HankiHow to Flush DNS in Windows 11
Windows stores recent DNS lookups in a local cache.
Normally this improves performance because Windows does not need to look up the same domain repeatedly.
Sometimes, however, cached DNS information becomes outdated or incorrect.
The Flush DNS Command
Open Terminal or Command Prompt as Administrator and run:
ipconfig /flushdns
You should see a message confirming that the DNS Resolver Cache was successfully flushed.
What Happens Next?
Windows can resolve the name again after its cached entry is cleared. Browsers and applications may keep separate caches or use encrypted DNS, and the Hosts file can still override a lookup.
When Flushing DNS Can Help
It may help when:
- a website recently changed servers
- a domain works on another device but not your PC
- DNS records appear stale
- websites intermittently resolve incorrectly
- networking changed after connecting to a VPN
What Flushing DNS Does Not Do
Flushing DNS does not:
- improve Wi-Fi signal strength
- repair a broken router
- increase your internet speed
- change your DNS provider
- remove browser cookies
It simply clears Windows' local DNS resolver cache.
Want to See the Current Cache?
Run:
ipconfig /displaydns
This displays cached DNS entries currently stored by Windows.
References
Questions about How to Flush DNS in Windows 11
What does ipconfig /flushdns remove?
It clears the Windows DNS resolver cache so the computer can request fresh name-resolution records. It does not reset the router or repair every connection problem.
Will flushing DNS fix slow Wi-Fi or a disconnected adapter?
No. It may help with stale hostname resolution, but radio signal, adapter, router and internet-link problems need different checks.