Fix: DNS Server Might be Unavailable Error
In today’s day and age, the internet is a prerequisite, be it on smartphones or PCs. Being connected to family and friends, sending emails, and connecting work through online interactions like Skype, Zoom, etc., require a good internet connection.
You may have received a message or alert on a blank screen- the DNS server might be unavailable.
Do you not have any idea what it means? Then, read on to find out everything related to -the DNS server might be an unavailable error.
What is DNS?
DNS means Domain Name System. It is the phone book of the internet. Any information on the web is accessed through their domain names; for example, www.google.com, www. facebook.com, etc.
Every device connected to the internet has a unique IP address or Internet Protocol address. Through an IP address, a device is recognized on the network. DNS server eliminates the need to memorize the IP addresses as it performs that duty.
What does DNS server error mean?
DNS server not responding / DNS server is unavailable: these messages mean the browser cannot establish a connection to the internet.
The reason could be a problem with the network, the internet connection, misconfigured DNS settings, etc. This needs to be addressed immediately.
The error means something is not working correctly; it could be your device or the internet provider.
The following guidelines will ensure you have a good understanding of the issue and how to deal with it.
Frequent DNS alerts
First, let us check out a few frequent DNS errors that may pop up on your computer screen.
Error #1– DNS server timed out- This could be a frequent message; this error points out that the computer cannot reach the DNS server.
Error #2- DNS server could not be found- You may want to check your DNS address.
Error #3- DNS server disconnected– Check the computer network connections and configuration.
Error #4- DNS server not responding– Check your DNS configuration.
Error #5- DNS server could not be found- Check if your DNS address is correct.
A quick check-up
Before going all-in with the solutions, you should perform a preliminary check-up.
#1- Check cables– If you use a wired connection, check the cables. This should include the ethernet cable connection to the router and the power source. Make sure everything is plugged in correctly and switched on.
#2- Reboot- It is essential to restart the system to allow it to refresh and configure. You can also restart the router and the modem to ensure it’s working.
#3- Malware– Viruses can usually cause such hindrances in internet usage; check with your Antivirus to scan and update the system.
How to fix- DNS server might be unavailable error on Windows 10
So far, we have dealt with what DNS is and why it is causing an error; we also saw a few DNS errors. Now, let us go ahead and fix the DNS server that might be unavailable error.
Method#1- Switch browser
Even after you have reloaded the page and still see the DNS error, it is better to try switching browsers to Google Chrome, Microsoft Edge, or Firefox. Once you use a different browser, check if the DNS problem remains.
It is essential to keep the default browser updated to the latest version. If this method does not work for you, move on to the next.
Method#2- Disable Antivirus software
Antivirus is an essential program to keep your system safe from any malware, but the Antivirus software tends to interfere with the system software, such as applications, internet connections, etc.
If you have an Antivirus installed in your Windows 10, disabling or uninstalling the Antivirus should help.
Many Windows users complained that they experienced the DNS server unavailable error on their Windows computer after they had downloaded the Avast Antivirus. This is because the third-party software and firewalls could block access to the internet connection; this can be responsible for the appearance of an error message.
Follow these steps to disable the Antivirus programs temporarily:
Step#1– Select the Antivirus icon from the taskbar or the desktop, right-click and select Disable Auto-Protect.
Step#2- On the next window, select the time frame to disable the Antivirus software temporarily. Click OK.
Step#3– To check Internet connectivity, reconnect to the internet and log onto different web browsers like Mozilla Firefox and Google Chrome to check if the error has been resolved.
Method#3- Disable secondary connections
Even after disabling the Antivirus programs from your Windows 10, if you still face the DNS server not responding error, this solution could help you.
To disable the secondary connection on your PC, follow these steps.
Step#1– On the Windows Search bar type Network connections. Select View Network Connections.
Step#2– You will see all the available network connections in the next window. Disable any connection that is not in use—Right-click on the connection and select Disable.
Method#4- Flush DNS cache with command prompt
If the DNS is outdated, the DNS cache or the temporary files can be manually cleared to fix the DNS issue.
Follow these steps to clear the DNS cache.
Step#1– Click the search bar, or the magnifying glass beside the start button on the home page and type cmd to launch the command prompt window.
Step#2– Select the command prompt and select Run as Administrator.
Step#3– When prompted by the User Account Control(UAC), click YES.
Step#4– The command prompt window will open. Type the following commands one after the other, and press Enter after typing each command.
ipconfig/flushdnsipconfig/registerdnsipconfig/renewipconfig/releaseStep#5– Finally type Exit and press Enter to exit the window.
