How to flush my DNS cache?

Some browsers and devices store website location data in your system for quicker access with the DNS Cache. DNS Cache needs to be flushed to remove stored website location details.

A DNS cache (or a DNS resolver cache) is a temporary IP directory database which is kept by the operating system of your computer or other device which contains traces of all your recent visits to websites and other Internet domains. DNS (or Domain Name System) is a directory of all public websites and their corresponding IP addresses. When you enter the site name in the browser, DNS finds its IP address and takes you to this site. It also keeps the information about this visit in its cache memory. When you re-visit the sites, DNS cache speeds up the process by remembering the IP address of the requested site. DNS flush is not necessary here because the DNS serves is not asked for the IP address – it’s already stored in the cache.

In time, your DNS cache memory may, however, become stuffed with too much data or include wrong results which were recorded in its memory. As a result, you often get the “Page Not Found” error on your screen even with the websites which you normally have no problems with. The real trouble starts when your DNS cache becomes either corrupted due to technical glitches or administrative faults or, even worse, poisoned a result of viruses or network attacks. Your DNS database stops working properly and, in the worst-case scenario, you may become a victim of phishing by being redirected to the website that looks like the one you wanted to go to but actually belongs to thieves who are after your money (in the case of accessing banking sites, for example).

The solution to most of the problems is the DNS flush. DNS flush command clears, resets and erases all the entries in the temporary memory. Along with correct entries, it also clears all invalid and poisoned records. The entire “asking for IP” process starts from the beginning and new, correct addresses are obtained from the DNS server in the network that you are set up to work with.

Here are some of the common ways to flush your DNS cache.

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* Other devices like android, media players, smart tvs; basically need a device restart for the dns flush.


Windows XP, Vista, 7, 8, 10

  • Step 1: Open the Command Prompt
    • Windows XP: Click on the Start Menu and click  Run.Type in cmd and hit enter.
    • Windows Vista/7: Type cmd in the search bar and hit Enter.
    • Windows 8: Press Win key (windows logo key) and X on your keyboard. Click on Command Prompt.
  • Step 2: Flush DNS
    • Type ipconfig /flushdns and hit enter.


Mac OSX

  • Step 1:Open the Terminal
    • Navigate to Applications -> Utilities -> Terminal
  • Step 2:Flush DNS – Type the following command and hit enter.
    • Mac OS X Yosemite and later
      sudo killall -HUP mDNSResponder

      • Mac OS X Yosemite v10.10 through v10.10.3
        sudo discoveryutil mdnsflushcache
    • Mac OS X Mavericks, Mountain Lion and Lion
      sudo killall -HUP mDNSResponder
    • Mac OS X Snow Leopard
      sudo dscacheutil -flushcache


Portable Devices

  • Step 1: Close the apps
    • Close the app completely. Make sure it is not running in the background as well.
  • Step 2: Restart Wifi
    • Turn off the Wifi on your device and turn it back on.
  • Step 3: Open App
    • Open the app again. DNS Cache should be cleared.


iOS Devices

  • Press and hold both the Sleep/Wake and Home buttons for at least 10 seconds, until you see the Apple logo.


​TV Devices

  • Step 1: Close the apps
    • Close the app completely. Make sure it is not running in the background as well.
  • Step 2: Open App
    • Open the app again. DNS Cache should be cleared.

Now, your DNS cache is clear and your devices are ready to receive appropriate addresses. If you have problems with accessing websites, DNS flush is usually the first line of defense in restoring proper connectivity in your network. DNS flush can be performed not only on your computer but also on your mobile Internet-capable devices. It can be performed on routers which can also have a DNS cache. DNS flush of the router can simply be done by rebooting it to clear the DNS entries stored in its temporary memory.