Sometimes Windows network troubleshooter detects DNS server isn’t responding windows 10 error instead of resolving the network issue. It really annoying when a user try to resolve an issue and get to know about other issues. we will explain and help you resolve this issue in this post.
The information has become an essential part of today’s era. Accessing any information requires internet access. The Internet is all about connected computers worldwide, which is known as Networking. Every computer has its unique IP address which requires a domain name to establish a communication.
Here comes DNS which is a directory or in simple words it combines domain names with IP addresses to establish a communication. As it is easier to remember www.xyz.com then IP address “255.64.224.50”. DNS is like a translator between the Hostname and the IP address i.e. human-understandable language to computers understandable form to establish a network communication.
Sometimes the browser does not respond to the internet. You will see an error DNS server isn’t responding windows 10. There could be several reasons for this issue. Our team has analyzed it deeply and have concise some solutions to resolve this error in this blog.
DNS Server Isn’t Responding Windows 10: Problem Overview
When a user tries to establish a connection via internet, the connection fails with an error message “DNS_SERVER_ISN’T_RESPONDING” in the system. This prevents users from visiting their desired websites. There can be various reasons behind this some of them are listed below.
DNS Server Isn’t Responding Windows 10: Related & Common Problems
There can be various related issues or even a similar one with different names. All those related problems have been listed below, do follow the
provided troubleshooting methods for all of the following as well.
- How to fix DNS server windows 10
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- TP Link dns server not responding
- DNS server unavailable
- Your computer is trying to use a DNS server that is incorrect or doesn’t exist
- DNS server not_responding ps4
- DNS server not_responding Cox
- Centurylink dns server not responding
Basic Troubleshooting
The Internet is the oxygen of data communication worldwide. Any issue with the internet simply prevents various essential works but it is resolvable. Before going on the advanced level approach, do follow these basic troubleshooting methods. Sometimes this resolves the error of DNS server isn’t responding windows 10.
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Reset the Router
Sometimes there could be some Misconfiguration with the router. This thing can also show you an error like “DNS_SERVER_ISN’T_RESPONDING” to the server in windows. Resetting the router will help you to resolve it.
Reset via visiting the configuration page
Visit your routers configuration page, look for the “Reset” option, and select it. Or simply export the configuration settings.
Another way to Reset
Look for the Reset button on your router; press it for 8 to 10 seconds. This will reset your router to its default setting.

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Restart the modem
This can be a good fix for the DNS server not responding problem. Do follow the instructions given below.
- Restart the modem by pressing the power toggle. This will turn off your modem.
- After waiting for half of a minute, tap on the power button again to turn the modem on completely.
- Once it is finished try to establish a connection to check whether the issue persists or not.
Steps To Fix DNS server isn’t responding windows 10
Troubleshooting the error related to DNS is not that tough. You just follow all the provided methods carefully one by one till your issue gets resolved. So, let’s get started.
- Step-1 : Alter the DNS Server of the system
- Step-2 : Deactivate IPv6 of the system
- Step-3 : Apply MAC Address
- Step-4 : Work on Windows IP configuration via command prompt
- Step-5 : Under Safe Mode
- Step-6 : Reinstall the Network Driver
- Step-7 : Turn off the Antivirus
- Step-8 : Deactivate the Windows firewall
- Step-9 : Check on the Other Networks
- Step-10 : Deactivate Peer-to-peer Feature of windows 10
- Step-11 : Update routers firmware
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Step 1
Alter the DNS Server of the system
Google has a public DNS server; anybody can use this server setting. This alternative DNS service is managed by Google and you can try it to resolve the DNS error. Do follow the following steps mentioned below.
- Tap Windows key with alphabet “R”, a list will pop up.
- Type “ncpa.cpl” in the run box.
- Opt the type of network you are using and right-click on it.
- Select the “Properties” option, a box will pop up. Now look at the list under “This connection uses the following items”.
- Go for “Internet Protocol Version 4(TCP/IPv4)”, mark it and opt “Properties” toggle below the list on the right side.
- A new box will pop up, go for “Use the following DNS server addresses” under the General tab.
- Now write 8.8.8.8 under “Preferred DNS server” and 8.8.4.4 for “Alternate DNS server”.

