Solution To Fix DNS_PROBE_FINISHED_NXDOMAIN Error – 11 Steps

By Arshath | September 26, 2024

In the interconnected world of the internet, DNS (Domain Name System) plays a pivotal role in translating human-readable domain names into IP addresses. It’s the backbone of our online experience, ensuring that when you type “www.example.com” into your browser, it leads you to the correct web server. However, like any complex system, DNS can encounter errors, and one of the most common ones is DNS_PROBE_FINISHED_NXDOMAIN.

In this comprehensive guide, we will delve into the intricacies of DNS_PROBE_FINISHED_NXDOMAIN, understand its causes, and explore various methods to troubleshoot and fix it. By the time you finish reading, you’ll be well-equipped to tackle this error head-on and enjoy a seamless internet experience.

Understanding DNS_PROBE_FINISHED_NXDOMAIN:

DNS_PROBE_FINISHED_NXDOMAIN is a commonly encountered DNS error that typically occurs when your web browser cannot resolve a domain name to an IP address. This error message is displayed as a result of a DNS query returning a response indicating that the requested domain does not exist, hence the “NXDOMAIN” in the error message.

How Does DNS Work?

To understand DNS error AIN, it’s essential to have a basic grasp of how DNS works. We will explore the DNS resolution process, which involves multiple stages, including recursive and authoritative name servers.

• Enter or search the domain name in the browser address bar.
• Browser now uses the recursive DNS query to find the respective IP or server domain hosted through the network connected as a message.
  There are two scenarios in this process.
• Once the query is received by the recursive DNS server of the ISP Provider, it will load the webpage if the address and IP are already stored in its data.
• If you can’t find new data for the domain, then it will follow a series of processes to get the domain and IP address in the following order: Root Nameservers -> Top Level Domain Nameserver -> Authoritative Nameserver
• These three send the domain and IP address to recursive DNS which stores and caches the domain and A record in its data. So the webpage will be loaded from the stored data directly after the first time request.
• In case the IP address gets changed or the authoritative server doesn’t have the information requested by the query from recursive DNS, then it will either load with old data cached or will share any error that forces you to change the network connection so it starts with fresh process and data.

How DNS_PROBE_FINISHED_NXDOMAIN error displays on Other Browsers:

Mozilla Firefox:

Microsoft Edge:

Google Chrome:

Common Causes of DNS_PROBE_FINISHED_NXDOMAIN

In this section, we’ll explore some of the common reasons behind this error. Causes range from simple typos in domain names to issues with your DNS configuration.

Key Reasons Behind the Error Explained Briefly:

• Incorrect Domain name typed or searched in address bar of browser.
• Your domain might be expired or unregistered resulting in disconnecting the communication from the server.
• An IP address is not pointed or correctly configured either in domain registrar/hosting server.
• If your system DNS setting has misconfigured or cached the domain name with old configuration, it will resolve to old server only.
• Using any Antivirus software or VPN that interferes with network setting
• Your ISP provider DNS service might cause issues with DNS resolution, misconfigured DNS settings, Network connection, Blocking/filtering website, and Temporary downtime on their end.
• Pointing to the local host file with different IP addresses for the domain.

ALSO READ: 

What does DNS Translate a Domain Name Into?

Basic DNS-Related Terms

Troubleshooting DNS_PROBE_FINISHED_NXDOMAIN:

We’ll walk you through a systematic approach to diagnose and fix the DNS error. From checking your internet connection to testing different browsers, we’ll cover every possible aspect to identify the root cause of the issue.

1. Using Command Line Tools:

Learn how to leverage command line tools like ‘nslookup’ and ‘ipconfig’ on Windows or ‘dig’ and ‘nslookup’ on Unix-based systems to troubleshoot DNS errors effectively.

Flush the DNS cache

Click the Windows icon on keyboard or start option and search “cmd“. On the command prompt, right-click in the mouse and select the Run as administrator option.

It will open a window in which you should enter the below command and run.

Release and renew the IP Address:

It helps to remove the stored or cached domain data with IP address and allows sending a fresh query to the authoritative server again.

