Windows 11: Flush DNS Cache  Fast! 🚀 4 Easy Ways (2026 Updated)

By /

Home › Windows 11 › Flush DNS Cache
🛠️ Tested & Verified · 2026

How to Flush DNS Cache
in Windows 11 — 4 Easy Methods

Websites not loading? Slow browsing? Flush your DNS cache in under 2 minutes — no tech skills needed.

📅 March 6, 2026 ⏱ 5 min read 💻 All Windows 11 Versions ✅ Tested on Real Devices
Your internet is connected but websites are loading slowly — or some sites simply won’t open. One of the fastest fixes is to flush the DNS cache in Windows 11. It takes less than 2 minutes, it’s completely safe, and it clears all outdated or corrupted DNS records that are slowing down your browsing.

This guide covers 4 easy methods — pick whichever feels easiest for you.

📋 Table of Contents

  1. What Is DNS Cache & Why Flush It?
  2. Method 1 — Command Prompt (Fastest)
  3. Method 2 — PowerShell
  4. Method 3 — Run Dialog (Shortcut)
  5. Method 4 — Flush DNS in Chrome Browser
  6. Frequently Asked Questions

🔍 What Is DNS Cache & Why Should You Flush It?

DNS (Domain Name System) is like a phonebook for the internet — it converts website names like google.com into IP addresses. Windows stores these records locally in a DNS cache to speed up browsing. But over time, these records can become outdated or corrupted.

🐌
Slow browsing — Old DNS records cause delays loading websites
❌
Website not loading — Corrupted cache points to wrong IP address
🔒
DNS errors — ERR_NAME_NOT_RESOLVED, DNS_PROBE_FINISHED errors
🔄
After site migration — Website moved to new server, old IP still cached
🛡️
Privacy — DNS cache stores your browsing history locally
⚡
After Windows update — Update may corrupt DNS settings
1

Flush DNS via Command Prompt — Fastest Method

⏱ 1 min  |  🟢 Easy  |  Works 100% of the time

This is the most reliable and fastest method to flush DNS cache in Windows 11. Just 1 command and you’re done.

  1. Press Windows + S → type cmd
  2. Right-click Command Prompt → click Run as administrator
  3. Type the command below and press Enter:
// Command Prompt (Admin) ipconfig /flushdns
  1. You will see this success message:
Successfully flushed the DNS Resolver Cache.
✅Done! DNS cache is now cleared. Open your browser and test the website.
📌You can also run additional network reset commands for a deeper fix:
// Optional — run all for complete network refresh ipconfig /flushdns
ipconfig /registerdns
ipconfig /release
ipconfig /renew
netsh winsock reset

Restart your PC after running all commands for best results.

Related Fix:
If flushing DNS didn’t fix your issue and your internet keeps dropping, read this guide:
Windows 11 Internet Keeps Disconnecting – Complete Fix Guide
2

Flush DNS via PowerShell

⏱ 1 min  |  🟢 Easy

PowerShell is the modern alternative to Command Prompt in Windows 11. It uses a different command but does the exact same job.

  1. Press Windows + S → type PowerShell
  2. Right-click → Run as administrator
  3. Type the command and press Enter:
// PowerShell (Admin) Clear-DnsClientCache
  1. No output message = success (PowerShell is silent on success)
  2. To verify it worked, type:
Get-DnsClientCache
✅If the output is empty — DNS cache has been successfully cleared.
3

Flush DNS via Run Dialog — Quickest Shortcut

⏱ 30 sec  |  🟢 Easy  |  No typing needed

This is the quickest shortcut — directly runs the DNS flush command without opening any window manually.

  1. Press Windows + R to open the Run dialog
  2. Type the following exactly:
cmd /c ipconfig /flushdns
  1. Press Enter
  2. A black window will flash briefly — that means it ran successfully
📌The window disappears quickly — that is normal. It means the command executed successfully in the background.

If your internet shows connected but websites still won’t load after flushing DNS, check this complete troubleshooting guide: Windows 11 No Internet, Secured – Easy Fix Guide.

4

Flush DNS Cache in Chrome Browser

⏱ 1 min  |  🟢 Easy  |  For browser-specific DNS issues

Chrome has its own separate DNS cache apart from Windows. If a specific website only fails in Chrome, flush Chrome’s DNS cache separately.

