How to Flush DNS Cache on Windows, macOS, Android, iOS.
As you browse the Internet, the Domain Name System (DNS) service will actively translate or “resolve” the various web addresses you come across into a format that your Windows, Mac, Android, or iOS device understands. These addresses are then cached locally to speed things up.
But if something changes in the meantime, your web browser may encounter connection problems and may not be able to load some websites correctly. In this case, you must get rid of the DNS cache so that your device can look up every web address again.
On Windows and macOS, you can quickly flush your DNS cache using the Command Prompt, Windows PowerShell, and Terminal Consoles. However, on Android and iOS, the procedure is not that easy and you will have to try several methods one at a time.
Clear DNS Cache on Windows
If you have a computer with Windows 7, Windows 8, Windows 8.1, or Windows 10 installed, you can use the Command Prompt Console to flush your DNS cache.
Alternatively, you can use the Windows PowerShell console in Windows 8 / 8.1 / 10 to get the same result.
Use the command line to clear the DNS cache
1. Press Windows + R to open the Run window. Then enter cmd and click OK.
– /
2. Enter the following into the command line console:
ipconfig / flushdns
3. Press Enter.
Use Windows PowerShell to clear your DNS cache
1. Right-click the Start button and select Windows PowerShell. Or press Windows + R, type powershell.exe and select OK.
2. Enter the following into the Windows PowerShell console:
Clear-DnsClientCache
3. Press Enter.
Clear DNS Cache on Mac
You can clear the DNS cache on Mac using Terminal. This applies to macOS Big Sur 11.0, macOS Catalina 10.15, and macOS Mojave 10.14, including earlier versions of macOS starting with OS X Mavericks 10.9.
1. Go to Finder> Applications> Utilities and launch Terminal.
2. Copy and paste the following command:
sudo dskacheutil -flyushkahe; sudo killall -UP mDNSResponder
Note. On OS X Yosemite versions 10.10.0 through 10.10.3, you should instead use the following command:
sudo discoveryutil mdnsflushcache; sudo discoveryutil udnsflushcache
3. Press Enter. When Terminal asks for the administrator password, enter it and press Enter again.
Clear DNS Cache on Android
On Android, turning airplane mode on / off or forced reboot will usually clear the DNS cache. Also, you can see if clearing Google Chrome’s internal DNS cache can help. If nothing works, you need to reset your network settings.
Enabling / disabling airplane mode on Android
You can turn on / off airplane mode through the quick settings panel of your Android device. Just swipe down once or twice from the top of the screen to open the airplane mode icon. Then tap it to turn on airplane mode. Wait a few seconds and press again to turn off airplane mode.
Hard restart Android device
If turning on / off airplane mode didn’t work, try to force restart your Android device. This usually requires pressing and holding the power button for 10-20 seconds. If you cannot perform a hard reset this way, your best bet is to search Google for your Android device model name for specific instructions.
Clear Chrome’s internal DNS cache
Google Chrome, built into Android browser, has an internal DNS cache. Try to clear it.
1. Open Google Chrome. Then enter the following path in the address bar and press Enter:
chrome: // net-internals / # DNS
2. Select the DNS side tab and click on Flush Host Cache.
3. Select the “Sockets” side tab and click “Close Unused Sockets” and then “Clear Socket Pools”.
Reset Android Network Settings
Resetting network settings requires you to dig into the Settings app on your Android smartphone. The steps below may be different on your part, but you have to get the idea.
Note. The reset procedure will delete all saved Wi-Fi connections and passwords on your Android device, so be prepared to set things up again from scratch.
1. Open the Settings app on your Android device.
2. Click System.
3. Click “Reset”.
4. Click “Reset Network Settings”.
5. Press “Reset network settings” again to confirm.
Clear DNS Cache on iPhone
If you are using an iPhone, enabling / disabling airplane mode, force restarting your device, or resetting network settings should help you clear your DNS cache.
Enable / Disable Airplane Mode on iPhone
Swipe down from the top-right corner of the iPhone screen to open Control Center. If your device uses Touch ID, swipe up from the bottom of the screen instead.
Then tap the airplane mode icon. Wait a few seconds and tap the airplane mode icon again.
Force restart iPhone
Force restarting an iPhone requires pressing certain button combinations that vary depending on the make and model of your device.
The iPhone 8 and later: quickly press and release the volume up button, press and release the volume down button, and then press and hold the side button until the Apple logo appears on the screen
iPhone 7: Press and hold the Volume Down and Side buttons simultaneously until the Apple logo appears on the screen.
iPhone 6s and earlier. Hold the Side / Top and Home button at the same time until the Apple logo appears on the screen.
Reset iPhone Network Settings
Resetting iPhone network settings will clear not only the DNS cache but all saved Wi-Fi networks and passwords. Unless you’re solely relying on cellular data, you’ll have to manually reconnect to each Wi-Fi network later. Try this only if other methods have not worked.
1. Open the iPhone Settings app.
2. Click General.
3. Click “Reset”.
4. Click “Reset Network Settings”.
5. Click “Reset Network Settings” again to confirm.
Don’t Forget the Browser Cache
Clearing the DNS cache may not be enough. Web browsers cache all kinds of other web content locally, which can also cause a lot of problems. If you’re still having trouble loading websites, try clearing your browser cache. Also, don’t forget to troubleshoot other network problems.
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How to Flush DNS Cache on Windows, macOS, Android, iOS
How to Flush DNS Cache on Windows, macOS, Android, iOS