Skip to content

This guide isn’t available in Polski yet, so we’re showing the original English version.

Windows

How to Flush DNS in Windows 11

Flushing DNS clears the list of website addresses Windows has remembered. It fixes sites that won’t load, load the wrong server, or still show an old version after a change. Open Terminal and run ipconfig /flushdns.

Updated
Time
2 minutes
Difficulty
Easy
Applies to
Windows

By Published Oct 6, 2026

Quick answer

  1. 1 Right-click the Start button and choose Terminal.
  2. 2 Type ipconfig /flushdns and press Enter.
  3. 3 Wait for “Successfully flushed the DNS Resolver Cache.”
  4. 4 Restart your browser and try the website again.
On this page
  1. Before you start
  2. Flush DNS with Terminal or Command Prompt
  3. Want a full network refresh?
  4. Troubleshooting
  5. Frequently asked questions

Before you start

  • A Windows 11 or Windows 10 PC

Flush DNS with Terminal or Command Prompt

  1. 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.

  2. Step 2: Run the command

    Type the command below and press Enter.

  3. Step 3: Check the result

    You should see Successfully flushed the DNS Resolver Cache.

Clear the Windows DNS 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.

Full network reset (run as administrator)
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No. It fixes wrong or outdated addresses; it doesn’t change your speed.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.

Sources

Written by

James Chambo

Founder

James is the Founder and Senior Editor of OnlineHow with more than 20 years of experience in internet publishing.