How to Resolve the DNS_PROBE_FINISHED_NXDOMAIN Error on Windows

Don’t let the DNS_PROBE_FINISHED_NXDOMAIN error slow you down. Learn how to easily fix this issue on your Windows computer with these simple solutions.

If you’re a WordPress user, you might be familiar with common CMS-specific errors like the “white screen of death” or database connection errors. However, more often than not, you’ll face issues related to your internet connection and the DNS server.

Google Chrome users frequently see the error message “This site cannot be reached – Server IP address could not be found,” accompanied by the DNS_PROBE_FINISHED_NXDOMAIN error code.

In this article, we’ll walk you through the steps to fix this error and prevent it from occurring again. Let’s dive in!

What is the DNS_PROBE_FINISHED_NXDOMAIN Error?

The DNS_PROBE_FINISHED_NXDOMAIN error can occur while using any browser, but Google Chrome is the only one that provides detailed information about this issue.

When this error occurs, the browser will display a message indicating that it is “impossible to reach the site” and will specify the cause of the error.

This is just one of several errors that can appear while using Google Chrome. If you’re interested, check out my articles on how to resolve the “Aw, Snap!” error or how to fix the ERR_NAME_NOT_RESOLVED error.

Ultimately, the failure to resolve the domain name or its address causes this DNS error. To understand why this happens, it’s important to have a basic understanding of how DNS works.

What is DNS (Domain Name System)?

The DNS (Domain Name System) is a system used to link domain names to the physical addresses of servers. Essentially, it functions like a telephone directory, matching numbers (machine-readable) to names (easier for humans to remember).

What Causes the DNS_PROBE_FINISHED_NXDOMAIN Error?

The DNS_PROBE_FINISHED_NXDOMAIN error indicates that DNS is unable to connect to the IP address linked to the domain you’re trying to visit.

This doesn’t necessarily mean the domain doesn’t exist, but rather that there’s an issue preventing DNS from identifying it, such as DNS propagation latency that causes the domain to not be visible yet.

Fixed: DNS_PROBE_FINISHED_NXDOMAIN Error on Windows

Here are the best working solutions to fix the DNS_PROBE_FINISHED_NXDOMAIN error on your Windows computer or laptop. Some solutions may require administrative permissions on your local account.

Method 1: Restart Your Computer and Router

To restart your Router:

Unplug your Router.
Wait for about a minute.
Plug the modem back in and press the Power button.
Wait again until your router boots up and reconnects to your ISP.
Your devices should automatically reconnect to the internet once the Router is back up. Check if the error is resolved. If not, continue reading!

To restart your PC:

Click on the Windows icon from the lower-left corner of your Windows taskbar to open the Start menu.

Click on the Power button.

Click Restart to reboot your device.

Once done, check if the DNS_PROBE_FINISHED_NXDOMAIN error still persists after restarting your devices.

Method 2: Release and Renew Your IP Address

Since the DNS_PROBE_FINISHED_NXDOMAIN error is typically a client-side DNS issue, releasing and renewing your machine’s IP address can often resolve the problem. This includes clearing your local DNS cache, which functions similarly to a browser cache.

Steps to release and renew your IP address:

Open the search bar in your taskbar by clicking on the magnifying glass icon or by pressing Windows + S on your keyboard.
Type Command Prompt in the search box. When it appears in the search results, right-click on it and select Run as Administrator.

When prompted by the User Account Control (UAC), click Yes to grant administrative permissions.
Enter the following commands in order, pressing Enter after each line:
- ipconfig /flushdns
- ipconfig /registerdns
- ipconfig /renew
- ipconfig /release

Close the Command Prompt and open any web browser.
Check if you’re able to access websites without encountering the DNS_PROBE_FINISHED_NXDOMAIN error.

Method 3: Restart the DNS Client Service

If you’re using Windows, restarting the DNS Client service can help resolve issues related to DNS domain name resolution and caching.

Steps to restart the DNS Client service:

Press Windows + R keys on your keyboard to bring up the Run utility.
Type services.msc and click OK to open the Services window. It may take a few seconds to load.

In the Services window, locate and right-click on DNS Client. From the context menu, select Refresh. This will automatically stop and restart the service safely.

After refreshing the DNS Client service, try browsing the internet again and check if the DNS_PROBE_FINISHED_NXDOMAIN error is resolved.

