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Problem with DNS cache

Anonymous
2025-04-19T22:58:55+00:00

I have 3 yr old PC with Windows 11. The wifi internet connection is fine but pages won’t load. I rebooted router, restarted computer , followed suggestions on the trouble finder. Checked network is DHCP Connected. I also tried using command prompt to flush etc as per online connections. I could briefly connect to some sites, but now no pages will open . All updates are automatic. I could not find anything else to try to fix this problem. This has been happening only the last few days. I would appreciate any help or suggestion.

Thanks so much!

Windows for home | Windows 11 | Internet and connectivity

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  1. Anonymous
    2025-04-21T16:15:36+00:00

    Hi Deetz66

    Thank you for posting in Microsoft Community.

    Reconfirm DNS Cache Flush

    • If flushing the DNS cache helped briefly, ensure it was done thoroughly:

    bashipconfig /flushdns ipconfig /release ipconfig /renew ipconfig /registerdns

    • Follow up by restarting the PC.

    2. Change DNS Settings

    • Sometimes, your internet service provider’s DNS servers may be experiencing issues. Switching to a reliable public DNS like Google or Cloudflare can help.
      • Go to Control Panel > Network and Internet > Network Connections.
      • Right-click your Wi-Fi adapter and select Properties.
      • Select Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4), click Properties, and manually set the DNS:
        • Google DNS: Primary: 8.8.8.8 Secondary: 8.8.4.4
        • Cloudflare DNS: Primary: 1.1.1.1 Secondary: 1.0.0.1

    3. Reset Your Network Settings

    • Windows 11 offers an option to reset all network settings, which can resolve hidden misconfigurations:
      • Open Settings > Network & Internet > Advanced network settings > Network reset.
      • Restart your PC after the reset.

    4. Check for Proxy or VPN Issues

    • If you’ve ever used a proxy or VPN, lingering settings might block your connection:
      • Open Settings > Network & Internet > Proxy.
      • Ensure both "Use a proxy server" and "Automatically detect settings" are turned off.

    5. Test Browser and Firewall

    • Browser: Try a different web browser to ensure the issue isn’t specific to the one you’re using. Clear your browser cache and disable extensions as they can sometimes interfere with connectivity.
    • Firewall/Antivirus: Temporarily disable your antivirus and firewall to see if they’re blocking connections. If the issue resolves, review and adjust their settings.

    6. Check Hosts File

    • A corrupted or modified hosts file can redirect traffic and prevent websites from loading.
      • Navigate to C:\Windows\System32\drivers\etc\hosts and open the hosts file with Notepad (as Administrator).
      • If any lines (other than # comments) seem suspicious, delete them.

    7. Test Hardware Connectivity

    • Different Device: Connect a different device to your Wi-Fi. If it works, the issue is specific to your PC.
    • Different Network: Connect your PC to a different Wi-Fi or use a mobile hotspot. If it works, your router might have configuration issues.

    8. Advanced Troubleshooting with Command Prompt

    Run these commands to troubleshoot and repair network issues:

    • Reset Winsock:

    bashnetsh winsock reset

    • Reset IP Stack:

    bashnetsh int ip reset

    • Check for conflicts:

    bashnetstat -aon

    If the Issue Persists

    • Check Updates: While you’ve said updates are automatic, ensure none are pending, especially for drivers or cumulative updates.
    • Hardware Issue: A failing network card could cause intermittent connectivity. If possible, test with an external USB Wi-Fi adapter.
    • Internet Service Provider (ISP): Contact your ISP to ensure there aren’t outages or issues on their end.

    Lastly, you can also try to perform the repair in-place upgrade by following the steps from this link: How to perform repair upgrade in Windows 11 - Microsoft Community you can use another working PC to download the ISO file then transfer it using a USB Flash Drive or external hard drive.

    Best Regards,

    Lonex P.

    Microsoft Moderator

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  1. Anonymous
    2025-04-21T21:00:25+00:00

    Hi Deetz66

    Thank you for your reply.

    It is better not to use any VPN, you can delete/uninstall it since that was causing the problem.

    We are happy to hear that the problem you had with DNS cache has been resolved. We’re glad we were able to help you!

    To help other customers searching for help on related issues, please feel free to mark the response you found most helpful by clicking “Yes” on the bottom of that post. This will ensure the helpful responses are most visible when searching (and you can vote more than once if the solution was spread over multiple posts).

    Thanks again for choosing Microsoft!

    Regards,

    Lon

    Microsoft Moderator

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  2. Anonymous
    2025-04-21T20:10:12+00:00

    Hi

    Thanks for your prompt reply. Your detailed instructions were just what I needed. I started at # 1 and also disconnected VPN which I had not done previously. Everything worked fine!! Turned off the computer then on trying to send an email it would not go. Trouble shooting showed DNS server the problem. When I the computer back on the VPN turned on automatically. Obviously that’s the problem, if it’s shut off everything works. Things used to be fine. Any suggestions about the VPN, should I just delete it?

    Thanks

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