How to Flush DNS on Windows 11: A Simple Guide for Aussies

Flushing the DNS cache on Windows 11 isn’t exactly hard yakka, but it’s one of those things that can slip your mind. If your internet’s playing up, websites are taking forever to load, or you’re getting those annoying “can’t find server” errors even though your Wi-Fi looks alright, it might be time to clear out the old DNS records. Sometimes, these cached entries get dodgy or out of date, and forcing your PC to fetch fresh DNS info usually sorts it out. Plus, it’s a quick fix that doesn’t involve reinstalling anything or messing with tricky settings. With a few commands, you can give your network a quick refresh and hopefully get things chugging along nicely again.

How to Flush DNS in Windows 11

Method 1: Using Command Prompt (the classic way)

This is the easiest way and works because Windows saves DNS info to speed up browsing, but every now and then, it can get a bit funky. Flushing it forces your PC to grab new DNS data, which can fix issues like pages not loading, slow browsing, or DNS glitches. When it works, you’ll see a message saying everything’s done. Sometimes, you might need to run the command more than once or give your PC a quick restart to fully clear things out.

Click the Start button or press Windows key.
Type cmd into the search bar.
Right-click on Command Prompt from the list and choose Run as administrator. This step is key – ordinary permissions won’t do the job.
In the black window that pops up, type ipconfig /flushdns and hit Enter.
You should see a message saying “Successfully flushed the DNS Resolver Cache.” If not, try again or restart your PC if needed.

Once you’ve done that, your DNS cache is wiped, and your PC will fetch fresh DNS info for websites. It can help fix stubborn loading issues or DNS-related hiccups.

Method 2: Using Windows Settings (a bit more behind the scenes)

If you’re not keen on using the command line or want to do it differently, you can go into Settings > Network & Internet > Advanced network settings > Network reset. Just a heads up — this will reset all your network adapters and might disconnect you from the internet temporarily. Usually, the Command Prompt route is quicker and safer for a quick DNS flush.

Tips for Flushing DNS in Windows 11

Always run Command Prompt as an admin — Windows likes to keep its permissions in check.
If websites still aren’t loading after flushing, try rebooting your PC. That final step can often do the trick.
Make sure you’ve typed ipconfig /flushdns exactly — extra spaces or typos can stuff it up.
Do this every now and then, especially if you switch networks or VPNs a lot — it keeps things tidy.
Clearing DNS might not fix every issue, but it’s quick to give it a shot before digging deeper.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why should I flush the DNS cache?

Sometimes, the DNS cache gets a bit out of whack or corrupted, which can cause website errors, slow loading, or connection issues. Flushing it clears out the rubbish and forces your system to grab fresh info.

Is it safe to flush DNS regularly?

Too right. It’s a safe process that just clears out old DNS records. Nothing personal — no passwords or browsing history are affected. Just remember to reconnect to your network afterwards if needed.

Will flushing DNS speed up my internet?

It can help, especially if your DNS cache is full of outdated info. Clean DNS entries tend to speed up how quickly websites resolve.

Do I need to restart my PC after flushing DNS?

Not strictly, but sometimes a quick restart of your PC or network adapter helps everything kick in properly.

Summary

Hit the Start menu.
Search for cmd.
Right-click and pick Run as administrator.
Type ipconfig /flushdns and hit Enter.
Look out for the success message and restart your browser or PC if needed.

Wrap-up

It’s a pretty straightforward process, and there’s a certain satisfaction in clearing out the old DNS clutter. If your internet feels sluggish or you’re getting weird errors even though everything looks fine, give flushing the DNS a go. It’s quick, easy, and in most cases, does the trick. If it doesn’t solve your issue, there are other network tricks to try, but this is often the first port of call. Fingers crossed, it clears up those pesky connection gremlins for you!