When a website suddenly refuses to load, points to the wrong server, or keeps showing an outdated version even though everyone else can access it normally, the problem may not be your internet connection at all. It could be your DNS cache, a small but important local record Windows 11 keeps to speed up browsing. Flushing that cache is one of the quickest troubleshooting steps you can take, and it often solves connection issues in seconds.
TLDR: To flush the DNS cache on Windows 11, open Command Prompt or Windows Terminal as an administrator, type ipconfig /flushdns, and press Enter. You should see a message saying the DNS Resolver Cache was successfully flushed. This clears old website address records from your PC and forces Windows to request fresh DNS information. It is safe, fast, and useful when websites fail to load correctly or redirect to the wrong place.
What Is DNS Cache?
DNS stands for Domain Name System. It is often described as the phonebook of the internet because it translates human-friendly domain names, such as example.com, into numerical IP addresses that computers use to find servers. Without DNS, you would need to remember long strings of numbers instead of simple website names.
To make this process faster, Windows 11 stores recent DNS lookups in a local database called the DNS cache. The next time you visit the same website, your computer can check this saved record instead of asking a DNS server again. That helps pages load more quickly and reduces unnecessary network requests.
However, cached DNS records can sometimes become outdated or incorrect. For example, a website may move to a new server, a domain may change hosting providers, or your network may briefly receive a bad response. In those cases, Windows might keep using the old information until the cache expires. Flushing the DNS cache simply clears those stored records so Windows can retrieve new ones.
Why You Might Need to Flush DNS on Windows 11
Flushing DNS is not something you need to do every day, but it is a helpful fix in several common situations. If your browser says a website cannot be reached, but the site works on your phone or another computer, your local DNS cache could be the cause.
You may also want to flush DNS after making changes to a domain, such as updating DNS records for a website, changing hosting providers, or connecting a custom domain to a new service. Developers, website owners, system administrators, and digital marketers often flush DNS so their computers stop relying on old records.
Here are common reasons to clear the DNS cache:
- A website loads on other devices but not on your Windows 11 PC.
- You recently changed DNS records and want your computer to check the latest version.
- You are seeing old website content after a migration or server update.
- A site redirects incorrectly or points to an unexpected page.
- You switched DNS providers, such as moving to Google DNS, Cloudflare DNS, or your ISP’s DNS.
- You suspect a corrupted DNS entry is causing connection problems.
- You want a quick privacy cleanup of locally stored domain lookup history.
It is important to note that flushing DNS does not delete your browsing history, passwords, cookies, or saved website data. It only clears cached domain-to-IP lookup records stored by Windows.
How to Flush DNS Cache Using Command Prompt
The most direct way to flush DNS in Windows 11 is through Command Prompt. This method is reliable, quick, and works on nearly every Windows 11 installation.
- Click the Start button or press the Windows key.
- Type Command Prompt in the search bar.
- Right-click Command Prompt and select Run as administrator.
- If Windows asks for permission, click Yes.
- Type the following command:
ipconfig /flushdns
- Press Enter.
If everything works correctly, you should see this message:
Successfully flushed the DNS Resolver Cache.
That is all you need to do. Windows 11 has now cleared its DNS cache, and the next time you visit a website, your computer will request fresh DNS information from the configured DNS resolver.
Tip: If you receive an error or the command does not work, make sure you opened Command Prompt with administrator privileges. Although the command may work in some non-admin sessions, using an elevated window is the safest approach.
How to Flush DNS Cache Using Windows Terminal
Windows 11 encourages the use of Windows Terminal, a modern command-line app that can run Command Prompt, PowerShell, and other shells in tabs. You can also flush DNS from Windows Terminal with the same command.
- Right-click the Start button.
- Select Terminal Admin or Windows Terminal Admin.
- Click Yes if the User Account Control prompt appears.
- In the terminal window, type:
ipconfig /flushdns
- Press Enter.
You should again see the confirmation message that the DNS Resolver Cache was successfully flushed. Whether Windows Terminal opens PowerShell or Command Prompt by default, this command should still work.
How to View the DNS Cache Before Flushing
If you are curious about what is inside the DNS cache, Windows lets you display it. This can be useful for troubleshooting or simply understanding how much DNS data your computer stores.
