How to Change the DNS Server in Windows 11
Point Windows 11 at a specific DNS resolver when names fail or you need a known server, and know when flushing the cache is enough instead.
DNS
Sites that will not load by name, DNS errors, and when clearing the DNS cache helps.
Start with the closest symptom
These guides are grouped here because the first checks overlap. Open the guide that best matches what you see now, then use its verification section before moving to a broader fix.
How to Fix DNS Server Not Responding
When Windows or a browser reports that the DNS server is not responding, sort out whether the cache, the router, or the DNS servers themselves are at fault, without random "fixer" apps.
How to Flush DNS Cache in Windows
What the Windows DNS cache is, when clearing it can help websites load, how to run ipconfig /flushdns, and when flushing will not fix a dead connection.
Related tools
- Internet Connection Troubleshooter, Answer practical questions about Wi-Fi, Ethernet, and websites. Get a likely cause and the matching Practical PC guides.
- DNS Lookup, Look up public A, AAAA, CNAME, MX, NS, and TXT records for a domain and read what each record type means.
- IP Address Checker, See the public IP address this site receives from your connection, with a plain-language explanation of IPv4, IPv6, and privacy.
- Download Time Calculator, Estimate how long a file may take to download from its size and your internet speed. Real times are often longer.