How to Fix the “DNS Server Not Responding” Error on Windows and Mac

Fri-Feb-2023
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The “DNS Server Not Responding” error can be frustrating and can prevent you from accessing the internet. Fortunately, there are several solutions you can try to fix this error on both Windows and Mac systems.

Solution 1: Restart Your Router

The first solution is to restart your router. Turn off the router by unplugging it from the power source and wait for a few seconds before plugging it back in. After the router has restarted, try to connect to the internet again to see if the problem has been resolved.

Solution 2: Change DNS Settings

The second solution is to change your DNS settings. Here are the steps to change your DNS settings on Windows:

  1. Go to Control Panel and select Network and Sharing Center.
  2. Click on the network connection you are using and select Properties.
  3. Click on Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4) and select Properties.
  4. Select “Use the following DNS server addresses” and enter the following addresses: 8.8.8.8 and 8.8.4.4 (these are Google’s public DNS servers).
  5. Click OK to save the changes.

On a Mac, here are the steps to change your DNS settings:

  1. Go to System Preferences and select Network.
  2. Click on the network connection you are using and select Advanced.
  3. Click on the DNS tab.
  4. Click on the “+” button to add a new DNS server and enter the following addresses: 8.8.8.8 and 8.8.4.4.
  5. Click OK to save the changes.

Solution 3: Disable Firewall or Antivirus Software

The third solution is to temporarily disable your firewall or antivirus software to see if it is blocking your internet connection. If you are able to access the internet after disabling the software, you can try adding an exception for your internet connection.

Solution 4: Reset TCP/IP

The fourth solution is to reset your TCP/IP settings. Here are the steps to reset TCP/IP on Windows:

  1. Open the Command Prompt as an administrator.
  2. Type the following command and press Enter: netsh int ip reset
  3. Restart your computer and try to connect to the internet again.

On a Mac, you can reset TCP/IP by following these steps:

  1. Open the Terminal.
  2. Type the following command and press Enter: sudo ifconfig en0 down && sudo ifconfig en0 up
  3. Restart your computer and try to connect to the internet again.

In conclusion, the “DNS Server Not Responding” error can be frustrating, but there are several solutions you can try to fix the problem. By restarting your router, changing your DNS settings, disabling your firewall or antivirus software, or resetting your TCP/IP settings, you can resolve the error and regain access to the internet.