How to Fix the "DNS_PROBE_FINISHED

A report by ITIC reveals that DNS failures can lead to downtime costs of up to $5,600 per minute for large enterprises. In today’s fast-moving digital world, every micro, small,small and medium business owner runs a website to provide and promote their service and product on the internet. Such disruptions are not only inconvenient but can also have significant financial repercussions. It’s not uncommon nowadays.

Sometimes, in the middle of browsing, you get the message “This site can’t be reached.” Because of this, browsers cannot redirect the user to the desired website. And a message pops up like “DNS_PROBE_FINISHED_NXDOMAIN“ in the browser.

This error can be frustrating if you don’t know how to fix it. Resolving this issue isn’t as difficult as it seems. In this blog, we will share ten methods to fix this common “DNS_PROBE_FINISHED_NXDOMAIN” error, ensuring you get back to browsing smoothly.

Table of Contents

What is the “DNS_PROBE_FINISHED_NXDOMAIN“ Error?

The “DNS_PROBE_FINISHED_NXDOMAIN” error occurs when the browser is not able to solve the domain name of a website to its corresponding IP address. As a result we are unable to access the browser and website. This difficulty can be caused by a variety of factors, including improper DNS settings, problems with your ISP, or issues with the website’s DNS configuration.

Error_code	DNS_PROBE_FINISHED_NXDOMAIN
Error type	DNS Error
Error Variation	This site can’t be reached(Google Chrome) Hmm… we are having trouble finding that site (mozilla firefox)Hmm… can’t reach this page (microsoft edge)Can’t find the server(safari)
Error causes	DNS Misconfiguration Internet connection error DNS not yet propagated Server not responding

What does the “DNS_PROBE_FINISHED_NXDOMAIN” Error look like in different browsers?

Different browsers can show the “DNS_PROBE_FINISHED_NXDOMAIN” error in various types. Let’s see how some popular browsers display the error.

1. Google Chrome: Error- This site can’t be reached and Check if there is a typo in domain.com.

2. Mozilla Firefox: Error – Hmm… we are having trouble finding that site

3. Safari: Can’t find the server

4. Microsoft edge: Hmm… can’t reach this page

What are the reasons for the “DNS_PROBE_FINISHED_NXDOMAIN” Error?

If the domain is not registered or has expired a web browser can not able to access the targeted website .
A typing mistake in the URL of the website or an incorrect IP address .
Misconfigured server settings or DNS configuration: May be the computer set to use the incorrect DNS server, or the internet service provider’s (ISP) DNS server may be down.
Antivirus or firewalls that prevent access to the name server
The hosts file on the computer may be preventing access to the website you’re attempting to view. Check and update your hosts file to determine if this is the case.
Outdated or corrupt cache and cookies in the browser.
The issue from the internet provider or server down.

How to fix the “DNS_PROBE_FINISHED_NXDOMAIN” Error on Desktop

1. Check your internet connection: Make sure that your device is online and that there are no connection issues. If the issue is specific to your device or network, try connecting to a different website or using a different device.

2. Clear browser and cookies: If you’re having problems with a specific website, you might try clearing your browser cookies and cache. Browser cookies and cache are two web technologies that save data to improve the user experience when browsing the web.

In short, browser cookies are small files that websites store on a user’s computer .They are used to store data like login information, preferences, and other variables that can assist improve a website’s user experience .Cache is a form of storage that web browsers and servers employ to preserve frequently visited data for rapid retrieval when needed. Browser cookies and caching both have the potential to improve online browsing speed and performance.

However, if not managed appropriately, they might cause privacy and security concerns. Clearing your browser’s cookies and cache will delete any temporary data that may be causing the issue.

Go to your browser and select as shown in below image:

3. Restart your router: The quickest approach to resolve DNS issues is to restart your internet connection to properly reset your router, switch it off or disconnect it and leave it for about a minute. After that, reconnect or turn it back on and wait for the router to re-establish the internet connection.

Now, open the browser and try reopening the webpage to see if the error has been repaired.

4. Check your domain name: Check your website’s domain name to ensure you’re typing it correctly. If you mistyped the domain, the browser will be unable to effectively resolve it to an IP address. A prompt to “Check if there is a typo” in your domain name will show beside the problem message.

