How to Flush DNS Cache in Windows, Mac & Linux?

Aug 1, 2011

Do you know how to reset or flush DNS (Domain Name System) cache? If not, learn it today! Why? Because flushing DNS cache might help in solving various web browsing or network related problems. The DNS Resolver Cache stores domain name DNS addresses recently used on your computer. This cache reduces DNS network traffic and speeds up name resolution process. So, web sites that you have already visited at least once will open quickly in your browser.

Did you ever experienced problems in accessing certain domain names while browsing the Internet? Or did your web browser failed to open your own web site? In such a situation, clearing your DNS cache might help. Flushing DNS resolver cache removes all cached DNS entire and resets the DNS client resolver cache in you computer. After this, your operating system will freshly start the process of resolving domain names and caching of DNS queries. This simple action actually solves problems like “unable to open site” or “problem loading site”. To solve the above mentioned problems, you must try this first.

Flushing DNS Resolver Cache also helps in solving many networking related problems. You can easily flush the local DNS resolver cache of your operating system by running a simple command. Follow the steps below to learn how to flush DNS on Windows, Linux and Mac operating system.

  Flush DNS Cache in Windows XP

How to flush DNS Cache?

Flush DNS Cache in Windows (XP, Vista & Windows 7):

  • Click the start button.
  • Go to Run…
  • Type cmd in the empty field and hit OK button.
  • A DOS window will appear.
  • Type inconfig/flushdns and press the Enter key.
  • After a few moments your DNS Resolver Cache will be flushed.
  • Type exit to close the DOS command prompt window.

Flush DNS Cache in Mac OSX 10.4:

lookupd -flushcache

Flush DNS Cache in Mac OSX 10.5/10.6 (Leopard / Snow Leopard):

dscacheutil -flushcache

Flush DNS Cache in Linux:

sudo /etc/init.d/nscd restart

OR:

sudo /etc/init.d/networking restart

TG

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