand and use to find the right server.

The DNS_PROBE_FINISHED_NXDOMAIN error occurs when this process fails. Specifically, it means that the DNS lookup failed, and the domain name you entered cannot be found. NXDOMAIN stands for “Non-Existent Domain,” indicating that the domain does not exist in the DNS records.

Where Do You See This Error?

You might encounter DNS_PROBE_FINISHED_NXDOMAIN in several situations:

Web Browsers: This is the most common place where this error is seen. When you try to visit a website, and the DNS lookup fails, your browser will display this error message.

Command Line: If you’re using the command line to troubleshoot network issues, you might see this error when using commands like ping or nslookup to check domain status.

Network Diagnostic Tools: Various network diagnostic tools and some software might show this error when they face DNS issues.

By understanding what DNS_PROBE_FINISHED_NXDOMAIN means and where you might see it, you can better diagnose and fix the problem, ensuring your website remains accessible and user-friendly.

Reasons for DNS_PROBE_FINISHED_NXDOMAIN Error

Understanding the reasons behind the DNS PROBE FINISHED NXDOMAIN error can help you troubleshoot and fix it more effectively. Here are the common causes of this error:

Incorrect DNS Settings

Your computer or router needs the correct DNS settings to connect to websites. If these settings are incorrect, your device won’t be able to find the right server, leading to the NXDOMAIN error. It can happen if:

• You’ve manually changed your DNS settings and made a mistake.
• Your internet service provider (ISP) has issues with its DNS servers.
• Your router’s DNS settings are not configured properly.

DNS Server Problems

The DNS server you are using might be having issues. If the server is down or experiencing heavy traffic, it might not be able to resolve the domain name, causing the NXDOMAIN error. You can fix this by switching to a more reliable DNS server, like Google DNS.

Network Issues

Sometimes the problem isn’t with your DNS settings; it’s your network connection. Network issues that can cause this error include:

• Poor Wi-Fi signal or connectivity problems.
• Issues with your modem or router.
• Temporary outages from your ISP.

Browser or System Cache Issues

Your browser and operating system store DNS information to speed up your internet experience. However, this cached information can sometimes become outdated or corrupted, leading to DNS_PROBE_FINISHED_NXDOMAIN. Clearing your cache can often resolve this problem.

Misconfigured hosts File

Your computer has a hosts file that can map domain names to IP addresses. If this file is misconfigured, it can lead to the DNS_PROBE_FINISHED_NXDOMAIN error. This might happen if the hosts file has incorrect entries, or malware or unwanted software has altered the hosts file.

How to Fix DNS_PROBE_FINISHED_NXDOMAIN

Facing DNS_PROBE_FINISHED_NXDOMAIN can be frustrating, but depending on your operating system, you can use multiple solutions to fix it. Let’s start with some basic solutions.

Basic Solutions

Check Your Internet Connection

One of the simplest reasons for DNS_PROBE_FINISHED_NXDOMAIN is a problem with your internet connection. Here’s how you can ensure your device is connected to the internet and troubleshoot any network issues:

• Ensure your device joins the correct Wi-Fi network. Or ensure your Ethernet cable is securely plugged in. Look for the Wi-Fi or network icon on your device’s taskbar to verify the connection status.
• Restarting your modem and router can fix connectivity issues. Unplug both devices, wait for 30 seconds, and then plug them back in. It may take a few minutes for them to restart and reconnect.
• Try accessing the internet on another device joined to the same network. If other devices also have trouble connecting, the issue is likely with your network. If they can connect without problems, the issue might be specific to your device.
• If you’re using Wi-Fi, weak signals can cause connection issues. To improve signal strength, move closer to the router.
• Sometimes, the problem might be with your internet service provider (ISP). Visit your ISP’s website or contact their support to check for reported outages in your area.
• Operating systems have built-in network troubleshooting tools. For instance, you can use the Network Troubleshooter on Windows by going to Settings > Network & Internet > Status > Network Troubleshooter.

By ensuring your device is properly connected to the internet, you can often resolve DNS_PROBE_FINISHED_NXDOMAIN and regain access to the websites you need. If these steps don’t work, don’t worry! We’ll explore more solutions to help you fix this error.

Clear Browser Cache

Your browser cache stores temporary files, images, and other data from websites you visit. This helps websites load faster when you next visit them. However, sometimes the cache can become outdated, causing errors like DNS_PROBE_FINISHED_NXDOMAIN.

Emptying the cache forces the browser to fetch the latest information from the website, which can resolve the error. Here’s how you can clear the cache in Chrome, Firefox, and Edge:

Google Chrome

Launch the Chrome browser on your device. In the top-right corner, click the three vertical dots. This will open the menu. Choose Settings.

Scroll down and pick Privacy and security. Then, click on the Delete browsing data option.

