When you type any any domain name or website name into your browser’s address bar, your browser search a particular server type where to find the site.
These servers, also known as DNS servers committed to responding to any and any Domain Name System (DNS) inquiries.
You could imagine DNS as being the address book of the World Wide Web. It holds information about the IP addresses for every website that is accessible via the internet. Browsers need this information to connect to the origin server or CDN Edge servers to access the primary site (or the cached version of the website).
In this blog, we’ll cover the following:
What’s the purpose of a DNS server?
The function of the DNS server is to translate the user typed into their browser into a format that computers can comprehend and then use to find websites. Also, its goal is to transform a DNS name like www.example.com into an IP number like 71.232.101.120.
Because of DNS servers, users don’t have to keep track of complicated IP addresses such as 216.58.217.206, which correspond to Google’s address. You just need to memorize www.google.com.
The process of translating, known informally as DNS resolution — involves several hardware components. The most crucial is referred to as the main DNS server.
What is a Basic DNS server?
The primary DNS server acts as the primary interface for a web browser looking for a website. The server hosts the control zone file. The file contains DNS information of the requested domain, such as its IP address, along with administrator contact details and other elements like Time to Live.
The term Time to Live -or TTL, is the time (in seconds) during which the DNS record for a domain is valid in the local cache.
The request will be answered when an initial DNS server provides its IP address from the domain.
When the DNS server goes unavailable (due to an outage in power, a cyberattack, or any other reason), the browser then asks to use a different DNS server. This server will include an updated version of the DNS record.
Although secondary DNS servers are not required to enable the DNS system to function, they are strongly recommended and even required by certain domain registrars for this reason.
DNS Server isn’t Responding
When you enter the domain name into your browser’s address bar, you’ll receive an error message saying”something like “DNS server hasn’t responded.” That means the DNS server was unable to respond.
There are many reasons why a DNS server might not be able to finish this resolution procedure. It could be due to the result of a problem with your Internet connection or DNS settings. It could be because your browser is not up-to-date. It could also be an issue with the server’s side, such as an intermittent power outage.
There are many ways to fix this issue. Let’s look at some.
Try a different web browser.
The first thing to do is to determine if your browser has caused the issue. If you’ve tried to browse the site using Google Chrome, try Safari or Firefox.
If you can resolve the issue by switching browsers, ensure that you’re using the most current version of the application you prefer. For instance, Chrome will show you the latest version available in the upper left corner of the browser’s window.
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You can temporarily deactivate your firewall
If you’re unable to fix this DNS server error by changing or updating your browser, the next step is eliminating your firewall as the reason.
While firewalls are crucial to keep your computer or device secure, they can also interfere with your network connections and cause problems, like problems with the “DNS server hasn’t been responding” error.
It is easy to deactivate them as well temporarily. If your device is running Windows, go to the control panel and click Update and Security > Windows Security > Threat Protection & Virus and Control Settings. On this settings page, you can turn off your firewall. If your device is running Mac OS, then simply go to System Settings >> Security and Privacy >> Firewall to turn it off.
After deactivating your firewall, you can try accessing the same site using your browser. If the website loads without issue, it means you’ve identified the firewall as the cause. In this scenario, you’ll have to change the settings of your current antivirus software or switch to a different one.
If the issue is fixed, remember to reactivate your firewall before proceeding to another step.
Make sure to restart your router
If you’re unable to fix this DNS server message by shutting on your firewall, your next task is to block off your web browser.
For starters, start by restarting the router by pressing the power button two times. It will flush the router’s cache and solve your “DNS server doesn’t respond” error. Once you’ve turned off the router back on and established the internet, attempt to access the same website using your browser. If the website loads without issue, then you’re done!
If there’s no success, a reboot is necessary. Simply remove the power cord and wait for about 30 seconds before plugging it in. Wait until your device can establish an internet connection. Then attempt to access the website in the future.
Cleanse your DNS cache and reset your IP
If the issue isn’t related to your firewall, browser, or router, it could be a problem with your DNS settings. In particular, it could be your DNS cache. It holds IP addresses and other DNS records for frequently visited domains to process DNS requests more efficiently. Clearing your DNS cache may help in resolving this DNS warning message.
