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How To Flush and Refresh DNS Cache in Windows 10

Flushing the DNS cache in Windows 10 is an easy process that can help resolve connectivity issues and improve browsing performance. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to flush DNS cache in Windows 10.

What is DNS Cache

DNS stands for Domain Name System. It is like an address book for websites, mapping domain names to IP addresses.

When you visit a website, your device does a DNS lookup to find the IP address associated with that domain. The DNS information is then stored in a cache on your device so that when you visit the site again, the IP address is retrieved from the cache rather than doing another lookup.

Over time, this cache can become outdated or contain incorrect entries which can cause problems. Flushing the cache clears out this old data.

Why Flush DNS Cache

Here are some common reasons you may want to flush your DNS cache in Windows 10:

  • Resolve connectivity issues – An outdated cache with invalid entries can prevent you from accessing certain sites. Flushing it can fix connection problems.
  • Improve browsing speed – A cluttered cache with lots of old entries can slow down browsing. Clearing it out improves performance.
  • Apply DNS changes – If you switch DNS servers, flushing the cache forces your device to use the new server.
  • Fix security issues – DNS cache poisoning attacks can implant malicious entries in your cache. Flushing clears these out.
  • Diagnose problems – If you are troubleshooting browser or connectivity issues, flushing the cache is one of the first steps.

How to Flush DNS Cache in Windows 10

Flushing DNS cache in Windows 10 is very simple and can be done in just a few steps:

1. Open Command Prompt

The easiest way to flush DNS is by using the Command Prompt.

  • Click on the Windows Start Menu.
  • Type cmd.
  • Right-click on Command Prompt and select Run as administrator.
  • Click Yes on the User Account Control prompt.

2. Run the ipconfig Command

In the Command Prompt, run the following command:

ipconfig /flushdns

3. Check the Output

You should see a message saying Successfully flushed the DNS Resolver Cache. This indicates that the DNS cache has been flushed successfully.

4. Close Command Prompt

You can close Command Prompt now. The DNS cache has been cleared.

Alternative Ways to Flush DNS Cache

Here are a couple other ways you can flush DNS cache in Windows 10:

  • Use Windows Network Reset – Go to Settings > Network & Internet > Status > Network Reset. This resets all network components including flushing DNS cache.
  • Use Windows PowerShell – Open PowerShell as admin and run the command Clear-DnsClientCache.
  • Use ipconfig in PowerShell – You can run ipconfig /flushdns in PowerShell instead of Command Prompt.

When to Flush DNS Cache

Since flushing the DNS cache causes no harm, you can technically do it as often as you like. But here are some general guidelines on frequency:

  • Flush it if you are having any browser or connectivity issues to see if it helps resolve them.
  • Flush it if you switch DNS servers or make a change that would require using new DNS entries.
  • Flush it about once a month just as general system maintenance to keep your cache optimized.

Conclusion

Flushing your DNS cache in Windows 10 is a simple process that can fix many common connectivity problems. Just open Command Prompt as admin and run the ipconfig /flushdns command.

Keeping your cache flushed improves browsing performance and ensures you have the most recent DNS data. It’s a useful troubleshooting step for any connectivity or DNS issues.

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