How to Flush DNS in IE
When you visit a website in Internet Explorer, IE first contacts your domain name system server, which is often provided by your Internet service provider. The DNS server matches the website’s human-readable name -- for example, “example.com” -- to a numerical IP address. These DNS entries are saved in a systemwide DNS cache for faster retrieval. In some cases, incorrect DNS entries can become stored, resulting in problems contacting websites. Use the “ipconfig” command to flush the systemwide DNS cache, which Internet Explorer uses.
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1.
Open the Command Prompt application by clicking “Start,” typing “Command Prompt” into the search box at the bottom of the Start menu and pressing “Enter.”
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Type “ipconfig /flushdns” (without quotes) into the Command Prompt window.
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Press “Enter” to flush your DNS cache. The message “Successfully Flushed the DNS Resolver Cache” will appear on your screen.
Tips
- The ipconfig command must be run with administrative permissions on Windows Vista. Right-click the “Command Prompt” shortcut and select “Run as Administrator” to open the Command Prompt if you’re using Windows Vista.
Writer Bio
Chris Hoffman is a technology writer and all-around tech geek who writes for PC World, MakeUseOf, and How-To Geek. He's been using Windows since Windows 3.1 was released in 1992.