How to Clear DNS Cache in Chrome

Understanding DNS Cache and Why You Might Need to Clear It

The DNS cache in Chrome stores information about previous visits to websites, which helps speed up the loading of web pages. However, sometimes this cache can become outdated or corrupted, leading to issues like website loading errors or incorrect page displays. Clearing the DNS cache in Chrome can help resolve these issues. This guide will walk you through the process of clearing the DNS cache on different platforms, as well as provide additional troubleshooting steps.

Quick Fixes to Try First

• Restart your Chrome browser to see if the issue resolves itself.
• Disable any VPN or proxy settings temporarily to check if they are causing DNS issues.
• Ensure your internet connection is stable and running correctly.

How to Clear DNS Cache in Chrome

Using chrome://net-internals/#dns

The most direct method to clear the DNS cache in Chrome is through the net-internals tool.

1. Open Chrome and type chrome://net-internals/#dns in the address bar, then press Enter.
2. You will see the DNS section. Click on the Clear host cache button to flush the DNS cache.
3. To ensure comprehensive clearing, go to chrome://net-internals/#sockets and click on Flush socket pools.

When to Clear the DNS Cache

Clearing the DNS cache can be particularly useful when:

• Websites are not loading correctly or are displaying outdated content.
• You have changed DNS settings or servers.
• You are experiencing frequent disconnections or other DNS-related errors.

Flushing System DNS Cache

Depending on your operating system, you might need to clear your system’s DNS cache as well.

Windows

1. Press Win + R to open the Run dialog.
2. Type cmd and press Ctrl + Shift + Enter to open the Command Prompt as an administrator.
3. In the Command Prompt, type ipconfig /flushdns and press Enter.

macOS

1. Open the Terminal application. You can find it in Applications > Utilities.
2. Type the following command depending on your macOS version and press Enter:
• For macOS Sierra and later: sudo killall -HUP mDNSResponder
• For OS X Yosemite: sudo discoveryutil udnsflushcaches
3. Enter your admin password if prompted.

Linux

Flushing the DNS cache on Linux can vary depending on the distribution and DNS service. Here’s a common method for systems using systemd-resolved:

1. Open a Terminal window.
2. Type sudo systemd-resolve –flush-caches and press Enter.

Additional DNS Troubleshooting Steps

• Check your DNS settings in Settings > Network & Internet > Change adapter options (on Windows) or System Preferences > Network (on macOS) to ensure they are set correctly.
• Try switching to a public DNS service like Google DNS (8.8.8.8 and 8.8.4.4) or Cloudflare DNS (1.1.1.1).
• Clear browser cache and cookies: Go to Settings > Privacy and Security > Clear browsing data.

Conclusion

Clearing the DNS cache in Chrome and your operating system can resolve many common browsing issues. If problems persist after following these steps, consider consulting the official Google Chrome Help resources or checking your network settings for further clues. Regular maintenance of your browser and system caches can help keep your browsing experience smooth and error-free.