The Ultimate Guide to Fixing DNS_PROBE_FINISHED_NXDOMAIN (2026 Edition)

Struggling with the dreaded DNS_PROBE_FINISHED_NXDOMAIN error? This 2026 ultimate guide walks you through simple, effective fixes to get your internet back on track.

The Quick Fix Toggle (TL;DR):
If you need a solution in under 60 seconds:

1. Windows: Open CMD as Admin $\rightarrow$ Type ipconfig /flushdns $\rightarrow$ Enter.
2. Mac: Open Terminal $\rightarrow$ Type sudo dscacheutil -flushcache; sudo killall -HUP mDNSResponder $\rightarrow$ Enter.
3. Android: Settings $\rightarrow$ Network $\rightarrow$ Private DNS $\rightarrow$ Set to dns.google.
4. iPhone: WiFi Settings $\rightarrow$ (i) icon $\rightarrow$ Configure DNS $\rightarrow$ Manual $\rightarrow$ Add 1.1.1.1.

1. Technical Overview: What is NXDOMAIN?

The error code DNS_PROBE_FINISHED_NXDOMAIN is the browser’s way of telling you: “I asked the phonebook (DNS) for this website’s number (IP address), and the phonebook claims it doesn’t exist.”

In technical terms defined by RFC 1035 (IETF), NXDOMAIN stands for Non-Existent Domain.

When you type a URL, a recursive DNS lookup occurs. Your browser checks its cache, then the OS cache, then the Router, and finally your ISP. If the authoritative name server returns an NXDOMAIN response, the lookup chain breaks, and the connection fails.

Unlike a ERR_CONNECTION_TIMED_OUT (where the server exists but isn’t replying), NXDOMAIN suggests the system cannot find the map coordinates for the destination at all.

2. Root Cause Analysis: Why is this happening?

Before blindly typing commands, it is vital to understand the source. We categorize root causes into three tiers using a standard Network Engineering diagnostic tree:

A. Client-Side Configuration (Most Common)

• Corrupted Local Cache: Your computer remembers an old, incorrect IP address for a website that has moved.
• VPN/Antivirus Conflicts: Software like NordVPN or McAfee might strictly override your DNS settings, causing a loop.
• Browser Flags: Experimental features in Chrome or Edge (like Secure DNS lookup) can misfire.

B. The ISP Hijacking Factor (The Hidden Culprit)

Many users ask: “Is NXDOMAIN a problem with my ISP?”
Sometimes, yes. ISPs often use a technique called DNS Hijacking. Instead of returning a clean NXDOMAIN error when a site is down, they redirect you to a search page filled with ads. If your browser detects this redirection helps no one, or if the redirection fails, it throws the DNS_PROBE_FINISHED_NXDOMAIN error.

• Solution: Switching to Public DNS (covered in Section 5) bypasses this completely.

C. Server-Side Issues

If the website owner forgot to renew their domain or messed up their A-Records, no amount of troubleshooting on your end will fix it.

Diagnostic Check: check the website on a completely different network (like 5G/LTE on your phone). If it loads there, the problem is your local equipment. If it fails there too, the website is down.

3. OS Troubleshooting: Desktop & Mobile (Android 14 / iOS 17)

Most guides stop at Windows 10. Here is the up-to-date troubleshooting for modern Operating Systems.

Windows 11 / 10

The TCP/IP stack often holds onto bad data.

1. Click Start, type cmd, right-click Command Prompt, and select Run as Administrator.
2. Run the following commands in order (press Enter after each):
   bash ipconfig /release ipconfig /flushdns ipconfig /renew netsh int ip reset netsh winsock reset
3. Restart your computer.

macOS Sonoma (and newer)

Apple’s DNS responder service changes frequently. For macOS Sonoma:

1. Open Terminal (Cmd + Space, type “Terminal”).
2. Paste this command:
   bash sudo dscacheutil -flushcache; sudo killall -HUP mDNSResponder
3. Enter your password (typing will be invisible) and hit Enter.

Android 14 (Pixel 8 / Samsung S24)

Market Gap Fix: Changing DNS on Android used to be hard. Android 14 makes it native via Private DNS.