Method 4: Temporarily Disable Your Antivirus

Sometimes, antivirus software can interfere with your connection and cause the DNS_PROBE_FINISHED_NXDOMAIN error on your Windows PC. If you’re encountering this error, temporarily disabling your antivirus could help resolve the issue.

Steps to disable your antivirus temporarily:

Right-click on an empty space in your taskbar and choose Task Manager from the context menu.

Switch to the Startup tab in the Task Manager window.
Locate your antivirus application from the list and click on it.

Click the Disable button in the bottom-right corner of the window to prevent the antivirus from launching on startup.
Restart your computer and check if you’re able to browse without encountering the error.

Remember to re-enable your antivirus after troubleshooting to ensure your system remains protected.

Method 5: Switch to a Different DNS Server

If you’re still experiencing the DNS_PROBE_FINISHED_NXDOMAIN error, changing your DNS server might resolve the issue. Switching to a more reliable DNS provider, like Google DNS, Cloudflare, or OpenDNS, can improve connection speed, security, and stability.

Steps to change your DNS server manually:

Press Ctrl + X on your keyboard, then click on Network Connections from the menu.

Select your current connection type (Wi-Fi or Ethernet) in the left panel.
Click on Change adapter options in the right panel.

Right-click on your active network connection and choose Properties.

Scroll down and find Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4). If it’s unchecked, click the box to enable it, then click Properties.

Select Use the following DNS server addresses, and enter one of the following DNS options:
- Cloudflare DNS: 1.1.1.1 (Preferred) & 1.0.0.1 (Alternate)
- Google DNS: 8.8.8.8 (Preferred) & 8.8.4.4 (Alternate)
- OpenDNS: 208.67.222.123 (Preferred) & 208.67.220.123 (Alternate)

Check Validate settings upon exit to apply changes immediately.
Click OK, then restart your computer if needed.

After making these changes, check if your DNS error is resolved.

Method 6: Modify Your Local Hosts File

Your computer’s hosts file manually maps domain names to IP addresses. If a website is mistakenly listed here, it may prevent access and trigger the DNS_PROBE_FINISHED_NXDOMAIN error.

Steps to check and edit the hosts file:

Press Windows + E to open File Explorer.
Navigate to:
C:\Windows\System32\drivers\etc
Locate the hosts file, right-click on it, and select Open with.

Choose Notepad and click OK.

Look for the domain causing the error. If you see an entry like: 127.0.0.1 www.example.com Delete the entire line.
Press Ctrl + S to save the changes and close Notepad.

Now, restart your browser and check if the issue is resolved.

Method 7: Clear Your Browser Cache

A corrupt browser cache can cause the DNS_PROBE_FINISHED_NXDOMAIN error. Clearing your browser’s cache, cookies, and site data may resolve the issue.

How to Clear Browsing Data in Google Chrome:

Click the three-dot menu in the top-right corner.
Hover over More tools and select Clear browsing data.

Set the Time range to All time.

Check:
✅ Browsing history
✅ Cookies and other site data
✅ Cached images and files

Click Clear data, restart Chrome, and check if the issue is resolved.

How to Clear Browsing Data in Firefox:

Type about:preferences#privacy in the address bar and hit Enter.

Scroll down to Cookies and Site Data, then click Clear Data.

Select:
✅ Cookies and Site Data
✅ Cached Web Content

Click Clear, restart Firefox, and test your connection.

How to Clear Browsing Data in Microsoft Edge:

Click the three-dot menu in the top-right corner and select Settings.

Go to Privacy, search, and services > Choose what to clear.

Set the Time range to All time.

Check:
✅ Browsing history
✅ Download history
✅ Cookies and other site data
✅ Cached images and files
Click Clear now, restart Edge, and check if the issue is fixed.

Method 8: Reset Network Settings

If none of the previous methods work, resetting your network settings to default can help fix the DNS_PROBE_FINISHED_NXDOMAIN error.

Steps to Reset Network Settings on Windows:

Click the Windows icon in the bottom-left corner or press Windows + I to open Settings.

Go to Network & Internet.

Stay on the Status tab and scroll down.
Click on Network reset.

Read the precautions, then click Reset now.
Click Yes when prompted.

After your network settings reset, restart your computer and check if the DNS error is resolved.

One more thing

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