Solve DNS Address Could Not Be Found on Windows

If you’re seeing a “DNS address could not be found error,” the fastest fix is to restart your router and flush your DNS cache. Open Command Prompt as administrator and type ipconfig /flushdns, then press Enter. This clears outdated DNS information and often resolves the error immediately.

What Does “DNS Address Could Not Be Found” Error Mean?

When you see the “server dns address could not be found” error, your computer is having trouble translating website names into the correct internet addresses. Think of DNS (Domain Name System) like the internet’s phonebook – it helps your computer find websites using their names instead of confusing number codes.

The “dns cannot be found error” happens when your computer can’t connect to this phonebook system. This means you can’t visit websites even though your internet connection might be working fine. It’s like having a phone but not being able to look up anyone’s number.

This error appears differently across browsers:

• Chrome: “DNS address could not be found”
• Firefox: “Server not found”
• Edge: “Hmm, we can’t reach this page”

The good news? This is usually a simple fix and doesn’t mean your computer is broken.

Why You’re Seeing DNS Errors on Windows 10 and 11?

Several common issues trigger the “dns address could not be found error” on Windows computers. Understanding these causes helps you pick the right solution.

Network Connection Problems

Sometimes your “dns server cannot be reached” because of physical connection issues. A loose cable, weak Wi-Fi signal, or router problems can block DNS requests. Even if other apps work, DNS might fail first.

DNS Cache Issues

Your computer stores recent website addresses in a cache to load them faster. When this cache becomes outdated or corrupted, you get “dns cache problems windows 11.” This is especially common after Windows updates or when switching networks.

Incorrect DNS Settings

Windows might be using the wrong DNS server addresses. If your ISP’s DNS server is down or slow, you’ll see the “dns not found windows 10” error. This happens more often with automatic DNS settings.

Firewall or Antivirus Blocking

Overprotective security software can accidentally block DNS requests. Your firewall might think DNS requests are dangerous and stop them, causing the “dns cannot be found windows 10” message.

Driver Problems

Outdated or corrupted network drivers can cause DNS communication failures. This is why the “dns not responding windows 11” error often appears after system updates.

Quick Fixes: Try These First

Start with these simple solutions before moving to advanced troubleshooting. Most “dns address could not be found error” problems resolve with these basic steps.

1. Restart Your Router and Computer

This fixes 60% of DNS problems immediately. Your router stores DNS information that can become outdated.

Steps:

1. Unplug your router from power
2. Wait 30 seconds (count slowly)
3. Plug it back in and wait for all lights to turn green
4. Restart your computer
5. Try visiting a website again

2. Flush Your DNS Cache

This clears old DNS information that might be causing conflicts.

For Windows 10:

1. Click the Start button
2. Type “cmd” in the search box
3. Right-click on Command Prompt
4. Select “Run as administrator”
5. Type ipconfig /flushdns and press Enter
6. You’ll see “Successfully flushed the DNS resolver cache”

For Windows 11:

1. Press Windows + X keys together
2. Select “Terminal (Admin)”
3. Click “Yes” on the security prompt
4. Type ipconfig /flushdns and press Enter
5. Wait for the success message

3. Try a Different Browser

Sometimes the problem is browser-specific, not system-wide.

Test this:

• If you use Chrome, try Edge or Firefox
• If you use Edge, try Chrome
• If the website loads in another browser, clear your main browser’s cache and cookies

4. Check Your Physical Connections

Loose cables cause many DNS errors.

What to check:

• Ethernet cable firmly plugged in (if using wired connection)
• Wi-Fi antenna not damaged (on laptops)
• Router lights showing normal activity
• No damage to visible cables

Advanced Solutions for DNS Server Problems

If the quick fixes didn’t work, try these more detailed solutions for persistent “dns address could not be found error” issues.

1. Change Your DNS Server Addresses

Switching to public DNS servers often fixes “dns server cannot be reached” problems.

Steps for Windows 10:

1. Click Start > Settings > Network & Internet
2. Click “Change adapter options”
3. Right-click your active network and select “Properties”
4. Select “Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4)”
5. Click “Properties”
6. Select “Use the following DNS server addresses”
7. Enter:
   • Preferred DNS: 8.8.8.8
   • Alternate DNS: 8.8.4.4
8. Click OK > Close

Steps for Windows 11:

1. Press Windows + I keys
2. Go to Network & Internet
3. Click “Properties” under your active network
4. Scroll down and click “Edit” next to DNS server assignment
5. Select “Manual”
6. Turn on IPv4
7. Enter:
   • Preferred DNS: 8.8.8.8
   • Alternate DNS: 8.8.4.4
8. Click Save

2. Reset Network Settings

This fixes “dns not found windows 10” errors caused by corrupted network configurations.

Warning: This will remove all saved Wi-Fi passwords.

