One of the most common issues that Google Chrome users might encounter is the DNS_Probe_Finished_Nxdomain error.
What this error primarily means is that browser was unable to retrieve information from your DNS to display the websites that you’re looking for. Whenever this kind of problems occurs, you won’t be able to access the internet.
Thankfully, some fixes are available to solve the DNS_Probe_Finished_Nxdomain error to get your web browser working again. In this article, we’ll be taking a look at the steps that you can choose to fix the DNS_Probe_Finished_Nxdomain problem:
Fix DNS_Probe_Finished_Nxdomain Error
Based on the type of device you are using, the fix for DNS_Probe_Finished_Nxdomain will then differ. We’ll be using the same repair method on both Mac and Windows platforms.
However, the steps for each platform will be different. That is why I will be showing you how to fix this error on both macOS and Windows machines.
But before that, let us see a conventional method which you can use to resolve this problem regardless of the platform you are currently on.
Clearing All Browsing Data and Flushing of Browser DNS Cache
Before starting a full-fledged diagnostic of your system, first, you have to try to solve the problem in your Chrome browser itself. First is to clear all your browsing data and to flush the browser DNS cache, and this is how to go about it:
Launch Chrome browser, copy and paste the following URL then hit the enter key.
chrome://settings/clearBrowserData
On this page, click on ‘Advanced’ and then click on the drop-down menu which is next to ‘Time Range’ and select the ‘All Time’ option.
Now you can make sure that the check-boxes next to the Browsing history, Download history, Cookies and other sites data and Cache image and files are all checked. Now, go ahead and click on the “Clear data” button.
Restoring Settings to Default
If the above method was able to resolve your DNS_Probe_Finished_Nxdomain problem, then you don’t need to proceed. But if it didn’t, there’s something else you need to try out.
In this method, we’ll be restoring the Chrome settings to default:
Copy and paste the link below in your Chrome browser’s URL and then hit enter.
chrome://flags/
Here, you have to click on the ‘Reset all to Default’ button and then click on the ‘Relaunch Now’ button to apply the changes made.
If the above two methods were able to solve your problem then good for you, however, you will have to follow the tutorial to see who you can troubleshoot your computer to resolve this issue.
On a Mac: Fixing DNS_Probe_Finished_Nxdomain
For both Windows and Mac, first, we will have to change your computer’s DNS settings but make sure your computer is accessing the right DNS server. Then, we’ll flush your computer DNS cache to make sure that your past settings are not conflicting with the fix:
Change DNS Settings on Mac
Instead of using the standard DNS that comes with your internet service provider (ISP), we will be working with Google’s DNS service to route your traffic.
So if you don’t want to use Google DNS, we have to create a list of the seven best DNS server that can be used. That being said, we will be using the Google DNS in this tutorial:
First, navigate to the System Preferences panel on your Mac computer by either searching on Spotlight or by clicking on the ‘Apple Menu’ and then select ‘System Preferences…’.
Then click on Network.
Now, click on Advanced and then select ‘DNS’ on the next page.
Now, click on the “+” button and add the following two DNS addresses. After that you are done, it should look like something shown in the picture below. Click on “OK”.
8.8.8.8 8.8.4.4
And finally, click on the “Apply” button at the bottom right corner to apply the changes.
Clear DNS Cache on your Mac
If the method mentioned above didn’t solve the DNS_Probe_Finished_Nxdomain error, as a last resort, you could flush your Mac’s DNS cache, and this is how you can do it:
First, navigate to the “Terminal” app by searching for it using the Spotlight.
Now, you have to copy and paste the command below into the ‘Terminal’. Once you have done that, the Terminal will request for your admin password. Input the password and then hit the return key.
sudo dscacheutil -flushcache
Now, copy and paste the command below in the Terminal and hit the enter/return key.
sudo killall -HUP mDNSResponder
Once the commands are executed, you can restart your Mac and see if the error is fixed or not.
On a Windows PC: Fixing DNS_Probe_Finished_Nxdomain
Just like as we changed the DNS server setting and flushed out the DNS cache on the Mac, we will be taking the same route with the Windows PC also. And apart from these two steps, there’s also an additional step that you can carry out on your Windows PC.
Let us see how you can use these methods to solve the DNS_Probe_Finished_Nxdomain error:
Change DNS Settings on Windows PC
Open the ‘Control Panel‘ on your Windows computer and click on the ‘Network and Sharing Centre’.
Now, Click on ‘Change adapter settings’.
Depending on which you are using Wi-Fi or Ethernet, right click on its icon and select “Properties”.
Now, tap to select ‘Internet Protocol (4 TCP/IPv4)’ and click on ‘Properties’.
And finally, you can click on the ‘Use the following DNS server addresses’ and fill the following two DNS server addresses.
8.8.8.8 8.8.4.4
Once this is done, click on ‘Ok’ to apply the changes.
Reset Winsock program
Winsock is a program that manages all the incoming and outgoing connection requests for all the internet connection on Windows.
Thus, resetting it will quite possibly resolve your DNS_Probe_Finished_Nxdomain error on Chrome:
Firstly, search for ‘cmd’ and open the command prompt and run it as an administrator.
Enter the command which is given below and then hit enter.
netsh winsock reset
Then wait until Windows finishes running the command then restart the PC.
Flush DNS and Other Settings on Windows
Run the command prompt applications just like you have done earlier.
Now, copy and paste the below commands one by one and then hit the enter key after each one. So you’re going to copy and paste the first command by the enter button, and then carry out the same for the rest of the commands.
ipconfig /release ipconfig /all ipconfig /flushdns ipconfig /renew netsh int ip set dns netsh winsock reset
Finally, you can restart your computer and check if the changes worked or not.
I have successfully used the methods above to solve the DNS_Probe_Finished_Nxdomain issue. So, check it out and resolve the error on your computer.
Solve the DNS_Probe_Finished_Nxdomain Error on Your Mac or PC
The above steps will assist you in solving the DNS_Probe_Finished_Nxdomain error in Chrome. But for most of you, the problem will be resolved by the universal methods only.
However, if those didn’t work for you, you can proceed to the next steps for PC and Mac. Do check if the issue is resolved and let us know if you come across any problems along the way.
