How to Use ipconfig /flushdns to Clear Your DNS Cache

If you’re unable to access a website, seeing outdated website content, or receiving unexpected DNS-related errors, the problem may be caused by a cached DNS record on your Windows computer. Fortunately, one of the quickest troubleshooting steps is to use the ipconfig /flushdns command.

The ipconfig /flushdns command clears and resets the Windows DNS client resolver cache. This can help your computer request fresh DNS information instead of relying on an outdated or incorrect cached record. Microsoft specifically recommends this command as part of DNS troubleshooting.

In this guide, you’ll learn how to flush DNS cache, how to use the ipconfig flush DNS command on Windows 10 and Windows 11, what happens when you clear the cache, and what to do if the DNS cache is not clearing.

What Is a DNS Cache?

Before learning how to use the DNS cache flush command, it helps to understand what DNS caching does.

The Domain Name System (DNS) translates human-readable domain names, such as example.com, into IP addresses that computers use to communicate with servers.

Windows temporarily stores recently resolved DNS information in a local cache. This allows frequently accessed domains to resolve faster without requesting the same information from a DNS server every time.

However, cached information can occasionally become outdated or incorrect. For example, if a website has recently changed its hosting server or IP address, your computer could continue using an older DNS record.

This is where a DNS cache reset in Windows can help.

Microsoft’s documentation confirms that ipconfig /flushdns flushes and resets the contents of the DNS client resolver cache, including cached negative responses that can interfere with name resolution.

What Does ipconfig /flushdns Do?

The ipconfig /flushdns command tells Windows to clear its local DNS resolver cache.

The command is:

ipconfig /flushdns

After you execute it successfully, Windows removes the cached DNS entries. When you visit a domain again, your computer can perform a new DNS lookup through its configured DNS server.

What Does the Command Mean?

Microsoft lists /flushdns specifically as an option for flushing and resetting the DNS client resolver cache.

How to Use ipconfig /flushdns in Windows

Using the Command Prompt flush DNS method takes only a few seconds.

Step 1: Open Command Prompt

Press the Windows key and search for:

Command Prompt

Right-click Command Prompt and select Run as administrator.

An elevated Command Prompt is recommended for network troubleshooting commands.

Step 2: Enter the DNS Cache Flush Command

Type the following command:

ipconfig /flushdns

Press Enter.

Step 3: Check the Confirmation Message

If the command executes successfully, Windows should display a message indicating that the DNS Resolver Cache was successfully flushed.

Your local DNS cache has now been cleared.

Step 4: Test the Website Again

Close and reopen your browser, then visit the website that was causing problems.

If the problem was caused by an outdated local DNS entry, the website may now load normally.

How to Flush DNS Cache in Windows 10

The flush DNS Windows 10 process is straightforward.

1. Click Start.
2. Search for Command Prompt.
3. Select Run as administrator.
4. Enter: ipconfig /flushdns
5. Press Enter.
6. Reopen your browser and test the website.

The same ipconfig /flushdns command can also be used on supported Windows Server versions. Microsoft’s current ipconfig documentation lists Windows 10 and Windows 11 among the supported platforms.

How to Flush DNS Cache in Windows 11

The flush DNS Windows 11 process is almost identical.

Method 1: Command Prompt

Open Command Prompt as administrator and run:

ipconfig /flushdns

Method 2: Windows Terminal

You can also open Windows Terminal with administrator privileges and run:

ipconfig /flushdns

Method 3: PowerShell

PowerShell provides an equivalent command:

Clear-DnsClientCache

Microsoft states that Clear-DnsClientCache clears the DNS client cache and is equivalent to running ipconfig /flushdns.

When Should You Clear the DNS Cache?

A DNS cache flush can be useful in several situations.

1. A Website Recently Changed Servers

If a domain has moved to a new hosting provider or server, cached DNS information may cause your computer to continue connecting to the previous IP address.

Flushing the local cache can help your computer obtain updated DNS information.

2. A Website Is Not Loading

If other websites work but one particular domain doesn’t, stale DNS information may be one possible cause.

3. You See DNS-Related Errors

Errors involving DNS resolution, such as a domain not being found, can sometimes be investigated by clearing the local resolver cache.

4. After Changing DNS Settings

If you’ve changed your DNS server configuration, clearing the resolver cache can ensure that old cached results aren’t being used.

5. Website Migration or Hosting Changes

Website owners and developers may notice different results during a migration. DNS changes can take time to propagate across different DNS resolvers, but clearing your Windows DNS cache removes the local computer’s cached information from the equation.

ipconfig /flushdns vs Other DNS Troubleshooting Commands

Flushing DNS is only one part of DNS troubleshooting Windows users can perform.

Microsoft recommends checking the computer’s IP configuration with ipconfig /all and using nslookup to test DNS resolution when investigating DNS client problems.

How to Check the DNS Cache Before Flushing

If you want to see what Windows currently has cached, use:

ipconfig /displaydns

This command displays the contents of the DNS client resolver cache.

Look for the domain you’re troubleshooting. If an old or negative DNS response is present, flushing the cache can be a useful next step.

Afterward, run:

ipconfig /flushdns

Then test the domain again.

