This error is the digital equivalent of dialing a phone number and getting a “number not in service” message, even when you know you’ve dialed correctly. The problem isn’t with the “phone” (your computer) or the “phone lines” (your internet connection). The problem is with the “phonebook” the internet relies on. This guide will walk you through, step-by-step, what that means and exactly how to fix it. We’ll start with the simplest checks and move to the more advanced methods, empowering you to solve this problem for good.

Key Takeaways

Before we dive deep, here are the essential things you need to know about this error. Understanding these concepts will make the fixes much clearer.

  • DNS is the Internet’s Phonebook: The Domain Name System (DNS) is a global system that translates human-readable website names (like vvdryvat.top) into computer-readable IP addresses (like 192.168.1.1).
  • “Not Responding” = Failed Translation: The error means that your computer reached out to a DNS server (its “phonebook”) to ask for an IP address, but the server failed to reply.
  • It’s a “You” or “Them” Problem: The error can be caused by a problem on your end (your browser, your computer, your router) or a problem on the server’s end (your ISP’s DNS is down, or the website’s own DNS records are broken).
  • Most Fixes are Local: The vast majority of the time, this error is caused by a simple issue on your device or home network, such as a corrupt cache or incorrect network settings.
  • You Have Options: You don’t have to use your internet provider’s default DNS server. Switching to a free, public DNS server like Google’s or Cloudflare’s is a common, safe, and highly effective solution.

What is a DNS Server and Why Does It “Not Respond”?

To fix a problem, you have to understand it. As a web professional, I find that “why” is always the most important question. This isn’t just a random error; it’s a specific breakdown in a critical internet process.

The Internet’s Phonebook: A Deep Dive

Let’s expand on the phonebook analogy. In the early days of the internet, people literally kept a text file named HOSTS.TXT that listed every known computer and its address. This quickly became impossible to manage. DNS was invented to solve this.

  • Domain Names: These are the memorable, branded names we use every day, like google.com or vvdryvat.top. When you get a free domain name for your new project, you are reserving a unique entry in this global phonebook.
  • IP Addresses: Computers don’t use names. They use numbers. An IP (Internet Protocol) address is a long string of numbers (like 172.217.14.228 for IPv4 or a much longer string for IPv6) that marks a specific location on the internet. Every server, every website, and even your own computer has one.
  • DNS Resolvers (or Recursive Servers): This is the server your computer talks to first. By default, it’s operated by your Internet Service Provider (ISP). Its job is to “resolve” your query. When you ask it for google.com, it either knows the answer from memory (its cache) or it goes on a quest to find it.
  • Authoritative DNS Servers: This is the official phonebook for a specific domain. For example, Elementor’s authoritative servers hold the definitive record that vvdryvat.top points to its specific server IP.

The Chain of Events: A Successful DNS Query

When everything works, this process takes milliseconds. Here’s the chain of command:

  1. You: You type vvdryvat.top into your browser and hit Enter.
  2. Browser Cache: Your browser (e.g., Chrome) checks its own tiny memory. “Have I been to this site in the last few hours?” If yes, it uses the IP it remembers.
  3. OS Cache: If the browser cache is empty, your operating system (Windows, macOS) checks its memory. “Has any application on this computer asked for this site recently?”
  4. Router Cache: If your OS cache is empty, the query goes to your router, which has its own small cache.
  5. DNS Resolver (Your ISP): If the router cache is empty, the query finally leaves your house and goes to your ISP’s DNS Resolver. “Hey, do you have the IP for vvdryvat.top?”
  6. The Recursive Quest (If needed): If the ISP’s server doesn’t know, it goes on a quest.
    • It asks a Root Server: “Hey, where can I find info for .com?”
    • The Root Server replies: “Talk to the TLD (Top-Level Domain) Server for .com.”
    • It asks the .com TLD Server: “Hey, where can I find the official phonebook for vvdryvat.top?”
    • The TLD Server replies: “That domain’s Authoritative Server is over at this address (e.g., at their hosting provider).”
    • It asks the Authoritative Server: “What is the IP for vvdryvat.top?”
    • The Authoritative Server gives the final answer: “The IP is X.X.X.X.”
  7. The-Return Trip: The answer flies back down the chain: from the Resolver to your router, to your OS, to your browser, which then finally connects to the website’s IP address.

