DNS Server Unavailable. If you are seeing this error, it means that you can’t get on a specific website or websites. This isn’t an uncommon error and it’s normal for the DNS server to fail to make a connection from time to time.
If it’s a website that’s particularly important to you, there are several methods you could use to fix the DNS issue. We suggest method 3: flushing the DNS. It’s the easiest and most effective method that almost always works. However, we have 6 methods total you could try if method 3 fails.
What Is The DNS Server Unavailable Error?
The Domain Name System, or DNS, is a special server where every domain name for every website you have ever visited is stored. When you search for one of these domain names, it is sent via your router to the server. If the website is already saved, then it will send back the matching IP address, making the loading process faster for those particular websites.
Unfortunately, the DNS can fail time and again, making it impossible to get onto the website you are typing in. This will give you the DNS Server Unavailable or DNS Server Not Responding error. There are multiple factors that contribute to this error.
What Causes The DNS Server Unavailable Error?
There could be several causes for the DNS Server Unavailable error. One of the most common causes is that the server is malfunctioning or down for the time being. The server could be unavailable or it may even be an issue on your end with your browser or computer itself. Fortunately, they can all be fixed.
How to Fix DNS Server Unavailable
If you’ve made it this far, it means the website you are trying to visit is still malfunctioning. Don’t fret, we have some simple methods that may fix this troublesome error:
Change web browser
Flush your DNS
Remove antivirus
Change DNS server
Deactivate firewall
Reset your router
Method 1: Change Web Browsers
The first step you’re going to want to do is switch web browsers to rule out a hardware issue. If you are seeing the message while using Firefox or Microsoft Edge, then switch to another browser such as Chrome or Opera. Try to log onto the same website that gave you the error on the other browser. If the problem persists, move on to the next couple of methods.
Method 2: Deactivate Firewall
If your issue isn’t resolved after switching web browsers, you may need to deactivate your Firewall. You can do this by following these simple instructions:
Open up your Control Panel
Go to your Firewall
Turn off your Firewall
Try the website again
If this doesn’t work, then it’s almost certain that the DNS server is the issue.
Method 3: Flush Your DNS
Flushing the DNS is the easiest and most noteworthy method for fixing the DNS Server Unavailable error. This method involves inputting codes into the command prompt. There are different ways to do it on different operating systems:
Windows
Hit the Windows + R key simultaneously
Input cmd into the box and hit Enter
When Command Prompt pops up, type ipconfig /flushdns
Hit Enter
Follow up with ipconfig /release
Hit Enter
Lastly, enter ipconfig /renew
Hit Enter
Close the window and restart the computer
Mac
Locate Applications
Select Utilities
Go to Terminal
Input the following syntax based on the specific MacOS you are using
High Sierra-sudo killall -HUP mDNSResponder; sleep 2; echo macOS DNS Cache Reset | say
Sierra-sudo killall -HUP mDNSResponder;say DNS cache has been flushed
Mojave-sudo killall -HUP mDNSResponder;sleep 2;
X El Capitan/Yosemite-sudo dscacheutil -flushcache;sudo killall -HUP mDNSResponder;say cache flushed
Hit Return
Input your password
Hit Return
Wait for the sound indicating a successful flush
The MacOS X will require a few extra steps before exiting:
For MDNS cache, enter sudo discoveryutil mdnsflushcache
For UDNS cache, enter sudo discoveryutil udnsflushcaches
Method 4: Remove Antiviruses
If you are running more than one Antivirus program at a time, this could be the cause of the DNS server issue. Disable one of your Antivirus programs and restart your computer to see if the problem has resolved.
It’s not necessary to have more than one Antivirus program running at once. You can use just one software program to keep your system safe from unwanted attacks from malware or trojans.
Method 5: Change DNS Servers
There are multiple ways to change DNS servers if you are getting the DNS Server Unavailable error. You can do it via the router, Windows OS, or PowerShell:
Router
Before you change the server, you have to access the router itself. Here’s how to do that:
Hold the Win+R key simultaneously
Type cmd in the box that pops up
In Command Prompt, enter ipconfig
Copy the Default Gateway numbers and enter them into your browsers address bar
Log into the router with your relevant information
Now, let’s change the DNS server:
Locate Internet in the menu
Click on Account Information
Click on the DNS servers tab
Select Use other DNSv4 servers
For Google’s DNS server, type 8.8.8.8 in Preferred DNSv4 server
Type 8.8.4.4. In Alternative DNSv4 Server
If you are using IPv6, the IP address of the server has to be changed to the following:
2001:4860:4860::8888
2001:4860:4860::8844
Windows OS
To gain access to the DNS server on the Windows 7, 8, or 10 operating system, you need to get into your network connection properties:
Click on the Win button on the taskbar
Search Network Connections
Choose View network connections
Locate the network adapter you are using (for wireless, select the WLAN adapter or for wired connection, LAN)
Right-click and choose Properties
Choose IPv4 or IPv6 depending on which one you use and click Properties
Note: Obtain IP Address and Obtain DNS server address automatically should be selected by default, if they aren’t, jot down which DNS server is being used before you change it so you can undo changes if there is an issue in the future.
To assign a DNS server manually, click Use the corresponding DNS server addresses
Enter 8.8.8.8. In the Preferred DNS server box
Enter 8.8.4.4. In the Alternative DNS server box
Do not change the top settings that include the IP address.
If you are using IPv6, the IP address of the server has to be changed to the following:
2001:4860:4860::8888
2001:4860:4860::8844
PowerShell
Alternatively, you can use PowerShell to change the server. This is more for experienced users. You can change it with just one command without having to go through the Windows menus:
Click on the Windows icon
Search for PowerShell
Right-click on Windows PowerShell
Select Run as administrator
To find the name of the adapter that connects you to the internet, type Get-NetAdapter|select ifDesc, ifAlias, ifIndex, MediaType | fl into PowerShell
If you are using a LAN connection, enter Set-DnsClientServerAddress -InterfaceAlias “Local Area Connection 3” -ServerAddresses “8.8.8.8”,”8.8.4.4”
If you are using a WiFi or WAN connection, enter Set-DnsClientServerAddress -InterfaceAlias WiFi -ServerAddresses “8.8.8.8”,”8.8.4.4″
Command Prompt
This is another way to change the DNS server if you are a more advanced user:
Run Command Prompt as an administrator
If you don’t know what the interface name is, enter netsh interface show interface into the command prompt
You can configure the primary and secondary servers via the following commandsnetsh interface ip add dns name=” Local Area Connection 3″ addr=8.8.8.8 index=1
netsh interface ip add dns name=” Local Area Connection 3″ addr=8.8.4.4 index=2Note: Whatever is in quotation marks must match the exact name of the interface you are using. There won’t be an error message if you accidentally make a mistake.
Method 6: Restart Your Router
If all else fails, you have the option to restart your router. Your router can be the cause of many computer and internet issues, such as DNS server problems. Here’s how to do it:
Locate the power cord
Unplug it
Wait about 30-seconds
Plug the power cord back in
Conclusion
We hope that these methods helped you get back onto the website you were trying. These are very simple methods that work almost every time. If for some reason they don’t work, then it is definitely an issue on the server’s end. You will just need to wait it out until they are back up and running.