| Quick Fix Method | Primary Action |
|---|---|
| Clear DNS Cache | Run ipconfig /flushdns in Command Prompt. |
| Change DNS Server | Switch to Google DNS (8.8.8.8) or Cloudflare (1.1.1.1). |
| Release/Renew IP | Use ipconfig /release and ipconfig /renew. |
| Reset Chrome Flags | Navigate to chrome://flags and click “Reset all”. |
What is DNS_PROBE_FINISHED_NXDOMAIN?
The DNS_PROBE_FINISHED_NXDOMAIN error is a common Google Chrome issue that occurs when the browser cannot resolve the website’s URL. “NXDOMAIN” stands for Non-Existent Domain.
When you enter a web address, the Domain Name System (DNS) acts like a phonebook to find the IP address. If the DNS fails to find a match, Chrome triggers this error message, preventing the page from loading.
This error is usually caused by misconfigured DNS settings, outdated local cache, or temporary network glitches rather than an issue with the website itself.
Step-by-Step Solutions
1. Release and Renew Your IP Address
Refreshing your network connection can often clear temporary configuration conflicts. This forces your computer to request a fresh IP address from your router.
Open the Command Prompt (Admin) and run the following commands one by one:
ipconfig /release
ipconfig /renew2. Flush the DNS Cache
Your operating system stores a local “map” of IP addresses. If this map is outdated or corrupt, you will see the NXDOMAIN error. Flushing the cache forces a fresh lookup.
In the same Command Prompt window, type the following and press Enter:
ipconfig /flushdns3. Change DNS Servers to Google or Cloudflare
If your Internet Service Provider’s (ISP) DNS is down, you can use public DNS servers. These are often faster and more reliable.
Go to your Network Connections, right-click your active connection, and select Properties. Choose “Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4)” and enter these addresses:
# Google DNS
8.8.8.8
8.8.4.4
# Cloudflare DNS
1.1.1.1
1.0.0.14. Restart the DNS Client Service (Windows)
The DNS Client service handles DNS resolution on Windows. Sometimes this service hangs and needs a manual restart.
Press Win+R, type services.msc, and find “DNS Client”. Right-click it and select Restart. Note: If the option is greyed out, you may need to use the Registry Editor or skip to the next step.
5. Reset Chrome Flags
Experimental features in Chrome, known as “Flags,” can sometimes interfere with network protocols. Resetting these to default can resolve internal browser conflicts.
Open Chrome and type chrome://flags into the address bar. Click the “Reset all” button at the top right of the page and restart your browser.