- Once it is finished, just tap OK to apply changes successfully.
As the DNS server is changed now, try to connect the internet to check whether the issue is resolved or not.
One more thing the speed of connection depends on your location as per the new DNS address. You can also try other addresses as per your location.
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Step 2
Deactivate IPv6 of the system
There are various versions of Internet protocols like 4 and 6. IPv6 is the most recent version of internet protocol. Mostly IPv4 is being used as it is in use since very long time. Both are efficient in data transfer. Turning off IPv6 may be able to resolve the issue because generally IPv4 is being used by servers. So disabling IPv6 can resolve the issue DNS_SERVER_ISN’T_RESPONDING. Do follow the below steps to perform it.
- Follow the instructions provided under Method 1 up to step 4.
- Now select “Internet Protocol Version 6(TCP/IPv6)” and unmark to disable it.
- Tap the OK toggle to apply these changes.
Now try to reconnect your internet to check whether the error got resolved or not. There is no need to worry as disabling IPv6 won’t affect your system in any way.
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Step 3
Apply MAC Address
Media Access Control is a unique address value provided as network interface to perform communication.MAC address has an essential role in networking; sometimes just applying MAC addresses manually works and resolves the error.
Do follow the following procedure to perform it.
- Tap on Windows key with alphabet “X”, a list will pop up.
- Opt “Command Prompt (Admin)” from the list, a screen will open up.
- Write “ipconfig/all” command there and tap Enter.
- Look for “Physical Address” in the appeared information list and note down the value it has. Close the Command Prompt now.
As you have noted down the MAC address of your system, now follow the below steps to re-configure network connections manually.
- Tap Windows key with alphabet “X”, a list will pop up.
- Opt “Network Connections”, a new window will pop up.
- Opt the type of network you are using then right-click on it and opt the “Properties” option.
- Now tap on “Configure” toggle under the networking tab. Again a new box will pop up.
- Look for the “Advanced” tab then select “Network Address” option from the list under “Property”.
- Look for the “Value” option, select it, and type MAC address value you have noted before without dash i.e. “-”.
- Tap on the OK toggle to apply these changes successfully.
Check whether the error got resolved or not.
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Step 4
Work on Windows IP configuration via command prompt
Under this, we will use two commands “ netsh” and “ipconfid” to resolve the issue DNS_SERVER_ISN’T_RESPONDING. Both of these have their benefits. Netsh command lets us display and modify the system’s current network configuration. Ipconfig command will let us know the current configuration of the IP under networking. This also clears the cache and revives the DHCP settings. Do follow the following steps to perform this.
- Tap on the Windows logo key with alphabet “X” and opt the “Command Prompt (Admin)” option. Press yes when a dialogue box appears on the screen.
- A command prompt screen will appear, put the 1st command “nets int IP reset” and press enter key to execute. This will reset the IP configuration of your system.
- Write the 2nd command “netsh winsock reset” and press enter key to execute. This will reset the system’s Winsock catlog.
- Write the 3rd command “ipconfig/flushdns” and press Enter key. This will flush out the systems DNS resolver cache.
- Now go for the last command “ipconfig/renew” and press enter. These will renew the Windows IP configuration.
- Restart the system to complete the resetting process successfully.
This method should resolve the issue. Do check the internet connectivity, if the error got resolved or not.
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Step 5
Under Safe Mode
Troubleshooting in safe mode is one of the best ways to detect issues. This simply stops the interference of third-party applications with the systems by default programs. The reason behind DNS failure can be third party applications. Under this, we will try to establish connectivity under safe mode which requires only basic software and drivers.
Follow the steps given below to perform this method.
- Restart your system and by pressing the “Shift” key. Three options will appear on the screen. Go for an option named as “Troubleshooting”.
- Now go for “Advanced options” then select “Startup settings”, you will see a “Restart” button, just click on it.
- The system will restart displaying an option list, choose “Safe Mode with networking” by tapping the F5 key on your keyboard.
- Now you are in safe mode, so check the internet connectivity.
In case there is no issue in connectivity under safe mode, that means some third party application is responsible for the error, it can be your antivirus or any other recently installed application. Simply check on the date you started getting this error and check the applications you have installed till that date and uninstall them. Then recheck whether the issue got resolved or not.
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Step 6
Reinstall the Network Driver
Drivers are the most important component required by the computer to work. An outdated driver can be the reason behind the error “DNS_SERVER_ISN’T_RESPONDING” in windows 10. Network adapter driver needs to be up to date to ensure the working of internet.
At first, we need to uninstall the driver already installed in the system. Steps to uninstall the Network Adapter driver:
- Tap on the Windows logo key with alphabet “X” to open the list of options.
- Now select the “Device Manager” option from there, a new screen will open up.
- Look for “Network Adapters”, expand it and opt your Network adapter then right-click on it and choose “Uninstall” option.
- A dialogue box will pop up, tap on “Delete the driver software for this device” and tap the “Uninstall” toggle.
- Now restart the system driver will automatically installed.
No need to worry as, after the restart, the system will automatically install the Network adapter driver by default. Once the system is turned on, try to access the internet to check whether the issue got resolved or not.

