How to Flush DNS the Right Way (and What Comes Next)

A smooth and secure network operation maintains productivity and operational efficiency, no matter if it's a small business or a larger IT infrastructure. 

So, if you find yourself dealing with network connection issues, like slow-loading websites, you may be at risk of disrupting workflow and affecting overall performance. One effective solution is activating the flush DNS command. 

This helps resolve these problems for a better-optimized network and ensures you’re using the most updated DNS settings. Let’s explore how you can flush DNS on your own! 

Essentially, you’re telling your device that it needs to go back through the DNS records when loading the site as if you’ve never been there before and to treat it like a brand new IP for storing in the next cache.

A DNS cache is a stored record of all the queries your device makes when accessing websites. DNS translates website addresses into the corresponding internet protocol (IP) addresses to direct you to the site you’re trying to reach. Without a DNS record, you’d need to remember every IP address yourself – which, unless you have an eidetic memory, isn’t possible. 

Instead, DNS records act as a database, storing this information in the DNS cache to speed up future connections. This allows the site to load more quickly and reduces server response times. Not only is this beneficial for users in terms of efficiency, but also makes these connections more secure.

Using DNS security solutions, users are better protected from potentially accessing malicious websites and encountering malware. These solutions filter web traffic, even on cached sites, to look for malware signatures and block suspicious sites from being accessed.

Why you should flush your DNS

There are several reasons to consider when flushing your DNS cache rather than waiting for a TTL to expire. The most common are:

Security 

A frequently used method of cyber attack is known as DNS spoofing, where criminals gain access to your DNS data and change the saved information to redirect you to malicious websites. From there, they may be able to steal your personal information like financial logins. 

Clearing your cache manually ensures that the correct site information will be loaded the next time you browse and reduces the risk of falling victim to these DNS attacks.

Technical issues

Your DNS cache will clear itself without you intervening every so often, but sometimes activating a manual flush is necessary, particularly if you’re trying to troubleshoot connectivity issues.  Incorrect cached DNS information could be the problem. 

This usually happens when the site moves to a new hosting server and has an updated IP address. You may see an error such as “DNS not responding” or “server IP not found”, which should prompt you to clear your cache. Flushing your DNS lets you bypass the TTL and refresh the settings immediately.

Updating a DNS cache typically works on a process called time to live or TTL. Within this time period, DNS records will pull from the local cache and load the site according to the stored records. Once the TTL expires, the site will be removed from DNS records and will need to be queried again as a new record when you next visit that site.

Privacy

While cookies are commonly associated with tracking browsing data, your DNS cache also records your web history, particularly of sites you visit often. Flushing your DNS is a good way to keep your browsing information private.

Does DNS flushing increase connectivity speed?

Yes and no. Flushing your DNS won’t change your actual internet connection speed, which is determined by factors like your internet provider, device performance, running software, and browser settings. 

However, it can make the site you’re accessing load faster, as the most up-to-date DNS settings will be pulled from the local cache and will load the site correctly as fast as possible.

If you have outdated IP settings for a site, the information being loaded by your DNS cache may not be correct, so it could take longer to load the site itself. This then slows down your browsing experience. So, flushing your DNS cache can make it feel like you’re loading everything more quickly.

How to flush DNS

Every major operating system has a way for you to flush your cache manually, although only Windows users use the actual “flush DNS cache” command. If you’re not sure how to flush DNS caches on your device, follow these instructions to get started.

How to flush DNS cache on a Mac OS

You can follow these same steps regardless of what version of Mac OS you’re running. However, you will need to know what version you’re on for step 3.

1. Open Finder, then go to Applications
2. Scroll to Utilities and open Terminal
   1. You can also open Terminal via Launchpad and typing “Terminal”
3. Based on the version of Mac OS you’re running, you’ll want to type in one of the following commands:
   1. For Ventura, Monterey and Big Sur: sudo dscacheutil -flushcache; sudo killall -HUP mDNSResponder
   2. For Lion, Mountain Lion, Mavericks, El Capitan, Sierra, High Sierra or Mojave: sudo killall -HUP mDNSResponder
   3. For Yosemite: sudo discoveryutil mdnsflushcache
   4. For Tiger: lookupd -flushcache
4. Enter your password to confirm, and hit Enter. You should see a message stating you’ve reset your DNS cache.

