DNS PROBE FINISHED NXDOMAIN

Not to be confused with DNS\_PROBE\_STARTED or DNS\_PROBE\_BAD\_CONFIG

DNS\_PROBE\_FINISHED\_NXDOMAIN prevents you from accessing websites, causes issues with connecting to outside services. As the name suggests, this is a **DNS** related error. The function of DNS is to resolve/translate names so when your system cannot resolve or translate the address, you will get this error:

By default, your computer is set to use the DNS configured in your router or modem which is Internet Providers DNS unless it has been changed. I always recommend using public dns servers, which you should see in this guide as they are most active and have a 99% uptime.

The issue may also arise due to incorrect entries in the hosts file, which can prevent and limit access to certain or all websites.

## Fixing DNS\_PROBE\_FINISHED\_NXDOMAIN

```
**Set-ExecutionPolicy Unrestricted -Scope Process**

```

After executing the script, you can change it back to Restricted by typing the following command

```
**Set-ExecutionPolicy Restricted**

```

**DNS Geek Tool** should be downloaded onto a different computer if yours doesn’t have access to the internet, and then copied over onto a **USB Drive**. Once it is downloaded and copied to the USB, take the USB out of the system and connect it with the computer having **DNS** issues. Copy the file from the USB and place it on your Desktop. After the file has been moved, click **Start** -> Type **cmd** and choose **Run As Administrator.**

Once the Black **Command Prompt** window opens up, drag the DNS Geek Tool file to the **Command Prompt** and Hit Enter or type the path to where the file is saved, and then run it.

The tool will then run by itself and will prompt you for “Yes and No” prompts as it troubleshoots the issue.

You can also proceed with the steps below because this tool does the same as the guidelines below.

In this guide, we will be discussing how to change the DNS from local or default (automatic) to Google’s DNS. The reason is, that **Google DNS** has high uptime, almost 99.99%, and more reliable than the **ISP’s** or Internet provider’s **DNS** so switching it to public **DNS** should resolve issues where the previous DNS is down, overloaded or slow to respond.

## Changing your DNS Server

Now that we know how reliable Google’s DNS is, we can try to resolve your issue by using a **Public DNS** such as **Google’s DNS** or **Cloudfare’s DNS**, Follow these steps:

1. Press and hold the **Windows Key** and **Press I**. This shortcut should open **Windows Settings** app.
2. Once **Windows Settings** are opened Navigate to **“Network & Internet”**
3. Press the option named **“Change Adaptor Settings”**
4. Now **right-click** on your Network Adaptor and press go to **“Properties”**
5. Double-click on **“Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4)”**
6. Select option **“Use the following DNS server addresses”**
7. Now Simply put “8.8.8.8” in the **preferred DNS server** and “8.8.4.4” in the **alternate DNS server**.
8. Hold the **Windows Key** and **Press X**. Choose **Command Prompt (Admin)** or **PowerShell (Admin)**

Type the following command to refresh DNS Servers:-

```
ipconfig /flushdns

```

Check if the issue persists.

## Resetting your Network Configurations

In this method, we will reset your **Network Configuration** using Commands through **Command prompt**. These commands will reset and **corrupt/incorrect** Network Settings or **DNS Cache** that’s conflicting with your Google Chrome. This method will narrow down the problem or potentially fix it. To reset your Network Settings properly, Follow these steps below:

1. Hold the **Windows Key** and **Press X**. Choose **Command Prompt (Admin)** or **PowerShell (Admin).**
2. Type the following commands **one by one** to reset your Network Settings.

```
netsh winsock reset
netsh int ip reset
ipconfig /release
ipconfig /renew
netsh interface ipv4 reset
netsh interface ipv6 reset

```

3. Restart your computer.

Check to see if the issue persists.

### Clearing Chrome’s Host Cache

Your Google Chrome client holds a record of **DNS entries** to save looking them up every time which reduces the loading time of the website. However, sometimes this **feature** can actually do more harm than good as it contains corrupted and bad **DNS Cache data** as well. You can easily clear your Google Chrome’s cache, follow the steps below:

1. Open your **Google Chrome.**
2. In the **URL** Section put this **URL** and press Enter. chrome://net-internals/#dns
3. This should open **Google Chrome**‘s Host resolver cache page. Now Simply click **“Clear Host Cache”**
4. Restart your **Google Chrome** and check to see if you can access the website again.

### Resetting your Network adaptor and driver

If the method for resetting your Network Doesn’t work for you. You can try this method as it’s built-in Windows and it’s a little more aggressive in resetting as it also resets your Network Adaptor’s driver. Follow the steps below:-

1. On the right corner of the taskbar, click on the **Wi-Fi network** icon.
2. Click **“Network & Internet Settings”**. Head over to the **“Status”** tab.
3. Click **“Network reset”** and then press **“Restart now”**.
4. After restarting check to see if the issue is resolved.

### Setting DNS Client Service to “Automatic”

**DNS Client service** is responsible for keeping **DNS cache**, it caches DNS and registers them. This service can be stopped by a **bad tweaking** program or a **3rd-party** program. If this service is disabled, your **Google Chrome** will give you errors such as:-DNS\_PROBE\_FINISHED\_NXDOMAIN

DNS\_PROBE\_FINISHED\_NO\_INTERNET

You can easily fix this issue by configuring your **DNS Client Service**. We have saved you a lot of hassle by creating some commands for you to execute and easily set the parameters for this service. To set the service as automatic follow these steps:-

1. Hold the **Windows Key** and **Press X**. Choose **Command Prompt (Admin)** or **PowerShell (Admin).**
2. Type the following commands **one by one** to revert the parameters of this service. sc config Dnscache start= auto sc start Dnscache
3. Restart your computer and check to see if the issue still persists.

### Removing Proxy Settings

Your Windows LAN Proxy settings can also be the culprit. You can follow these steps to remove any possible proxy settings applied on your adaptor/driver:

1. Press and hold the **Windows key** and press the **R key**. This should open the **Run** program.
2. Type **“inetcpl.cpl”** and press the enter key to open the **Internet Properties.**
3. Once the **Internet Properties** window pops up head over to the **“Connections”** tab and press **“LAN Settings”.**
4. Now make sure to **un-check** all the options and press **OK**.
5. Restart your computer and check if the issue persists.