Understanding and Fixing the DNS_PROBE_FINISHED_NXDOMAIN Error: A Comprehensive Guide

What is DNS_PROBE_FINISHED_NXDOMAIN?

The DNS_PROBE_FINISHED_NXDOMAIN error is a common issue faced by users while trying to access a website. It indicates that the DNS (Domain Name System) lookup has failed, meaning the server could not resolve the website’s domain name to an IP address. In simpler terms, it means the website you’re trying to reach cannot be found by your browser because the domain name is either incorrect or not registered.

NXDOMAIN, which stands for “Non-Existent Domain,” signifies that the domain you’re trying to access doesn’t exist in the DNS records. DNS is crucial because it translates human-readable domain names (e.g., www.example.com) into machine-readable IP addresses. When this process fails, you see the DNS_PROBE_FINISHED_NXDOMAIN error.

This issue can occur due to several reasons, including misconfigurations, DNS server issues, incorrect domain input, or problems with your internet connection.

How to Fix DNS_PROBE_FINISHED_NXDOMAIN Error: A Video Tutorial

Before diving into a detailed step-by-step guide, many users find it easier to follow visual instructions. You can watch tutorials on platforms like YouTube that explain how to troubleshoot the DNS_PROBE_FINISHED_NXDOMAIN error. These videos usually provide real-time fixes, walking you through different methods to solve the issue. Look for titles such as “How to Fix DNS_PROBE_FINISHED_NXDOMAIN in Windows or macOS” or “DNS_PROBE_FINISHED_NXDOMAIN Error in Chrome/Edge/Safari Fix.”

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How to Fix DNS_PROBE_FINISHED_NXDOMAIN Error: Step-by-Step Guide

If you prefer a more detailed and manual approach to troubleshooting, here’s a step-by-step guide with various methods to resolve the error.

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1. Flush the DNS Cache

The first solution to try when facing the DNS_PROBE_FINISHED_NXDOMAIN error is to flush the DNS cache. Flushing the cache removes old or corrupted DNS records stored in your computer, forcing it to retrieve new DNS information the next time you access a website.

Windows:

• Press Windows + R to open the Run dialog.
• Type cmd and press Enter to open the Command Prompt.
• In the Command Prompt, type the following command and hit Enter:bashCopy codeipconfig /flushdns
• You should see a message saying, “Successfully flushed the DNS Resolver Cache.”

macOS:

• Open Terminal from the Applications folder or by searching for it in Spotlight.
• Type the following command depending on your macOS version and press Enter:Copy codesudo killall -HUP mDNSResponder You might need to enter your administrator password.

Flushing the DNS cache ensures your system is using the latest DNS information from the server, often resolving DNS-related errors.

2. Release and Renew the IP Address

Sometimes, IP configuration issues can trigger the DNS_PROBE_FINISHED_NXDOMAIN error. Releasing and renewing your IP address can help fix this.

Windows:

• Open the Command Prompt as an administrator.
• Type the following commands one by one, pressing Enter after each:bashCopy codeipconfig /release ipconfig /renew

macOS:

• Open the Terminal and enter the following command:Copy codesudo ifconfig en0 down sudo ifconfig en0 up (Replace en0 with your network interface if necessary.)

This will reset your IP address and possibly fix any issues causing the error.

3. Change the DNS Servers

Using a different DNS server can also resolve the issue, as sometimes the default DNS servers from your ISP may not function properly.

Windows:

1. Open Control Panel and go to Network and Sharing Center.
2. Click on Change adapter settings.
3. Right-click on your active network connection and select Properties.
4. Select Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4) and click Properties.
5. Choose Use the following DNS server addresses and enter the following public DNS servers (Google’s DNS servers, for example):yamlCopy codePreferred DNS server: 8.8.8.8 Alternate DNS server: 8.8.4.4
6. Click OK and restart your browser.

macOS:

1. Go to System Preferences > Network.
2. Select your network connection and click on Advanced.
3. Go to the DNS tab and replace the current DNS servers with:Copy code8.8.8.8 8.8.4.4
4. Click OK and apply the changes.

4. Restart the DNS Client Service

Restarting the DNS Client Service on Windows can sometimes solve DNS_PROBE_FINISHED_NXDOMAIN errors.

Windows:

• Press Windows + R, type services.msc, and press Enter.
• In the Services window, scroll down to find DNS Client.
• Right-click on it and choose Restart.

This process will reset the DNS client service, potentially fixing the error.

5. Check the Local Hosts File

Sometimes the domain you’re trying to visit may be blocked by entries in the local hosts file. By editing the hosts file, you can remove any incorrect entries that are causing the error.

Windows:

• Navigate to C:\Windows\System32\drivers\etc\.
• Open the hosts file using Notepad (run as Administrator).
• Check for any lines with the website URL you’re trying to access.
• If found, delete the line, save the file, and restart your computer.

macOS:

• Open Terminal and type:bashCopy codesudo nano /etc/hosts
• Look for any entries with the website you’re trying to access.
• If you find the entry, delete it, press Control + X to exit, and save the file.

6. Reset Chrome Flags

Sometimes, experimental settings in Chrome can interfere with your connection, leading to DNS errors. Resetting these settings may help.

Google Chrome:

• In the Chrome address bar, type:arduinoCopy codechrome://flags/
• Click on Reset all to default in the upper-right corner.
• Restart Chrome and check if the issue is resolved.

7. Disable Antivirus or VPN

Antivirus programs or VPNs can sometimes block access to certain websites, leading to DNS issues.

• Try temporarily disabling your antivirus or firewall and attempt to access the website again.
• If you’re using a VPN, turn it off to see if that resolves the issue.

If the website loads, you may need to adjust your antivirus settings or whitelist the domain.

8. Temporarily Turn Off Your CDN

If you’re managing your own website and using a Content Delivery Network (CDN) like Cloudflare, temporarily disabling it may resolve the DNS_PROBE_FINISHED_NXDOMAIN error.

Log into your CDN provider’s dashboard and pause the service to check if the error is resolved.

9. Reboot Your Internet Connection

A simple yet effective solution for many DNS-related errors is to restart your internet connection.

• Unplug your modem and router, wait for 30 seconds, and plug them back in.
• Wait for the network to fully restart and try accessing the website again.

What Does the DNS_PROBE_FINISHED_NXDOMAIN Error Look Like on Other Browsers?

While most of the solutions mentioned are browser-agnostic, here’s how the error looks across different browsers:

Microsoft Edge:

You will typically see a message like:

arduinoCopy codeHmm, we can’t find that site.

Along with the error code DNS_PROBE_FINISHED_NXDOMAIN.

Safari:

In Safari, the error message might be:

arduinoCopy codeSafari Can’t Find the Server.

Again, it points to the same DNS failure issue.

Mozilla Firefox:

In Firefox, the error might appear as:

sqlCopy codeHmm. We’re having trouble finding that site.

FAQs of dns_probe_finished_nxdomain

How do I fix the error code DNS_PROBE_FINISHED_NXDOMAIN?

The error can usually be fixed by flushing the DNS cache, resetting the IP address, or changing the DNS server. Other methods include restarting your DNS client service, checking your hosts file, or adjusting your antivirus or VPN settings.

What is a DNS_PROBE_FINISHED_NXDOMAIN?

This is a DNS error that signifies that the domain you are trying to access cannot be found in the DNS. It occurs when the domain doesn’t exist, or there is an issue with your DNS configuration.