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Step 7
Turn off the Antivirus
DNS_SERVER_ISN’T_RESPONDING error in windows 10 can occur because of the antivirus and windows firewall. Many times issue gets resolved just after turning these off temporarily. As windows defender is there to protect the system, so no need to worry.
Disable antivirus as per their respective instructions, as different antivirus has a different way.
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Step 8
Deactivate the Windows firewall
This is one way where you might get the desired result. Head on to your windows firewall and disable it temporarily to check if the error resolved. Do it after disabling the antivirus software. In case you do not have any antivirus than simply follow it.
- Write “Windows Firewall” in your windows to start the search bar and open it.
- Go for the option “Turn Windows Firewall on or off” in the left Pane of the screen.
- opt “Turn off Windows Firewall” option for both the networks i.e. Public and Private. Tap on save changes and exit.
Now try to access the internet to check if the DNS related error persists.

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Step 9
Check on the Other Networks
The abundance of network load can also make the internet connection unstable or error DNS_SERVER_ISN’T_RESPONDING. So disable all the other network connections using below steps.
- Tap on Windows logo key and alphabet “X”, then click on ‘network connections’ option to open it.
- Go for the type of network you are troubleshooting for, for example, “Ethernet” from the left pane.
- Now look for “Change adapter options” in the right pane and tap on it.
- Look for other connections and right-tap on it to choose “Disable”. Perform it for all the secondary networks available there.
This may resolve the issue, in case it doesn’t please try the next method.
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Step 10
Deactivate Peer-to-peer Feature of windows 10
Peer to peer technology is only available in windows 10. But this feature can be the reason behind the DNS error. Let’s try to check our network after disabling it. Do follow the following steps:
- Tap on the Windows logo key with alphabet “I” and opt the “Update & Security” option from the option list.
- Now tap on “Delivery Optimization” from left menu options.
- Now the new screen will appear with the option “Allow downloads from other PCs”, turn this off.
Once it is finished, check on your network connection whether the issue got resolved or not.
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Step 11
Update routers firmware
This is an advanced level troubleshooting method so be careful while applying it to prevent damages. An outdated routers firmware can also cause this issue. Update it by following the instructions provided in your user manual of the respective router.

Tips to avoid DNS Server Isn’t Responding Windows 10 Error
Contact Official support
According to our research, the above-mentioned methods should work for you. In case, it doesn’t then maybe the issue is bit technical. Take official support to resolve the issue. Do contact your official manufacturers.
Final Words: Conclusion
Overall, all the methods mentioned above is a work of experts. Do follow methods carefully. In case you face any issue while using any step, let us know in the comment section below. In case the error DNS_SERVER_ISN’T_RESPONDING in windows got resolved, do let us know via your valuable feedback.
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