People working with WordPress regularly are acquainted with the database connections or other CMS errors. Apart from that, there is another group of errors that users stumble at. The issues related to DNS and internet connectivity. One of the most common errors comes up while browsing through a webpage. It is dns_probe_finished_nxdomain that prevents you from browsing the website. If someone is suffering from repeated counts of this error while working on WordPress, it is nothing to worry about as it can be fixed easily.
The dns_probe_finished_nxdomain error mainly happens due to any problem with the DNS or any misconfiguration. The Domain Nam System (DNS) works to direct the massive internet traffic by getting in touch with the various domain names and web servers. It helps to translate a human-friendly request into a computer-friendly IP address for servers. As soon as any user types in the website URL in the internet browser search bar, the DNS gets started to connect the users’ IP address to the actual server of the website.
DNS name resolution includes querying name servers in a DNS recursor procedure to sort the real IP address for the server. When the system cannot resolve the address or the specific domain name for the server, users get nudged with the error. The NXDOMAIN is used to represent the Non-Existent Domain. Below mentioned are a few ways which you can try out to solve this DNS-specific issue you may be facing.
Google Chrome Errors
If anyone is using the Google Chrome browser, then they might face the dns_probe_finished_nxdomain error and the program will respond that it failed to find the DNS address.
Mozilla Firefox Errors
Mozilla would not show so many details. It would just show up “Hmm. We’re having trouble finding that site”. It is the same for the Microsoft Edge browser.
Solutions For dns_probe_finished_nxdomain Error
#1: Get rid of the Old IP Address and Get a New one
It is a fact that the dns_probe_finished_nxdomain is an issue from the side of the client and the immediate thing that users can try to resolve this issue is trying to release their specific IP address and then renew it on their computer. It will also need them to flush the local DNS cache, just like the cache of the browser.
For Windows
If you are facing this issue on your Windows device, press the Windows logo button and the ‘R’ key to start a command prompt. When the ‘Run’ window comes up, type in ‘cmd’ and submit the enter button.
In the command prompt window, type in the code ‘ipconfig/release’ and press the Enter key. The present IP address of the user will be released by this. Once released, type in ‘ipconfig/flushdns’ to flush the cache of the local DNS in your machine. A notification with ‘Successfully flushed the DNS Resolver Cache’ will come up on the screen. After the two steps, the Command Prompt window will look something like this:
You need to perform one more step, type in ‘ipconfig/renew’, and hitting the Enter button will renew the IP address of the machine.
For Mac
Mac users need to follow a few steps to resolve the issue as well. To begin with, they should visit the System Preferences.
In the new screen, you are required to click on the icon of the network and tap on ‘Advanced’.
Click on the tab with the heading of TCP/IP in case you still are not there yet and click on the button ‘Renew DHCP’. Similar to the steps in Windows, the users of Mac are also able to flush the DNS cache. They need to go to the ‘Utilities’ and tap on the ‘Terminal’. They need to type in ‘dscacheutil –flushcache’ command to resolve the issue. Unlike Windows, Mac does not come up with a success message.
#2: DNS Client Service Restart
Windows users have the ability to restart the services for the DNS client to resolve the dns_probe_finished_nxdomain issue and cache the DNS domain names. All they need to do is press the Windows logo button and ‘R’ key to start the command prompt run and type in ‘services.msc’ followed by the Enter button.
Users need to find the service of the ‘DNS Client’ and restart it by right-clicking the entry. If the option to restart the service is greyed out, it can also be done through the command prompt. On the above Window, type in ‘cmd’ in place of ‘services.msc’ and submit the Enter button.
On the CMD screen, you are required to type in a couple of commands. The first command is ‘net stop dnscache’ followed by ‘net start dnscache’. Based on the working version of Windows, users may be prompted back with various error messages.
#3: DNS Servers Alteration
If the above processes do not work, the best alternative to try is changing the servers of the DNS system of the user’s machine. The internet service provider (ISP) aims to assign the entire default DNS servers for all the customers. But in case of issues, users can temporarily alter the default server to a public one like Google or something other like Cloudflare.
- Many users have an inclination towards the usage of the public DNS by Google for a long time span mainly because they can be very reliable for many users. The DNS are 8.8.8.8 and 8.8.4.4.
- A free and fast DNS has also been launched by Cloudflare and it is much secured as well. The DNS is 1.1.1.1 and 1.0.0.1. No matter whichever DNS may users prefer to use, the basic steps are the same for both the public DNSs. All that differs is placing in the addresses of the respective servers in the place.
- If users are already using the DNS addresses of other public sites, then they might consider changing back to the default addresses provided by the ISP to check if the issue is resolved.
For Windows
To start with, users need to press the Windows logo button and the ‘R’ key to come up with the Command Prompt window and type in ‘control panel’ followed by the ‘Enter’ key. Once the control panel window shows up, navigate to the ‘Network and Internet’ section and click on ‘Network and Sharing Center’. Users will find a new option to ‘Change Adapter Settings’ on the left side of the screen.
After that, users need to click the right mouse button on their current connection, which can be Wireless Network or Local Area Network on the basis of their connection. They need to click on the ‘Properties’ option next. On the pop-up screen, choose the IPv4 or IPv6 options and open its properties.
It is advisable to note down all existing settings of the IP for any situation which asks users to revert back. Click on the option of ‘Use the following DNS server addresses’ and replace the existing DNS server addresses with the ones you chose to use (Google or Cloudflare).
Press on the ‘OK’ option and restart the browser to check if the issue is resolved.
For Mac
Mac users, need to go to the section of System Preferences. Click on the Display icon for networks. Click on the ‘Advanced’ button as mentioned in the previous process. Then click on the tab with the ‘DNS’ heading.
Their users need to update the addresses of the DNS server based on their choice similar to the way of the Windows users.
#4: VPN and Antivirus Disabling
Firewall and third-party antivirus software programs can be a lot of problematic and cause conflicts between the network settings. These can even override the DNS servers and many other settings. In case users are facing the dns_probe_finished_nxdomain issue, they should try disabling the firewall protection for some time and try to access the server address.
If the issue is resolved, then it is necessary for the user to get in touch with the software provider and ask for advice. Often many servers may get blocked out due to the usage of various VPN software programs. Try disabling them temporarily and try to check if the issue is resolved. If you have Avast antivirus installed, you can read the guide on How to Disable Avast Antivirus.
#5: Restart the Computer and Network Components
It may be a good way to flush all the existing services and cache DNS names from your network as well as the system framework. You can try to restart the computer. Try to power cycle the network components such as the modems and the routers.
All you need to do is turn off the modem, unplug the power supply, wait for some time, and plug it back in. Wait for it to start and turn on your computer. Connect the network and check if the issue is resolved or not.