  1. Open Google Chrome
  2. In the address bar, type exactly:
chrome://net-internals/#dns
  1. Press Enter
  2. Click the “Clear host cache” button
  3. Also go to: chrome://net-internals/#sockets → click Flush socket pools
  4. Restart Chrome and test
✅This fixes ERR_NAME_NOT_RESOLVED and ERR_CONNECTION_REFUSED errors that only happen in Chrome.
📌Using Edge or Firefox? Edge: edge://net-internals/#dns | Firefox: Press Ctrl+Shift+Delete → select Cache → Clear Now.
Method Tool Used Difficulty Time Best For
1 — ipconfig /flushdnsCommand PromptEasy1 minEveryone — most reliable
2 — Clear-DnsClientCachePowerShellEasy1 minAdvanced users
3 — Run Dialog shortcutWin + REasy30 secQuickest method
4 — Chrome DNS flushChrome browserEasy1 minBrowser-specific errors

⚡ After Flushing DNS — Still Not Working?

  • Change your DNS server: Go to Settings → Network & Internet → your connection → DNS server assignment → Manual → set Primary DNS to 8.8.8.8 (Google) or 1.1.1.1 (Cloudflare)
  • Restart your router: Unplug for 30 seconds → plug back in. Router also has a DNS cache.
  • Run full network reset: Settings → Network & Internet → Advanced network settings → Network reset
  • Check Windows Hosts file: C:\Windows\System32\drivers\etc\hosts — make sure no entries are blocking the website
  • Disable VPN temporarily: VPN can redirect DNS requests and cause website loading failures

❓ Frequently Asked Questions

What does flushing DNS cache do in Windows 11?
Flushing DNS cache deletes all stored IP address records. This forces Windows to fetch fresh DNS records from the DNS server, which fixes website loading errors, slow browsing, and DNS-related connection issues.
Is it safe to flush DNS cache in Windows 11?
Yes, completely safe. Flushing DNS cache only removes temporary stored records. It does not delete any personal files, passwords, or affect your system settings in any way.
How often should I flush DNS cache?
There is no fixed schedule. Flush DNS cache when you experience slow browsing, websites not loading, or DNS error messages. Once the issue is resolved, you do not need to do it regularly.
Why is my internet slow after flushing DNS?
After flushing, Windows fetches fresh DNS records for every website you visit — this causes a very slight slowdown initially. It returns to normal within a few minutes as new records are cached automatically.
ipconfig /flushdns says “Access Denied” — what to do?
This means Command Prompt is not running as administrator. Close it and reopen: search “cmd” → right-click → Run as administrator → then run the command again.
Does flushing DNS fix “DNS server not responding” error?
It can help, but “DNS server not responding” usually means your DNS server itself is unreachable. Try flushing DNS first, then change your DNS server to Google (8.8.8.8) or Cloudflare (1.1.1.1) for a more permanent fix.

For a complete solution to all Windows 11 internet and network problems, read this detailed guide: Windows 11 Internet Problems – Complete Fix Guide.

✅ Bottom Line

Flushing DNS cache in Windows 11 is one of the fastest and safest fixes for slow browsing, website errors, and DNS issues. Use Method 1 (ipconfig /flushdns) — it works in under 60 seconds and solves the problem for most users. If the issue persists, change your DNS server to 8.8.8.8 or 1.1.1.1 for a permanent fix.

About the Author:
Bharat Choudhary is a tech troubleshooting researcher who specializes in Windows and networking issues. This guide is based on real device testing and Microsoft documentation.

Related Windows 11 Internet Fixes

Tags

flush dns cache windows 11 ipconfig flushdns clear dns cache windows 11 dns cache fix 2026 windows 11 dns slow PowerShell flush dns Chrome dns flush dns server not responding fix

2 thoughts on “Windows 11: Flush DNS Cache  Fast! 🚀 4 Easy Ways (2026 Updated)”

  1. Pingback: - FixTechUSA

  2. Pingback: DNS Server Not Responding Windows 11 – 10 Fixes That Work (2026)

Leave a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Scroll to Top