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DNS error: how to fix it ?

DNS errors are no longer an issue for most Internet users. Indeed, they are among the most common error codes on a web browser. The message means that a part of the network cannot connect to the rest of the internet.

It can be due to failures of the terminal, the site servers or the gateways between the two. Sometimes, the access provider is at the origin of the problem.

What is a DNS ?

A DNS error refers to a malfunction of the Domain Name System. It is a virtual index that allows to match domain names (www.example.net) to server IP addresses (e.g. : 192.168.543.210). The latter represent the real addresses of the websites, as they lead to their data and parameters.

However, it is easier to remember the alphanumeric address of a platform like Casino777, rather than a succession of numbers and dots. This concern for practicality led to the creation of the DNS. The directory allows to translate (resolve) domain names into IP addresses.

This name resolution is done in a decentralized way by many registers (DNS servers) spread around the world.

In concrete terms, your browser sends a request to a DNS server when you enter a URL in the address bar. The server transforms this domain name into an IP address and sends this numerical sequence back to the terminal. The browser will then be able to retrieve the site data from the corresponding servers. The site will not be able to load its content if there is no response from the DNS server.

It is the same, if the directory is not available. The name resolution becomes impossible and prevents access to the desired address.

What can cause a ?

The nature of the DNS error is usually specified by the web browser. The possible causes will depend on the problems invoked by the application. The computer may display :

  • The DNS server does not respond;
  • Request Timed out (waiting for a response too long);
  • DNS_PROBE FINISHED_NO_INTERNET (no connection) ;
  • DNS_PROBE FINISHED_BAD_CONFIG (configuration error);
  • DNS_PROBE_FINISHED_NXDOMAIN (blocked domain name).

The first case is the most common and often involves an inactive server. The problem can also come from disturbances in the provider’s network. To be sure, check if other DNS servers allow access to the web. You can, for example, use the services of Google (Preferred DNS server: 8.8.8.8 Auxiliary DNS server: 8.8.4.4).

These DNS are especially known for their reliability.

That said, there are many interesting solutions in the field such as CloudFlare servers (1.1.1.1 ; 1.0.0.1). This actor stands out for the level of security and the speed of its infrastructure. Its servers have a response time of about 9 ms, compared to 19 ms for Google. You can also opt for the servers of Cisco, Next, Yandex..

The Request Timed out” code implies, on its side, a too long waiting time. The browser has therefore decided to abandon the domain name resolution process. One reason for the problem could be an outdated database or an error in the DNS registry.

For other cases, the error messages are quite clear and allow you to take appropriate action.

What can cause an error?

How to correct a DNS error ?

You can easily fix a DNS error, if you have managed to identify the cause of the inconvenience. That said, the solution is involved in the diagnosis, in most cases. You will confirm, for example, network or server failures by changing DNS.

However, this operation already solves the problem. In order to change this setting in Windows 10 :

  • Go to Settings and select Network and Internet ;
  • Click on Network and Sharing Center, under Change adapter options ;
  • Open the Network Status by selecting it from the list displayed;
  • Click on Properties ;
  • Click on Internet Protocol version 4 (TCP/iPv4), then on Properties at the bottom of the frame;
  • Check Use the following DNS server address;
  • Fill in the fields Preferred DNS server and Alternate DNS server with the addresses of your preferred operator;
  • Check the Validate Settings option when you exit;
  • Click on OK to confirm the changes.

If the problem persists, check your internet connection and restart your box, router and computer. This method also allows to answer the message DNS_PROBE FINISHED_NO_INTERNET. For misconfigurations, review the default or custom DNS server settings.

It is also possible that the provider is blocking DNS servers as well as some sites. In this case, see the Terms and conditions to know the possible recourses.