How to Clear Your Local DNS Cache

Clearing your local DNS cache is a straightforward step that helps website owners and managers resolve common site access or security issues.

Anytime you update your domain, change your website’s server, or experience unexpected errors or security certificate warnings, clearing your local DNS cache can help troubleshoot the problem quickly.

It is also recommended as part of routine website maintenance, especially after moving to new hosting or making server-side changes with your hosting with Tresseo.

How to Clear Local DNS Cache on Different Devices

Clearing Your DNS Cache on a Windows PC

To clear your local DNS cache on a Windows computer, follow these steps:

1. Click the Start menu and type “cmd” in the search box.
2. Right-click “Command Prompt” and choose “Run as administrator.”
3. Type the command ipconfig /flushdns and press Enter.
4. You will see a message: “Successfully flushed the DNS Resolver Cache.”

This process wipes the old address list, forcing your computer to look up fresh information the next time you visit a website. This is like resetting your shortcut list to make sure it points to the correct place.

Clearing DNS Cache on macOS

If you use a Mac, the process is also simple but uses the Terminal app:

1. Open Finder, then go to Applications > Utilities > Terminal.
2. Type sudo killall -HUP mDNSResponder and press Enter.
3. Enter your Mac password when prompted.

You may not see a confirmation message, but your DNS cache is now cleared. This ensures your computer will fetch up-to-date site addresses the next time you browse.

How to Clear DNS Cache on Mobile Phones

Android Devices

On Android, you can clear your DNS cache by restarting your phone. For a more direct method:

1. Open Chrome and go to chrome://net-internals/#dns.
2. Tap “Clear host cache.”

iPhones and iPads (iOS)

On iOS devices, restarting your phone usually works. If you use Safari, clearing your browser history can also help:

1. Go to Settings > Safari.
2. Tap “Clear History and Website Data.”

While mobile operating systems manage DNS cache differently, these steps help force your device to retrieve the latest website info.

What to Do If You Still Have Problems

If clearing your local DNS cache doesn’t fix your issue, the problem may be related to your web host’s DNS or global DNS propagation. It may take some time for updates to spread across the internet. At Tresseo, we recommend allowing some time after big changes and contacting your hosting support if problems continue.

Clearing your local DNS cache is a simple, effective troubleshooting tool for every website manager. With these easy steps, you help keep your site accessible and your visitors happy.