Fix “DNS Server isn’t Responding” Issue in Windows 7/8/10

The ‘DNS server not responding’ response is one of the common issues that occurs in Windows system while connecting to the internet. This appears even when your network settings are properly configured so normally people get confused about the fix. So today I am going to state the troubleshooting options to resolve the ‘no DNS server’ error but before that, let me tell you what is DNS server.

What is a DNS server?

A DNS name system is a technology that manages the public names and domain names of website similar to a phonebook memory. It allows you to type the web address URL to your browser and your computer automatically detects the address. A DNS server is any computer system registered to join the Domain Name System.

Why does the DNS server error occur?

The DNS error normally occurs due to incorrect HOSTS names and files that contain outdated listings and that prevents you from connecting to the internet. These files are edited by some internet accelerator utilities without informing you and you need to fix it manually. Open your HOSTS file with Notepad and find if the site is listed there to which you are unable to connect. Simply delete that entry and save the file and you will probably get connected to it.

 

How to fix DNS server not responding issue?

To fix this issue, you can try attempting the steps below.

• Keep a backup of your wired/wireless Router settings and its Firmware.
• To change the DNS server manually,
  • Open the Control Panel.
  • Open Network and Internet > Network Sharing Centre.
  • Click on Change Adapter Settings.
• 
  • You will see a list of adapters. Click the Network Adapter you are using.
  • Right-click on it and go to Properties.
  • Click on TCP/IPv4 and you’ll see the Internet Protocol properties.
  • Select ‘Use the following DNS server addresses.
  • Enter the Preferred DNS address as 67.222.222.
  • Enter the Alternative DNS as 67.220.220.
• 
  • Check the option ‘Validate settings upon exit’.
  • Click Ok and exit.
• Now you have to insert the same DNS address in the router configuration.
• Try installing and configuring OpenDNS (http://www.opendns.com/).
• Now enter the Physical address in the Network adapter setting.
  • Open Command Prompt and type IPCONFIG/ALL.
  • Look for your LAN network adapter.
  • Write down the Physical address as mentioned there.
• 
  • Go to Start and type CPL.
  • Right click on your Network Adapter and go to Properties.
  • Select Configure.
  • Click on Advance tab > Network address.
  • Select the redial button Value.
  • Type the Physical address you noted down before. (For e.g. remove the dashes and type it as 78DD08F1DFB0).
  • Click Ok and Reboot the system.
• Now look for your Network Adapter model and find the appropriate drivers from the manufacturer’s site. Update the drivers and it might fix your issue.
• Disable your network Firewall settings in case it blocks the connection.

(2) Reset DNS settings

In case, the above solution fails to work, try this method to resolve the ‘DNS server not found’ issue.

• Open Command Prompt on your Windows PC.

• Type the following commands step by step:
  • ipconfig /flushdns > press Enter
  • ipconfig /registerdns > press Enter
  • ipconfig /release > press Enter
  • ipconfig /renew > press Enter
  • netsh winsock reset > press Enter
• Now reboot your computer and the DNS not responding issue will probably resolve.

(3) Resolve ‘DNS server unavailable’ problem by restarting the Router

Disconnecting the WiFi router and restarting it at times resolves DNS problems and for that, you don’t require performing the above methods. Leave your router disconnected and unplugged for about 2 minutes. This will clear up the memory and release remaining charge. Then plug it again and fully connect and it will probably resolve the problem. Use this as your primary solution before attempting the complex ones.

 

(4) Try connecting in Safe Mode to resolve DNS server problem

If still, the problem remains intact then try connecting to your network in Safe Mode. Sometimes third-party software disables your connection and to fix this you need to perform this step. Safe Mode will load only the required Windows files. To restart your computer in Safe Mode, hold the F8 key and select Safe Mode from the list. Try connecting to the network now and if it works, then some third-party application or firewall or anti-virus software is probably preventing it from running.

(5) Disable extra connections to resolve “the DNS server isn’t responding” issue

Sometimes you will find a number of connections displayed which you never use. Mostly Microsoft Windows installs them by default. So it is better to remove them to prevent similar issues that interrupt your active connection.

To find those extra connections on Windows,

• Navigate to Control Panel > Network and Sharing Centre > Change Adapter Settings.
• Check for the extra and unused connections in your PC.
• Right click on that connection and click Disable.

This will hopefully fix the ‘DNS error’ problem.

(6) Troubleshoot “DNS server is not responding” with software

If all these fixes fail to work then the last method is to use a third-party software. The Smart DNS Server Fixer is a tool which can fix Windows Registry errors and repair invalid entries and domain name server not responding issue. The software quickly scans the entire system registry files and displays how many problems are required to be fixed. To resolve any issue or the ‘DNS server not working’ issue, simply click on Fix all to resolve the problem smoothly.

Smart DNS Server Not Responding Fixer Pro is an efficient tool that works in Windows 7, Windows 8, Windows 8.1, and Windows 10 systems. You can view the entire scan result and logs with this tool which will help you recognise the issue in a better way.

Conclusion

I hope these resolutions will fix your trouble and you will be connected to the internet efficiently. Mainly this requires the simplest fix but at times, the simple ones fail to work due to the major issue that causes the trouble. So try attempting this and if you know any other solution to fix the DNS error, “DNS server is not responding” then do share it with us.