Steps:

1. Press Windows + I keys
2. Go to Network & Internet
3. Click “Advanced network settings”
4. Under “More settings,” click “Network reset”
5. Click “Reset now”
6. Confirm by clicking “Yes”
7. Your computer will restart automatically

3. Update Network Drivers

Outdated drivers cause many “dns not responding windows 11” errors.

Steps:

1. Press Windows + X keys
2. Select “Device Manager”
3. Expand “Network adapters”
4. Right-click your network adapter
5. Select “Update driver”
6. Choose “Search automatically for drivers”
7. Install any available updates
8. Restart your computer

4. Disable Proxy Settings

Proxies can interfere with DNS and cause “dns cannot be found windows 10” errors.

Steps:

1. Press Windows + I keys
2. Go to Network & Internet
3. Click “Proxy” in the left menu
4. Under “Automatic proxy setup,” turn off “Use a proxy server”
5. Under “Manual proxy setup,” turn off “Use a proxy server”
6. Restart your computer

5. Temporarily Disable Firewall

Sometimes firewalls block DNS requests by mistake.

Steps:

1. Press Windows + S keys
2. Type “Windows Security” and press Enter
3. Click “Firewall & network protection”
4. Click “Domain network,” “Private network,” or “Public network”
5. Turn off the Microsoft Defender Firewall
6. Try accessing a website
7. If it works, turn the firewall back on and add exceptions for your browser

Preventing Future DNS Issues

Once you fix the current “dns address could not be found error,” take these steps to prevent it from happening again.

Keep Your System Updated

Windows updates often include DNS fixes and network improvements.

Set up automatic updates:

1. Press Windows + I keys
2. Go to Update & Security
3. Click “Windows Update”
4. Click “Advanced options”
5. Turn on “Receive updates for other Microsoft products”

Use Reliable DNS Servers

Stick with trusted DNS providers to avoid “dns cache problems windows 11.”

Recommended DNS servers:

• Google: 8.8.8.8 and 8.8.4.4
• Cloudflare: 1.1.1.1 and 1.0.0.1
• OpenDNS: 208.67.222.222 and 208.67.220.220

Regular Maintenance

Perform these simple tasks monthly to prevent DNS issues:

1. Flush DNS cache (as shown above)
2. Restart router monthly to clear its cache
3. Check for Windows updates weekly
4. Update network drivers quarterly

Common Mistakes to Avoid

People often make these mistakes when trying to fix “dns address could not be found error” errors:

Skipping the Basics

Don’t jump straight to advanced solutions. Always restart your router first – it fixes most problems.

Using Too Many DNS Servers

Stick with one pair of DNS servers (like Google’s 8.8.8.8 and 8.8.4.4). Using multiple DNS servers can cause conflicts.

Ignoring Physical Connections

Before changing software settings, check that all cables are firmly plugged in and your router lights look normal.

Forgetting to Restart

After changing DNS settings or updating drivers, always restart your computer to apply the changes.

Pro Tips for DNS Troubleshooting

These advanced tips help when basic solutions don’t work:

Use Network Troubleshooter

Windows has a built-in tool that can automatically find and fix DNS problems.

How to use it:

1. Press Windows + I keys
2. Go to Update & Security
3. Click “Troubleshoot”
4. Select “Additional troubleshooters”
5. Click “Network Adapter” > “Run the troubleshooter”

Test with Safe Mode

Starting in Safe Mode helps determine if third-party software is causing the DNS error.

For Windows 10:

1. Click Start > Power
2. Hold Shift and click “Restart”
3. Choose “Troubleshoot” > “Advanced options” > “Startup Settings”
4. Click “Restart” and press 4 or F4 for Safe Mode

For Windows 11:

1. Click Start > Power
2. Hold Shift and click “Restart”
3. Select “Troubleshoot” > “Advanced options” > “Startup Settings”
4. Click “Restart” and press 4 or F4 for Safe Mode

Check Your Hosts File

Sometimes the hosts file contains incorrect entries that block websites.

How to check:

1. Press Windows + R keys
2. Type notepad C:\Windows\System32\drivers\etc\hosts and press Enter
3. Look for any lines with website names (like google.com)
4. If you see any, add a # at the beginning of those lines
5. Save the file

Frequently Asked Questions

Conclusion

The “dns address could not be found error” can be frustrating, but it’s usually easy to fix with the right approach. Start with the simple solutions like restarting your router and flushing your DNS cache – these fix most problems quickly. If those don’t work, move on to changing your DNS settings or updating your network drivers.

Remember that DNS errors are common and don’t mean your computer is broken. By following the steps in this guide, you can resolve “dns cannot be found windows 10” and “dns not responding windows 11” errors and get back to browsing the web without problems.

If you’re still having issues after trying all these solutions, the problem might be with your ISP or a deeper system issue. In that case, contact your internet service provider or a computer technician for help.