Fix for "DNS Probe Finished No Internet" Error

Many users encounter the error ‘DNS Probe Finished No Internet’ when surfing the net on Google Chrome. Users on Google Chrome commonly face the Dns_Probe_Finished_No_Internet.

Table of Contents

What is a DNS Server?

Before diving into the error and what causes it, let’s understand what a DNS server is. On its face, accessing websites on the internet seems as easy as typing the website’s address and then accessing it.

But behind all of this, there is a phonebook of the internet that helps you connect to the right website when you type the address. That “phonebook” is the Domain Name System or DNS. A DNS address also represents it.

A DNS service is responsible for translating the domain name address that you type in the address bar to numeric IP addresses and connecting you to the right website.

Understanding the Error

Usually, the DNS_Probe_Finished_No_Internet error occurs when your computer is facing problems connecting with the DNS client. This can be easily fixed by changing the default DNS servers to a different DNS client service like Google DNS, Open DNS, etc.

If you’re still receiving the error, this might be because of other reasons. Here, changing your computer’s default DNS client service will not help. Alternatively, it would help if you tried clearing Google Chrome memory like cookies, cache, browsing history, etc.

There is yet another reason that can cause the error. It happens if your network adapter driver is old or if you haven’t updated it. You will need to update your network adapter driver to fix that, but we will return later.

Other ways to solve the DNS probe finished with no internet error on Google Chrome are opening Command Prompt and performing a few commands, uninstalling some apps, or simply resetting your internet connection.

Ways to fix DNS_Probe_Finished_No_Internet

Let’s learn about different ways that can be made used to counter the DNS probe finished no internet error in Google Chrome.

You will learn about methods like cleaning up your browser files, changing the default DNS client, or checking if your firewall settings are not letting your browser work.

Use a third-party server instead of the default DNS servers

First and foremost, if you’re receiving the DNS Probe finished no internet error message, you can begin by replacing the default DNS server on your PC with a third-party server, like Google’s DNS or OpenDNS, or any other service you may find online.

Your computer’s default server is what it picks up from the ISP. Sometimes, the default servers are unstable, or they don’t respond. This could be why you get the error and lose your internet connection.

This method can also switch to a different DNS client service, like Open DNS.

How to change DNS Servers on Windows

Press the ‘Windows’ key on your keyboard, and look for “Network and Sharing Center” in the Windows search bar. Please select it from the list by clicking on it.

Alternatively, you can access Network and Sharing Center from the Control panel -> Network and Internet -> Network and Sharing Center.

Click on the current Internet Connection used, then select the Properties option.

Double-click on Internet Protocol Version 4.

Click on Use the following DNS server addresses option. Now, type in the following DNS server address.

Inside the preferred DNS server tab, add 8.8.8.8

Below the Alternate DNS server address, type 8.8.4.4

Click on OK after you select the Validate settings upon exit option.

After doing that, launch Command Prompt on your Windows computer or laptop and type in the following code: ipconfig /flushdns

Now, press Enter. This will clear all current DNS caches.

How to change DNS Servers on Mac OS

If you’re a Mac user, click on the Apple logo and go to System Preferences.

Select Network.

Select the DNS tab.

Select the “+” icon to add or replace the new preferred DNS server IP address.

Again, select the “+” icon to add/replace the new preferred DNS server IP address.

Click on OK and then Apply to save the new settings.

You might not need to click on the internet protocol version here.

How to change DNS Server address on Android

Tap on the Settings icon. A gear icon on the app library denotes it. You may also search for the settings menu in the search bar on your app library. Alternatively, swipe down and locate the Settings icon.

Select the Wi-Fi icon

Press and hold the current WiFi connection until you see a small pop-up window.

Choose Modify Network and tap on Show advanced options box. Scroll down for more options.

Tap on IP Settings and switch from DHCP to Static

Type in your preferred and alternate DNS server addresses in the DNS 1 and 2 sections.

Tap on the Save button to save and apply the new changes.

How to change DNS address on iOS

Navigate to Settings and then to Wi-Fi.

Tap on the Wi-Fi you’re currently connected to.

Please tap on the DNS section and replace the current DNS address with the one you wish to replace it with.

Tap on the Back icon to save the changes.

This is how you can clear the DNS cache on Windows PC:

First, go to Command Prompt, type ipconfig/flushdns, and press the Enter button.

