Clear Or Flush DNS Cache on Chrome (chrome://net-internals/#dns)

Have you ever opened a website and it didn’t load correctly? Or maybe the page showed an error even though your internet is fine? Sometimes, your browser stores wrong or old data that causes these issues. This is where clearing the DNS cache in Chrome can help.

Let’s learn what DNS is, why clearing the DNS cache is useful, and how you can do it in just a few steps.

What is DNS Cache? (In Simple Words)

DNS stands for Domain Name System. Think of it like a contact list for the internet. When you type a website name like www.google.com, your computer asks a DNS server to find the correct address (called an IP address) to open that website.

To save time, your browser stores this address for a while. This saved information is called DNS Cache.

But sometimes, this saved data becomes wrong or old.

For example:

• The website changes its server.
• You move to a new internet connection.
• The site updates its settings.

So your browser still tries to use the old address, and the page doesn’t open properly.

Why Should You Clear the DNS Cache?

Here are a few reasons to flush (clear) the DNS cache:

• Fix website loading problems
• Improve privacy
• Remove old or broken entries
• Update to the latest site info faster

How to Clear DNS Cache in Google Chrome

Chrome has a special internal page to manage DNS. Follow these easy steps:

Step 1: Open the DNS Settings Page in Chrome

1. Open Google Chrome.
2. In the address bar, type:
   chrome://net-internals/#dns
3. Press Enter.

Step 2: Clear the DNS Cache

You’ll now see a page with the title “Host resolver cache”.

1. Find the button that says “Clear host cache.”
   
2. Click on it once.

Done! You’ve successfully cleared the DNS cache in Chrome.

BONUS: Clear Operating System DNS Cache (Optional)

Even though you cleared the Chrome DNS cache, your computer’s system also stores its own DNS cache.

Here’s how to clear that too:

For Windows

1. Click on the Start button and type cmd.
2. Right-click Command Prompt and choose Run as administrator.
3. Type this command:
   • ipconfig /flushdns
4. Press Enter.
   • You’ll see a message:
   • “Successfully flushed the DNS Resolver Cache.

[Insert Screenshot of Command Prompt with command typed]

For Mac (macOS)

1. Open the Terminal app (search for it using Spotlight Cmd + Space).
2. Type this command:
   • sudo dscacheutil -flushcache; sudo killall -HUP mDNSResponder
3. Press Enter.
4. Enter your password if asked.

There won’t be a success message, but it works silently.

Tips After Clearing DNS Cache

• Refresh the website you were trying to visit.
• Clear your browser cache too if problems continue:
  Go to Chrome Settings → Privacy → Clear browsing data.

FAQs About DNS Cache Clearing

Q. Is clearing the DNS cache safe?

Yes, clearing the DNS cache is completely safe.

It simply removes old or stored website address information that your browser or computer has saved. It does not delete any personal files, passwords, or important settings. It can help fix problems when websites don’t load properly or show errors. It’s a helpful and safe way to refresh your internet connection to websites.

Q. What ischrome://net-internals/#dns in Google Chrome?

chrome://net-internals/#dns is a special tool built into Google Chrome that helps you see and manage how the browser stores and uses DNS (Domain Name System) information. When you visit a website like YouTube, Chrome asks the DNS system to find the website’s real IP address. To save time, Chrome stores this data in something called the DNS cache.

Q. How often should I clear DNS cache?

Usually, only when:

• Websites don’t open correctly
• You change networks or servers
• You’re updating or managing your website

Clean DNS, Smooth Browsing – Final Tips

Clearing the DNS cache in Chrome is like hitting the refresh button for how your browser finds websites. It’s a simple step that can fix many common problems, like websites not loading, showing old content, or throwing random errors.

You don’t need to be a computer expert to do it. Just follow the steps, and your browser will start using fresh and correct information the next time you visit any site.

• Use chrome://net-internals/#dns to clear Chrome’s DNS cache.
• If needed, also clear your computer’s DNS cache using Command Prompt (Windows) or Terminal (Mac).
• This is a safe process and doesn’t harm your data or browser settings.

Try it whenever you notice websites acting weird, it might solve the problem in seconds!