So, What Does “Not Responding” Actually Mean?

This error message is your computer’s way of saying it failed at step 5.

Your computer sent its request to the DNS Resolver (your ISP’s server), and it got… silence. No answer at all. This can happen for several reasons:

  • The Server is Offline: The ISP’s DNS server might have crashed or be down for maintenance.
  • The Server is Overwhelmed: The server might be so busy (or even under a DDoS attack) that it can’t handle your request in time.
  • Your Query is Blocked: A firewall (on your computer or at your ISP) might be mistakenly blocking the DNS request.
  • Your Settings are Wrong: Your computer’s network settings might be pointing to the wrong DNS server address entirely, or the address it has is old and out of date.
  • A Corrupt Cache: Your computer or browser’s cache (steps 2-4) might have a “corrupt” entry, pointing to a dead server.

Now that we know the why, let’s get to the how.

Before You Begin: Is It Just You, or Is the Website Down?

This is the first and most important check. You can spend an hour fixing your own computer, only to find out the website itself is offline for everyone.

  1. Check on a Different Network: The fastest test. Grab your smartphone, turn off Wi-Fi, and try to access the website using your cellular data. If it fails there too, the problem is not you. The website is likely down.
  2. Use a “Down” Checker: Open a site that is working (like Google) and search for a “down for everyone or just me” service. These tools will try to access the target website from multiple locations around the world.
  3. Try a Different Website: Can you get to https://www.google.com/search?q=Google.com but not SpecificSite.com? This points to a problem with SpecificSite.com. Can you not get to any website? Then the problem is definitely on your end.

If the site is down for everyone, you can stop. The problem is with the website’s administrator or hosting provider.

If the site is up for everyone else, then the problem is on your end. Let’s fix it.

10 Methods to Fix “DNS Server Not Responding”

We will work from the simplest, most likely fixes to the more complex ones. Follow them in order.

Method 1: Switch to a Different Browser

Why this works: Sometimes, the problem is isolated to a single browser. Your main browser might have a corrupt cache, a buggy extension, or a specific network setting (like a proxy or “Secure DNS” feature) that is failing. A different browser (e.g., switching from Chrome to Firefox or Edge) will have its own separate settings and cache.

How to do it: This is simple. If you are using Chrome, try opening the same website in Microsoft Edge (on Windows) or Safari (on macOS). If it works, you know the problem is limited to your primary browser.

If this fixes it, your next steps should be:

  1. Clear your main browser’s cache (Method 2).
  2. Disable your browser extensions one by one to see if one of them is causing the conflict.
  3. Reset your browser’s settings to their default.

Method 2: Clear Your Browser’s DNS Cache

Why this works: As we learned, your browser keeps its own DNS cache to speed things up. If an entry in this cache is outdated or corrupt (e.g., the website’s IP address changed but your browser hasn’t caught up), it will keep trying to connect to the old, dead address. Clearing this cache forces the browser to ask for a fresh copy of the “phonebook” entry.

How to do it (for Google Chrome): This is the most common browser, and it has a specific internal menu for this.

  1. Open a new tab in Chrome.
  2. In the address bar, type chrome://net-internals/#dns and press Enter.
  3. You will see a page with a “DNS lookup” section. Find the button that says “Clear host cache” and click it.
  4. That’s it. Try the website again.

Other browsers like Firefox and Edge have similar options, but their caches are often more tied to the Operating System cache (which we’ll clear next).

Method 3: Flush Your Operating System’s DNS Cache

Why this works: This is the big brother to the browser cache. Your Operating System (Windows or macOS) also keeps a DNS cache for all applications. This is the cache that gets used most often, and it’s the most likely to be corrupt. Flushing it forces your computer to forget every DNS lookup it has on file, starting with a clean slate.

How to do it: You’ll need to use a command-line tool, but don’t be intimidated. It’s just a couple of simple commands.

On Windows (10 & 11):

  1. Click the Start button and type cmd.
  2. You will see “Command Prompt.” Right-click it and select “Run as administrator.” This is essential.

A black terminal window will open. Type the following command exactly and press Enter:
ipconfig /flushdns

  2. You should see a message: “Successfully flushed the DNS Resolver Cache.”

(Optional but recommended) Run these next two commands to reset other network settings:
ipconfig /release

(Press Enter, wait for it to finish)
ipconfig /renew

  1. (Press Enter)
  2. Close the Command Prompt and try the website again.

