Before you start
- A Windows 11 or Windows 10 PC
Flush DNS with Terminal or Command Prompt
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Step 1: Open Terminal
Right-click the Start button and choose Terminal. On Windows 10, search for cmd and open Command Prompt. Administrator rights aren’t required.
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Step 2: Run the command
Type the command below and press Enter.
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Step 3: Check the result
You should see Successfully flushed the DNS Resolver Cache.
ipconfig /flushdns
Want a full network refresh?
If websites still don’t load, these commands renew your IP address and reset network components. Open Terminal (Admin) by right-clicking Start, run them one by one, then restart your PC.
ipconfig /release
ipconfig /renew
ipconfig /flushdns
netsh winsock reset
netsh int ip reset
Troubleshooting
“Could not flush the DNS Resolver Cache: Function failed during execution”
The DNS Client service is stopped. Press Win + R, type services.msc, find DNS Client and make sure it’s running, or simply restart the PC.
Websites still won’t load
Try changing your DNS server (for example to 1.1.1.1 or 8.8.8.8), restart your router, and check whether other devices on the same network have the problem.
Frequently asked questions
Is flushing DNS safe?
Yes. It only clears a temporary list. Windows rebuilds it automatically as you browse.
Will flushing DNS make my internet faster?
No. It fixes wrong or outdated addresses; it doesn’t change your speed. Pages may even load a fraction slower at first.
How often should I flush DNS?
Only when you have a problem, such as a site not loading or after changing DNS settings.
Summary
Open Terminal, run ipconfig /flushdns, and restart your browser. If that doesn’t help, clear the browser’s own DNS cache and try the full network reset commands.