In the pop-up window, pick a time range. To clear everything, select All time. Check the checkbox next to the Cached images and files. In addition, select other data to clear if needed. Click on the Delete data button to complete the process.

Mozilla Firefox

Launch the Firefox browser on your device. Navigate to the three horizontal lines in the top-right corner to open the menu. Choose Settings. Then, click on Privacy & Security. You can find this option on the left sidebar. Look for the Cookies and Site Data section and click on Clear Data.

Next, check the box next to Temporary cached files and pages. Optionally, you can checkmark the cookies and site data as well. Click on the Clear button to complete the process.

Microsoft Edge

Launch the Edge browser on your device. Click on the three horizontal dots in the top-right to open the menu, then select Settings. Click on Privacy, search, and services from the left sidebar. Under Delete browsing data, click on the Choose what to clear option.

In the pop-up, choose a time range. Tick the checkbox next to the Cached images and files. Click on the Clear now button to finish the procedure.

Change DNS Servers

Changing your DNS servers can help fix DNS_PROBE_FINISHED_NXDOMAIN. How? Let’s find out below using two Windows operating systems:

Open the Settings app by pressing Win + I, then go to Network & Internet.

Click on Change adapter options under the Status section.

Right-click on your desired active internet connection (Wi-Fi or Ethernet) and select Properties.

Highlight Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4) and click on Properties.

Choose Use the following DNS server addresses and provide the new DNS server addresses:

• Google DNS: 8.8.8.8 and 8.8.4.4
• Cloudflare DNS: 1.1.1.1 and 1.0.0.1

Click OK to save your changes.

Whenever you change your DNS server, use reliable and fast DNS servers that can improve your internet experience. Switching to alternative DNS servers like Google DNS provides various benefits. For example, alternative DNS servers can often resolve domain names faster than your ISP’s default servers, leading to quicker website load times.

High-quality DNS servers from providers like Google are less likely to go down or experience issues, ensuring a more stable connection. Many alternative DNS servers offer enhanced security features, such as protection against outdated software, phishing sites, and malware.

Restart Your Router

Restarting your router is a straightforward but effective way to resolve DNS_PROBE_FINISHED_NXDOMAIN. Your router manages the connection between your devices and the internet. Sometimes, it can encounter temporary issues or glitches that disrupt this connection.

Restarting the router clears these issues, refreshes the connection, and can often resolve issues like DNS_PROBE_FINISHED_NXDOMAIN. Go through the following easy steps to restart your router:

1. Find the router in your home or office. It’s usually a small box with several indicator lights and antennas.
2. Carefully unplug the power cable from the back of the router. If your modem and router are separate machines, unplug both.
3. This pause allows the router to power down and reset fully. It’s an important step to clear any remaining issues.
4. Reconnect the power cable to the router. If you also unplugged the modem, plug it back in first, wait a few seconds, and then plug in the router.
5. Give the router a few minutes to restart completely. The indicator lights will start blinking and eventually stabilize, indicating that the router is back online.
6. Once the router is back online, reconnect your devices to the network. Try accessing the internet to see if DNS_PROBE_FINISHED_NXDOMAIN is resolved.

Flush DNS Cache

A DNS cache is a temporary database stored by your operating system that keeps records of all your recent and attempted visits to websites and other domains on the Internet. This cache helps speed up website loading by remembering the IP addresses of your visited websites.

However, occasionally, the DNS cache can become obsolete. This can prevent your computer from finding the correct IP address for a website, leading to DNS_PROBE_FINISHED_NXDOMAIN.

Flushing the DNS cache clears this temporary database, forcing your computer to retrieve the most current DNS information. Here’s how you can flush DNS cache on Windows:

Open the Run dialog box. Type cmd and hit Enter; it’ll open the Command Prompt. In the Windows Command Prompt, type ipconfig /flushdns and press Enter. You should now see a message saying, “Successfully flushed the DNS Resolver Cache.”

Advanced Solutions

Reset TCP/IP Stack

The TCP/IP stack is a set of network protocols that allow your computer to communicate with other devices on the internet. It handles data transmission and helps resolve DNS requests. If the TCP/IP stack gets corrupted, it can cause network and DNS issues, including DNS_PROBE_FINISHED_NXDOMAIN.

Resetting the TCP/IP stack can help resolve DNS_PROBE_FINISHED_NXDOMAIN. Here’s how you can reset it on the Windows operating system.

Press Win + R to open a Run dialog box. Write cmd and hit Enter.

Now, type the following commands one by one and press Enter after each:

netsh int ip reset

netsh winsock reset

After running the commands, restart your computer to apply the changes.

Check DNS Settings

Verifying and correcting your DNS settings can help resolve the DNS_PROBE_FINISHED_NXDOMAIN error. Go through the following steps to check and modify your computer’s DNS settings.