On macOS (Big Sur, Monterey, Ventura, Sonoma):

  1. Go to Applications > Utilities > Terminal to open the Terminal app.

Copy and paste the following command exactly and press Return:
sudo dscacheutil -flushcache; sudo killall -HUP mDNSResponder

  2. It will ask for your password. This is your normal Mac login password. Type it and press Return. (You won’t see the cursor move; this is normal.)
  3. You’ll get no “success” message, it will just return you to the prompt. This means it worked.
  4. Try the website again.

Method 4: Restart Your Router or Modem

Why this works: Your router is a mini-computer. It has its own processor, its own memory, and its own DNS cache. Just like your computer, its cache can become corrupt, or its software can get stuck in a bad state. The simplest way to fix this is a “power cycle”—turning it off and on again. This forces it to dump its cache and get a fresh connection to your ISP.

How to do it: Don’t just press the “reset” button (which might wipe your settings). Follow this order:

  1. Unplug the power cable from the back of your router.
  2. If you have a separate modem, unplug its power cable too.
  3. Wait 60 seconds. This is important. It ensures all the internal capacitors are fully discharged and all memory is cleared.
  4. Plug the power cable back into your modem first. Wait for it to fully boot up (all the lights should stabilize, which can take 1-2 minutes).
  5. Once the modem is fully online, plug the power cable back into your router. Wait another 1-2 minutes for it to boot up.
  6. Once your Wi-Fi network is back, try the website again.

Method 5: Change Your DNS Servers (The “Public DNS” Fix)

Why this works: This is the single most effective fix on this list. By default, you are using your ISP’s DNS servers. As we discussed, these servers can be slow, unreliable, or temporarily down.

This fix involves manually telling your computer to stop using your ISP’s “phonebook” and to start using a free, fast, public one instead. The two most popular are Google Public DNS and Cloudflare DNS. They are fast, secure, and almost never go down.

How to do it: You will be changing your network settings to point to these new addresses.

Here are the addresses you’ll need:

DNS ProviderPreferred DNS ServerAlternate DNS Server
Google8.8.8.88.8.4.4
Cloudflare1.1.1.11.0.0.1

On Windows (10 & 11):

  1. Click the Start button and type Network Connections. Select “View network connections” from the control panel.
  2. Right-click on your active connection (it will be the one that doesn’t have a red “X,” usually “Wi-Fi” or “Ethernet”) and select “Properties.”
  3. In the list that appears, find and click on “Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4).”
  4. Click the “Properties” button.
  5. A new window will open. At the bottom, click the bubble that says “Use the following DNS server addresses:”
  6. Enter the public DNS addresses. For example, for Cloudflare:
    • Preferred DNS server: 1.1.1.1
    • Alternate DNS server: 1.0.0.1
  7. Click OK, then Close.
  8. You should flush your DNS cache (Method 3) one more time to be safe, then test your browser.

On macOS (Ventura & Sonoma):

  1. Open the Apple Menu () > System Settings.
  2. Click “Network” in the sidebar.
  3. Select your active connection (e.g., “Wi-Fi”) from the list.
  4. Click the “Details…” button next to it.
  5. In the new window, click the “DNS” tab in the sidebar.
  6. Under “DNS Servers,” click the + button.
  7. Type 1.1.1.1 and press Return.
  8. Click the + button again.
  9. Type 1.0.0.1 and press Return.
  10. (Optional) If you see any old DNS addresses in that list from your ISP, you can select them and click the – button to remove them.
  11. Click OK.
  12. Flush your DNS cache (Method 3) and test your browser.

Method 6: Disable Your Firewall or Antivirus Temporarily

Why this works: A firewall (like Windows Defender Firewall) or your third-party antivirus suite (like Norton, McAfee, or Avast) is designed to protect you by filtering network traffic. Sometimes, an update can make them too aggressive, and they might start blocking legitimate DNS queries (port 53) or all traffic from a specific IP, mistakenly identifying your ISP’s DNS server as a threat.

How to do it: This is a temporary test. Do not leave your firewall or antivirus disabled.

