Geek's Advice

Try these solutions to fix DNS_PROBE_FINISHED_NXDOMAIN on Windows operating system. Test one solution at a time and if it doesn’t work, proceed to the next one. Or you can repair Windows problems automatically by using RESTORO, a comprehensive repair tool that can refresh Windows OS files and remove existing security threats.

Method 1. Flush the DNS and configure DNS server adresses

1. The first thing you want to do is to open Run prompt. To do it, you should click on the Windows Start menu, search for Command Prompt, and then right-click the matching result.
2. Here, choose Run as Administrator option. Click Yes to confirm your choice.
3. Now, type in the given command: ipconfig/flushdns and click Enter.
4. Open Run prompt by pressing down Windows and R keys at the same time again.
5. Type into the Run prompt: ncpa.cpl and hit OK. This command launches Network Connections panel. Here, find the network adapter that is active right now and right-click on it. Choose the Properties option.
6. In the Networking panel, find Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4), click on it and click the Properties button.
7. Now, check the Use the following DNS server addresses option and then enter the following numbers:
   Preferred DNS server: 8.8.8.8
   Alternate DNS server: 8.8.4.4.
8. Click OK and close the remaining windows.

Video tutorial explaining how to fix this error on Windows 10/8/7 is provided below.

Method 2. Restart DNS services

There are two methods to restart DNS services on Windows to fix DNS PROBE FINISHED error. You can do it via Services panel, or via Command Prompt.

1. Open Run prompt by pressing Windows key + R and type services.msc , press Enter.
   
2. Now, find DNS Client, right-click on it and choose Restart.
   If it is greyed out, just like in our case, use Command Prompt method, which is described further.
   (Alternative method): Use Windows search to find cmd and right-click on it to choose Run as Administrator. In UAC window, click Yes. Now, type two commands into the Command Prompt, pressing Enter after each one:
   1. net stop dnscache
   2. net start dnscache

Note. The described method may not work depending on the version of Windows you are using. If so, we suggest trying other methods.

Method 3. Double-check the URL

Now, this may sound ridiculous, but in many cases wrong URL is the cause of DNS_PROBE_FINISHED_NXDOMAIN. For example, if you enter a wrong number of www’s before the domain name, you might run into the issue, no matter if it is a WordPress website or not.

For example, if you have entered ww.bbc.com instead of www.bbc.com, you will run into DNS_PROBE_FINISHED_NXDOMAIN error.

Method 4. Check HOSTS file for restricted domains list

In case methods provided above didn’t help to fix DNS PROBE FINISHED NXDOMAIN error, we suggest searching for problem in Windows HOSTS file. If you have done some configurations to HOSTS file on Windows, it might be a good idea to reset it. Please follow these detailed instructions on how to edit Windows HOSTS file or follow a separate in-depth guide on how to reset HOSTS file back to default.

1. Use Windows search to find Notepad application. Right-click the result and choose Run as Administrator.
   
2. In User Account Control Window, click Yes.
   
3. In Notepad, click File > Open.
4. Navigate to C:\Windows\System32\drivers\etc. If you see an empty folder, choose All files option in the bottom right corner, as show in the picture below. Then select hosts file and click Open.
   
5. Here, you should see a list of various domains. Select and delete rows with website names you want to access, but can’t. Then press File > Save, or simply press down Ctrl+S at the same time.
   
6. Check if the error is resolved.

Fix DNS_PROBE_FINISHED_NXDOMAIN error on Mac

The described problem doesn’t only bother Windows users. Mac users encounter this error too, especially those who like to use Google Chrome instead of Safari. The following guide presents several methods how to solve DNS PROBE FINISHED NXDOMAIN on Mac.

Method 1. Change DNS server address on Mac

1. Open System Preferences, then go to Network panel. Here, click on the small lock icon on the left bottom corner. Enter Administrator’s username and password and click Unlock.
2. Click Advanced… and then go to DNS tab. Then click on the + button next to – and then you will see highlighted zeros below DNS Servers box. Click the highlighted set of digits and delete them. Type in 8.8.8.8, hit + again and then type 8.8.4.4, then click OK.
   