Press Win + I to open the Settings then go to Network & Internet → Change adapter options. Right-click on the active network connection and select Properties. Select Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4). Click on the Properties button. Ensure you choose the Obtain DNS server address automatically option, or manually enter your preferred DNS server addresses (the steps are covered in detail in the “Change DNS Server” section).

How do you verify and correct DNS settings on your router? Find the steps below:

Open your web browser and enter your router’s IP address (usually 192.168.1.1 or 192.168.0.1) to access the router’s admin interface. Enter your router’s username and password.

Find the section for DNS settings (often under Internet or Network settings). Ensure the correct DNS server addresses are entered or add new ones if necessary. Apply the changes and restart your router if required.

Edit hosts File

Sometimes, DNS_PROBE_FINISHED_NXDOMAIN can be caused by issues with your hosts file. Here’s an explanation of how you can edit the hosts file.

This is a plain text file on your computer; it maps hostnames (like www.example.com) to IP addresses. It’s used before your computer queries the DNS server, so an incorrect entry in this file can cause DNS resolution issues. Editing the hosts file can fix these problems.

Press Win + S to open the search box, type Notepad, right-click on Notepad, and select Run as administrator. Click Yes when prompted. In Notepad, click on File > Open and navigate to C:\Windows\System32\drivers\etc. Select the All Files item from the dropdown menu to see the hosts file, then open it.

Make the necessary changes. To comment out a line, add a # at the beginning of the line. Save the changes by clicking File > Save.

Update Network Drivers

Network drivers are essential for your computer’s network hardware to function correctly. Outdated drivers can cause connectivity issues and Domain Name System (DNS) errors.

Regularly updating your network drivers ensures your computer can effectively communicate with the internet, helping to resolve DNS_PROBE_FINISHED_NXDOMAIN. Here’s how to update them.

Press Win + X and select the Device Manager option.

Expand the Network adapters area. Right-click on your desired network adapter and choose Update driver option.

Select Search automatically for updated driver software.

Go through the instructions to install updates (if available). Restart your computer to apply the changes.

Disable VPN or Proxy

VPNs & proxies route your internet traffic through various servers, which can sometimes cause DNS resolution issues, especially if the VPN or proxy server has problems. Here are the simple steps to turn off VPN or proxy settings on Windows:

Press Win + I to open Settings. Click on Network & Internet. Select VPN from the left menu, click on your VPN connection, and choose Disconnect. Also, while in the Proxy section, ensure the Use a proxy server option is turned off.

Check for Malware or Security Software Interference

Malware can modify your DNS settings or hosts file, which leads to DNS resolution problems. Similarly, security software might block certain DNS requests, causing issues. To scan for and remove malware:

1. Use a reputable anti-malware or antivirus program to scan your computer. Programs like Malwarebytes and Windows Defender are good options.
2. Follow the program’s instructions to remove any detected malware.
3. After removing the malware, restart your computer.

To check security software settings:

1. Access the settings of your antivirus or firewall software.
2. Ensure that the software isn’t blocking DNS requests. Look for settings related to internet security or network protection.
3. If the software blocks DNS requests, adjust the settings to allow them.

Contact Your ISP

If you’ve tried all the above solutions and the error persists, it might be time to contact your Internet Service Provider (ISP). You should provide the following information when contacting the ISP:

• Explain that you’re encountering DNS_PROBE_FINISHED_NXDOMAIN.
• Let them know the steps you’ve already taken to resolve the issue.
• Have your account information ready for verification.
• Request that they check for any DNS issues on their end and verify that your DNS settings are correct.

These advanced solutions can address DNS_PROBE_FINISHED_NXDOMAIN and ensure a stable and reliable internet connection. If these steps don’t resolve the issue, further network or hardware problems may need to be investigated.

Tips to Prevent DNS_PROBE_FINISHED_NXDOMAIN Error

Preventing DNS_PROBE_FINISHED_NXDOMAIN is easier than fixing it. Here are some simple tips to help you avoid this issue and keep your internet connection smooth.

• Keeping your network drivers and browser updated ensures you have the latest fixes and improvements. Outdated software and programs can cause compatibility issues and lead to DNS errors.
• Use the most recent version of your web browser. Most browsers update automatically, but you can manually check for updates by going to the browser settings.
• Use reliable DNS servers. This can significantly improve your internet experience and reduce the chances of encountering DNS errors.
• Maintain good network security practices, such as:
  • Use reputed antivirus software to protect your computer from malware.
  • Ensure that your computer’s firewall is enabled and properly configured.
  • Don’t visit untrustworthy websites or download files from unknown sources.
• Periodically clear browser and DNS cache. It can help prevent outdated or corrupted data from causing DNS errors. You can also use the command line to flush your DNS cache periodically.
• Ensure proper configuration of DNS settings.

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