How to Flush DNS

Most computers that are connected to the Internet do what is called DNS caching. This means that domain names and web addresses of the websites you visit are stored so that when you visit a page more than once, it can load faster because it has been cached. If you want to erase the information in this cache, it is called flushing the DNS. Follow these steps to flush DNS in either Microsoft Windows or Mac operating systems.

 

Edit Steps

Windows XP

  1. 1
    Click the "Start" button and choose "Run." Or, hold down the Windows key and the "R" key at the same time.
     
  2. 2
    Enter the letters "cmd" into the "Run" box and hit the "Enter" key.
  3. 3
    Type "ipconfig /flushdns" into the window that appears. Be sure to leave a space between the "G" and the forward slash. Hit the "Enter" key. When you see a message that says, "Successfully flushed the DNS Resolver Cache."
  4. 4
    Without moving your cursor type "exit" then hit the "Enter" key to close the "cmd" box.

Windows Vista and Windows 7

  1. 1
    Click the "Start" button or hit the Windows key to bring up the programs menu. Type the letters "cmd" into the search box and wait as the search results compile.
  2. 2
    Right-click on the icon labeled "cmd" that appears under the "Programs" menu. Choose "Run as administrator." The screen will flash and a message will appear asking for permission; click "Accept."
  3. 3
    ALTERNATIVELY find and press the windows key and "R" key simultaneously. When the "Run" box opens type the letters "cmd" and hit the "OK" button.
  4. 4
    Type "ipconfig /flushdns" after the "C:\Windows\system32" prompt that appears. Make sure you leave a space between the "G" and the forward slash. Wait for the "Successfully flushed the DNS Resolver Cache" message to appear to complete the process.
  5. 5
    Without moving your cursor type "exit" then hit the "Enter" key to close the "cmd" box.

Mac OS

  1. 1
    Click on the Apple menu and choose "Applications." Select "Utilities" and then click "Terminal."
  2. 2
    Type "lookup -flushcache" into the terminal if you are using Mac OS X Tiger or an earlier version. Make sure to leave a space between the "P" and the dash. Hit the "Enter" key to complete the process.
  3. 3
    Enter "dscacheutil -flushcache" into the terminal if you are using Mac OS X Leopard or a later version. Be sure to leave a space between the "L" and the dash. Hit the "Enter" key to finish.
     

Edit Video

 

   

Edit Tips

  • You can permanently disable DNS caching in Windows by running the program called "services.msc." Type "services.msc" in either the run or the search box under the Start menu, depending on what version of Windows you are using. When the window appears, find "DNS Client" and double click on it. Click "Stop." To enable DNS caching after you have stopped it, complete the same process, but click on "Start" instead of "Stop."
  • If you are using Microsoft Windows, you can temporarily disable DNS caching by opening "cmd" and typing "net stop dnscache" into the window after the command prompt. Then, hit the "Enter" key. This will halt DNS caching until the next time your reboot your computer.

 

Edit Sources and Citations

  • 2 utilizatori au considerat informația utilă
Răspunsul a fost util?

Articole similare

How to Clear Your Browser's Cache

Your internet browser's cache stores certain information about webpages you visit, so that...