Geek’s Advice has also prepared a video on how to fix DNS_PROBE_FINISHED_NXDOMAIN on Mac by changing the server address. The video tutorial is short and easy-to-follow, so just watch and follow the easy steps to solve the problem instantly.

Method 2. Flush Mac’s DNS Cache

Flushing DNS Cache on Mac is easy. The suggested DNS error fix includes opening Terminal and entering a specific command into it.

1. Click on Go > Utilities.
   
2. Here, find and double-click on Terminal application. If the system asks for Administrator’s password, enter it.
   
3. When Terminal opens, enter the following commands:
   dscacheutil –flushcache and press Return;
   sudo killall –HUP mDNSResponder and press Return.
   

Method 3. Fix Mac HOSTS file

If you’re experiencing the DNS_PROBE_FINISHED_NXDOMAIN error when trying to visit a specific website only, it could be that the site was blocked via your computer’s HOSTS file previously. It can happen due to parent control choices, school or work restrictions. However, there is a simple workaround to help you access the desired website once again. Follow the given steps to review and edit the HOSTS file on Mac.

1. Click on Go > Utilities.
   
2. Here, find and double-click on Terminal application. If the system asks for Administrator’s password, enter it.
   
3. When Terminal opens, enter the following command:
   sudo nano /etc /hosts and press Return.
   
4. You will be asked to enter your administrator’s password once again. Type it and press Return. Do not be surprised if there won’t be any typing signs on the screen, so make sure you enter the password correctly.
5. The HOSTS file will be opened for you. Here, you will see a list of websites added to the restriction database. Find the site domains that you cannot access and delete such lines from the HOSTS file.
   
6. Press down Control and O keys to save changes. Then press Control and X at the same time to exit the editor.
7. In Terminal, enter the following commands:
   dscacheutil –flushcache and press Return.
   sudo killall -HUP mDNSResponder and press Return.
   
8. That’s it! You have removed the blocked domain giving you the DNS_PROBE_FINISHED_NXDOMAIN error and flushed the DNS cache to changes to take effect.

Fix DNS_PROBE_FINISHED_NXDOMAIN in Android

How to fix on Android 9 Pie and newer versions

Android 9 Pie has slightly different settings than old versions. The new versions support system-wide DNS settings, so you no longer have to modify these settings for each individual network. However, keep in mind that Android requires Domain Name System services to support DNS-over-TLS, therefore not all server’s will work for this. However, if you’re going to be using Google Public DNS, you should be fine. Therefore, we invite you to follow the given steps to fix DNS_PROBE_FINISHED_NXDOMAIN Android mobile phone error.

1. Open Settings app on your phone.
2. Go to Wireless & Networks.
3. Tap on Private DNS.
   
4. Choose Private DNS provider hostname and enter the following hostname:
   dns.google
   
5. Click Save.

Fix error in Android 8.1 Oreo or older versions

To change DNS server on Android (both Wi-Fi and Ethernet), users should manually enter the DNS addresses to every used network connection.

1. Android users should go to Settings > Wi-Fi (or cellular)> long press the current network name > Modify network and then put a tick on Show advanced options.
2. Here, find IP settings and set its value from DHCP to Static.
3. Change DNS settings to:
   DNS 1: 8.8.8.8, then set the second DNS option to 8.8.4.4.

TIP: To avoid DNS-related issues on your Android, consider using a VPN. Many users have reported that usage of such program successfully solved various network-related issues to them.

PROTECT YOUR PRIVACY WITH A VPN

Fix DNS_PROBE_FINISHED_NXDOMAIN on Chromebook

DNS PROBE FINISHED NXDOMAIN error can be fixed on Chromebook easily. In fact, the issue can be solved in a similar manner suggested for other operating systems – by switching to Google’s DNS. Here’s what you need to do to fix the issue on Chromebook:

1. Before you begin, ensure that your Chromebook computer is connected to network (Wi-Fi or Ethernet)
2. Click on Time panel in the bottom right corner.
3. Now, click on Connected to [your network name].
4. Here, click Network.
5. Choose Google name servers option.
6. Close.