Open Command Prompt or Windows Terminal and type:
ipconfig /displaydns
Press Enter, and Windows will list cached DNS records. Depending on your activity, the list may be long. You might see domain names, record types, time-to-live values, and IP address information.
After reviewing the cache, you can clear it with:
ipconfig /flushdns
Then, if you run ipconfig /displaydns again, the list should be much shorter. Some entries may reappear almost immediately because Windows and background services continue making DNS requests while your computer is running.
Does Flushing DNS Fix Internet Problems?
Flushing DNS can fix many website access problems, but it is not a cure for every network issue. It is most effective when the problem is related to outdated or incorrect domain resolution. If your entire internet connection is down, your Wi-Fi is disconnected, or your router is malfunctioning, clearing DNS will not solve the root cause.
That said, DNS flushing is often worth trying because it is fast and harmless. If a site fails to load, especially after DNS changes or server migrations, flushing the cache is one of the first steps many IT professionals recommend.
For best results, combine it with a few related troubleshooting steps:
- Restart your browser after flushing DNS.
- Clear your browser cache if the page still looks outdated.
- Restart your router if multiple devices have DNS problems.
- Try a different DNS provider if your current resolver is unreliable.
- Disable and reconnect your network adapter if Windows still behaves oddly.
Browser DNS Cache: Another Layer to Consider
Windows 11 is not the only place DNS information may be cached. Modern browsers, including Chrome, Edge, and Firefox, may maintain their own internal DNS caches. This means that even after you flush the Windows DNS cache, your browser might still use stored information for a short time.
If you use Google Chrome or Microsoft Edge, you can try closing and reopening the browser after flushing DNS. For a deeper reset, you may also clear browsing data or visit the browser’s internal networking pages, though those settings can change between versions.
For most users, the best practical sequence is simple:
- Flush the Windows DNS cache.
- Close every open browser window.
- Reopen the browser.
- Try loading the website again.
This helps ensure both Windows and your browser are no longer relying on stale lookup data.
What About Router or ISP DNS Cache?
Sometimes the outdated DNS information is not stored on your PC. It may be cached by your router, your internet service provider, or an upstream DNS resolver. If flushing DNS on Windows 11 does not help, restart your router by unplugging it for about 30 seconds and plugging it back in. This can clear temporary network state and force a fresh connection.
You can also change your DNS servers in Windows 11. Popular public DNS providers include Cloudflare, Google Public DNS, and Quad9. Switching DNS providers can improve reliability, speed, or security depending on your location and network.
Is Flushing DNS Safe?
Yes, flushing DNS is safe. It does not damage Windows, remove personal files, erase bookmarks, or reset your network settings. It only clears temporary DNS lookup records. Your computer will rebuild the cache automatically as you browse the web.
The only noticeable effect is that the first visit to a website after flushing may take a fraction of a second longer because Windows needs to perform a fresh DNS lookup. After that, new records are cached again, and browsing continues normally.
Helpful DNS Commands for Windows 11
If you want to go a little further, Windows includes several useful networking commands. These can help diagnose DNS and connection issues beyond a simple cache flush.
ipconfig /flushdnsclears the DNS resolver cache.ipconfig /displaydnsdisplays cached DNS entries.ipconfig /allshows detailed network adapter and DNS server information.nslookup example.comchecks how a domain resolves through DNS.ping example.comtests whether your computer can reach a domain or IP address.
These commands are especially useful when you are trying to determine whether the problem is caused by your PC, your DNS provider, the website’s server, or the wider network.
Final Thoughts
Learning how to flush DNS cache on Windows 11 is a small skill that can save a lot of frustration. The process takes only a few seconds, yet it can fix stubborn website errors, outdated redirects, and domain resolution problems that otherwise feel mysterious.
In most cases, all you need is an administrator Command Prompt or Windows Terminal window and the command ipconfig /flushdns. If the issue continues, restart your browser, clear browser cache, reboot your router, or try a different DNS provider. DNS may work quietly in the background, but knowing how to refresh it gives you more control over your Windows 11 internet experience.