The DNS_PROBE_FINISHED_NXDOMAIN error occurs frequently while people browse the internet according to observance. The frequent occurrence of this problem becomes particularly upsetting when you need urgent webpage access. Users experience this error on both Chrome desktop versions and Android operating system. People need clarification regarding this error’s definition as well as solutions for resolving it. See more blogs

In this guide, we’ll cover:

  • What DNS_PROBE_FINISHED_NXDOMAIN means
  • Common causes of the error Dns_Probe_Finished_Nxdomain
  • Users need to learn how to solve DNS_PROBE_FINISHED_NXDOMAIN errors through various operating systems including Chrome, Windows, macOS and Android.

Let’s dive in!

What Does DNS_PROBE_FINISHED_NXDOMAIN Mean?

This DNS_PROBE_FINISHED_NXDOMAIN error occurs when the browser cannot successfully resolve DNS requests. Your browser fails to discover the IP address related to the website you want to reach. The requested domain is absent because the DNS resolver returns NXDOMAIN status which stands for Non-Existent Domain.

Common Causes of DNS_PROBE_FINISHED_NXDOMAIN

DNS_PROBE_FINISHED_NXDOMAIN error appears because of several different reasons:

A wrong entry of URL address can create this DNS_PROBE_FINISHED_NXDOMAIN error.

DNS server connection problems may lead to this error because your current DNS server either fails to respond or it experiences downtime.

The connection can become unstable when DNS server cache contains invalid data or when browser cache suffers corruption.

A DNS resolution failure occurs from network configuration problems that stem from incorrect network settings.

The excessive security measures of firewalls together with antivirus software can prevent DNS requests from passing through.

System resolution domain problems occur when the hosts file contains inappropriate entries.

After learning about causes we will examine steps to resolve this error.

How to Fix DNS_PROBE_FINISHED_NXDOMAIN on Computer:

Your computer cannot resolve website domain names because it faces DNS configuration problems which trigger the DNS_PROBE_FINISHED_NXDOMAIN error. Here’s how to fix it:

1. Check the URL for Errors

Executed technical solutions should begin only after confirming the accuracy of the URL you provided. A brief writing mistake will result in this connectivity error. Verifying the domain accessibility by opening the site through a different device will help determine its active state.

2. Restart Your Router and Modem

A DNS problem can be resolved by performing a simple router and modem restart. Start your device shutdown by unplugging all devices for five minutes then reattach them. Dns_Probe_Finished_Nxdomain

3. Flush DNS Cache

Your DNS cache needs clearing to remove outdated or corrupted data thus resolving this problem.

Windows:

Open Command Prompt as Administrator.

Type: ipconfig /flushdns

After entering the command use the Enter key followed by a browser restart.

MacOS:

Open Terminal.

Run the terminal command in Mac: sudo dscacheutil -flushcache; sudo killall -HUP mDNSResponder

Enter your password if prompted.

4. Change Your DNS Server

A DNS issue can be resolved by using reliable public DNS services from Google or Cloudflare.

Windows:

Locate Control Panel from the menu then access Network and Sharing Center afterwards.

Click on Change adapter settings.

Right-click on your active network and select Properties.

Open Properties under Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4) by clicking it.

Use the following DNS server addresses while entering these addresses:

Google DNS: 8.8.8.8 and 8.8.4.4

Cloudflare DNS: 1.1.1.1 and 1.0.0.1

Proceed by Okaying your changes then restart your web browser.

MacOS:

Select System Preferences from the menu then follow up by selecting Network.

You should select your current connection then click on the Advanced option.

Click the DNS tab to find the options where you should replace current server data with new options.

8.8.8.8 and 8.8.4.4 (Google DNS) or

1.1.1.1 and 1.0.0.1 (Cloudflare DNS)

Proceed to Click OK followed by restarting your network connection.

Perform a restart of the DNS Client Service through Windows systems.

Open Run (Win + R) and type: services.msc

Access the DNS Client in the list and perform a right-click followed by choosing the Restart option.

5. Reset Network Settings

Missing DNS configuration should be resolved through network reset operations.

Windows:

Open Command Prompt as Administrator.

Execute these commands one after the other: netsh int ip reset then netsh winsock reset.

Restart your computer.

MacOS:

Open Terminal and run: sudo ifconfig en0 down; sudo ifconfig en0 up

6. Disable VPN or Proxy

Disable your VPN or proxy connection for a short period since these services might interrupt your DNS configuration.