How to flush DNS on Windows

To use the command prompt on Windows XP, Windows Vista, Windows 7, and newer versions like Windows 10 and 11, you’ll need to:

1. Hit the Start button in the bottom left corner
2. Open the command prompt:
   1. For Windows 10 and 11: Search for Command Prompt and select it
   2. For Windows XP, Windows Vista, Windows 7 and 8: Navigate to All Programs > Accessories > Command Prompt
3. In the prompt window, input the following command: ipconfig /flushdns
4. Hit Enter. A message stating that the DNS cache has been cleared should pop up.

How to flush DNS on Linux

Linux systems don’t have a cache flushing setting by default, so you’ll need to clear this based on the distribution you’re using on your particular system.

1. Open the Terminal using Ctrl, Alt, and T simultaneously.
2. To flush your DNS cache, use the following commands based on your system:
   1. Ubuntu: sudo systemd-resolve –flush-caches
   2. NCSD: sudo /etc/init.d/nscd restart
   3. Dnsmasq: sudo /etc/init.d/dnsmasq restart
   4. BIND: One of the following, you may need to try each until one works
   5. sudo /etc/init.d/named restart
   6. sudo rndc restart
   7. sudo rndc exec
3. You may need to enter your password to complete the process.

How to flush DNS cache on Google Chrome 

Some browsers, like Google Chrome, have DNS caches of their own alongside stored cookie data. This will be separate from your device's DNS cache, but clearing it after your system cache could help resolve ongoing connectivity problems. It’s best to flush both your browser and system DNS cache at the same time to ensure both records match.

1. Open Google Chrome on your device.
2. Enter the following command in the address bar (where your URL would normally go): chrome://net-internals/#dns
3. Click “Clear host cache” when prompted to flush your DNS cache.

How IT teams automate DNS flushing across multiple devices

In enterprise environments, manually flushing the DNS cache on individual devices is neither scalable nor efficient. Whether you're troubleshooting widespread connectivity issues or enforcing routine cache resets for security compliance, IT teams often automate DNS flushing through scripts, group policies, or remote management tools.

Here are several proven methods used by sysadmins and network engineers to handle DNS cache flushing at scale.

PowerShell scripts for Windows domains

In Windows Server environments, IT admins can push out DNS flush commands using PowerShell and Group Policy Objects (GPOs). A common script looks like this:

This lets you target a list of machines remotely and execute the DNS flush without manual intervention.

Linux Shell scripts and Cron jobs

For Linux-based workstations and servers, admins often write bash scripts that include:

These scripts can be scheduled via cron for regular flushing or triggered by Ansible, Puppet, or Chef during configuration updates.

MDM and RMM tools

Mobile device management (MDM) platforms like Jamf (for macOS) or remote monitoring and management (RMM) tools like NinjaOne or Atera can be used to trigger DNS flush commands or scripts. These platforms provide visibility, logging, and error handling, all important for compliance in larger orgs.

Using centralized logging to confirm execution

Many teams integrate their DNS flushing scripts into centralized logging tools (e.g., Splunk, Datadog) to confirm successful execution across machines, diagnose failures, and monitor DNS behavior patterns.

When automation is in place, DNS flushing becomes part of your organization’s proactive network hygiene, reducing user downtime, blocking spoofed DNS records, and aligning with endpoint security policies. If your team frequently handles DNS troubleshooting, building DNS cache maintenance into automated IT workflows can save hours of manual effort.

What to do if DNS flushing doesn’t fix the problem

Flushing your DNS cache can resolve many browser or connection-related hiccups but it isn’t a silver bullet for every network issue. If you’ve already flushed your DNS and you're still encountering slow load times, "server IP not found" messages, or unexplained disconnections, there are several next steps you can take to isolate the problem.

