DNS_PROBE_FINISHED_NXDOMAIN: What It Is and 9 Ways to Fix It

Key Highlights

• The dns_probe_finished_nxdomain error message in Google Chrome means the web browser cannot get the IP address of the website.
• This error can be because of problems with your DNS settings, an old DNS cache, or your internet connection.
• You can fix the problem by flushing the DNS cache, renewing the IP address, or changing the DNS server.
• Sometimes, the error happens because the website’s domain has expired or there is a mistake with the hosting provider.
• You can also try to restart your computer or phone, turn off the VPN or antivirus for a short time, and reset your browser settings.

Introduction

Seeing the “This site can’t be reached” error message is something many people run into when they’re on the internet. This problem, with the code DNS_PROBE_FINISHED_NXDOMAIN, shows there is an issue with the domain name system (DNS). The domain name system works like the phonebook of the internet. When it can’t find the IP address for the website you need, you see this DNS probe error. You do not need to worry. This guide will show you what the error message means. It will also give you nine simple ways to fix it.

Understanding DNS_PROBE_FINISHED_NXDOMAIN

The DNS_PROBE_FINISHED_NXDOMAIN error code shows up when your browser tries to find a website but has no luck. This error means the dns probe did not find the website you typed in. The “NXDOMAIN” part means that the name you are searching for does not exist. This can happen when there is an error code that tells you the site is not there at all.

This nxdomain error does not just happen in one browser. It is mostly known for showing up in Chrome. To fix this, you need to understand what causes this error first. In the next sections, we will talk about what the nxdomain error means. We will also go through the usual reasons you might see it.

What Does DNS_PROBE_FINISHED_NXDOMAIN Mean in Chrome?

When you enter a website’s address in the address bar of Google Chrome, the web browser starts a dns probe. This helps Chrome find the right IP address for the domain name you asked for. If it cannot find the IP address, you will get the dns_probe_finished_nxdomain error message. This tells you that the browser could not find the domain name you put in. It is like looking something up in a phonebook and not seeing it. This means the site does not seem to be there or cannot be found.

This error makes your browser stop and it can’t load the page. When you see “This site can’t be reached,” it means something went wrong with the DNS process. This problem happens a lot and can be caused by something on your side or sometimes from the website too.

The dns_probe_finished_nxdomain error in Chrome shows up when the DNS lookup fails. This means the browser tries to change the domain name you use into an IP address, but it can’t. There could be a simple typo in what you typed. Maybe the network is not working right. Sometimes, the website has problems with its DNS records.

How DNS Works and Why Errors Occur

The Domain Name System, or DNS, is a key part of how the internet works. When you type a domain name like “google.com” into your browser, it starts a DNS lookup. Your computer uses a DNS client service to send out a request to a dns server. The server looks for the IP address that matches that domain name. A computer needs this IP address to find and talk to other computers on a network.

If the DNS server finds the right IP address, it sends it to your browser. Then, your browser connects to the website’s server and opens the page. But sometimes things go wrong with this process. This can happen if the DNS server is not working, if the domain name does not have a good IP address, or if your device’s local DNS cache is old.

You may see dns_probe_finished_nxdomain when you try to visit some sites. This happens if the site’s DNS records have a problem, or if your network cannot talk to the DNS servers that help the web browser find it. A break at any step in the dns lookup process can show this error.

Common Scenarios Where the Error Appears

The dns_probe_finished_nxdomain error can show up in many cases. So, it can be hard to know where it comes from. This error happens when something goes wrong between your device, the website, or your network. Is dns_probe_finished_nxdomain a problem with your DNS settings or is it the website that causes it? It may be one, the other, or both working together.

Knowing what usually causes the problem can help you find it faster. Many times, it is just a small setup mistake or a short problem with your internet connection. In some cases, the website itself has trouble, like something wrong with how it set up or where it is registered or hosted.

Here are some common times when you may see this error:

• The domain name did not get renewed, or it never got set up.
• The DNS records for the domain are not going to the right hosting provider.
• Your computer might have wrong DNS settings or an old DNS cache.
• Your antivirus or VPN could be blocking your network connection.
• The DNS servers of your Internet Service Provider may be having a problem.

Why You Encounter DNS_PROBE_FINISHED_NXDOMAIN

You get the dns_probe_finished_nxdomain error when the Domain Name System cannot find the domain name you are trying to reach. This dns error means the browser looked for the website but did not get any location back. The root cause might be your own device, the network connection, or sometimes, the website itself.