Release and Renew the IP Address:

Run as administrator on the command prompt in Windows and run the following command for the below functions.

ipconfig /release -> It will release the current IP address on the DHCP.

ipconfig /renew -> It will retrieve or renew a new IP address for the domain assigned.

Restart DNS Client Service

To restart the DNS client service on Windows, open Command Prompt, and run the following command for the below functions:

net stop dnscache -> This will stop the DNS service to cache DNS query.

net start dnscache -> This will restart the DNS service to enable cache on DNS query.

If the above method doesn’t work due to the windows version restriction resulting in an error, you can try other method suggested in this article.

2. Change the DNS Server Configuration

Like how the hosting service or CDN uses their own DNS lookup to resolve, your computer will have by default their own DNS lookup which may not be preferred by many as it is slow and not secure. In this case, we can switch to Google public lookup and test the website if clearing the cache doesn’t resolve.

Step 1: Now paste the below path in the top of the bar and select “change adapter settings” option which will popup new window.

Control Panel\Network and Internet\Network and Sharing Center

Step 2: Now right-click on the Wi-Fi connection shown and select properties.

Step 3: Select Internet Protocol Version 4 or Version 6 and click on “Properties.”

Step 4: At the bottom, select Use the following DNS server addresses and enter the numbers below:

Preferred DNS Server:

• 8.8.8.8 (IPv4)
• 2001:4860:4860::8888 (IPv6)

Alternate DNS Server:

• 8.8.4.4 (IPv4)
• 2001:4860:4860::8844 (IPv6)

3. Incorrect Domain name typed or searched in address bar of browser:

While loading the website, always check if you have loaded the website with correct letters and hosted with correct domain name. Even missing a single letter will not help you resolve the domain name to the server.

4. Unregistered or Expired Domain:

Avoid your domains going into expired status and make sure to Renew your domains to before redemption or pending delete period which will make things harder to get back live and keep connected with the server. If the domain shows available when checking in whois, then you should first register the domain and update the nameservers.

Unregistered Domains:

Domain Expired:

4. IP Address not Pointing:

If you are using a private nameserver, then it is necessary to update the IP address for both nameservers 1 and 2 after which you can update the nameservers. If you are using a custom nameserver, then you should update the correct nameserver for the domain.

5. Reset Chrome Flags

Chrome flags are experimental features that most developers use for more customization on how the Chrome browser wants to behave in terms of caching and storing data or loading sites. These do not directly affect and result in the DNS_PROBE_FINISHED_NXDOMAIN Error but still, you can check the configuration to disallow if any creates such.

To disable Chrome Flags, enter chrome://flags in the address bar. Disallow the features that are enabled manually or you can click Reset all to restore to default settings.

6. Reboot Internet Connection:

If the error persists, you can try resetting your internet router and modem as your last option. Just unplug the router and modem for 5 minutes and then plug again one by one each with a gap of 2 minutes. Now load the website in the browser.

7. DNSSEC and DNS_PROBE_FINISHED_NXDOMAIN:

If you have enabled the DNSSEC record for your website and misconfigured the record, then it might lead website showing an error. So proper DNSSEC and DS record configuration is important to update your hosting DNS and domain DNS.

Advanced Troubleshooting and Solutions:

1. Dealing with Local DNS Issues:

The local host file will help to resolve the DNS query for specific domains and IP addresses locally without the need to rely on the external DNS server or propagation.

Step 1: In the search box, type Notepad and select Run as administrator.

Step 2: Navigate to File -> Open. From the drop-down in select format, choose from Text Documents (*.txt) to All Files.

Step 3: Select the hosts file and click open it.

Step 4: If you see an IP address pointing to a website name without “#” hashtag, remove them and save changes. It will be helpful when you want to work on the site to build the website without waiting for nameserver propagation.

Step 5: Check if the DNS_PROBE_FINISHED_NXDOMAIN error is still there when you load the website again.

2. Using VPNs and Proxies:

If you frequently use VPNs or proxies, they can sometimes interfere with DNS resolution. We’ll explore how to configure them properly to avoid DNS errors.

