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Flush DNS: How to clear DNS cache on computers and browsers

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Michelle Pham|3 min read

Flush DNS is one of the effective methods to help users fix errors when they cannot access websites, such as 404 Page Not Found, 502 Bad Gateway... So, what is Flush DNS and how do you use it? Let's refer to the article below by Antidetect Browser Hidemyacc!

1. What is Flush DNS?

Flush DNS can be simply understood as the process of clearing the DNS cache on a computer. When using the Internet, if a website changes its IP address or moves to another server but the DNS cache still stores the old information, this will lead to access errors.

As a result, even though your network connection is normal, you may encounter a situation where you cannot access the website, and the system will display a 404 Page Not Found error. Therefore, Flush DNS has the task of helping the computer update information and successfully access the website quickly.

Flush DNS

Flush DNS is the process of clearing the DNS cache on a computer.

2. What is DNS Cache?

DNS Cache is a temporary storage installed on operating systems like Windows and macOS used to store all information related to domain name resolution. DNS servers function to convert domain names from text format into numerical IP addresses so that computer systems can process them. When you open a website, your browser automatically contacts name servers to perform this process.

However, constantly looking up DNS can be time-consuming and sometimes lead to server overload. As a result, systems frequently report errors such as "DNS server not responding" or "dns_probe_finished_nxdomain."

Therefore, DNS Cache helps store information about previously searched DNS records, with each record having a specific Time to Live (TTL). During the TTL period, the system can answer DNS queries directly from the cache without needing to contact the DNS server again, significantly increasing network access speed.

Flush DNS

DNS Cache is temporary storage installed on computers and Internet browsers.

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3. Why should you regularly Flush DNS?

Because entries remain stored in the cache until the TTL expires, users should regularly Flush DNS for the following reasons:

  • Hide search activities Tracking user activity on websites is often done through JavaScript and Cookies, but DNS Cache is also a potential target for bad actors. Through the DNS Cache, attackers can collect your personal data and browsing history. The more information and specific addresses stored in the cache, the more vulnerable a user becomes to data leaks. Therefore, you should Flush DNS regularly to protect your privacy.
Flush DNS

Flush DNS helps users hide their search activities on the network system.

  • Preventing spoofing and cyber attacks Due to security concerns, users must frequently clear their DNS cache (Clear DNS Windows). The information stored in the cache is highly transparent; if bad actors gain access to the DNS cache, they can easily spoof entries and redirect you to malicious websites containing viruses to steal sensitive information, such as bank login data.
  • Quickly resolving technical issues For operating systems like Windows or macOS, Flush DNS is an effective solution when users encounter problems accessing web applications. This is caused by old entries in the DNS cache that can prevent a website from displaying the correct version, as the domain may be saved with an outdated or incorrect IP address.

Clearing the DNS cache helps the system reconnect to the appropriate DNS server, allowing applications to function normally again. Additionally, users can check the current DNS cache by entering the command “ipconfig /displaydns” in the Command Prompt on Windows systems.

Flush DNS

Clearing the cache helps you quickly resolve technical errors.

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4. How to Flush DNS Cache on Your Computer

To maintain performance and security while using the Internet, regularly flushing the DNS Cache is truly essential. Below, Hidemyacc will guide you on how to clear the DNS Cache on two popular operating systems: macOS and Windows.

4.1 Guide to Flush DNS on macOS

For users on the macOS operating system, follow these steps to clear the cache on your computer:

Step 1: Press the key combination “CMD + Space” to open Spotlight Search.

Step 2: Type “Terminal” or you can open the Terminal app in the Other folder of Launchpad.

Flush DNS

Guide on how to clear the cache on the macOS browser

Step 3: In the Terminal window - type the command: “sudo dscacheutil -flushcache; sudo killall -HUP mDNSResponder."

Flush DNS

Type the command “sudo dscacheutil -flushcache; sudo killall -HUP mDNSResponder” in the Terminal window.

Step 4: Log in to your account.

Flush DNS

The system will prompt the user to log in to their account.

Step 5: Once logged in successfully, the system will report that the DNS Cache has been cleared successfully.

Flush DNS

After a successful account login, the system will clear the DNS Cache.

4.2 How to clear DNS Cache on Windows

For those using the Windows operating system, to clear the DNS Cache, you need to perform the following steps:

Step 1: Open the Run dialog box by pressing the Windows + R key combination.

Flush DNS

Open the RUN dialog box using the Windows + R key combination.

Step 2: Type “ipconfig /flushdns” and press Enter.

Flush DNS

Type “ipconfig /flushdns” in the Command Prompt dialog box.

Step 3: Press the Ctrl + L key combination to launch Chrome and move the cursor to the URL address bar.

Step 4: Enter the following URL into the address bar and press Enter: chrome://net-internals/#dns

Flush DNS

The user enters the URL path chrome://net-internals/#dns into the browser.

Step 5: Click Clear Host Cache to delete the list of previously visited websites.

Flush DNS

Click Clear Host Cache to delete the list of visited websites and accessed IP addresses.

Step 7: Click the Close idle sockets and Flush socket pools buttons in sequence to close all browser sockets.

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5. How to Flush DNS Cache on Browsers

In addition to clearing the DNS cache on your computer, you can also perform this action on browsers such as Chrome, Firefox, Coc Coc, etc., to minimize "404 page not found" or "502 bad gateway" errors when accessing the Internet. Below are the most detailed instructions on how to Flush DNS Cache on several browsers.

5.1 For the Chrome Browser

If you are using the Google Chrome browser to access the Internet, here are the steps to quickly Flush DNS Cache for your reference.

Step 1: Click on the “three dots” icon in the upper right corner of the Google screen.

Step 2: Click on More tools - select Clear browsing data…

Flush DNS

Clear browsing data on Google Chrome

Step 3: Select the Time range - choose the data you want to delete - click Clear data. 

Flush DNS

Select the time range to clear data.

Additionally, if you want to delete website history and cookies, go to the Advanced tab to configure your browser settings.

5.2 For the Firefox Browser

To clear the cache on the Firefox browser, you need to follow these steps:

Step 1: Open the Firefox browser - Type “about:preferences#privacy” in the search box to open the “Privacy & Security” page.

Flush DNS

Clear Windows DNS on the Firefox browser

Step 2: Find the Cookies and Site Data section - select Clear Data.

Flush DNS

Find the Cookies and Site Data section to clear data.

Step 3: Select Cached Web Content in the clear data section.

Flush DNS

Select the stored files section to clear data in the temporary memory.

5.3 For the Coc Coc Browser

Step 1: Open the Coc Coc browser - press the Ctrl + H key combination.

Flush DNS

Open the Coc Coc browser

Step 2: Select the Time range - select Clear data

Flush DNS

Select the time range and clear data

In the article above, Hidemyacc has explained what Flush DNS is and how to clear the DNS Cache on your browser and computer. We hope this useful information helps you quickly fix access errors and enhance data security related to DNS. If you have any questions about Hidemyacc, please contact us for the fastest assistance!

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