At its core, this means that your browser can’t change the domain name into an IP address. There can be several reasons for this. The dns settings on your computer might be wrong. There could be an issue with the website’s server. Security software could also block the connection. Let’s look at these causes one by one.

DNS Misconfigurations and Their Impact

One main reason you get this error is because the DNS server setup in your network settings can be wrong. Your device might be using a DNS server that does not work right or does not answer. When the DNS client tries to find a domain, there is no reply. This is what makes the error happen.

This can happen if you change your DNS settings by yourself before. Sometimes the server you pick goes offline. You can check your network settings in the operating system. You might find a tab called “DNS”. A bad DNS configuration is like your computer using the wrong phonebook. So, it cannot get the right numbers it needs.

If you keep seeing dns_probe_finished_nxdomain, you should check your local DNS configuration. Sometimes, the default DNS server from your internet service provider can be slow or cause problems. Changing to a public DNS server, like Google’s or Cloudflare’s, can help fix these issues. This will often make your browsing experience better and more stable.

Website-Side Issues Affecting DNS Response

Sometimes, the issue is not with you. The dns_probe_finished_nxdomain error may happen because there is a problem with the website you want to visit. If the domain name is not set to the right server IP address, nobody can get to the web page at all.

This happens often to those who own a website. Is dns_probe_finished_nxdomain something you will get with a WordPress site or when working with a hosting provider? Yes. This issue starts when the DNS records for your domain are not set up the right way at the domain registrar. These records must point to the hosting provider you use. If they do not, then your browser will not load the website. This can even occur if your domain has expired or been suspended by the domain registrar.

If you own the website, you need to look at the DNS settings with your hosting provider and the domain registrar. Make sure the A record goes to the right server IP address so that people reach your site. Also, check that you have paid for your domain registration and it is still running. A mistake here in the server or DNS settings can give a dns probe error to everyone, not just you.

User Network and Local Device Causes

There can be a problem not just with your DNS settings. The issue may also start from your device and the network you use. The operating system on it stores a local DNS cache to make opening sites faster. But, if this DNS cache gets old or has some errors, it may send your browser to the wrong IP address. This is why you get the error.

Another common reason is interference from antivirus software. Sometimes, your antivirus software or VPN may see a DNS request as a danger. Because of this, it can block your network connection. If you turn off these tools for a short time, you can find out if they are causing the problem.

So, is dns_probe_finished_nxdomain a problem with your DNS settings or the website? The truth is, this issue can also start with your own device. A bad network connection, a messed up dns cache, or strong security software may stop your browser from opening a website. This can happen even when the site and your dns settings are not broken.

9 Reliable Ways to Fix DNS_PROBE_FINISHED_NXDOMAIN on Your Computer

Now that you know what may be causing the problem, it is time to try and solve it. Fixing a DNS error can be easy if you start with simple steps. Usually, you fix it by checking one thing at a time. Most of the steps you take to fix it use resetting parts of your network. This may mean making changes to your internet protocol settings or clearing your device’s dns cache.

No matter if you are using Windows or macOS, these steps help you fix the problem step by step. You can try clearing cache or restarting things with the Windows Services Manager. One of these nine ways should help you get online again. Let’s begin.

Flush Your DNS Cache

One way to fix the dns_probe_finished_nxdomain error fast is to flush the dns cache. Your computer saves a short-term list of websites that you visit. This helps pages load quickly. But the information can get old. Clearing the local dns cache makes your computer get new DNS details.

If you use Windows, open Command Prompt as an admin. Type ipconfig /flushdns. Press enter.

If you use a Mac, open Terminal. Type sudo dscacheutil -flushcache; sudo killall -HUP mDNSResponder.

If you use Google Chrome, type chrome://net-internals/#dns in the address bar. Click the “Clear host cache” button.

This step gets rid of broken or old entries in your local DNS cache. The dns cache fix solves the error most of the time. It is a good first thing to try when you start to fix a problem. It is quick, easy, and safe for anyone to do.

Release and Renew Your IP Address

If clearing the dns cache does not fix the problem, try this next step. You should let go of your current ip address and ask your router for a new one. This can help solve network connection issues which may be the reason for the dns error.

On Windows, you can open the Command Prompt as an administrator. After that, type ipconfig /release and press Enter. Next, type ipconfig /renew and press Enter again. It is also good to reset the Winsock catalog. To do this, type netsh winsock reset. This can help fix problems with your network connections and the Internet Protocol Version.