Changing the DNS server doesn’t only help remove the DNS probe finished with no internet error; it also enables you to bypass blocked websites and content on your internet connection.

Clean up Chrome’s History, Cached Files, and Cookies

When you surf the web and visit websites on Google Chrome, it stores specific website files (CSS, images, video content, etc.) to load the website faster the next time you access it. Unfortunately, over time, a massive buildup of these cached files may slow your system and internet connection.

Before clearing cache, history, etc., on the Google Chrome browser and ensuring that your default server isn’t causing a problem, you can check using other internet browsers like Firefox, Internet Explorer, etc., to see if the DNS probe isn’t finished no internet error occurs.

If other internet browsers do not give you an error, the error is likely coming from the Google Chrome browser.

Although, if the error persists and you can’t access websites on other browsers, the error occurs due to other causes.

To clear the host Cache, History, and Cookies on the Google Chrome browser, open Google Chrome.

Now, go to the top-right corner of your browser and click on the three dots to access the “Menu”.

From there, navigate to More Tools and click on Clear browsing data.

This will allow you to select the data you want to be removed. It also gives you ranges for which the data needs to be removed (past hour/ past day/ past week/ beginning of time)

This feature can also be accessed by copying: chrome://settings/clearBrowserData, pasting it onto the address bar, and pressing Enter. Alternatively, you can use the shortcut Ctrl+Shift+Del.

Once you have selected the data you wish to clear, click on Clear browsing data, and you’re done!

Clearing browsing history on Chrome for Mobile devices

On mobile devices, you can access the “Clear Browsing Data” menu by clicking on the three dots on the top-right of your Chrome app. Then, choose Settings -> Privacy -> Clear browsing data.

Fix DNS probe finished using Command prompt

If the methods listed above do not work for you, you can turn to the Command prompt window on your system to reset/renew your IP address using a few commands.

To open the Command Prompt on your Windows system, press “Windows+R” on your laptop, type cmd, and press the Enter button.

In the command line, type netsh winsock reset

Press the Enter button.

After this, reboot your system and restart Chrome. After that, the problem should be resolved.

Some other commands can be used to fix the DNS probe finished with no internet problem:

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

Launch the Command Prompt and enter these codes one after the other. Once you’re done, exit the Command prompt and reboot your Windows system.

Reboot or reset the settings of your Modem/Router

Before you reboot, reset or change the settings of your internet modem or router, it’s best to confirm the scope of the error.

Firstly, try using alternate internet browsers like Mozilla Firefox, Internet Explorer, etc., to see if the error comes there too, and not only on the Chrome browser. You do not need this method if it’s only happening on the Chrome browser.

If your system cannot access the internet connection entirely (check browsers, apps, e-mail, etc.), you should try rebooting/reset your router or modem. You can even try to change its settings.

A simple reboot would be to unplug your modem/router from the power source and wait for at least 5 minutes before you plug it back in.

Uninstall Apps That Are Filtering Websites

To check if your system’s firewall settings or any apps you may have installed to keep malicious websites away aren’t causing the DNS error, disable the firewall settings or uninstall the apps to see if you’re still getting this error. Sometimes firewalls and third-party apps may block websites for one or the other reason.

Suppose the DNS probe is finished and no internet error no longer exists, even after disabling the firewall or uninstalling apps. In that case, you should delete the apps or look for alternative apps that will not block websites that you’re interested in visiting.

Update your network adapter driver software

As mentioned above, an old network adapter can cause a DNS probe error. The only way to fix that is to reinstall or update your network adapter driver. You can do it manually or seek help online.

To sum it all up

So, to recap all that you’ve read in the article above, to fix the DNS probe finished with no internet error, you have to do the following.

Replace your system’s default DNS servers with third-party servers like Google DNS or OpenDNS
Clean up your Chrome browser’s cached files, cookies, and history
You can go to Command Prompt and perform a list of commands to counter the DNS probe finished no internet
Clear all DNS cache using Command Prompt and the command ipconfig /flushdns
Unplug your internet modem/router and plug it back in to reboot/reset the settings or restart your internet connection
In case firewall settings in your system or third-party apps are blocking websites, consider disabling the settings or replacing the apps
Try updating all driver software on your PC

We hope this article was helpful for you to know how to fix the DNS probe finished with no internet error. If you have any more doubts, let us know in the comments below.

Fix for “DNS Probe Finished No Internet” Error