1. Go to Settings > Network & Internet > Internet.
2. Scroll down to Private DNS.
3. Select Private DNS provider hostname.
4. Type one of the following:
   • Google: dns.google
   • Cloudflare: 1dot1dot1dot1.cloudflare-dns.com
5. Click Save. This forces the phone to bypass your carrier’s DNS.

iOS 17 / iPhone 15 Pro

Note: This works for WiFi. To change DNS on mobile data (5G), you must install a DNS Profile (like Cloudflare One).

1. Open Settings > Wi-Fi.
2. Tap the blue (i) icon next to your connected network.
3. Scroll to Configure DNS. Change it from Automatic to Manual.
4. Delete existing entries. Tap Add Server and enter:
   • 1.1.1.1 (Cloudflare)
   • 8.8.8.8 (Google)
5. Tap Save.

4. Browser Optimization: Chrome, Brave, Edge, & Firefox

If your OS is fine but the web still fails, the browser is the culprit.

Google Chrome (Clear Host Cache)

Chrome has its own internal DNS cache separate from Windows/Mac.

Read a full guide about clear host cache or flush socket pools: use chrome://net-internals/#dns

Read also: System DNS vs Chrome DNS Cache

Brave Browser (The Shield Conflict)

Brave aggressive privacy shields can sometimes block DNS requests.

1. Type brave://settings/security in the address bar.
2. Scroll to Use Secure DNS.
3. If it is set to with your current service provider, switch it to with Cloudflare (1.1.1.1).
4. Optional: Temporarily disable “Brave Shields” for the specific site to test connectivity.

Microsoft Edge

1. Type edge://settings/privacy.
2. Scroll down to Security.
3. Look for “Use secure DNS to specify how to lookup the network address for websites”.
4. Choose a specific provider (Cloudflare or Google) rather than current service provider.

Mozilla Firefox (DNS over HTTPS)

1. Go to Settings > Privacy & Security.
2. Scroll to the very bottom to DNS over HTTPS.
3. Select Increased Protection or Max Protection and choose Cloudflare.

5. Advanced Fixes: Network & DNS Architecture

If basic flushing failed, we must alter how your network resolves names globally.

Method A: Change to Public DNS (The Permanent Fix)

ISP DNS servers are often slow and unreliable. Switching to a Public Tier-1 DNS provider is the industry standard fix.

Performance Comparison Table (Avg Response Time)

Provider	Primary DNS	Secondary DNS	Features
Cloudflare	1.1.1.1	1.0.0.1	Fastest, Privacy-focused (Logs deleted <24hr)
Google	8.8.8.8	8.8.4.4	Highly reliable, slight data collection
Quad9	9.9.9.9	149.112.112.112	Security-focused (Blocks malicious domains)

How to Apply (Windows):

1. Control Panel > Network and Internet > Network and Sharing Center.
2. Click Change adapter settings.
3. Right-click your active connection (WiFi/Ethernet) > Properties.
4. Select Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4) > Properties.
5. Select “Use the following DNS server addresses” and input the IPs from the table above.

Method B: Restart the DNS Client Service (Windows Only)

Sometimes the background service managing DNS crashes.

1. Press Win + R, type services.msc, and hit Enter.
2. Locate DNS Client.
3. Right-click it and select Restart.
   • Note: If the option is greyed out (common in Windows 11), you must use the Command Prompt solution in Section 3.

Summary: Diagnostic Decision Tree

Use this logic flow to finalize your troubleshooting:

1. Is the error on all devices?
   • Yes: Restart Router. If that fails, call your ISP (Upstream Issue).
   • No (Just one device): Proceed to step 2.
2. Is the error on all browsers (Chrome, Edge, Firefox)?
   • Yes: Flush OS DNS (Section 3) and Change DNS to Cloudflare (Section 5).
   • No (Just Chrome): Clear Chrome Host Cache (Section 4).
3. Are you on Android/iOS Mobile Data?
   • Yes: Enable Airplane mode for 10 seconds, then disable. Configure Private DNS (Section 3).

---

Disclaimer: Networking commands involve modifying system configurations. While safe, ensure you follow steps exactly. For Docker containers or WSL environments experiencing NXDOMAIN, ensure your /etc/resolv.conf is pointing to a reachable nameserver.