What does ‘server DNS address could not be found’ exactly means?
Every website on the internet has a numerical IP which is associated with the human-understandable domain name, this IP address is used for the packet to packet communication and if the DNS (server) which acts as the translator fails to retrieve the IP Address of the site you are trying to visit, then this error is triggered. Generally, this issue is seen when a domain you are trying to access is down, the dns server is down or your local cache is returning an older IP address which usually happens after a change of IP Address at the server-level. In this guide, I will walk you through the steps to address this issue – however, if the issue is due to a server misconfiguration of the site you are visiting then these methods won’t help.
Method 1: Update the DNS
This method has gained a lot of popularity which suggests that the user should update the DNS server to that of Google as they are more reliable.
Method 2: Look Up IP and add to Hosts File
This method may work or may not, since it still requires the use of DNS servers to query the IP but it can provide a bit more insights into the issue – if you are still able to access other websites, then try opening the following link Replace domain.com with the domain you cannot visit, and take note of the IP Address Generally, all the IPs you see should be the same, but if it is not then the ones mostly used is the right one (copy it). Save the file and now trying accessing the site. This will look up the route locally, before querying your DNS because we have already pointed the domain to it’s IP Address. If the site still won’t open, then it’s probably an issue with the site. You can also try opening the site from your mobile to rule out the possibility of current device configuration/caches or reply in the comments below with the site name and we’ll check it for you. Also, if these don’t work, as a last resort, try to reset your IP.
Method 3: Reset Network Configurations
It is possible that your computer hasn’t been properly configured to use the right combination of the Network configurations due to which the error is being sprung up while trying to browse the internet with Google Chrome. Therefore, in this step, we will be resetting the network configurations completely. For that:
Method 4: Restart the DNS Service
It is possible that the DNS service might’ve gotten glitched out when you tried to surf the internet on the Chrome browser and due to this, the error message was received on the screen. Therefore, in this step, we will be restarting the DNS service and then check to see if doing so fixes the issue. For that:
Method 5: Reinstall Chrome
Sometimes the issue might not actually lie within your network configurations and it might instead be coming from the browser itself. Therefore, in this step, we will first uninstall Chrome from our computer and then download it again from the official website and install it. For that: Now we will be reinstalling the software by following the guidelines below.
Method 6: Configuring to Open New Page
In some situations, a harmful browser extension or some other page might’ve configured your browser to open a specific set of pages at its startup due to which this particular issue might come to light. Therefore, in this step, we will be configuring Chrome to just open a new tab page at startup. For that:
Method 7: Delete the Files from ETC Folder
For some people, the error is caused due to some extra files being present in the most important folder of the Windows Operating System. If the “etc.” folder inside the System 32 folder contains some extra files, the error message might be triggered. Therefore, in this step, we will be deleting these files from our computer but before we proceed, make sure that you have made a full backup of all your files because this can sometimes be go sideways.
Method 8: Upgrade Network Adapter and Install Missing Drivers
It is possible that you are becoming the victim of a missing or outdated network driver due to which this issue is being triggered on your computer. Therefore, in this step, we will be making it all easy for you by downloading an application that automatically scans your computer for missing driver software and then installs it for you automatically if you choose the premium (Paid) option or it identifies the missing software for you and you can install it yourself. For that:
Method 9: Change DNS Server Settings
A wrong configuration of DNS server settings can also lead to the non-accessibility of the internet. So you need to have appropriate DNS server settings in order to remove this bug. Follow the steps below for the rectification of this issue:
Method 10: Flushing DNS Cache
When you visit a website that requires you to sign in to your account, windows saves the addresses of all the IP addresses you visit automatically so that the next time you visit the same website the browser could fill in your account info by itself and opens the website at a quicker pace. But if the specific cache becomes obsolete or outdated, it can cause malfunctioning and can stop you from accessing the internet. Therefore, in this step, we will be clearing the DNS cache. For that:
Method 11: Try Using a VPN
You can encounter the “Server DNS address could not be found error” with some website due to location issues. Some websites prevent users from a certain demographic from accessing their websites due to which the error sometimes occurs and therefore you can use a VPN to access these websites. You must use a VPN with a prominent reputation for this purpose. If you are not sure you can use NordVPN. To employ it follow the below-mentioned steps:
Method 12: Use Chrome Commands
Not Surprisingly, Chrome has its own storage of DNS cache that it uses to speed up the process of surfing the internet but it can sometimes come to bite the user back if it gets corrupted. Therefore, in this step, we will be using the Chrome internal commands to reset this cache as well and then check if the error message goes away. For that:
Method 13: Removing the Prediction Service
While typing in your search in the search bar, Chrome actually puts out a couple of recommendations that most people search for on the internet. This feature, however useful, can sometimes interfere with the browser’s functionality and cause the error while the user is trying to use Chrome. Therefore, in this step, we will be disabling this feature. For that:
Method 14: Running Network Troubleshooter
In some cases, some core Windows features might’ve been glitched out due to which this particular issue is being triggered while searching on Google Chrome. Therefore, in this step, we will be running the network troubleshooter to rectify that. For that:
Method 15: Reinstalling Network Drivers
Sometimes, the network drivers being used by the computer might not be properly equipped to form a stable internet connection due to which this error message is being triggered on Google Chrome. In order to get around this issue, we will be uninstalling the driver and install it automatically from the Windows Update.
Method 16: Disable Proxy Settings
It is possible that your computer might be configured to run a proxy connection and due to this, the error might be triggered. Therefore, in this step, we will be disabling the Proxy settings and then check to see if doing so fixes the error. For that:
Method 17: Reset Internet Explorer Settings
Internet Explorer is used by the computer to communicate with the Windows servers and it is basically used for all the tasks by the operating system that involves connecting to the internet and also by the system applications. However, it can sometimes glitch out and cause this issue which we will be solving by resetting it completely.
How to Scan your Local and Remote Subnets for MAC address, DNS, Network Card…How to Manage and Request IP Address Requests in IP Address ManagerYour computer has lost the lease to its IP address on the Network Card with…SolarWinds IP Address Tracker: Free IP Address Tracking Software Review