On macOS, go to System Preferences, then Network, and then click Advanced. Go to the TCP/IP tab and click “Renew DHCP Lease.” This will help you with your internet connection.

To fix dns_probe_finished_nxdomain, you need to reset your network settings. A big step of this is releasing and renewing your IP address. When you do this, your device will try to connect to the network again. This can help get rid of any short-term problems.

Change Your DNS Servers (Google, Cloudflare, etc.)

Your Internet Service Provider, or ISP, gives you a dns server to use, but this one may not always be the fastest or the best. If you change your dns server to a public dns server, like those from Google or Cloudflare, you may fix the dns_probe_finished_nxdomain error. This can also help make your internet faster. So, switching your dns server does help. It is a great way to solve this problem.

You can set up your dns server addresses by going into your computer’s network settings. If you use Windows, you will find this in Network and Sharing Center. Look for your adapter and then go into its properties. If you use macOS, open System Preferences, then go to Network. Click Advanced, then choose DNS. You must type in both the primary and alternate dns server addresses.

Here you can find the addresses for some well-known public DNS servers.

DNS Provider	Preferred/Primary DNS Server	Alternate DNS Server
Google	8.8.8.8	8.8.4.4
Cloudflare	1.1.1.1	1.0.0.1
OpenDNS	208.67.222.222	208.67.220.220

After you change the servers, close your browser and open it again. This will help you see if the problem is fixed.

Restart the DNS Client Service

If you use Windows, you can try to restart the DNS Client service. The DNS Client service helps your computer find and save names of websites. If this service does not work right, your browser cannot open any website.

You can do this in the Windows Services Manager. Press the Windows key and the letter R together. Next, type services.msc and then press enter. Look down the list until you see “DNS Client.” Click on it with your right mouse button and pick “Restart.” This helps the service start working again.

You can also use the command prompt for this. Open it as an administrator. Then, type net stop dnscache and press enter. Next, type net start dnscache and press enter. If it says that the requested pause is not valid, you will need to try a different way. But restarting this service is one good way to fix DNS problems on Windows.

Review and Edit the Local Hosts File

Your computer has something called a “hosts” file. This file is used to control how it finds the address for websites. It can set certain website names to certain IP addresses. The hosts file can change how your regular dns settings work. Sometimes, someone like you or software can add entries to this file. Malware can do this too. When there are entries like these, your computer might not be able to go to some websites. This can cause the dns_probe_finished_nxdomain error.

To check the hosts file, you need to open it using a text editor like Notepad. But first, make sure you run it as an administrator. If you are on Windows, you will find the file at C:\Windows\System32\drivers\etc\hosts. If you use macOS, the file is at /private/etc/hosts.

Open the file. Look for lines with the domain name of the website you can’t get to. If you see any of those lines, delete them. Save the file. Try to visit the site again. Browser extensions do not change this file, but they might still mess with network requests in other ways.

Reset Chrome Flags or Browser Settings

Google Chrome has a page for experimental features called Chrome Flags. You can use it to try out new stuff in your browser. But, turning on some Chrome Flags might mess up how Google Chrome works. This could lead to DNS errors. If you have recently turned on these experimental features, you can reset them to fix the problem quickly.

To start, type chrome://flags in the address bar of Chrome and then press Enter. At the top of the page, there is a button that says “Reset all.” Click this button to set every flag back to the default settings. When you are done, close the browser and open it again. Look to see if the error is fixed.

This step is easy and it just changes your browser’s settings. You should also clear your browser cache and browsing data because old or broken files there may cause the same trouble. This is another fast way to try to fix the dns_probe_finished_nxdomain error.

Disable VPN, Antivirus, or Firewall Temporarily

Your VPN, antivirus software, or firewall help keep you safe. But they may be too strong at times. These tools can mess up your network settings. Sometimes, they block websites that are real and trusted. When this happens, you may see a DNS error.

To check if this is causing the problem, you can turn off these programs for a short time, one at a time. First, disconnect your VPN. Next, pause your antivirus software. You can also turn off your firewall. After you disable each program, try to reach the website again. If the page shows up, you know which one is causing trouble.

You might see dns_probe_finished_nxdomain when you try to visit some sites. This can happen if your security software has blacklisted the site’s IP address by mistake. It could also be blocking the DNS requests it needs to find the site. If you find out that the problem is with one of these programs, you should add an exception for the website in the settings.

Reboot Your Internet Connection and Devices

It may seem too easy, but one of the best things you can do when you have a problem with your network connection is to restart your devices. A reboot can help clear out the short-term memory, and it often fixes many network connection problems. Do this for both your computer and your network equipment.

