Seeing the “DNS server not responding” error in Windows 11 usually means your computer cannot get a response from the server that translates website names into IP addresses. As a result, websites may stop loading even when your Wi-Fi appears to be connected.

The problem could be caused by your router, a temporary network issue, incorrect DNS settings, or a problem with the DNS server itself. Before reinstalling network drivers or resetting Windows, try the following fixes in order. Most are straightforward and take only a few minutes.

1. Check Whether Your Internet Connection Is Working

First, determine whether the issue affects your entire internet connection or only DNS lookups.

• Open a few different websites to check whether the problem affects every site.
• Connect another phone or computer to the same Wi-Fi network and try browsing.
• Restart your Wi-Fi router and wait for it to reconnect completely.
• If possible, test your computer using another Wi-Fi network or a mobile hotspot.

If every device on your Wi-Fi has the same problem, the router or internet service provider may be responsible. Contact your provider if restarting the router does not help. If only your Windows 11 computer is affected, continue with the steps below.

2. Run the Windows Network Troubleshooter

Windows includes troubleshooting tools that can identify common network configuration problems.

1. Press Windows + I to open Settings.
2. Go to System > Troubleshoot > Other troubleshooters.
3. Run the available network or internet troubleshooter, if listed.
4. Follow the recommended actions and test your connection again.

The available options may vary by Windows 11 version. You can also follow Microsoft’s guide to fixing Wi-Fi connection problems for additional checks.

3. Clear the DNS Cache

Windows keeps a local DNS cache to avoid looking up the same website addresses repeatedly. Occasionally, a cached entry can cause problems when resolving a domain name.

Clearing this cache forces Windows to request fresh DNS information when needed.

1. Open the Start menu and search for Command Prompt.
2. Right-click it and select Run as administrator.
3. Enter the following command and press Enter:

ipconfig /flushdns

Windows should confirm that the DNS resolver cache was flushed successfully. Close Command Prompt, reopen your browser, and try visiting the website again.

This command only clears the local DNS cache. It does not change your DNS server settings or delete your saved Wi-Fi networks. Microsoft’s ipconfig documentation explains this command and other network configuration options.

4. Renew Your Computer’s IP Address

If clearing the DNS cache did not help, your computer may have an outdated or incorrect IP configuration. On a typical home network that uses DHCP, renewing the IP address can help.

Open Command Prompt as an administrator and run these commands one at a time:

ipconfig /release

ipconfig /renew

The first command releases the current DHCP-assigned IP configuration, while the second requests a new one. Your connection may briefly disconnect while this happens.

Important: Do not use these commands blindly on a computer with a manually configured static IP address or a managed work network. If you are unsure how your connection is configured, skip this step or ask your network administrator.

5. Change Your DNS Server

If your current DNS server is unavailable or having problems, switching to a trusted public DNS resolver can help. Google Public DNS is one option, with IPv4 addresses of 8.8.8.8 and 8.8.4.4.

To change your DNS server in Windows 11:

1. Open Settings > Network & internet.
2. Select Wi-Fi and open your connected network’s properties. For a wired connection, select Ethernet.
3. Find DNS server assignment and select Edit.
4. Choose Manual and turn on IPv4.
5. Enter 8.8.8.8 as the preferred DNS server and 8.8.4.4 as the alternate DNS server.
6. Save the settings and test your internet connection.

These addresses are examples, not a guarantee that Google DNS will be faster or better for every connection. Changing DNS also changes which provider handles your DNS queries. If the new settings do not help, return to the same screen and restore Automatic (DHCP), or use the DNS configuration recommended by your network administrator.

For more details, see Google’s official guide to using Public DNS.

6. Check Your VPN and Network Adapter

A VPN, proxy, or network security application can sometimes interfere with DNS resolution. If you use one, temporarily disconnect the VPN and test a website. If the problem disappears, check the VPN application’s DNS settings or contact its support team.

You can also restart your network adapter:

1. Open Settings > Network & internet > Advanced network settings.
2. Find your active Wi-Fi or Ethernet adapter.
3. Disable it, wait a few seconds, and enable it again.

If the error continues, check Windows Update or your computer manufacturer’s support page for an appropriate network driver update. Avoid downloading drivers from unknown websites, and do not leave your firewall or antivirus disabled as a workaround.

7. Use Network Reset Only as a Last Resort

If none of the earlier fixes works, Windows 11 offers a network reset option. It removes and reinstalls network adapters and returns network settings to their defaults.

Open Settings > Network & internet > Advanced network settings > Network reset, then follow the instructions.

Use this option only after trying the simpler fixes. You may need to reconnect to Wi-Fi, reconfigure a VPN, or reinstall network-related software afterward. If this is a work computer, check with your IT team first.

How to Check Whether the DNS Problem Is Fixed

After making a change, open Command Prompt and run:

nslookup example.com

This command asks the configured DNS resolver to look up a domain name. If it returns an IP address, the lookup succeeded at that moment. If it times out or returns an error, DNS resolution may still be failing. You can then test another network or compare the results using a different DNS resolver.

Also open a few websites in your browser. If only one website fails while other sites load normally, the issue may be specific to that website rather than your computer’s DNS configuration.

Final Thoughts

The “DNS server not responding” error in Windows 11 does not always require a complicated repair. Start by checking your router and other devices, then clear the DNS cache, renew your IP address if appropriate, and test a different DNS server if necessary.

Save network reset for the end because it can remove existing configuration. By changing one thing at a time and testing after each step, you can usually narrow down the cause without making unnecessary changes to your computer.