Many times when changes are made to a domain, for example when migrating it or when modifying any record of it, they are not 100% instantaneous.
The updating of the domains is progressive. First, the central DNS servers or root-servers are updated, then the DNS servers of the ISPs are updated and finally, the update reaches the client. This last step, that of the client, is usually the slowest, since the PCs and routers on your network store a cached copy of the domain with the old version.
To clear the DNS cache from your PC:
1. Restart your router
Routers in SOHO networks (houses and small offices), usually have stored a copy of the DNS of your domain. To delete this copy, the easiest thing is to restart the router, disconnecting the power supply and reconnecting it. It will take a couple of minutes to be operational again.
2. Clean CACHE DNS on your computer
The next thing will be to clean the DNS cache on your computer or mobile device.
Below we review the main platforms, choose yours:
iPhone, iPad & Android
Easy! Reboot the phone or tablet.
Windows
To clear the DNS cache if you are using Windows 8, perform the following steps:
- On your keyboard, press Win + X to open the WinX menu.
- Click the button side in the symbol system and select Run as administrator.
- Run the following command:
ipconfig / flushdns
- If the command is successful, the system returns the following message:
Windows IP settings correctly removed the DNS resolution cache.
Windows 7
To clear the DNS cache if you are using Windows 7, perform the following steps:
- Click Start.
- cmd in the Start menu search text box.
- Click the button side in the symbol system and select Run as administrator.
- Run the following command:
ipconfig / flushdns
If the command is successful, the system returns the following message:
- Windows IP settings correctly removed the DNS resolution cache.
Windows XP, 2000 or Vista®
To clear the DNS cache if you are using Windows XP, 2000 or Vista®, complete the following steps:
- Click Start.
- From the Start menu, click Run…
- If you don’t see the Run command in Vista, type run in the search bar.
- Run the following command in the Run text box :
ipconfig / flushdns
If the command is successful, the system returns the following message:
You successfully removed the DNS resolution cache.
Mac
MacOS® 10.10.4 and higher
To clear the DNS cache if you are using macOS X version 10.10.4 or higher, complete the following steps:
- Click on Applications.
- Click Utilities.
- Click on Terminal.
- Run the following command:
sudo killall -HUP mDNSResponder
- If the command succeeds, the system does not return any output.
Warning: To run this command, you must know the password for the computer administrator account.
MacOS® 10.10.1, 10.10.2 and 10.10.3
To clear the DNS cache if you are using macOS X version 10.10 to 10.10.3, complete the following steps:
- Click on Applications.
- Click Utilities.
- Click on Terminal.
- Run the following command:
sudo discoveryutil mdnsflushcache
- If the command succeeds, the system does not return any output.
- Warning: To run this command, you must know the password for the computer administrator account.
MacOS 10.7, 10.8, and 10.9
To clear the DNS cache if you are using MacOS X version 10.7, 10.8, or 10.9, complete the following steps:
- Click on Applications.
- Click Utilities.
- Double-click Terminal.
- Run the following command:
sudo killall -HUP mDNSResponder
- If the command succeeds, the system does not return any output.
- Warning : To run this command, you must know the password for the computer administrator account.
MacOS 10.5 and 10.6
To clear the DNS cache if you are using macOS X version 10.5 or 10.6, complete the following steps:
- Click on Applications.
- Click Utilities.
- Double-click Terminal.
- Run the following command:
sudo dscacheutil -flushcache
- If the command succeeds, the system does not return any output.
- Warning: To run this command, you must know the password for the computer administrator account.
Conclusion:
When experiencing connection difficulties or viewing wrongly displayed webpages, your system may be storing corrupted or obsolete DNS cache records. It’s possible to quickly fix it by flushing the DNS cache. In case the issue isn’t solved, you can assess this tutorial about the best way best to clean your browser cache rather.