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Windows 11 and Windows 10 keep a local DNS client cache so previously resolved host names can be reused without querying a DNS server every time. If a domain recently changed servers, a bad lookup was cached, or a site is resolving incorrectly, clearing that cache forces Windows to request fresh DNS information.
The standard command is:
ipconfig /flushdnsThis clears the Windows DNS client resolver cache, including cached negative responses such as “Name does not exist.” It does not change your DNS provider, edit the Hosts file, or clear caches held by your router, DNS server, browser, ISP, or CDN.
Clear the DNS cache with Command Prompt
Microsoft documents ipconfig /flushdns for Windows 11 and Windows 10.
- Open Start.
- Type Command Prompt.
- Select Run as administrator.
- At the prompt, enter:
ipconfig /flushdns- Press Enter.
A successful operation normally displays:
Windows IP Configuration
Successfully flushed the DNS Resolver Cache.Microsoft’s DNS troubleshooting procedure uses an elevated Command Prompt. The documentation does not establish that the command universally requires administrator rights in every situation, but using an elevated shell is the supported troubleshooting path.
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Use PowerShell instead
PowerShell provides the equivalent Clear-DnsClientCache cmdlet. It belongs to the Windows DnsClient module and deletes the local DNS client cache.
- Open Start.
- Search for PowerShell.
- Select Run as administrator.
- Run:
Clear-DnsClientCacheThe normal local operation takes no parameters. The cmdlet also supports options such as -WhatIf, -Confirm, -AsJob, and -CimSession, but they are not needed for an ordinary local cache flush.
Is there a Settings option to flush DNS?
Windows 10 and Windows 11 do not provide a documented Settings-app button named Flush DNS, Clear DNS cache, or Reset DNS cache. Use ipconfig /flushdns, Clear-DnsClientCache, or restart the DNS Client service instead.
Restart the DNS Client service
Restarting the service is a broader service reset and is separate from running ipconfig /flushdns. The service is displayed in Windows as DNS Client; its service name is DNSCACHE.
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- Press Windows key + R.
- Enter
services.msc, then press Enter. - Find DNS Client.
- Right-click it and choose Restart, if that option is available.
Using an elevated Command Prompt
net stop DNSCACHE
net start DNSCACHERestarting the service can also reload local information that the DNS Client service reads when it starts, including mappings from the Hosts file. It is therefore not identical to simply emptying the resolver cache.
Check the cache before or after clearing it
To display the Windows DNS client resolver cache, open Command Prompt and run:
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ipconfig /displaydnsThe output can include records obtained from previous DNS queries and entries loaded from the local Hosts file. Cached DNS records are retained according to their time to live (TTL).
After flushing, recently queried domains may appear again as applications use DNS. A cache that quickly contains entries again is not necessarily evidence that the flush failed; normal browsing and background Windows activity can create fresh entries.
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Do not use a successful nslookup result as proof that the Windows cache was cleared. nslookup queries the configured DNS server directly rather than using the Windows DNS client cache.
Use ipconfig /displaydns to inspect the local cache, then test the affected application or website again. You can also use nslookup to compare what the configured DNS server returns, but treat that as a DNS-server test, not a local-cache verification.
What flushing DNS does—and does not do
| Operation | What it affects |
|---|---|
ipconfig /flushdns |
Clears the Windows DNS client resolver cache, including cached negative responses. |
Clear-DnsClientCache |
PowerShell equivalent for clearing the Windows DNS client cache. |
net stop DNSCACHEnet start DNSCACHE |
Stops and starts the local DNS Client service. |
ipconfig /releaseipconfig /renew |
Releases and renews DHCP/IP configuration. These are not DNS-cache commands. |
ipconfig /registerdns |
Starts dynamic registration of configured DNS names and IP addresses. It does not flush the local resolver cache. |
dnscmd [servername] /clearcache |
Clears cache on a DNS server. It is not the normal Windows client-cache command. |
Flushing the client cache also does not change the DNS server addresses configured for a network adapter. To change those, use the adapter’s IPv4 or IPv6 DNS settings separately.
Hosts file entries can survive a DNS flush
A DNS flush does not edit or remove entries in the Hosts file. Windows can load Hosts-file mappings into the DNS client cache when the DNS Client service starts, and those mappings can continue to control name resolution.