  1. Disable your Antivirus: Go into your antivirus program’s settings and look for an option like “Real-time protection” or “Firewall.” Disable it for the shortest time possible (e.g., “Disable for 10 minutes”).
  2. Test the website. If it loads, you’ve found your culprit. You’ll need to go into your antivirus’s settings and find a way to “whitelist” your browser or adjust its firewall rules.
  3. Disable Windows Firewall: If that doesn’t work, try the built-in firewall.
    • Go to Start > Settings > Update & Security > Windows Security > Firewall & network protection.
    • Click on your active network (e.g., “Private network”).
    • Toggle the “Microsoft Defender Firewall” switch to Off.
  4. Test the website again.
  5. IMPORTANT: Whether this works or not, turn your firewall back on immediately after testing.

Method 7: Boot in Safe Mode with Networking

Why this works: This is a powerful diagnostic step. When your computer starts normally, it loads dozens of third-party programs and drivers. Any one of these could be interfering with your network connection. Safe Mode starts your computer with only the essential, core files and drivers needed to run. “Safe Mode with Networking” adds the basic network drivers so you can still access the internet.

If the error disappears in Safe Mode, it’s 100% proof that a third-party program you installed is causing the problem.

How to do it:

On Windows (10 & 11):

  1. Press the Windows key + R to open the Run box.
  2. Type msconfig and press Enter.
  3. Go to the “Boot” tab.
  4. Under “Boot options,” check the box for “Safe boot.”
  5. Below that, select the “Network” bubble.
  6. Click OK and then Restart.
  7. Your computer will reboot into Safe Mode. Test the website.
  8. TO GET OUT OF SAFE MODE: When you are done, you must go back to msconfig and uncheck the “Safe boot” box, then restart normally.

On macOS (Apple Silicon):

  1. Shut down your Mac.
  2. Press and hold the power button until you see “Loading startup options.”
  3. Select your startup disk.
  4. Press and hold the Shift key, then click “Continue in Safe Mode.”
  5. Test the website. To get out, just restart your Mac normally.

Method 8: Update Your Network Adapter Drivers

Why this works: A driver is a piece of software that lets your operating system talk to your physical hardware (like your Wi-Fi card or Ethernet port). If this driver is old, buggy, or corrupt, it can cause all sorts of strange connection problems, including failing to handle DNS queries correctly.

How to do it (On Windows):

  1. Right-click the Start button and select “Device Manager.”
  2. Expand the “Network adapters” section.
  3. You will see your hardware, (e.g., “Intel(R) Wi-Fi 6…” or “Realtek PCIe GbE Family Controller”).
  4. Right-click on your active adapter and select “Update driver.”
  5. Choose “Search automatically for drivers.” Windows will check for a new one.
  6. If it doesn’t find one, it’s worth going to your computer manufacturer’s website (e.g., Dell, HP, Lenovo) and manually downloading the latest “Network” or “LAN” driver for your specific model.

Method 9: Disable Secondary/Unused Network Connections

Why this works: Your computer might have multiple network connections enabled at once, even if you’re only using one. Common examples include an Ethernet port (while you’re on Wi-Fi), a Bluetooth connection, or a virtual adapter left over from a VPN program. Sometimes, your computer gets confused and tries to send its DNS query out through the wrong (and inactive) connection, where it will obviously fail.

How to do it (On Windows):

  1. Click the Start button and type Network Connections. Select “View network connections” from the control panel.
  2. You will see icons for all your connections (Wi-Fi, Ethernet, Bluetooth, etc.).
  3. Your main connection will be the one without a red “X.”
  4. For any other connection you are not actively using, right-click it and select “Disable.”
  5. This is especially common with “Ethernet” if you’re on Wi-Fi, or old VPN adapters.
  6. This forces your computer to only use the one, correct, active connection.
  7. Flush your DNS (Method 3) and test again.

Method 10: Check Your Hosting and Domain Provider (For Website Owners)

Why this works: This final method flips the script. What if the problem is the website, and it’s your website? If your customers are all telling you “your DNS server is not responding,” the problem lies with your website’s configuration. This almost always comes down to a mismatch between your domain registrar (where you bought the name) and your hosting provider (where the site files live).

This is what I call the “provider blame game.” Your registrar says the settings are right, and your host says they are too, but the site is still down.

As web creation expert Itamar Haim notes, “The most common point of failure for a new website launch is a mismatch in DNS records. The creator points the domain, but the hosting server isn’t configured to accept it, or the propagation hasn’t finished.”

