Have you ever faced slow internet, outdated web pages, or DNS errors on your Windows 11 PC? One simple but powerful solution is to flush the DNS cache. Don’t worry if that sounds technical — in this guide, we’ll break it down step by step so you can refresh your system’s DNS and fix browsing issues in just a few minutes.
Whether you’re a beginner or an advanced user, this tutorial will show you what DNS cache is, why you should clear it, and different methods to flush DNS on Windows 11.
What is DNS and DNS Cache?
Think of DNS (Domain Name System) as the phonebook of the internet. When you type a website like google.com, DNS translates it into an IP address so your browser knows where to connect.
The DNS cache is a temporary storage of these translations saved on your PC for faster browsing. Instead of looking up an address every time, Windows uses the cache to speed things up.
Why Should You Flush DNS in Windows 11?
Over time, your DNS cache may store outdated or corrupted records. This can cause:
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Websites not loading correctly
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Old versions of a site being displayed
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Frequent “DNS server not responding” errors
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Privacy concerns if DNS records are exposed
Flushing DNS clears the old data and forces Windows to fetch fresh information.
When Do You Need to Clear DNS Cache?
You should flush your DNS if:
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You’ve changed your DNS server (e.g., switched to Google DNS or Cloudflare).
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A website has moved to a new server but still loads the old one.
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You face connectivity issues despite working internet.
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You want to clear browsing traces for privacy reasons.
Method 1: Flush DNS Using Command Prompt
This is the quickest and most common way.
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Press Windows + S and type
cmd. -
Right-click Command Prompt and select Run as administrator.
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Type the following command and press Enter:
-
You’ll see the message:
“Successfully flushed the DNS Resolver Cache.”
✔ Done! Your DNS cache is now cleared.
Method 2: Flush DNS Using Windows PowerShell
Prefer PowerShell? You can use this method instead.
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Press Windows + X and select Windows Terminal (Admin).
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In the PowerShell window, type:
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Press Enter — the DNS cache is instantly cleared (no success message, but it works).
Method 3: Flush DNS via Windows Settings (Network Reset)
If you want a more visual method, use the Settings app.
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Open Settings (Windows + I).
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Go to Network & internet > Advanced network settings.
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Scroll down and click Network reset.
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Restart your PC to apply changes.
This clears network configurations including DNS cache.
How to Verify if DNS Cache Was Cleared
To confirm:
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Open Command Prompt as administrator.
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Type:
If the cache was cleared, the output will show very few or no records.
How to Restart DNS Client Service
Sometimes flushing DNS doesn’t work until you restart the DNS service.
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Press Windows + R, type
services.msc, and hit Enter. -
Scroll to DNS Client.
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Right-click and select Restart.
Benefits of Flushing DNS on Windows 11
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Fixes loading errors on websites
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Improves internet speed in some cases
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Updates DNS after switching ISPs or DNS servers
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Boosts online privacy
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Helps resolve security issues from DNS spoofing
Possible Issues After Flushing DNS (and Fixes)
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Temporary slow browsing → Windows is fetching fresh DNS data, so it may take longer at first.
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Websites still not loading → Try restarting your router or changing DNS servers (Google:
8.8.8.8, Cloudflare:1.1.1.1). -
Network apps failing → Reboot your PC to refresh settings fully.
Flush DNS vs Clear Browser Cache: What’s the Difference?
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Flushing DNS = clears saved IP addresses on your computer.
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Clearing browser cache = deletes stored site files like images, cookies, and scripts.
👉 For complete troubleshooting, sometimes you need to do both.
Tips to Keep Your DNS Working Smoothly
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Use a reliable public DNS service (Google DNS, Cloudflare, OpenDNS).
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Restart your router periodically.
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Keep Windows 11 updated.
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Flush DNS occasionally if you switch networks often.
Summary of Key Steps
| Method | Steps | Command/Option |
|---|---|---|
| Command Prompt | Run as admin → type command | ipconfig /flushdns |
| PowerShell | Run PowerShell as admin | Clear-DnsClientCache |
| Settings | Network & internet → Network reset | Restart required |
Conclusion
Flushing DNS on Windows 11 is a simple yet powerful fix for common browsing problems. Whether you’re facing slow connections, DNS errors, or outdated site data, a quick cache clear often does the trick.
You now know three methods to flush DNS — Command Prompt, PowerShell, and Windows Settings — plus how to verify and restart the DNS client service.
So, next time the internet acts up, don’t panic. Just flush the DNS and enjoy a smoother, faster browsing experience.
FAQs
1. Does flushing DNS speed up the internet?
It won’t increase bandwidth, but it can speed up browsing by removing bad cache entries.
2. How often should I flush DNS on Windows 11?
Only when facing browsing issues or after changing DNS servers.
3. Will flushing DNS log me out of websites?
No, it only clears DNS records, not cookies or sessions.
4. Can I flush DNS without admin rights?
No, you need administrator access to clear DNS cache.
5. Is flushing DNS safe?
Yes — it’s completely safe and won’t harm your system.