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If one particular hostname always resolves to the same unexpected address after a flush, inspect the Hosts file rather than repeatedly flushing DNS. It is normally located at:
C:WindowsSystem32driversetchostsDo not modify it unless you understand the entry and have administrator permission. A Hosts-file mapping is local configuration, not a cached answer from your DNS provider.
Negative DNS responses can also be cached
DNS caching is not limited to successful lookups. Windows can cache a failed response, such as a hostname that does not exist. If a domain was created or its DNS records were fixed after Windows cached a failure, the old negative response can make the domain continue to appear unavailable.
ipconfig /flushdns specifically discards these negative cache entries. Windows can then ask the configured DNS server for a new answer.
When flushing DNS will not fix the problem
Clearing the Windows cache is useful when the client has stale or incorrect local data. It will not solve every DNS-related problem.
- The DNS server still has stale data: Your router, company DNS server, or ISP resolver may have its own cache. A client flush cannot remove those records.
- The browser has separate state: A browser, proxy, or application may retain its own DNS or connection information.
- The Hosts file overrides DNS: A local mapping can continue to take precedence.
- The configured DNS server is unavailable: Flushing only removes local records; it does not repair a network connection or DNS server outage.
- The website or CDN has stale data: Website infrastructure can cache DNS or content independently of the Windows client.
For a DNS server rather than a Windows client, Microsoft documents the server-side command:
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dnscmd <servername> /clearcacheThat command requires the relevant DNS Server administration context and should not be treated as a replacement for ipconfig /flushdns on an ordinary Windows 10 or Windows 11 PC.
Do not confuse DNS flushing with DHCP renewal
These commands are often suggested together, but they perform different jobs:
ipconfig /release
ipconfig /renew/release and /renew deal with DHCP and IP configuration. Use them when an adapter needs a new DHCP lease or address configuration. They do not clear the DNS client resolver cache. Use ipconfig /flushdns for the cache itself.
Be careful with ipconfig /registerdns
ipconfig /registerdns is for manually initiating dynamic registration of configured DNS names and IP addresses. It does not flush cached lookups.
It also has a specific registration role that should not be confused with client troubleshooting. Microsoft advises that DHCP clients should not use /registerdns for the relevant record-registration scenario; instead, restart the DNS Client service and then use:
ipconfig /release
ipconfig /renewFor static-IP clients, DNS registration settings and service restarts may be relevant when the issue concerns records registered on a DNS server. That is different from clearing stale data held locally by Windows.
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Quickest method
For most Windows 11 and Windows 10 troubleshooting cases:
- Open Command Prompt as administrator.
- Run
ipconfig /flushdns. - Retry the affected website or application.
- If the result is unchanged, check
ipconfig /displaydns, the Hosts file, the configured DNS server, and any router or enterprise DNS cache.
FAQ
What is the command to flush DNS in Windows 11 or Windows 10?
Open Command Prompt and run ipconfig /flushdns. Microsoft documents this command for both Windows 11 and Windows 10.
What is the PowerShell command to clear the DNS cache?
Open PowerShell and run Clear-DnsClientCache. It is the PowerShell equivalent of ipconfig /flushdns for the local Windows DNS client cache.
Does flushing DNS change my DNS provider?
No. It removes cached resolver data from Windows. It does not change the DNS server addresses configured for your network connection.
Does flushing DNS clear my router or ISP DNS cache?
No. It clears only the Windows client cache. A router, company DNS server, ISP resolver, browser, proxy, or CDN can have separate caches.
Why does a hostname still resolve to the wrong address after flushing DNS?
Check for a Hosts-file entry, a stale answer on the configured DNS server or router, application/browser state, or a problem with the domain’s current DNS records.
Does ipconfig /renew flush DNS?
No. ipconfig /renew renews DHCP/IP configuration. It is separate from ipconfig /flushdns.
How can I view the Windows DNS cache?
Run ipconfig /displaydns in Command Prompt. This displays cached DNS records, including information loaded from the Hosts file.
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The Bottom Line
Use ipconfig /flushdns for the standard Windows 11/10 DNS-cache reset, or run Clear-DnsClientCache in PowerShell. These commands clear only Windows’ local DNS client cache. If the problem remains, investigate the Hosts file, the configured DNS server, DHCP configuration, and other DNS caches rather than repeatedly flushing the same client cache.
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