Recently, one of our readers inquired about how to resolve the DNS_PROBE_FINISHED_NXDOMAIN issue. We’ve encountered this error ourselves multiple times, so we have some reliable solutions to share.
This error message appears in Chrome when your browser is unable to connect to the requested website. Other browsers may display different messages for the same issue.
In this troubleshooting guide, we will provide you with straightforward steps to fix the DNS_PROBE_FINISHED_NXDOMAIN error and tips to prevent it from occurring in the future.
What Is the DNS_PROBE_FINISHED_NXDOMAIN Error?
The DNS_PROBE_FINISHED_NXDOMAIN error is a message displayed in Google Chrome when the web browser fails to locate the website you are trying to visit.
This error occurs when the DNS (Domain Name System) is unable to find or connect to the IP address associated with the website.
As a result, your browser concludes that the website’s domain name does not exist. The NXDOMAIN part of the error indicates ‘non-existent domain.’
For a deeper understanding, please refer to our guide on how domain names and DNS work (with visual explanations).
The DNS error message appears differently in other browsers such as Safari, Microsoft Edge, or Mozilla Firefox. For example, here’s how it is displayed in Firefox:
If you encounter this error while trying to access your WordPress website, you might believe there’s an issue with your site.
Fortunately, your website is probably functioning properly. The real issue is that your computer cannot establish a connection to it.
Now, let’s explore how to troubleshoot and resolve this error. You can use the quick links below to jump to different solutions:
- Verify If the Error Is Genuine
- Clear Your Browser’s Cache
- Disable Experimental Features in Chrome
- Flush Your Computer’s DNS Cache
- Release and Renew Your IP Address
- Change Your DNS Servers
- Restart the DNS Client Service (Windows Only)
- Examine Your Computer’s ‘hosts’ File
Verify If the Error Is Genuine
There are multiple methods to resolve the DNS_PROBE_FINISHED_NXDOMAIN error. However, it’s crucial to first confirm that it is indeed an error.
Before taking any further steps, ensure that you have entered the domain name correctly in the address bar.
For example, if you mistakenly typed the domain name with incorrect spelling, your browser may fail to locate it, leading to this error.
Even if you clicked on a link, it’s important to verify that the domain name is correct. It may have been entered incorrectly by the link creator.
If you are confident that the domain name is accurate, try clicking the ‘Reload’ or ‘Try again’ button.
Next, attempt to access the website using a mobile phone on a 4G network to determine if the problem lies with your device or WiFi connection.
If the website fails to load on both your Android phone and iPhone, you should contact your WordPress hosting provider immediately, as this indicates that your website is down.
However, if the website loads successfully on your mobile phone, the issue is likely with your computer or WiFi internet connection.
Let’s work on resolving that.
The first step is to restart your computer. If that doesn’t resolve the issue, try turning your internet modem off and on. These actions can often clear DNS and network-related problems.
You may also want to disable your VPN, antivirus software, and firewall, as one of these programs might be disrupting your connection and causing the error.
If the error persists, consider trying the following methods. We suggest starting with the next one and proceeding through each method.
Clear Your Browser Cache
To clear your cache in Chrome, visit the following page: chrome://settings/clearBrowserDataThis will open a popup window where you can clear your cache.
First, set the time range to ‘All time’, then check the box for ‘Cached images and files’. Finally, click the ‘Clear data’ button.
If you’re using a browser other than Chrome, refer to our article on clearing browser cache for guidance on all major browsers.
Now, try accessing the website again. If you still encounter the DNS_PROBE_FINISHED_NXDOMAIN error, proceed to the next solution.
Disable Experimental Features in Chrome
If you’ve activated any experimental features in Chrome, they may be causing the DNS_PROBE_FINISHED_NXDOMAIN error.
To disable these features and reset Chrome settings, go to chrome://flags/ in your browser, then click the ‘Reset all’ button at the top.
If the website you are trying to reach still displays the error, move on to the next solution.
Flush Your Computer’s DNS Cache
Your computer stores the IP addresses of websites you’ve visited in its cache. If the IP address of a website changes, it can lead to the DNS_PROBE_FINISHED_NXDOMAIN error.
Follow these steps to clear your DNS cache.
Important:These steps are applicable for Windows 10 and later. For instructions on macOS, refer to our guide on clearing the DNS cache across various operating systems.
First, search for the Command Prompt application in the Start menu and open it.
Note:If you are not logged in as an administrator, select the ‘Run as administrator’ option.
