How to Clear Local DNS Cache in Windows

DNS cache stores information about previously visited websites on your computer. This helps pages load faster, but sometimes the saved records become outdated. When that happens, a website may not open correctly, may show an old IP address, or may fail to load after a server or DNS change.

Clearing the local DNS cache forces Windows to request fresh DNS information. This is a common troubleshooting step after domain migration, DNS updates, or website connectivity issues.

This guide explains how to clear the DNS cache in Windows using Command Prompt.

How to Clear DNS Cache in Windows

Follow these steps carefully:

DNS cache stores information about previously visited websites on your computer. This helps pages load faster, but sometimes the saved records become outdated. When that happens, a website may not open correctly, may show an old IP address, or may fail to load after a server or DNS change.

Clearing the local DNS cache forces Windows to request fresh DNS information. This is a common troubleshooting step after domain migration, DNS updates, or website connectivity issues.

This guide explains how to clear the DNS cache in Windows using Command Prompt.

How to Clear DNS Cache in Windows

Follow these steps carefully:

1. Open the Start menu

Click the Start button on your Windows taskbar, or press the Windows key on your keyboard.

2. Open Command Prompt

Type cmd in the search box.

From the results, right-click Command Prompt and select Run as administrator.

Using administrator privileges helps ensure the command runs successfully.

On older Windows versions, you can also open it by going to Start > Run, typing cmd, and pressing Enter.

3. Enter the DNS flush command

In the Command Prompt window, type the following command exactly:

ipconfig /flushdns

Then press Enter.

4. Check the confirmation message

If the command works correctly, Windows will display a message similar to:

“Successfully flushed the DNS Resolver Cache.”

This confirms that the local DNS cache has been cleared.

5. Close Command Prompt

Once you see the success message, you can close the Command Prompt window.

When Should You Flush DNS Cache?

Clearing the DNS cache can help when:

• A website does not load after DNS changes
• Your domain was recently pointed to a new server
• A site opens on other devices but not on yours
• You see outdated website content or connection errors
• You recently updated A records or nameservers

It is a quick and safe troubleshooting step.

What Happens After Clearing DNS Cache?

After flushing the DNS cache, Windows will fetch updated DNS records the next time you visit a website. In most cases, this resolves issues caused by outdated local DNS data.

If the website still does not load:

• Wait for full DNS propagation
• Clear your browser cache
• Try opening the site in another browser or network
• Confirm that the DNS records are correct at your domain provider

Need Help?

If you still face website access issues after clearing the DNS cache, contact the bodHOST support team. Our 24/7 support staff can help you check DNS settings and resolve hosting-related problems.

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