How to Flush DNS Cache: A Simple Guide to Speed Up Your Internet

When you're browsing the internet, DNS cache (Domain Name System cache) plays a key role in speeding up the website loading process. It stores the domain names and their corresponding IP addresses of websites you've visited frequently. However, over time, the DNS cache can accumulate outdated data, which may lead to issues such as website access problems or outdated page content. To ensure smooth browsing and solve potential DNS issues, flushing your DNS cache is a simple yet effective solution. In this guide, we’ll show you how to flush the DNS cache on different operating systems.

What is DNS Cache?

DNS cache is a local database that stores the domain names and corresponding IP addresses of websites you visit. When you first visit a website, your operating system queries the DNS servers to obtain the IP address of the site and stores this information locally. The next time you visit the same site, your system retrieves the IP address from the cache, thus speeding up the loading time.

However, if DNS records are updated (e.g., a website changes its server or domain name), and your DNS cache is not refreshed, it can lead to access issues or outdated content being displayed.

Why You Need to Flush DNS Cache

Here are some common reasons why you should flush your DNS cache:

1. Fix DNS Errors: If you're unable to access a website or encounter outdated content, clearing the DNS cache can often resolve these issues.
2. Access the Latest Website Content: DNS cache may not reflect recent changes to a website’s DNS records. Flushing it ensures that you access the latest version of the site.
3. Improve Internet Speed: Over time, stale DNS cache entries can slow down the DNS resolution process. Flushing the cache can restore optimal speed.

How to Flush DNS Cache

Flushing your DNS cache varies slightly depending on the operating system you're using. Below are the steps for different systems:

1. Windows

Flushing the DNS cache on Windows is quick and simple. Follow these steps:

1. Open the Command Prompt or PowerShell (Run as Administrator).
2. Type the following command: ipconfig /flushdns
3. Press Enter. The system will automatically clear the DNS cache.

2. macOS

For macOS users, flushing the DNS cache is straightforward. Follow the steps below:

1. Open the Terminal app (found under Applications > Utilities).
2. Type the following command and press Enter: sudo killall -HUP mDNSResponder
3. You will be prompted to enter your administrator password. After entering the password, press Enter, and the DNS cache will be cleared.

3. Linux

For Linux users, the command may vary depending on the distribution you’re using. Below are the common commands:

1. For systems using systemd (e.g., Ubuntu 18.04 and later), use the following command: sudo systemctl restart systemd-resolved
2. For other Linux distributions, use this command: sudo /etc/init.d/nscd restart

4. Router

In some cases, DNS cache issues might originate from your router. If you've flushed the DNS cache on your devices but are still experiencing issues, you can try restarting your router:

1. Turn off your router and wait for 30 seconds.
2. Power it back on. The router will refresh its DNS cache.

How to Check if DNS Cache is Cleared

After flushing the DNS cache, you can verify that the cache has been cleared:

1. Windows: Run the command ipconfig /displaydns. If no output is shown, it means the cache has been cleared.
2. macOS: In the Terminal, type sudo killall -INFO mDNSResponder and check the system logs.
3. Linux: Use the command sudo systemctl status systemd-resolved to check the status of the DNS resolver.

Additional Tips

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