Next, type ipconfig /flushdns and press Enter on your keyboard.
You should see a message confirming the successful flush.
Now, try accessing the website again. If you still see the DNS_PROBE_FINISHED_NXDOMAIN error, proceed to the next solution.
Release and Renew Your IP Address
The next step is to refresh your computer’s IP address on the internet.
Open the Command Prompt application as described earlier. Then, enter the following commands in this order, pressing Enter after each one:
ipconfig /release
ipconfig /flushdns
ipconfig /renew
After executing the first and third commands, you will see a detailed output. This is expected.
If you still encounter the DNS_PROBE_FINISHED_NXDOMAIN error, proceed to the next troubleshooting step.
Switch Your DNS Servers
Your computer typically relies on the DNS server provided by your internet service provider (ISP). Changing to public DNS servers may resolve the DNS_PROBE_FINISHED_NXDOMAIN issue.
Here are some widely used public DNS servers:
- Google:
8.8.8.8 - Cloudflare:
1.1.1.1 - Verisign:
64.6.64.6
For this guide, we will demonstrate how to change your DNS settings to use Google’s public DNS servers.
On Windows, access your Control Panel, then navigate to Network and Internet » Network and Sharing Center.
Next, click on the ‘Change adapter settings’ link located on the left-hand side.
You will see a list of network connections.
Right-click on your active connection and select the ‘Properties’ option.
Then, click on ‘Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4)’.
Now, click the ‘Properties’ button.
Next, select the ‘Use the following DNS server addresses’ option and input these DNS server addresses:
Primary DNS server: 8.8.8.8
Secondary DNS server: 8.8.4.4
After that, click the ‘OK’ button to apply your changes.
Try accessing the website again to check if the DNS_PROBE_FINISHED_NXDOMAIN error is resolved. If the issue persists, consider trying the final advanced methods.
Restart the DNS Client Service (Windows Only)
For Windows users, you can resolve the DNS_PROBE_FINISHED_NXDOMAIN error by restarting the DNS client service, which is responsible for resolving and storing website IP addresses in the DNS cache.
At times, the DNS client service may malfunction, preventing access to any website.
To restart the DNS client service, press the ‘Windows’ and ‘R’ keys simultaneously. In the ‘Run’ dialog, type ‘msconfig.’
In the ‘System Configuration’ window, navigate to the ‘Services’ tab.
Then, locate the ‘DNS Client’ service, uncheck its box, and click ‘OK.’
Finally, restart your computer, and once it powers back on, repeat the process, this time checking the ‘DNS Client’ box to enable the service.
After completing these steps, the DNS_PROBE_FINISHED_NXDOMAIN error should no longer appear for that website.
Check Your Computer’s Hosts File
The hosts file is a system file that maps domain names to IP addresses. An incorrect entry in this file can lead to the DNS_PROBE_FINISHED_NXDOMAIN error.
On Windows, you can locate the hosts file using File Explorer. Start by opening File Explorer and navigating to the Windows folder, typically found on the C: drive.
Mac users can find the hosts file in the /private/etc/hosts/ directory.
Next, navigate to System32 » drivers » etc. Here, locate the hosts file and double-click to open it. If prompted to select a text editor, you can choose Notepad.
Now, check if the website’s address is listed in the hosts file.
If it is, remove it along with the corresponding IP address, then save the changes.
Once done, open your browser and visit the website to check if the DNS_PROBE_FINISHED_NXDOMAIN error persists.
Additional Expert Tips for Resolving WordPress Errors
Encountering another WordPress error? Explore these helpful guides:
- How to Resolve ‘ERR_SSL_VERSION_OR_CIPHER_MISMATCH’ in WordPress
- Step-by-Step Guide to Resolving ERR_NAME_NOT_RESOLVED in WordPress
- How to Resolve the 504 Gateway Timeout Error in WordPress
- Fixing the 502 Bad Gateway Error in WordPress: A Complete Guide
- Resolving the ERR_CONNECTION_RESET Error in WordPress
- Simple Solutions for the ‘This Site Can’t Be Reached’ Error in WordPress
- Step-by-Step Guide to Fixing 404 Errors for WordPress Posts
- How to Resolve the 500 Internal Server Error in WordPress
- 6 Effective Solutions for the ‘jQuery is not defined’ Error in WordPress
We hope this guide has helped you resolve the DNS_PROBE_FINISHED_NXDOMAIN error. You may also find our tutorials on common WordPress errors and their solutions helpful, along with our guide for addressing issues with the WordPress block editor.
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