Seeing the “DNS Probe Finished NXDOMAIN” error in Chrome can be frustrating, especially when you’re trying to access a website and get hit with the dreaded “This site can’t be reached” message. This DNS error means that your browser is having trouble finding the correct IP address for the web address you typed into the Chrome address bar. In other words, your browser can’t connect because it can’t resolve the domain name into a working server IP address.
This issue is especially common in Google Chrome, but it can also show up in Mozilla Firefox, Microsoft Edge, or other browsers. Sometimes, the problem lies with your internet service provider (ISP), VPN connection, or even your antivirus software interfering with your network settings.
This guide walks you through steps to fix the DNS Probe Finished NXDOMAIN error, perfect for anyone dealing with an internet connection error, especially when DNS fails unexpectedly. And don’t worry, most of these solutions are simple and don’t require advanced tech skills.
What Does DNS Probe Finished NXDOMAIN Error Mean?
To understand the DNS Probe Finished NXDOMAIN error, it helps to know what DNS (Domain Name System) actually does.
When you type a website’s domain into the Chrome address bar or any browser, your system uses DNS to translate that human-readable domain (like example.com) into a machine-readable IP address. This process is known as domain resolution.
But when DNS fails to find the correct IP address, your browser displays the error message: “DNS Probe Finished NXDOMAIN”. Here, “NXDOMAIN” stands for Non-Existent Domain, meaning the system believes the domain name doesn’t exist or cannot be reached from your current internet connection.
This error typically occurs when your device can’t reach the right DNS server addresses, or when your DNS setup is misconfigured. It may happen due to an issue with your local hosts file, expired DHCP lease, outdated browser cache, or problems with internet protocol version settings. You might also see it if you’ve recently changed your internet router, or if you’re trying to access a domain that hasn’t been registered with a hosting provider.
Luckily, it’s usually fixable. Many users are able to fix the DNS_Probe_Finished_NXDOMAIN error by tweaking a few adapter settings, updating the DNS tab, or choosing different DNS server options under Network and Sharing Center.
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Common Causes of DNS Probe Finished NXDOMAIN Error
This error code can appear for a variety of reasons, many of which are related to system misconfiguration or a breakdown in your network settings. Below are some of the most common causes:
Incorrect DNS Configuration
One of the top culprits is improper or outdated DNS server addresses. You might be using unreliable settings from your internet service provider, or an old entry in your alternate DNS server list may be causing the issue.
You can change this by going into Change Adapter Settings in Windows or System Preferences on macOS, and updating your preferred DNS server or switching to a public DNS server.
Network Connectivity Issues
If your internet router is misbehaving or if there’s a problem with your current local area connection, the DNS request may not go through. A quick router reboot or resetting the network icon settings can often fix this.
You may also need to run a few commands from the Start Menu using the Search Bar to renew your DHCP lease or flush the DNS cache.
Misconfigured Chrome Flags or Settings
Sometimes experimental features in Chrome can affect how DNS functions. Resetting Chrome’s flags or settings to default can help resolve any underlying misconfiguration in the browser. You might also want to clear your browser cache just in case.
VPN or Firewall Interference
If you’re using a VPN service or third-party firewall, they may be interfering with your system’s DNS resolution. Try to temporarily disable your VPN or disable antivirus protection to see if it resolves the issue. Don’t forget to revert the changes afterward.
Domain Doesn’t Exist or is Expired
In rare cases, the website’s domain may actually not exist, or its registration has lapsed with the hosting provider. Double-check that you’re typing the right web address in the address bar and not making a typo. You can also try pinging the site from another operating system or device to verify.
By understanding these common causes and how the domain name system works, you’ll be better equipped to quickly fix the DNS_Probe_Finished_NXDOMAIN error and get back online.
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Tips to Fix DNS Probe Finished NXDOMAIN Error in Chrome
Let’s walk through some of the most effective ways to fix the DNS_Probe_Finished_NXDOMAIN error in Google Chrome. These steps cover everything from basic restarts to adjusting your DNS settings, and they’re easy enough for most users to follow, no technical background required.
Restart Your Computer and Router
One of the easiest things you can do is simply restart your device and your internet router. This might sound basic, but it works more often than you’d think.
When your system or router has been running for too long, temporary glitches or minor software issues may build up. These can interfere with your network settings, especially how your computer connects to the DNS service.
Restarting your router helps reset your DHCP lease, clears up internal memory, and refreshes your current internet connection. At the same time, rebooting your computer ensures that your operating system starts fresh and can reconnect to the domain name system without interference.
Clear Chrome’s DNS Cache
Google Chrome stores DNS information in its internal memory so it can quickly load websites you’ve visited before. But sometimes this local DNS cache can become outdated or corrupted, leading to DNS errors.