Once the command prompt runs, you can request a new IP address from your internet service provider’s server. This can solve the error message faced by your Windows system.
Now, try and open a web browser and check if you have internet access.
Method#5- Run Internet Connection and Network Adapter Troubleshooter
Troubleshooting the issue through the Windows operating system software can quickly help wipe off the DNS error. Follow these simple steps to run an internet connection troubleshooter.
Step#1- Press the Windows icon and select Settings. From the Settings window, select the Update and security option.
Step#2– From the Update and Security window, select Troubleshoot from the left side of the screen. Then, on the right side Troubleshooting recommendations will appear. Here, choose Additional troubleshooters.
Step#3- The additional troubleshooter’s window will open; select Run the troubleshooter under the Internet Connections option.
The system troubleshooter program will detect and diagnose the DNS server issue.
If this does not solve the DNS servers issue, try fixing the problem through the Network Adapter Troubleshooter.
Step#4- Open Windows Settings and select Update and security.
Now, select Troubleshoot and then select Additional troubleshooter.
From the Additional troubleshooter window, scroll down, select the Network Adapter tab, and click the Run the troubleshooter button.
Now, check if this was able to solve your DNS problems.
Method#6- Change DNS server / Preferred DNS Server
Due to excess data traffic on the router, the DNS server might be unavailable or you may see the DNS server not responding error. To solve this, you can change the DNS server provider to a public DNS server, that of Google DNS server or any other company.
Follow these detailed explained steps to change the DNS server.
Step #1– On the Windows Start Search button, type Control Panel, then select Open.
Step#2– Select the Network and Internet option from the Control Panel window.
Step#3– On the Network and Internet window, select Network and Sharing Center.
Step#4– Now, select the network in use from the Network and Sharing center window; it may be an ethernet connection or Wi-Fi.
Here, you have to select Wi-Fi.
Step#5– Another window will open; select the Properties button.
Step#6– Now, on the Wi-Fi properties window, scroll to find and select Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4).
Select the Properties button.
Step#7- Once the IPV4 properties window opens, select the following DNS server addresses option.
In the field against the Preferred DNS server, enter- 8.8.8.8.
In the field against the Alternate DNS server, enter- 8.8.4.4.
Now, check the box saying, Validate settings upon exit, and Select OK.
After a few minutes, launch the default browser to check the network connection.
Method#7- Reset TCP/IP
Step#1– Launch the Command Prompt by typing cmd in the Windows Start Search bar.
Select Run as administrator.
Step#2– When prompted by User Account Control, select Yes.
Step#3– Now the command prompt window will open; type, netsh int IP reset and press Enter.
Once the command runs, it is unlikely that you will see the DNS server unavailable error again.
If the netsh command did not help resolve the issue, you might try the other methods explained in this article.
Method#8- Make sure to Obtain the DNS Server Address
Step#1– Launch the Run dialog window by pressing the Windows icon key along with the letter R.
Type in ncpa.cpl and press Enter or Ok.
Step#2– Locate the network connection in use, then make double-click on it.
Step#3– Select the Properties option.
Step#4– On the properties window, scroll ad locate the Internet Protocol version 4 (IPv4) and click the Properties tab.
Step#5– Once the internet protocol version 4 window has opened, select the Automatically detect settings option on the lower part of the window, which says- Obtain DNS server address automatically.
Now click Ok.
Step#6– Now go back to the network connections properties window, and from the list, scroll and locate Internet Protocol Version 6 (IPv6), and click Properties.
Step#7– The IPv6 window will open; on the lower part of the window, select, Obtain DNS server address automatically, and click Ok.
Method#9- Start the computer on Safe Mode
If the operating system is not working correctly, this can be caused by a DNS server unavailable error; let us try to reboot the Windows device in Safe Mode. This will limit the files and resource usage and can help troubleshoot the DNS server unavailable error.
Step#1– To start Windows 10 in Safe Mode, tap the Windows Start key, keep the cursor on the Power button, and then select Restart by pressing the Shift key.
Step#2– When your PC restarts, click Troubleshoot and select Advanced.
Step#3– Under the Advanced options, select Start up settings and then select Restart.
Step#4- By pressing the number 4, you can Enable Safe Mode.
While the system is rebooting, press and hold the F8 key.
Step#5- Now, try to access the internet.
Conclusion
The DNS server might be unavailable message is the most common error you will face while accessing the internet. Through this article, you are now well-informed about the DNS server, its functions, and how it can be fixed.
If you face the same error after consulting this elaborate article, you may need to see a computer technician.