Start by turning your computer off and back on. If it still does not work, the next thing you can do is restart your router and modem. To do this, unplug both the router and modem from the power source. Wait for about 30 seconds. Plug the modem back in first. Give it about one minute to power on. Then, plug your router in again. Wait two more minutes before you try again.

This “power cycle” helps your hardware start a new internet connection with your internet service provider. It’s a common and easy fix for many tech problems, like the dns_probe_finished_nxdomain error. If other solutions do not work, this is always good to try.

Temporarily Turn Off Content Delivery Networks (CDNs)

If you own the website, and you see people tell you about this error, it can be because of your Content Delivery Network (CDN). A CDN such as Cloudflare helps make your site faster by keeping copies of the site content on many servers over the world. If your CDN’s DNS settings are not set up the right way, you might get this error.

To see if your CDN is causing the issue, you can turn it off for a while. If you use Cloudflare, you need to log in to your dashboard. There, look for the “Pause Cloudflare on Site” option. This will send all the visitors to your main server. The CDN will not be used during this time.

Is dns_probe_finished_nxdomain tied to Cloudflare settings? Yes, it can be. If you stop the CDN and the website is back up, it shows the issue is in your CDN’s dns settings. You should check your dns settings and make sure they go to your server the right way.

Troubleshooting DNS_PROBE_FINISHED_NXDOMAIN on Different Devices

The dns_probe_finished_nxdomain error can show up on several operating systems. You may see it on Windows, macOS, and most mobile devices, like Android or iOS. A lot of fixes for this error are nearly the same. However, each device needs its own set of network settings changes to solve it.

If you want to adjust your windows system configuration or use your Android settings, you have to know the steps for your device. The next parts will help you fix this error on each platform.

Windows 11 and Other Windows Versions

Handling DNS problems on Windows, including Windows 11, does not have to be hard. There is a way to fix the dns_probe_finished_nxdomain error if you follow some steps. First, check your DNS settings in the Control Panel or the Settings app. If you see anything wrong, try to fix it. Next, you can flush the dns cache. To do this, open Command Prompt. Type “ipconfig /flushdns” and then press enter. Make sure your network connection is working well. If you want, change your dns server addresses and use public dns servers, such as Google’s. Doing this can help you get a better browsing experience.

macOS and Safari Specific Steps

For macOS, you fix things in other menus, but most steps stay the same. If you use Safari and see an error message, it will read “Safari Can’t Find the Server.” The main ways to fix this, like clearing the dns cache and getting a new IP, work well.

To change your DNS servers on a Mac, first open System Preferences. Click on “Network” to see your network connection. Next, pick the network connection you use. Click on the “Advanced” button. After that, go to the DNS tab.

Here, you can see a “+” button. Click that to add new DNS servers, such as Google’s or Cloudflare’s. If you need to renew your IP, go back to the “TCP/IP” tab. In this tab, just click “Renew DHCP Lease.”

These steps work for macOS, similar to how fixes work on Windows. Go into System Preferences. You will find your network connection settings there. Change them to fix a wrong DNS configuration. After this, Safari should be able to go online again.

Mobile Devices: Android and iOS Considerations

This error does not only happen on computers. You can also see it on android devices and iPhones. A quick way to fix it on any mobile device is to restart it. You can also try to switch from Wi-Fi to cellular data. This can help you know if the problem is with your home network.

If you want to get more technical, you can change your DNS settings. Most Android devices let you do this in Wi-Fi settings. To start, press and hold the name of your network. Then pick the option to change it. In the advanced IP settings, make sure to change from DHCP to Static. After that, you can add new DNS addresses yourself.

On your iOS phone, open Settings and go to Wi-Fi. Find your network and tap the “i” button next to it. Pick “Configure DNS.” Set it to “Manual.” Then, type in the new dns server addresses. This fix is easy and is one of the best ways to solve this problem with the dns server on your phone.

Conclusion

To sum up, seeing the DNS_PROBE_FINISHED_NXDOMAIN error can be annoying. Knowing why it happens and how to fix it can help you get your browsing experience back on track. Try the nine easy solutions shared in this blog—they work on many devices and help you to solve this issue fast. Keep in mind that it does not matter if it is the DNS not set right or just a small network problem. There are good steps you can use to fix it. If you are still having trouble or need more help, feel free to ask someone for support. You can get online again with just a few simple steps.

Frequently Asked Questions