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How to Flush DNS Cache: A-to-Z Guide for Developers!

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This article provides a detailed guide on How to Flush DNS Cache. If you’re interested in a professional explanation, with step-by-step methods and practical guidance, keep reading for valuable insights.

In today’s digital-first world, we expect websites to load instantly. But sometimes, even with a stable internet connection, certain websites don’t open, show outdated content, or throw strange errors. The root cause in many cases is not your internet speed but an outdated or corrupted DNS cache.

DNS cache acts like a temporary memory of your internet journey. While it usually speeds up browsing, it can also become a hurdle when records are outdated or incorrect. That’s why knowing how to flush DNS cache is a must for every internet user — whether you are a student, business owner, developer, or digital marketer.

How to Flush DNS Cache

We’re exploring “How to Flush DNS Cache” in this article, with all the key information at your fingertips.

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What is DNS Cache?

To understand DNS cache, let’s break down the process of how the internet works.

  1. When you type a website like www.example.com in your browser, your device needs the website’s IP address (like 120.40.19.110) to connect.
  2. The DNS (Domain Name System) acts as the phonebook of the internet, helping your computer find the IP address.
  3. To save time, your device stores this DNS information temporarily in a local storage called the DNS cache.

So, the next time you open the same website, your device doesn’t need to ask the DNS server again. It simply checks the DNS cache and loads the site faster.

For example, imagine you frequently call your friend “Rahman.” Instead of checking your contact diary every time, you memorise his phone number. Similarly, your device memorises IP addresses via DNS cache.

Why DNS Cache Can Become a Problem

While DNS cache makes browsing faster, it can sometimes cause issues.

  • Fix Website Loading Errors – If a website has recently changed its server or DNS records, your system may still use the old details. Flushing clears that.
  • Improve Speed & Performance – A clean cache reduces delays caused by mismatched entries.
  • Security Risks: Hackers can perform DNS cache poisoning to redirect you to fake or malicious websites.
  • Enhance Security – Protects you against DNS spoofing, cache poisoning, and phishing attacks.
  • Useful for Developers & Testers – If you update DNS settings (like switching hosting or using Cloudflare), flushing helps reflect changes instantly.
  • Resolve Outdated Records – Ensures your computer fetches the latest DNS information.
  • Corrupted Cache: Errors in the cache may prevent websites from loading.

How to Flush DNS Cache (Step-by-Step)

Think of flushing DNS cache as pressing the refresh button on your internet memory. Let’s explore the step-by-step process to clear DNS cache across different platforms.

1. Flush DNS on Windows (Windows 10/11)

  1. Press Windows + R to open the Run dialog box.
  2. Type cmd and press Enter.
  3. In Command Prompt, type:
ipconfig /flushdns
  1. You will see the message: “Successfully flushed the DNS Resolver Cache.”

👉 This works for both Windows 10 and Windows 11.

2. Flush DNS on Mac (macOS)

  1. Open Terminal (from Applications → Utilities).
  2. Type the following command and press Enter:
sudo dscacheutil -flushcache; sudo killall -HUP mDNSResponder
  1. Enter your password when prompted.
  2. Unlike Windows, Mac doesn’t show a success message. But don’t worry – the cache is cleared.

Note: The command is the same for most macOS versions (Catalina, Big Sur, Monterey, Ventura).

3. Flush DNS on Linux

Different Linux distributions may have slightly different commands.

  • For Ubuntu / Debian:
sudo systemd-resolve --flush-caches
  • For CentOS / Fedora:
sudo systemctl restart NetworkManager
  • For older systems:
sudo /etc/init.d/nscd restart

After running these, your Linux system will fetch fresh DNS records.

4. Flush DNS in Browsers

If you prefer managing DNS directly from your browser, here’s how you can flush DNS cache in Chrome, Firefox, Edge, and Safari.

1. Google Chrome

  1. Open Chrome.
  2. In the address bar, type: chrome://net-internals/#dns
  3. Click Clear Host Cache.

2. Mozilla Firefox

  1. In the address bar, type: about:networking#dns
  2. Click Clear DNS Cache.

3. Microsoft Edge

  1. Open Edge.
  2. In the address bar, type: edge://net-internals/#dns
  3. Click Clear Host Cache.

4. Safari (Mac Users)

Safari doesn’t have a direct DNS clear button. Instead:

  • Quit Safari.
  • Run the Mac DNS flush command (explained above).

How to Check If DNS Cache is Cleared

  • Windows:
ipconfig /displaydns

If no entries appear, the cache is empty.

  • Mac/Linux: Run a website query. If it takes slightly longer the first time, the cache has been cleared.
  • Browser Check: Open a website that wasn’t loading earlier. If it now works fine, the DNS flush was successful.

How to Troubleshoot After Flushing DNS

If problems persist even after flushing:

  • Restart your router/modem.
  • Clear browser cache and cookies.
  • Change DNS settings to:
    • Google DNS → 8.8.8.8 and 8.8.4.4
    • Cloudflare DNS → 1.1.1.1 and 1.0.0.1
  • Disable any VPN or firewall blocking DNS queries.
  • For mobile users: Reset network settings or enable/disable airplane mode.

5+ Real-Life Use Cases

  1. Indian E-commerce Website Migration – If Flipkart or a small online store moves to a new hosting provider, customers may still reach the old server unless the DNS cache is cleared.
  2. Students Accessing Exam Portals – University websites often change subdomains. Flushing DNS ensures you access the correct portal.
  3. Freelancers & Developers Testing Websites – Old website versions load due to cached entries; flushing DNS shows the latest live site.
  4. Business Owners Updating SSL Certificates – Expired SSL certificates still appear; flushing DNS loads the fresh, valid certificate.
  5. Digital Marketers Running Campaigns – Ads may point to outdated landing pages; flushing DNS ensures campaigns lead to the correct destination.
  6. Online Gamers & Streamers – Server IPs often change; flushing DNS gives faster, accurate server connections for smooth gaming/streaming.

FAQs:)

Q. Is flushing DNS safe?

A. Yes, it is completely safe and often improves speed and security.

Q. How often should I flush DNS?

A. For normal users, once every few weeks is fine. For developers, do it whenever making DNS changes.

Q. Can I flush DNS cache on mobile?

A. Yes. On Android → Restart phone or clear network settings. On iOS → Airplane mode on/off or reset network settings.

Q. Can flushing DNS prevent hacking?

A. It helps protect against DNS cache poisoning and phishing attempts.

Q. What happens if I flush DNS cache?

A. It deletes all stored DNS entries, forcing your system to fetch new ones.

Q. Will flushing DNS make my internet faster?

A. Indirectly yes. It reduces errors and forces new lookups, which may improve performance.

Conclusion:)

Flushing your DNS cache is a quick, simple, and effective solution to many internet problems. From fixing website errors to enhancing online security, it plays a crucial role in ensuring a smooth browsing experience.

Just remember – flushing DNS is like refreshing your internet map. By clearing outdated records, you give your system a fresh start, making browsing faster and safer.

“Flushing DNS cache is like refreshing your internet map – giving you a faster, safer, and smoother browsing journey.” – Mr. Rahman, CEO Oflox®

Read also:)

Have you ever flushed your DNS cache to fix a problem? Did it help? Share your experience or ask your questions in the comments below — we’d love to hear from you!