Any Windows antivirus or any VPN software is used to monitor the website’s activity. It will make the website load more securely and prevent malicious sites from loading in the browser. Sometimes, the website will be blocked by a VPN even if the site is secure and free from malicious files due to its various rules.

So, it will be better to disable the VPN or antivirus software to access the website if you feel the website is secure. If you use the Cloudflare proxy service, then click the Pause Cloudflare on Site button to temporarily disable it.

3. Mobile Devices and DNS_PROBE_FINISHED_NXDOMAIN:

If you encounter this error on your mobile device, we’ll cover specific troubleshooting steps for both Android and iOS.

On Android:

Step 1: Restart Your Device:

Restart your android to refresh the network settings with its cache.

Step 2: Toggle Airplane Mode:

• Go to Settings> Network & Internet.
• Turn the Airplane mode on and then off again to check it.

Step 3: Clear Browser Cache:

• Open Settings> Apps.
• Tap on your browser and choose Storage.
• Click Clear Cache.

Step 4: Change DNS Settings:

• Go to Settings> Wi-Fi, then long-press on the connected network and select Modify Network.
• Click Advanced options, change the IP settings to Static, and enter the following DNS servers:
  • IP Address: 192.168.1.100 (Check router IP address and modify the last digit within the network range)
  • Gateway: 192.168.1.1 (Check Router IP address and update it)
  • Network Prefix Length: 24
  • DNS 1: 8.8.8.8
  • DNS 2: 8.8.4.4
• Click Save changes and connect to network again.

Step 5: Reset Network Settings:

• Find and click Settings > System > (Advanced) > Reset options > Reset network settings or you can search “reset Network Settings” on search box in settings option.
• Click reset all settings and reconnect with the Wi-Fi again.

Step 6: Disable VPN:

• If you are using a VPN apps, just disable it.

On iOS:

Step 1: Restart Your Device:

• You resolve temporary issues by restarting the iPhone or iPad.

Step 2: Toggle Airplane Mode:

• Turn the Airplane mode on and then off again to check it.

Step 3: Clear Safari Cache (if using Safari):

• Go to Settings> Safari
• Scroll down and tap on Clear History and Website Data.
• Tap ‘Clear History’ to confirm.

Step 4: Change DNS Settings:

• Go to Settings> Wi-Fi, tap (i) icon near the Wi-Fi name connected currently.
• Scroll down and click Configure DNS. Change it from Automatic to Manual, and add under DNS Servers:
  • 8.8.8
  • 8.4.4
• Click Save.

Step 5: Reset Network Settings:

• Go to Settings> General > Transfer or Reset, then select Reset Network Settings.
• Confirm the reset.

Step 6: Disable VPN or Proxy Settings:

• If you are using a VPN, go to Settings> General > VPN, and disconnect it.

4. Using Browser Extensions:

Browser extensions can sometimes cause DNS issues. We’ll discuss how to identify problematic extensions, disable or remove them, and recommend browser extensions that can enhance your DNS security and overall browsing experience.

Google Chrome:

• Open Chrome and click three dots in the top right corner.
• Go to Extensions > More Extensions
• Disable the extensions by toggling off.
• Restart Chrome and load the website. If it resolves the issue, re-enable extensions one by one to identify the issue extension

Mozilla Firefox:

• Click on the three horizontal lines in the upper right corner and select Add-ons and themes.
• Go to the Extensions section.
• Disable the extensions by clicking the toggle switch next to each one.
• Restart Firefox and load the website. Re-enable extensions one by one to identify the extension causing the issue.

Microsoft Edge:

• Open Edge and click three dots in the top right corner.
• Go to Extensions > Manage Extension
• Disable the extensions by toggling off.
• Restart Edge and load the website. If resolved, enable extensions individually to determine which one is causing the issue.

Conclusion:

In this concluding section, we’ll recap the key takeaways and emphasize the importance of understanding and addressing DNS errors like DNS_PROBE_FINISHED_NXDOMAIN. With the knowledge and tools provided in this guide, you’ll be better equipped to navigate the complex landscape of DNS and ensure a seamless online experience.