This mismatch means the “phonebook” is sending people to the right address, but the “building” at that address has no record of the “person” (your site).

This is precisely where an integrated platform shines. When you use a managed solution like Elementor Hosting, the builder, the hosting, and the DNS records are all managed in one place by one team. You don’t have to manually copy-paste IP addresses and nameservers. The platform handles the technical configuration, so you can focus on building your WordPress site with tools like Elementor Pro. This unified support model eliminates the “blame game” entirely.

If you are in this situation with a non-integrated setup, you need to:

  1. Check Your Nameservers: Log in to your domain registrar (e.g., GoDaddy, Namecheap). Check that the “Nameservers” are pointing to the exact addresses given to you by your hosting provider.
  2. Check Your A Record: Log in to your DNS provider (which might be your registrar or your host). Ensure the “A” record for your main domain (@) is pointing to the correct IP address for your server.
  3. Wait for Propagation: DNS changes are not instant. It can take anywhere from 30 minutes to 48 hours for the new “phonebook” entry to be distributed to all the servers worldwide.

What to Do If Nothing Works?

If you have tried all 10 methods and you still can’t access any website, the problem is almost certainly outside your control. At this point, your only remaining step is to contact your Internet Service Provider (ISP).

Call their technical support line and inform them: “I am consistently getting ‘DNS server not responding’ errors. I have flushed my DNS cache, power-cycled my router, and even tried switching to public DNS servers like 8.8.8.8, and the issue persists.”

This tells them you have done your homework and signals that the problem is likely a larger-scale outage or a technical fault with their service line to your home.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

1. What is a DNS server in simple terms? It’s the internet’s phonebook. It translates the human-friendly website names you type into your browser (like google.com) into the computer-friendly IP addresses (like 172.217.14.228) needed to make a connection.

2. Is it safe to use a public DNS server like 8.8.8.8 or 1.1.1.1? Yes, it is perfectly safe. In fact, it’s often safer and faster than using your default ISP’s DNS. Cloudflare (1.1.1.1) is particularly well-regarded for its strong privacy policy (it doesn’t log your queries).

3. Why does this error happen on my phone but not my laptop? This points to a problem specific to your phone. The most likely cause is your phone’s Wi-Fi DNS cache or settings. Try “forgetting” the Wi-Fi network on your phone and rejoining it. You can also manually change the DNS settings on your phone’s Wi-Fi connection, just like on a computer.

4. How long does it take for DNS changes to (propagate) update? For a website owner, DNS propagation can take up to 48 hours, though it’s often much faster (1-4 hours). For a user, when you flush your local cache, the change is instant. When you change your DNS server, it’s also instant.

5. Can a VPN cause the “DNS server not responding” error? Absolutely. A VPN routes all your traffic through its own servers. If the VPN’s own DNS server fails, or if the VPN client software creates a “virtual” network adapter that fails, you will get this error. This is a common cause, so always try disabling your VPN as a first step.

6. What does ipconfig /flushdns actually do? This Windows command tells your computer to throw away its entire local DNS cache. The next time you try to visit any website, your computer will be forced to ask for a fresh “phonebook” lookup, which clears out any old or corrupt entries.

7. Does restarting my router really fix DNS issues? Yes, it frequently does. Your router has its own DNS cache and can get into a “stuck” state. A full power-cycle (unplugging it for 60 seconds) is a simple and effective way to clear its memory and force it to re-establish a clean connection with your ISP.

8. Could a virus or malware cause this error? Yes. A specific type of malware called “DNS hijacking” can change your computer’s DNS settings to point to a malicious server. This server might steal your data or simply fail to respond. Running an antivirus scan is a good step if you suspect this.

9. Why does the error say “server” if the problem is my computer? It’s a bit confusing. The “server” it’s referring to is the remote DNS server it’s trying to talk to. The error just means the “server” (e.g., your ISP’s DNS) didn’t reply. But the reason it didn’t reply could be a local problem (like your firewall blocking the request).

10. How do I know if the problem is my ISP? The best test is Method 5: changing to a public DNS. If you switch your computer’s DNS to Google’s (8.8.8.8) and the internet instantly starts working perfectly, you have your answer. Your ISP’s DNS server is the problem. You can either leave your settings on Google’s or call your ISP to report their server is down.