Why does DNS work on my phone but not my computer?

Your phone and computer may use different DNS servers. Your phone on mobile data uses your carrier's DNS, while your computer uses your ISP's or router's DNS. Try changing your computer's DNS to 8.8.8.8 (Google) or 1.1.1.1 (Cloudflare).

How do I know if it's a DNS problem or server problem?

Try accessing the site by IP address directly. If it works, it's a DNS issue. If it doesn't, the server itself is down. You can also try pinging the domain - if you get an IP but can't connect, the server is the problem.

Why does my website work for some people but not others?

This is usually DNS propagation. If you recently changed DNS records, some DNS servers may still have the old cached data. Use a DNS propagation checker to see which locations have updated. Full propagation can take up to 48 hours.

Can my ISP block DNS?

Yes, some ISPs block or redirect certain DNS queries. This is common for parental controls or government censorship. Switching to a public DNS like Google (8.8.8.8) or Cloudflare (1.1.1.1) often bypasses these restrictions.

Why do I get 'DNS server not responding' error?

This usually means your configured DNS server is unreachable. Common causes: internet connection is down, DNS server is overloaded, firewall blocking port 53, or incorrect DNS settings. Try switching to a public DNS server.

DNS Not Working? 7 Ways to Fix DNS Problems

How to Diagnose DNS Problems

Before fixing, let's confirm it's actually a DNS issue. Run this quick test:

# Test if DNS is the problem

nslookup google.com

✓ If you get an IP address

DNS is working. Your problem is likely the server or your connection.

✗ If you get an error

DNS is the problem. Continue with the fixes below.

From my years in hosting support, I'd say 80% of "website not loading" issues are DNS-related. Let's fix them.

Fix 1: Flush DNS Cache

Your computer stores DNS records locally. Sometimes this cache gets corrupted or outdated.

# Windows (Run as Administrator)

ipconfig /flushdns

# Mac

sudo dscacheutil -flushcache; sudo killall -HUP mDNSResponder

# Linux

sudo systemd-resolve --flush-caches

Success rate: Fixes about 40% of DNS issues. Always try this first.

Fix 2: Restart Your Router

Routers also cache DNS and can occasionally glitch. A restart clears everything.

Unplug your router from power

Wait 30 seconds

Plug it back in

Wait 2-3 minutes for it to fully restart

Success rate: Fixes about 20% of DNS issues.

Fix 3: Change DNS Server

Your ISP's DNS servers might be slow or down. Switching to public DNS often fixes this instantly.

Google DNS

8.8.8.8

8.8.4.4

Cloudflare DNS

1.1.1.1

1.0.0.1

How to change DNS on Windows:

Settings → Network & Internet → Change adapter options → Right-click your connection → Properties → IPv4 → Use the following DNS server addresses

Success rate: Fixes about 30% of DNS issues. This is often a permanent improvement.

Fix 4: Check DNS Records

If you own the website, the DNS records themselves might be wrong or not propagated yet.

Check DNS Propagation

Use DNSFly to verify your DNS records are correct and propagated across 20+ global locations.

Check DNS Records

Common DNS record issues: Wrong IP address, missing www record, expired domain, incorrect nameservers.

Fix 5: Disable VPN/Proxy

VPNs and proxies route your DNS through their servers, which can cause issues.

Try this: Temporarily disable your VPN or proxy and test the website again. If it works, your VPN's DNS is the problem.

Solution: Configure your VPN to use custom DNS, or switch VPN providers.

Fix 6: Check Firewall

Firewalls can block DNS queries (port 53). This is common with strict security software.

Temporarily disable your firewall/antivirus

Test if DNS works now

If yes, add an exception for DNS (port 53 UDP/TCP)

Re-enable your firewall

Fix 7: Reset Network Settings (Last Resort)

If nothing else works, reset your entire network configuration.

# Windows - Run all these as Administrator

netsh winsock reset netsh int ip reset ipconfig /release ipconfig /renew ipconfig /flushdns

Warning: This resets all network settings. You may need to reconnect to WiFi and reconfigure any custom network settings.

DNS Not Working? 7 Ways to Fix It

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