How to Flush DNS using Command Prompt

Modified on Fri, 25 Jul at 7:37 AM

To flush the DNS resolver cache on a Windows operating system, follow these steps:

Open Command Prompt as Administrator:

1. Click on the Start button or press the Windows key.

2. Type "Command Prompt" or "cmd" in the search bar.

3. Right-click on "Command Prompt" in the search results and select "Run as administrator."

4. If prompted by User Account Control (UAC), type the admin Username and Password, then click "Yes" to allow the program, or if it is already an admin account, just click "Yes" to make changes.

5. Execute the ipconfig /flushdns command:

In the Command Prompt window, type the following command and press Enter:

A message confirming "Successfully flushed the DNS Resolver Cache" should appear.

6. Close Command Prompt:

You can now close the Command Prompt window.

Restart your computer (optional but recommended):

While flushing the DNS cache often takes effect immediately, restarting your computer can ensure that all network-related processes are fully refreshed and any potential issues are resolved.

Note: The ipconfig /flushdns command specifically clears the DNS resolver cache on your local machine, which stores temporary records of recently resolved domain names and their corresponding IP addresses. This can be useful for troubleshooting network connectivity issues, accessing newly updated websites, or resolving DNS-related errors.