How to Fix a “DNS Server Not Responding” Problem

Most people who use the internet do not know what a DNS server is. So when they see a message on their computer, or on their mobile phone saying: “DNS server is not responding”, all they understand is that they can’t access the internet. DNS stands for “Domain Name Server”, and indeed, it does mean that you cannot access the web. Here is a list of potential issues that can cause such a situation, and how to solve them.

Why is DNS Internet Not Working?

Below, you will find various explanations of why the DNS server is not responding. They are the main causes, to which there may or may not be a solution, according to the situation.

Websites behind Firewall

You cannot access all websites on the internet. Sometimes, access is only granted to authorized users, and so they place their site behind a firewall, which stops you from entering. If this is the case, and you are not authorized, there is nothing you can do. If you should be able to go in, contact the manager of the website so he can rectify the situation.

Website Hosting Problems

There are various error messages which can indicate that there is a hosting problem for the website you are trying to visit. The first is the one we’ve already mentioned, which is, “DNS server not responding.” It is possible that this problem is temporary and will be solved by itself, if you wait. That would mean that the server is down due to internal problems, and as soon as they will be resolved, the access will come back again, normally.

The second error message would be “DNS server not found.” If you receive such a message, it is possible that the person in charge of the website has removed this particular page off the website or has deleted the whole content. Then, it is probable you won’t be able to access it again.

The third error message is “DNS server not available.” This message refers to the hosting company where the website was located. It means that it doesn’t exist anymore. The website may reappear later, on a different hosting site.

The fourth error message is “DNS server not working.” That is in a direct link with your computer or your mobile phone. It indicates that its DNS server is currently not working. It is possible, in this case, that your DNS server could be corrupt. If so, you won’t be able to reach the internet.

How to Fix DNS Error?

Here is a step by step of things to do when you get a DNS error problem on your computer or mobile phone. Follow them, until you manage to solve the issue.

First, you need to make sure that the internet is working. The best way to do so is to look at another device and check if it is connected. If it is, then the problem is with your particular device. If it isn’t, the internet network (or lack of in this case) is the issue. There is possibly a simple explanation for this, as the problem may come from the router or ISP. Check them and restart them to try to solve the problem.

The other thing you can do, is to try to connect to another web browser (Google Chrome, Explorer, Mozilla,…) If that happens to work, it would mean there is an issue with the browser and not your device. All you have to do is check the proxy settings of the faulty browser, and you should solve this easily. However, if after all this you still can’t access the World Wide Web, then it is time to solve the problem inside the device you are using.

How to Solve DNS Problems in Various Devices?

Sadly, there is not a universal way to solve the DNS issue. Depending on the operating system (OS) on the device you use, the method will be different. Therefore, here are the various ways, according to your computer, mobile phone or tablet.

On Windows OS

If your device uses Windows, then you need to go to the system tray. There, find and click on the computer icon. You will be able to access the network from this new page, click on it and then on sharing center. You can follow the same route by clicking on the start menu to begin with.

Once you have reached that point, go to: “Change Adapter Settings” and right click on the Local Area Network to select “Properties.” Choose internet protocol version 4 (TCP/IPv4) and select properties (again), so you can change the DNS address by clicking on “Use the following DNS Server addresses” and entering 208.67.222.222 in the Preferred DNS Server field. Then, in the Alternate DNS Server field, enter 208.67.220.220. Tick the “Validate settings upon exit” box, and click OK. This should fix the problem.

On Mac OS (Apple computers)

You need to go to the Apple menu from where you will select “System Preferences.” From there, double click on the network icon and select the ‘TCP/IP’ tab. There will be an option to change the DNS settings, where you should enter the appropriate DNS server details. Don’t forget to click on “Apply Now” afterwards. Restart the system to apply the new data, and everything should work well.

On Android phones

On mobile phones controlled by the Android OS, the DNS settings are the default one, installed by the makers of the phone. It is often better to modify it to get faster internet. However, to change the DNS settings, the process will be different according to the software used by your particular phone. You can find an application to do the change on Play Store.

On iOS (Apple Phones)

To modify the DNS server on an iPhone, you first need to be connected to the internet. Once you are, search for the letter “i” inside a circle and click on it. You will find a DNS label and a place to type beside it called “Text field.” Tap on it and enter the DNS address which will be saved automatically. All should be working fine now.

If you followed the steps in this article, you should resolve your issue, whenever it is possible to do so.

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