According to the operating system on your device, there are various methods to accomplish this. If you’re using the most current version of Mac OS, then start by opening the Finder. Click the Applications > Utilities > Terminal and enter this command in the format: sudo killall MDNSResponder.
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After entering your password, you will get a confirmation message that your DNS cache has been reset. Then, you can return to the website using your browser.
The Best DNS Servers
Your Internet service provider chooses their DNS servers. A majority of users utilize these servers. However, they don’t have to. If you’re looking for speeds or protection, you may want to consider a different server. Here are some of the top alternatives.
Cloudflare DNS provides an enterprise DNS service that comes with one of the most rapid response times and 100% uptime, and built-in protection for DDoS attacks. It has a typical DNS search speed of just 11ms. Cloudflare has the highest-speed DNS service available in the world.
Cloudflare additionally has data centers in more than 200 cities, which means it can provide 100% uptime and unbeatable redundancy. In addition, to its built-in DDoS security, Cloudflare offers one-click DNSSEC to shield your website from DNS attacks.
Cloudflare also provides a free open DNS for users on a limited budget.
Google Public DNS is a free system designed to serve as the primary DNS provider to provide more efficient web browsing. The service employs various methods to speed up DNS lookup times, including provisioning servers, load-balancing as well as providing global coverage, and preventing DoS and amplification attacks that can be burdensome for DNS servers.
But Google Public DNS does not remove or block undesirable sites. It is solely the service for DNS resolution as well as caching.
With over 90 million users, Open DNS is one of the most popular and free DNS services. It brings together the best of both worlds, providing the fastest speeds and security. It allows for fast surfing and full uptime due to the global Network of data centers and peer relationships.
It also provides web filtering control and already-configured security to block your device (or the devices of your family) from logging onto untrusted websites.
Quad9 is a free service created to provide greater security and protection than your default DNS configuration. When your computer makes a DNS query, the Quad9 server scans a continuously current list of threats to prevent lookups for harmful domain names.
Additionally, it protects your computer from spyware, malware, phishing, and botnets; it can increase performance and ensure your security.
Comodo Secure DNS offers a cloud-based DNS solution that gives you control, visibility, and protection. Comodo provides three options. Businesses and individuals who make under 300,000 DNS queries per month can opt for the free option.
It offers protection from malware, phishing, and other threats, web filtering for over 80 content categories, protection against web access policies, and real-time visibility of all devices connected. Premium plans can handle more monthly requests and include greater capabilities, such as DNS encryption of traffic.
NeuStar UltraDNS Public is a global DNS infrastructure providing different services. The initial level is similar to Google Public DNS: it’s an affordable DNS resolution, caching, and resolving service which can quickly solve DNS queries.
You’ll need to upgrade to higher levels for security against malicious domains and to block web filters for more than a dozen categories of web content.
My DNS Server
You can find it if you’d like to know the DNS servers (or servers) your computer is using. There are a variety of choices. The easiest is to visit http://www.whatsmydnsserver.com/ and click the What’s My DNS Server? Button.
If you’re experiencing a DNS issue or cannot connect to this website for another reason, there are different ways to determine which DNS server your computer is connected to. We’ll go over the steps for Windows and Mac users in the following paragraphs.
If you’re running Windows 10 or 8.1, hit to click the start button. It is the Windows logo on the left-hand corner of the screen. Choose the Command Prompt. Enter the command ipconfig/all and press the Enter key.
Many data are returned to you, such as the DNS servers represented by IPv4 or IPv6. It is common to see many servers that are listed.
If you’re using Mac, Click the System Preferences. After that, click Network. Choose the network connection you’d like to test from the menu left. Cloose the Advanced button, and then select the DNS tab. There are usually various servers listed.
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Final Thought on Your DNS Server
A DNS server lets you connect to your computer so that you can access different sites on the internet. It’s essential to know how to fix DNS server problems and what your most effective alternatives to service are to have the most efficient and secure web browsing experience.
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