Your website can occasionally experience different types of errors. While most errors originate from your server or application issues, some can stem from your computer settings. One such error is the DNS_PROBE_FINISHED_NXDOMAIN error. In this article, we will explain what is DNS_PROBE_FINISHED_NXDOMAIN error and provide a simple guide on how to fix it.
Before we explain what is the DNS_PROBE_FINISHED_NXDOMAIN Error, you need to first understand the concept of a Domain Name System (DNS). In its simplicity, a DNS is a database of IP addresses that has been mapped to domain names.
All servers have an IP address used to identify the websites saved on a computer. Although you do not have to type an IP address into your browser when accessing web content, a corresponding domain name is used to define it. Therefore, a DNS is used to identify the specific IP address that a unique domain name points to.
Once you type in a URL and press enter, the server will search its database to identify and indicate the specific site you’re trying to access. If the DNS servers cannot fetch the information you want, then you will run into a DNS_PROBE_FINISHED_NXDOMAIN error. The error will be displayed as DNS_PROBE_FINISHED_NXDOMAIN error in Chrome (or any other browser that you are using).
The DNS_PROBE_FINISHED_NXDOMAIN error can be frustrating and negatively affect user experience. Fortunately, the error can be fixed in several ways depending on what the root cause is. Let’s have a look at the three most effective ways of fixing the DNS_PROBE_FINISHED_NXDOMAIN error in WordPress.
If you run into local connectivity issues, the first thing you need to do is renew your IP address even before restarting your router. For Windows users, you can renew your IP address by opening the command prompt as an administrator. On the Windows Start menu, type “cmd” and open the Command Prompt on a Windows computer. Execute the following three commands one at a time:
Executing these three commands in Windows releases your IP address, renews it, and then flushes your local DNS cache. You can now try to access the problem website to see if the error persists.
If you are running macOS, the process of renewing your IP address is slightly different. Instead of entering commands, follow these instructions:
To successfully renew IP, use Terminal to flush the DNS cache. Click Go > Utilities, and enter the prompt: dscacheutil –flushcache. Test the URL to check if the problem has been resolved. If not, try the next fix.
Your computer decides the DNS server to connect to automatically. However, the DNS server selected might not always have the best response times. In other cases, it might be unavailable or not properly configured, leading to errors like the DNS_PROBE_FINISHED_NXDOMAIN.
To determine the source of the DNS_PROBE_FINISHED_NXDOMAIN error you are experiencing, configure your connection to use a different DNS server. For Windows users, Open the Start menu and type “Network Status”. Then select the first result and click on the Change adapter options setting. Identify your active internet connection and follow these steps:
For macOS users, the process is almost the same:
In both Windows and MacOS, you can use any DNS server you want in the last step. Once you’re done, check if the DNS_PROBE_FINISHED_NXDOMAIN error persists before trying out the next fix.
Your computer’s host file allows manual mapping of IP addresses to domains. This is particularly useful in local web development where you need to map local sites to custom domains without registering them. However, programs may often edit your host’s file without your knowledge, leading to the DNS_PROBE_FINISHED_NXDOMAIN error.
If you are using Windows, you can fix the error by locating and opening your host file. Navigate to the local directory host file – C:\Windows\System32\drivers\etc\:. Open the file with a text editor and check the custom mappings set up to make sure none matches the domain name you are trying to access. Remove any entry that has your target domain and save the changes to your host file.
For macOS users, the easiest way to edit your host file is to use Terminal. Open the application and enter the following command: 01 |sudo nano /private/etc/hosts. This will open your host file on the Nano text editor where you can replace that part of the command. Check whether the file contains the domain that’s returning the DNS_PROBE_FINISHED_NXDOMAIN error and remove that mapping. Save your changes to the file and retry accessing the domain.
While there are many ways to fix the DNS_PROBE_FINISHED_NXDOMAIN error, the most effective ones are highlighted in this article. Fortunately, the fixes are quite easy to implement, and take only a short time to determine their effectiveness. If you would like additional guidance or help in fixing the error, get in touch with us today.
A seasoned technology writer and marketing consultant with over a decade of experience helping businesses grow online. I specialize in content marketing, SEO, web design, and e-commerce development. I am enthusiastic about using cutting-edge technology to acquire high-quality traffic, generate leads, and increase sales for my clients.
