How To Clear DNS Cache on Windows 11: A Beginner’s Step-by-Step Guide

Flushing the DNS cache on Windows 11 isn’t exactly rocket science, but it’s one of those tasks that can accidentally be overlooked. If your internet’s acting weird, websites are loading slowly, or you keep hitting those “cannot find server” errors even though your Wi-Fi looks fine, it might be time to clear out the old DNS records. These cached entries can sometimes get corrupted or outdated, and forcing your system to fetch fresh DNS info often fixes the problem. Plus, it’s a pretty quick fix that doesn’t involve reinstalling anything or messing with complicated settings. Basically, with a few commands, you can give your network a refresh and hopefully get things moving smoothly again.

How to Flush DNS in Windows 11

Method 1: Using Command Prompt (the usual way)

This is the most straightforward approach and helps because Windows stores DNS info to speed up browsing, but sometimes, it hits a snag. Flushing it forces the PC to grab new DNS data, which can fix issues like website errors, slow load times, or persistent DNS-related glitches. When it works, you’ll see a simple message confirming success, and you’re good to go. On some setups, this command might need to be run more than once, or a reboot might be necessary to fully clear everything out.

Click the Start button or press Windows key.
Type cmd into the search bar.
Right-click on Command Prompt from the search results and choose Run as administrator. This step is super important because ordinary user permissions won’t let you flush the DNS cache.
In the black Command Prompt window, type ipconfig /flushdns and hit Enter.
Keep an eye out for the message: “Successfully flushed the DNS Resolver Cache.” On some machines, this might look like it takes a second or two, and sometimes it doesn’t appear immediately. If it’s not working, running the command again or restarting can help.

After that, your DNS cache is cleared out, and your system will re-fetch DNS info for websites. That alone can fix stubborn loading issues or DNS hangups.

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

If you’re not keen on using command-line tools or want to do it a different way, some network settings can help. You can go into Settings > Network & Internet > Advanced network settings > Network reset. But remember, this is more of a last-resort step because it resets all network adapters and can temporarily disconnect you from the internet. Usually, the Command Prompt route is enough and safer for a quick DNS flush.

Tips for Flushing DNS in Windows 11

Always run Command Prompt as an admin. Windows gets fancy about permissions when it comes to flushing DNS.
If websites still aren’t loading right after flushing, try restarting your PC. Sometimes, that final step helps ensure everything resets properly.
Make sure you’ve typed the command correctly: ipconfig /flushdns. Extra spaces or typos will cause it to fail, and that’s annoying.
Consider doing this periodically if you swap networks or VPNs often — it keeps DNS info fresh.
On some setups, clearing DNS may not fix every problem, but it’s quick enough to try before digging deeper.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why should I flush the DNS cache?

Because sometimes, the DNS cache gets outdated or corrupted, leading to website loading errors, slowdowns, or connection hiccups. Flushing it clears the junk and forces your system to get fresh info.

Is it safe to flush DNS regularly?

Absolutely. It’s a safe process that simply clears old DNS records. No passwords, browsing history, or personal data are affected. Just remember to restart your network connection if needed.

Will flushing DNS speed up my internet?

It can help, especially if your DNS cache has stale data. Outdated DNS entries can slow down website resolution, so building fresh ones might boost overall browsing speed.

Do I need to restart my PC after flushing DNS?

Not necessarily. Flushing the cache itself doesn’t require a restart. But sometimes, after clearing DNS, restarting your network adapter or the PC can help make sure it’s all applied properly.

Summary

Open the Start menu.
Search for cmd.
Right-click and choose Run as administrator.
Type ipconfig /flushdns and press Enter.
Watch for the success message and restart your browser or PC if needed.

Wrap-up

This whole process isn’t a huge fuss, but it feels satisfying to clear out the old DNS clutter. If your internet stuff is feeling sluggish or you’re getting weird errors despite everything else seeming normal, give flushing the DNS a shot. It’s lightweight, quick, and, in most cases, makes a difference. Just remember, if it doesn’t fix things, there are other network tricks to try, but this should be step one, especially if DNS problems seem to be the culprit. Fingers crossed this helps someone knock out those pesky connection errors without much hassle.