7. Check Your Hosts File

When a domain appears within the hosts file blocklist the error could occur.

Windows:

Navigate to C:\Windows\System32\drivers\etc\hosts.

Using Notepad access the file to erase all lines with the website URL included.

Open your browser after completing the file save.

MacOS:

Open Terminal and type: sudo nano /etc/hosts

Use an editor to eliminate any entries blocking the website URL.

From the keyboard use Ctrl + X to open the Save dialog box followed by hitting Y and then pressing Enter to validate the command.

Fixing DNS_PROBE_FINISHED_NXDOMAIN on Android

If you see this error on Chrome for Android get to try these steps:

1. Restart Your Device

Performing a restart will solve network problems.

2. Switch to a Different Network

You should switch between Wifi and mobile data network to see if the problem continues or not.

3. Change DNS Settings

Choose Settings followed by Wi-Fi & Network from the list.
Tap Private DNS.
Choose the Custom DNS provider field followed by dns.google or 1dot1dot1dot1.cloudflare-dns.com entry.

4. Clear Chrome Cache

Open Chrome > Settings > Privacy and Security.
Tap Clear Browsing Data.
You should select the Cached images and files section followed by selecting Clear data.

5. Reset Network Settings

Open Settings > System > Reset Options.
Tap Reset Wi-Fi, mobile & Bluetooth.
Confirm and restart your device.

6. Network Prefix Length

Network prefix length establishes what part of an IP address belongs to the network segment. The prefix length uses CIDR notation specifically for both IPv4 (/24) and IPv6 (/64) protocols.

  • IPv4 network mask 192.168.1.0/24 identifies the 192.168.1 sequence as the network addresses while using the eight most significant bits for device addresses.
  • In IPv6 network addressing the prefix 2001:db8::/64 divides the first 64 bits between network segments while hosting takes place in the remaining network space.

✅ Clear DNS Cache

On Windows: Run ipconfig /flushdns in Command Prompt.

On macOS: Run sudo killall -HUP mDNSResponder in Terminal.

✅ Change DNS Server

Use Google DNS: 8.8.8.8 & 8.8.4.4

Use Cloudflare DNS: 1.1.1.1 & 1.0.0.1

✅ Restart Router & Device
Power-cycle your router and computer to refresh connections.

Conclusion:

The DNS_PROBE_FINISHED_NXDOMAIN error produces frustrating results yet most people can easily solve this problem. All solutions provided in this guide should help you resolve your DNS issue regardless of whether the problem is related to your DNS server or network settings or browser cache. You should contact your ISP to check for DNS-related problems throughout the network if the issue does not resolve.

This process enables you to reconnect to the internet without many problems.

What is DNS_PROBE_FINISHED_NXDOMAIN?

A website domain resolution failure creates this error because your browser cannot interpret the website domain name. Your system fails to locate the website IP address because the DNS (Domain Name System) lookup process ended unsuccessfully.

What causes this error?

Multiple situations could lead to this error among which include:
Incorrect DNS settings
Internet connection issues
Problems with the website’s domain
Cached or outdated DNS records
If your network has firewall software or security programs that block website access then this error can occur.
Temporary ISP issues

How can I fix this error?

Here are some common fixes:
Basic Fixes:
Verify that the website’s URL matches the correct domain name spelling precisely.
Powering off your modem-router enables your connection to refresh by restarting the router.
Problems linked to a certain browser may create the error which prompts users to attempt another web browser.
Change Your DNS Server:
Switching to public DNS servers should be your next step when the problem does not resolve.
Google DNS: 8.8.8.8 and 8.8.4.4
Cloudflare DNS: 1.1.1.1 and 1.0.0.1

Can a VPN or Proxy cause this error?

Yes, sometimes VPNs or proxies interfere with DNS resolution. The resolution of your issue should be checked by disabling any active browser extensions.

What if only one website shows this error?

One website display of the issue will lead you to verify whether the problem affects only a single domain.
Use Down for Everyone or Just Me or similar tools to determine if the website remains online.
Clear browser cache and cookies
The issue will be tested when using a new network connection

Will this error fix itself over time?

It depends. A DNS outage together with an ISP issue and website downtime problems may typically resolve on their own. To fix the persistent error you need to do troubleshooting.

What if none of the fixes work?

If the problem continues:
Address your Internet trouble to your Internet Service Provider (ISP).
Use a different device which connects to the identical network
Proof that malware and security software do not block the connection