Before you escalate to advanced tools or support, consider checking the following:

• Restart your router and modem: DNS cache exists locally on your machine, but your router may also cache DNS information. Power cycling your hardware can clear that layer.
• Switch to a public DNS resolver: If your default DNS is slow or inconsistent, try changing your settings to use Google DNS (8.8.8.8 and 8.8.4.4) or Cloudflare DNS (1.1.1.1). These resolvers are known for speed, reliability, and security.
• Inspect your hosts file (Windows/macOS/Linux): Misconfigured entries in your system's hosts file can override DNS resolutions. A forgotten local override could be redirecting or blocking access unintentionally.
• Run a Traceroute or nslookup command: These command-line tools help identify whether the issue lies in name resolution, routing, or latency. 
• Check for VPN or proxy conflicts: DNS settings may be overridden or blocked by VPN software or corporate firewalls. Temporarily disable them to test connectivity.
• Scan for malware or DNS hijacking: Malicious software can manipulate DNS settings or redirect your queries. Use a trusted antivirus or DNS protection tool to detect tampering.

Flushing DNS is often step one in a broader troubleshooting flow. If these next steps don’t solve the issue, it may be time to explore DNS monitoring tools or managed DNS services that offer real-time diagnostics, analytics, and automatic failover.

Is flushing DNS safe?

If you’re not that tech-savvy, you may be concerned that flushing your DNS could damage your device or browsing settings. But fear not, as DNS flushing is both a safe and effective way to resolve your connection problems and keep your data private. 

This is considered routine maintenance, and your system does this for you automatically with TTL settings anyway – you’re simply helping it move faster. Not only is flushing your DNS cache safe, it’s actually one of the recommended first steps for troubleshooting when you’re experiencing web connectivity problems.

There’s no set recommended timeline for how often you should be manually going through this process, but you can choose a schedule that works for you. That could be weekly, monthly, or quarterly if you prefer to keep your cache cleared out. Or you can flush your DNS whenever your browser slows down, and you’re running into problems. It’s entirely up to you.

When flushing DNS isn’t enough: Consider managed DNS services

While DNS flushing is a helpful tool for resolving short-term issues, it doesn't address the root cause of persistent DNS-related problems, especially in large organizations or high-traffic networks. If you find yourself regularly needing to flush DNS, deal with DNS spoofing risks, or troubleshoot inconsistent load times across devices, it may be time to adopt a managed DNS service.

Managed DNS providers offer far more than basic resolution. They ensure high availability, fast response times, built-in security protections, and observability that local DNS caching simply can't match.

Here’s how they help:

• Global DNS network and load balancing: Managed DNS services use globally distributed points of presence (PoPs) to reduce query latency. They also offer DNS-based load balancing to automatically direct users to the fastest or healthiest server, reducing downtime.
• Built-in DDoS protection & DNSSEC support: Many providers include defenses against DNS-based denial-of-service (DDoS) attacks and support domain name system security extensions (DNSSEC) to verify DNS integrity and prevent tampering.
• Real-time DNS analytics and logging: Unlike local DNS cache, managed DNS services offer dashboards that track queries, failures, and threat patterns in real time, critical for enterprise visibility and auditing.
• Failover and disaster recovery: If your primary hosting provider goes down, managed DNS solutions can reroute traffic to backup infrastructure in seconds using preconfigured failover rules, ensuring business continuity.
• Centralized policy management: With enterprise-grade services, admins can define DNS rules across geographies, apply threat filters, and enforce TTL and cache behavior from a single interface.

Flush it all away!

By regularly performing the simple task of DNS flushing, you can quickly and effectively resolve many network connectivity problems and keep your browsing data private. Ensure your business is running with optimal online performance, and clear your DNS cache regularly.

Boost your device’s security with managed DNS providers that power traffic across websites, applications, and networks.