DNS (Domain Name System) is the Internet’s address book, converting human-friendly site names like netgear.com into the numeric IP addresses your devices actually dial.
When that lookup fails—because your local settings, your router, or your provider’s DNS server is misbehaving—you’ll see a DNS error and the page won’t load until the issue is cleared or an alternate DNS server is tried.
You don’t need to be tech-savvy to prevent DNS issues with your internet connection, so here we show you how to deal with DNS problems when they occasionally pop up.
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Your DNS server translates the URL bar format into an IP address that connects to the internet. When working correctly, DNS allows you to use internet-connected services such as web browsers and smartphones. When your DNS server is not working correctly, you’re likely to see a “DNS error” message. Sometimes it’s a temporary glitch, and a page reload will clear it up. But if you’re plagued with DNS errors, strap-in for an in-depth discussion on the topic.
When you enter a web address, your network quickly translates the name (e.g., www.google.com) into the server’s public IP address (e.g., 209.85.128.0). If that lookup fails—because the resolver is down, misconfigured, or returns an error code – your browser can’t load the page or any service that relies on that host name. DNS errors can be frustrating but are straightforward to resolve with the right approach. By following simple troubleshooting steps, such as restarting your router, checking your DNS settings, or refreshing your DNS cache, you can be back online in no time.
If you’re plagued DNS issues you might have an issue with your Modem, or Router, and you might consider upgrading to the latest WiFi hardware, especially if you’re using older equipment.
Sometimes DNS issues are out of your hands, such as an ISP outage or technical difficulties. Malfunctioning or misconfigured routers also cause DNS errors and stop you from connecting to the correct IP address. With these kinds of errors, slow and unstable internet connections are the result, but are they acceptable?
You don’t need to understand everything about domain system names or your operating system diagnostics to fix DNS server errors and restore fast internet access. Here are some DNS troubleshooting tips to help with different DNS errors.
Power-cycle the router and the device to reboot and reset connections. NETGEAR routers are designed to handle quick restarts efficiently, including robustly performing antivirus software.
Switching to a public DNS, like Google (8.8.8.8) or Cloudflare (1.1.1.1), often resolves DNS issues. With NETGEAR routers, you can change the DNS at the router level, affecting all connected devices.
You can clear the DNS cache on Microsoft Windows or Apple Mac to eliminate outdated IP information. Open “Command Prompt” and type “ipconfig/flushdns.” You can also reset the Winsock API which manages registry and catalog settings by typing “netsh winsock reset.” You may need to restart your computer to complete the reset.
Updating router firmware prevents connectivity issues by keeping the router current with security and performance enhancements. NETGEAR regularly updates router firmware for optimized future-proofed WiFi performance.
One of the most common causes of DNS errors is TCP/IP settings. Check these by going to the Control Panel and selecting “Manage network connections.” Under Local Area Connections properties, look at the IPv4 and IPv6 properties. Ensure the IP addresses and DNS server addresses are set to obtain automatically, and that DHCP is enabled both on your device and the router.
Fore more help see our Our Knowledgebase article “How can I troubleshoot DNS Resolution Problems“.
The average home in the US today has 20+ connected devices, all vying for bandwidth. If your router is approaching 5 years old, or you want to leap into the future of connectivity, a NETGEAR WiFi 7 router or mesh system will seamlessly take you places you’ve never been before.
If you’re still stuck with DNS errors, check out these popular NETGEAR Knowledgebase articles:
What is a DNS Server??: Simple instructions for updating your DNS using routerlogin.net
How do I setup Dynamic DNS?: Learn how to use No-IP for dynamic DDNS services.
How do I setup a Static DNS?: If your device needs specific DNS server addresses, you can assign one manually.
More DNS Troubleshooting: How to connect to popular public DNS’s such as Cloudflare 1.1.1.1 and Google 8.8.8.8
NETGEAR Nighthawk routers and Orbi mesh systems come with advanced options for DNS settings customization and stability. This helps prevent DNS issues and provides a more reliable network connection straight out of the box. Explore the amazing Nighthawk RS700S WiFi 7 Router and the Orbi 970 Whole-Home Mesh WiFi 7 System for more inspiration.
This means the DNS server isn’t reachable, possibly due to network settings or ISP issues.
Yes, switching from your default DNS server to a reliable public DNS server like Google or Cloudflare is safe and often helpful.
NETGEAR routers provide stable connectivity and easy access to DNS settings, making DNS troubleshooting and error resolution more manageable.
While DNS errors are common, they’re generally easy to fix by following simple steps like retrying, restarting the router, clearing the cache, or switching DNS servers. NETGEAR router DNS reliability includes advanced settings designed to prevent DNS issues and support stable wireless and Ethernet cable connections.
