DNS_PROBE_FINISHED_NXDOMAIN Fix (2025 Guide)

Abhinand PS
8 hours ago
4 min read

What Is DNS_PROBE_FINISHED_NXDOMAIN?

If you’ve ever tried visiting a website and saw the error DNS_PROBE_FINISHED_NXDOMAIN, don’t panic — you’re not alone.

This error means your browser cannot find the IP address associated with the domain name you entered. In simple terms, DNS (Domain Name System) couldn’t resolve the URL, so your browser believes the site doesn’t exist.

Common Causes in 2025:

❌ Domain expired or not registered
❌ Wrong or missing DNS records (A record, CNAME, or nameservers)
❌ Misconfigured DNS settings on your computer
❌ Browser DNS cache corruption
❌ Issues from VPN, firewall, or antivirus software interference
❌ Temporary problem with your ISP or hosting provider

On Google Chrome, the message says “This site can’t be reached”, while Firefox or Safari usually display something like:

“Hmm… We’re having trouble finding that site.”

Quick Reference: 9 Ways to Fix DNS_PROBE_FINISHED_NXDOMAIN

Method	Device/Browser	Outcome
1. Flush DNS Cache	Windows, macOS, Chrome	Clears outdated DNS records
2. Release & Renew IP	Windows, macOS	Resets IP and DNS configuration
3. Change DNS Servers	Windows, macOS, Chrome	Switch to Google/Cloudflare/OpenDNS
4. Restart DNS Client	Windows	Refreshes DNS resolution service
5. Edit Local Hosts File	Windows, macOS	Removes false domain blocks
6. Reset Chrome Flags	Chrome browser	Disables experimental conflicts
7. Disable VPN/Antivirus	All devices	Removes software interference
8. Pause CDN Temporarily	Website owners with Cloudflare/CDN	Fixes DNS caching issues
9. Reboot Router/Modem	All	Resets network hardware

Step-by-Step Solutions to Fix DNS_PROBE_FINISHED_NXDOMAIN

🔹 1. Flush DNS Cache

Every device stores DNS queries. If they’re outdated, errors occur.

Windows Command:

bash

ipconfig /flushdns

macOS Terminal Command:

bash

sudo dscacheutil -flushcache; sudo killall -HUP mDNSResponder

Google Chrome:Go to chrome://net-internals/#dns → click Clear host cache.

🔹 2. Release and Renew IP Address

This forces your computer to request a fresh IP.

Windows: Run as admin:

bash

ipconfig /release ipconfig /renew netsh int ip set dns netsh winsock reset

Mac: System Preferences → Network → Advanced → TCP/IP → Renew DHCP Lease.

🔹 3. Change DNS Servers (Public DNS)

Sometimes ISP DNS is slow. Manually switch to public DNS:

Google DNS: 8.8.8.8 / 8.8.4.4
Cloudflare DNS: 1.1.1.1 / 1.0.0.1
OpenDNS: 208.67.222.222 / 208.67.220.220

This often solves DNS errors instantly.

🔹 4. Restart DNS Client Service (Windows Only)

If your DNS resolver isn’t running correctly, restart it. Run:

bash

net stop dnscache net start dnscache

🔹 5. Check the Local Hosts File

Your computer’s hosts file may be blocking certain domains.

Windows: C:\Windows\System32\drivers\etc\hosts
macOS: sudo nano /private/etc/hosts

Remove any unnecessary entries pointing to your site or “127.0.0.1” mappings.

🔹 6. Reset Chrome Flags

Some Chrome experimental features create conflicts.

Go to chrome://flags → click Reset all and restart Chrome.

🔹 7. Disable VPN or Antivirus

Some aggressive firewalls or VPN configurations block DNS lookups. Temporarily turn them off.

Windows: Settings → Network & Internet → VPN → Disconnect
Mac: System Preferences → Network → disable VPN

🔹 8. Pause CDN (If You’re a Website Owner)

If you use Cloudflare, outdated DNS cache might cause errors. Pause Cloudflare in the dashboard and check site accessibility via origin server.

🔹 9. Restart Router/Modem

Unplug both devices → wait 30s → plug modem → then router after 2min → retry browser.

Preventing DNS_PROBE_FINISHED_NXDOMAIN (Website Owners)

✅ Always verify DNS records (especially A Record and nameservers).
✅ Renew domains early (before expiry).
✅ Ensure SSL certificate covers both www and non-www versions.
✅ Use reliable hosting with expert DNS management.

Expert Tip: Why Hosting Matters for DNS Errors

While many DNS issues are local, unstable hosting providers often cause recurring DNS downtime. That’s why serious businesses switch to managed providers like Kinsta, which use Google Cloud’s premium infrastructure.

⚡ Built-in Cloudflare DNS with smart caching
🔒 Enterprise-grade DNS redundancy
🚀 24/7 WordPress-specific support
🌍 Global edge delivery network

👉 If you keep dealing with DNS errors, it may be time to upgrade your hosting. Explore Kinsta here.

FAQs About DNS_PROBE_FINISHED_NXDOMAIN

Q1. What does NXDOMAIN mean?It stands for Non-Existent Domain. Your DNS lookup failed, and your browser couldn’t locate the IP for the URL.

Q2. How do I quickly troubleshoot this on any device?Start with flushing DNS cache and switching to Google/Cloudflare DNS. If that fails, check the domain’s registration and DNS records.

Q3. Do hosting providers affect this error?Yes. If a host has poor DNS configuration or downtime, users may frequently encounter this issue. Premium-managed DNS hosting with providers like Kinsta reduces these risks significantly.

Final Words

The DNS_PROBE_FINISHED_NXDOMAIN error is frustrating — but in 2025, the fixes are straightforward. From flushing caches and adjusting DNS settings to checking your domain ownership, these 9 methods will solve the problem in most cases.

For site owners, this is also a reminder: cheap, unreliable hosting can lead to repeated DNS frustrations. If uptime and reliability matter to your business, moving to a premium DNS-hosting provider like Kinsta is often the best long-term solution.

👉 Ready for worry-free performance? Check out Kinsta here.