DNS_PROBE_FINISHED_NXDOMAIN Error in Chrome – How to Fix It

Usually, the DNS_PROBE_FINISHED_NXDOMAIN error with “This site can’t be reached – Server IP address could not be found” in Chrome is due to the expired domain name of a website and has nothing to do with the user’s end. However, a few times when filters are applied to a network, such as VPN, and some other reasons also make the domain server inaccessible, causing a DNS error in Chrome.

This post will discuss all of these and their fixes one by one. But before we jump into the fixes, let us look at what the error is all about.

DNS_PROBE_FINISHED_NXDOMAIN Error – What is it?

The error as shown in the screenshot highlighting that this site can’t be reached is a web screen. You get it when you try to use a particular website.

It can occur due to multiple reasons, such as – 

1. An issue with your internet connection.
2. The domain you tried to reach is not registered or expired.
3. There is an issue with the DNS settings causing the error.
4. The IP address can not be traced for the requested domain as it is not pointing towards it.
5. A VPN or Antivirus has blocked the requested DNS even if the website is secure.

All these issues, individually or together, are the reason behind the error; hence, you must take care of them all. Look for the basic signs, as they might lead you to these issues, and you will surely be able to crack a usable fix for the error. 

The DNS_PROBE_FINISHED_NXDOMAIN error often reads: This site can’t be reached on Google Chrome with a subtext referring to the issue. If you have recently encountered this error on a website you visited earlier, chances are that any of the five reasons mentioned above have occurred. 

Fortunately, you can deal with these issues easily. Check out the following fixes to troubleshoot the chrome error!

Read Also: Why Is My Internet Speed Slow & How to Fix It

Best Ways to Fix DNS_PROBE_FINISHED_NXDOMAIN Error

Method 1 –  Get Rid of the DNS Cache

The DNS cache holds the domain name information and IP addresses for all the websites you visit or has visited so far. Over time, this information saved on your PC can become obsolete, causing an issue while reaching the website. Therefore, fixing the dns_probe_finished_nxdomain error requires you to flush the DNS cache.

Here’s how you do it – 

1. Go to the Start menu and open the Command Prompt. Make sure you Run it as an administrator.
2. In the Command Prompt window, use the command – ipconfig /flushdns. 
3. Executing the command instantly flushes the DNS cache and you are good to go.

Close the Command Prompt and open your browser to check whether the DNS_PROBE_FINSIHED_NXDOMAIN error is resolved. If it is fixed, you are welcome. If not, check out the next fix!

Method 2 – Change DNS Server Address

Changing the DNS server address on your PC is another way to handle the DNS error. The DNS servers work as translators that convert the domain name into its internet address. Whenever there is an issue with the DNS server, the entire process goes south, and you are left with no choice but to change them.

There are multiple Public DNS servers provided by Google, CloudFlare, Open DNS, etc., that are often found to be the culprit. When you use the same servers for a long time, issues like this site can’t be reached, followed by server IP address could not be found error can occur. 

Let’s take a look at how you can change the DNS server address on your Windows PC – 

1. Press Windows + R to open the Run search box.
2. In Run search, type control and hit enter. This will open the Control Panel for you.
3. In the Control Panel, click on Network & Internet and then move ahead to Network & Sharing Center.
4. In the left panel of your open Window, you will find the Change adapter settings.
5. In the adapter settings, right-click on the current network and open properties. Click on them and open their Properties.
6. Find the IPv4 and IPv6 respectively.           
7. There you will find two number blocks that allow you to enter a preferred DNS and an alternate DNS
   
8. Input the below-given values in there and save the changes.
   
   Preferred DNS Server.
   8.8.8.8 (IPv4)
   Alternate DNS Server.
   8.8.4.4 (IPv4)Preferred DNS Server
   2001:4860:4860::8888 (IPv6)
   Alternate DNS Server
   2001:4860:4860::8844 (IPv6)

9. Once you have saved the changes, go to the browser and hard refresh the page by pressing Ctrl + F5 keys together. It should be resolved.

Method 3 – Disable Your VPN Before Connection

If changing the DNS server is not helping make the progress, chances are that you are using a VPN that has the DNS blocked for the website. Try disabling the VPN before using the Website and it might work.

It is understood that VPN is used for privacy and you need complete anonymity while browsing, which is completely fine. However, when you are using a VPN service for free or the VPN you are using is not well-maintained issues like DNS_PROBE_FINISHED_NXDOMAIN may occur. 

The best way to handle this situation without compromising your privacy and online anonymity is to use a VPN that can verify all the DNS without causing an interruption. The best example of one such service is Systweak VPN. The service has some of the fastest servers spread across the globe that resolve all the issues related to speed and connection. 

As far as the chrome DNS error is concerned, the sole reason behind this error is the inability of your VPN network to identify a secure DNS which is why they end up blocking secure websites. Simply turning it off can help unlock the website that keeps showing the error.

Download the Systweak VPN from the link below, and you will be able to balance both scales equally.

Method 4 – Verify Local Hosts File

The Local host’s file is an offline record of all the websites that you regularly visit. It matches the Domain name to its IP address and displays the correct page on your browser. 

Sometimes the local host unintentionally adds perfectly secure websites to its inaccessible bunch, which may cause the DNS_PROBE_FINISHED_NXDOMAIN error. Needless to say, accessing it and fixing the issue can resolve the error.

Here’s how you access the local host file on Windows

• Click on the Start menu and open the Notepad application (Run as administrator).
• In the Notepad window, click on Open and while browsing for the file, input the following address –
  C:\Windows\System32\drivers\etc\hosts
  
• Once you have hit enter key on the above address, you can find the file named Hosts opens up.
  
• In the file look for::1 local host and check whether there are certain domains as that is where the forbidden domains are. If you do not have anything, maybe you are safe from this error, otherwise, simply remove the available domains from there and the error will be resolved.

Method 5 – Restart the DNS Client Service using System Configuration

The DNS client service on your Windows PC is responsible for all the DNS-related issues and errors on your PC. If something is not right there, the best way is to restart the DNS client service you are using. The easiest way to do it is by accessing the system configuration panel. 

Here’s what you need to do – 

1. Press Windows + R to open the Run search.
2. Type msconfig to open the configuration panel.
3. In the opened Window, navigate to Services from the top panel and scroll to find the DNS client. Uncheck the service to disable it. 
4. Save the changes after you have disabled it. Close the System Configuration Window.
5. Now repeat the above steps only this time, you will enable the previously disabled DNS client.

This way you can restart the DNS client for your PC using the service manager. It is convenient and the best part is it does the job smoothly. After restarting the service, relaunch your browser to visit the website and you will have access. 

Chrome can often become notorious when it comes to accepting changes considering it has its functioning process. The best practice is to refresh the tab and remove the caches and cookies once you have implemented any fixes on the PC.

DNS_PROBE_FINISHED_NXDOMAIN Error – VANISHED!

Once you are done with implementing the fixes, it is a surety that the Chrome DNS error will vanish from your browser. Needless to say, these fixes work effectively and have been personally tried and tested by hundreds of experts. 

On a crucial note, it is understandable that online security and anonymity are a must hence I do not recommend putting your guard off in such errors. Please make sure you use the VPN that helps you and does not become a burden in such cases. I highly recommend the Systweak VPN, considering I have been using it for a while and have never come across any issue related to the DNS_PROBE_FINISHED_NXDOMAIN error with “This site can’t be reached in Chrome or anything else for that matter. 

That is all for this post. I hope you find it helpful. Good Luck

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