5. Change DNS server server: If you’re still having difficulties visiting a website, consider switching to a different DNS server. There are a few alternatives available, but the conventional Google Public DNS is a popular choice. Google Public DNS provides a free, global DNS resolving service.

It can help you browse the internet faster and more securely. The service uses current Anycast technology to distribute traffic among numerous servers across the world. It also uses DNSSEC to validate answers.

Change DNS server using following steps 👍

Go to settings – control panel – network and internet , and then select network and sharing center option.

Then , click on the Change adapter settings in the left sidebar.

It will open the Network Connections window. Right-click on your active network connection and select Properties from the drop-down menu.
In the Properties window, navigate to the Networking tab and pick Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4) from the list of options, then click the Properties button.

Now, In the IPv4 Properties window, select the Use the following DNS server addresses radio button.

To save your edits and close the window, click OK.

6. Restart the DNS client service: Restarting the DNS client service is another method by which Windows users can change the DNS settings. The purpose of this software is to resolve IP addresses and store them in the DNS cache. Upon booting up, the DNS client service should launch automatically .If it doesn’t ,the browser won’t be able to access any websites.

7. Flush DNS cache: flushing down is an important step to fix this error .All of the IP addresses of the websites a client has previously visited using the same computer are stored in the DNS cache. The computer might not be able to locate the correct website, though, if some of the IP addresses in the DNS cache are out of current.

Here is a quick solution resolve the DNS_PROBE_FINISHED_NXDOMAIN problem by clearing the DNS cache.

To flush DNS cache on windows, follow these steps:

On the start menu , search for the command prompt .
Then, right click to select the run as administrator option.

Once a new window appears, type in the commands below. Then, press enter.

Now check again, is the error still appearing or not.

8. Release and Renew your IP Address: “DNS Probe Finished Nxdomain” error can occur due to an issue in IP Address.

Check the following step to fix this issue –

Open the command prompt app and enter the following code and click enter after each code.

ipconfig /release    

ipconfig /flushdnsipconfig    
ipconfig /renew
 
Avoid unnecessary pop-ups

9. Check your host file: An IP address and a domain name are matched by the local hosts file. Every time you open a website, computers consult it to retrieve the appropriate page for the browser to display. Unintentionally marking a certain domain name or IP address as unavailable can occasionally happen with the hosts file. One possible solution to the DNS_PROBE_FINISHED_NXDOMAIN problem is to check and update the file.

To find the host file , search through the file explorer , now go to system32, then drivers. Double-clicking the host file will open it; just locate it. Open Notepad if you must open an application.

Now check on your website address in the host file , if you find it ,delete it with the IP address and then save the file.

10. Temporarily turn of your CDN: Disabling the content delivery network (CDN) is another way for website owners to verify if the “DNS_PROBE_FINISHED_NXDOMAIN” error originates on the site-side. By caching versions of the website on several worldwide servers, this function aids in the speedier distribution of web content to users. The CDN will use the server that is nearest to the user to deliver the cached material when the user opens the website.

The website’s cached versions will be disabled if you temporarily disable your CDN. The website must be retrieved from its origin server by all browsers. If the website cannot be accessed without CDN, there can be issues with the DNS configuration or old cached information.

“If you are looking for help to solve the “DNS_PROBE_FINISHED_NXDOMAIN” error issue you can check out supportfly . With their custom services at SupportFly, they specialize in problem solving.They help your company stand out in the online world. In close collaboration with you, our skilled team of engineers and designers converts your idea into a reality, guaranteeing that your website functions flawlessly in addition to looking fantastic.”

How to fix the “DNS_PROBE_FINISHED_NXDOMAIN” Error on Mobile (Android & iOS)

Restart your mobile phone
Check for chrome updates
Check for your system updates
Check on your mobile data and internet connection
Change your mobile phone network setting

Conclusion

The “DNS_PROBE_FINISHED_NXDOMAIN” issue, while prevalent, can be efficiently controlled by a methodical approach. Understanding the fundamental cause and following the step-by-step solutions presented will help you minimize downtime and preserve productivity. Whether you’re a business owner or a regular user, these simple methods will help you navigate and resolve DNS difficulties quickly.

Remember that DNS problems are a part of the larger internet ecosystem. Staying knowledgeable and prepared with the proper troubleshooting techniques can allow you to address these difficulties quickly, ensuring that your online activities remain seamless and uninterrupted.