To fix this, you can clear the DNS cache from within the browser. Doing this forces Chrome to look up fresh information from your DNS server addresses instead of relying on old or broken entries. Once you’ve cleared it, try visiting the website again, you might find that the error message disappears right away.
Reset Chrome Flags to Default
Chrome allows users to enable experimental features under chrome://flags. If you’ve been tweaking these settings or installed a Chrome-based optimization tool, you might have unintentionally disrupted how Chrome interacts with DNS.
Resetting all Chrome flags back to their default settings can resolve unexpected behavior. After the reset, restart your browser to apply the changes. This helps restore normal operation, especially if Chrome had trouble resolving a website’s domain due to incorrect internal configurations.
Flush DNS Cache via Command Prompt (Windows)
Your Windows system stores its own DNS records to reduce load times when you revisit websites. But when these records get outdated, it can lead to DNS resolution problems.
Instead of reloading stale records, clearing the cache helps your system request fresh and accurate information from your selected preferred DNS server or alternate DNS server. This can solve the issue if the problem is related to internal system caching rather than your internet service provider or browser.
You can do this from the Start Menu by searching for Command Prompt, running it as an administrator, and following a few simple steps. It’s a safe and recommended fix for most DNS-related issues.
Change DNS Server Settings
If your DNS server addresses are set to automatic or assigned by your internet service provider, they might be slow or unresponsive. Switching to a public DNS server like Google DNS or Cloudflare often improves DNS resolution speed and reliability.
On Windows, you can change these settings through the Control Panel under Network and Sharing Center, then go to Change Adapter Settings, right-click on your current local area connection, and open the network properties. From there, you can manually enter Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4) settings and assign a different DNS server.
On macOS, you can do this from System Preferences ⟶ Network, select your active connection, go into Advanced, and edit the DNS tab to include faster public DNS entries.
Changing your DNS servers can significantly reduce DNS errors, especially if your default ISP DNS is unreliable.
Disable VPN or Antivirus Temporarily
If you use a VPN service or have installed robust antivirus software, they might be interfering with DNS communication in the background. Some security tools automatically redirect or block DNS requests to add an extra layer of protection, but this can occasionally break legitimate requests.
Try to temporarily disable your VPN and antivirus software, then refresh the website in Chrome. If the site loads correctly, your DNS issue is likely being caused by one of these services. You can then re-enable them and look into whitelisting certain connections or switching to a different DNS server that works better with your security tools.
Restart DNS Client Service (Windows Only)
Windows uses a background service called the DNS Client to manage and store DNS information. If this service stops working properly, your system may struggle to resolve domain names, even if the DNS server addresses themselves are fine.
To fix this, open the list of system services from your PC and look for the DNS Client. Restarting this service helps reset how your system handles DNS lookups. This is especially useful when the error seems to persist even after changing your adapter settings or clearing your DNS cache.
Check the Domain’s Validity
Sometimes the issue isn’t with your computer or browser, it’s with the website’s domain itself. The domain may have expired or may not have been set up properly by the hosting provider.
Make sure you’re typing the right web address in the browser’s address bar. A small typo (like missing a letter or adding an extra dot) can trigger the DNS Probe Finished NXDOMAIN error.
To check if the domain is active, try visiting the site from another browser like Mozilla Firefox or Microsoft Edge, or use a different device altogether. If the domain doesn’t load anywhere, it may be an issue on the website owner’s end.
Fixing the Error on macOS and Linux
For Mac or Linux users, similar DNS fixes apply. You can clear the DNS cache using tools available within your system’s terminal, or by restarting your network service from the System Preferences or network settings area.
Make sure to review and update your DNS tab, assign new DNS server addresses, and restart your internet connection. You can also check if your local hosts file contains incorrect entries that may be blocking access to a site.
If you’re unsure where to start, reboot your device, update your DNS servers to something reliable like Google or Cloudflare, and try connecting again.
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Final Thoughts
The DNS Probe Finished NXDOMAIN error in Chrome might look intimidating at first, but in most cases, it’s easy to fix with a few basic troubleshooting steps. From restarting your router and clearing Chrome’s DNS cache to updating your DNS server addresses and checking the local hosts file, there are plenty of effective solutions that can get your internet connection back on track.
It’s a good idea to regularly clear your browser cache, check your DNS settings, and keep your internet protocol version configurations up to date. This not only prevents future DNS errors, but also helps ensure faster and more reliable browsing overall.
And if one solution doesn’t work, don’t worry, try the fix on a different device, browser, or current internet connection. Sometimes the issue is isolated to a specific network or device, so switching networks or testing with Mozilla Firefox, Microsoft Edge, or even your smartphone can help you pinpoint the problem more easily.
