This articles outlines how to clear or flush the DNS records on your computer in order to refresh your DNS settings.

C:>ipconfig /flushdns

Clear DNS cache - flushdns

There are times when web sites that you use suddenly become inaccessible. Even if you rebooted the router and your computer, and still no luck, there is one more thing that you can try before giving up or calling the web hosting company.

Change of DNS record

The truth is that web site owners sometimes move their sites from one web hosting provider to another or change the web site’s IP address. It takes about 24-48 hours for different ISPs to update their DNS to direct this web site’s traffic to the new IP. There is nothing you can do about it, and you’ll just need to wait. Another problem could be that your computer cached (recorded) the old IP address and fails to access the new one, no matter how many times you hit the refresh button in the brower. To fix that, you need to manually clear / flush the DNS records on your computer.

In Microsoft Windows, you can use the command ipconfig /flushdns to flush the DNS resolver cache.

You can also use the command ipconfig /displaydns to view the DNS resolver cache. Vista users have to run the command prompt as Administrator (Start > All Programs > Accessories > [right-click on] Command Prompt > Run as administrator).

How to Clear DNS Cache

To flush DNS, type this command:

C:>ipconfig /flushdns

To see what is actually stored in the DNS, type

C:>ipconfig /displaydns

Mac OSX:
In Mac OSX, you can use the command lookupd -flushcache to flush the DNS resolver cache.

prompt> lookupd -flushcache

If still doesn’t work, try again rebooting your computer and your router!

You may also like to see Antivirus Protection, Computer Repairs and Hotmail articles.

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The review "How to clear DNS cache on your computer" was last updated on 03/5/09.