What If DNS Cache Is Not Clearing?

Sometimes users report that the DNS cache is not clearing or that flushing DNS doesn’t solve the original problem.

First, make sure you entered the command correctly:

ipconfig /flushdns

The forward slash is important.

If the command succeeds but the website still doesn’t load, the problem may not be the local DNS cache.

Try These DNS Troubleshooting Steps

1. Check Your IP Configuration

Run:

ipconfig /all

Check your IP address, default gateway, and configured DNS servers.

2. Test DNS Resolution

Run:

nslookup example.com

Replace example.com with the domain you’re troubleshooting.

Microsoft recommends nslookup for testing DNS resolution independently of the local DNS cache.

3. Renew Your IP Address

If the problem appears to involve DHCP or IP configuration, you can try:

ipconfig /release

ipconfig /renew

Be aware that /release temporarily releases the current DHCP configuration, so use these commands when IP configuration troubleshooting is actually appropriate.

4. Restart the Computer

A restart can help refresh network-related services and configurations after troubleshooting changes.

5. Check Whether the DNS Server Is the Problem

If DNS resolution fails even after clearing the local cache, the issue could be with the configured DNS server, network, router, firewall, or the domain’s authoritative DNS configuration.

Flushing your local cache does not clear DNS caches maintained by your ISP, public DNS provider, router, or authoritative DNS servers.

Does Flushing DNS Improve Internet Speed?

Usually, no.

The purpose of the DNS cache flush command is troubleshooting, not increasing your internet bandwidth or permanently improving connection speed.

After flushing the cache, Windows may need to perform DNS lookups again. In normal circumstances, DNS caching actually helps reduce repeated lookup work.

Therefore, use ipconfig /flushdns when you have a DNS resolution problem rather than treating it as a routine internet-speed optimization.

Does ipconfig /flushdns Delete Your Files or Browsing History?

No.

The ipconfig /flushdns command only clears the Windows DNS client resolver cache.

It does not delete:

• Personal files
• Downloads
• Browser bookmarks
• Website passwords
• Windows documents
• Installed applications
• Your browser history

However, DNS caching is separate from browser-level caching. If a website continues displaying outdated information, you may need to clear your browser cache separately.

DNS Cache Flush: What It Can and Cannot Fix

This distinction is important. A DNS cache reset is a troubleshooting step, not a universal solution for every internet problem.

Expert Tips for DNS Troubleshooting Windows

For reliable troubleshooting, avoid running multiple network reset commands without understanding what each one changes.

Start with the least disruptive steps:

1. Check whether the website works on another device.
2. Run ipconfig /displaydns.
3. Run ipconfig /flushdns.
4. Test the domain with nslookup.
5. Run ipconfig /all to inspect DNS server settings.
6. Check your router or network connection.
7. Investigate the hosting server or DNS provider if the problem affects multiple users.

If a website has recently migrated to new hosting, remember that DNS changes may take time to appear consistently across different DNS resolvers. Clearing your local cache can refresh your own computer’s information, but it cannot force every DNS resolver on the internet to update immediately.

How DNS Problems Relate to Web Hosting

DNS is an essential part of website hosting. When someone enters a domain name into a browser, DNS helps direct the request toward the correct server.

For website owners, incorrect DNS records can result in problems such as:

• Website downtime
• Domain resolution errors
• Email delivery issues
• Incorrect server routing
• Subdomain failures
• Hosting migration issues

Reliable hosting combined with correctly configured DNS can make website management easier.

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Final Thoughts

Learning how to use ipconfig /flushdns is one of the simplest ways to troubleshoot DNS-related problems on a Windows computer.

The command:

ipconfig /flushdns

clears the local DNS resolver cache and allows Windows to perform fresh DNS lookups. It can be particularly useful after DNS changes, hosting migrations, or when outdated DNS records are preventing a website from loading correctly.

However, remember that a DNS cache reset in Windows only affects the local DNS cache. If the issue continues, use additional DNS troubleshooting commands such as ipconfig /all and nslookup to identify whether the problem is related to your computer, network, DNS provider, or hosting server.

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Frequently Asked Questions

1. What does ipconfig /flushdns do?>

The ipconfig /flushdns command clears the DNS client resolver cache stored locally by Windows. This can help remove outdated or negative DNS entries during troubleshooting.

2. How often should I flush my DNS cache?

There is generally no need to flush DNS on a fixed schedule. Use it when troubleshooting DNS resolution problems, after certain DNS configuration changes, or when investigating stale local DNS information.

3. Does ipconfig /flushdns work on Windows 10 and Windows 11?

Yes. The command is supported on current Windows client versions including Windows 10 and Windows 11.

4. What should I do if flushing DNS doesn’t fix my problem?

Try ipconfig /all to check your DNS configuration and nslookup yourdomain.com to test DNS resolution. If these checks fail, investigate your DNS server, network, router, firewall, or hosting configuration.

5. Can flushing DNS fix a website that is down?

No. Flushing the local DNS cache cannot repair a server outage. It can only remove cached DNS information from your Windows DNS client. If the hosting server or authoritative DNS system is unavailable, the underlying issue must be addressed there.

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