DNS_probe_finished _nxdomain error

The DNS_PROBE_FINISHED_NXDOMAIN error occurs when the Domain Name System (DNS) cannot resolve a domain name into its corresponding IP address, indicating that the domain does not exist.

When you enter a website URL, your browser contacts a DNS server to obtain the IP address associated with that domain. 

If the DNS server cannot find a matching IP address, it returns an NXDOMAIN response, meaning “Non-Existent Domain.” This results in the DNS_PROBE_FINISHED_NXDOMAIN error, preventing access to the website.

Common Causes For DNS_PROBE_FINISHED

_NXDOMAIN:

• Incorrect Domain Entry: A mistyped URL can lead to this error, as the DNS cannot resolve an incorrect domain name.
• DNS Configuration Issues: Misconfigured DNS settings on your device or router can impede proper domain resolution.
• Expired or Unregistered Domain: If the domain has expired or is not registered, the DNS cannot resolve it.
• Local DNS Cache Corruption: An outdated or corrupted DNS cache can cause resolution failures.
• Firewall or Antivirus Interference: Security software may block DNS requests, leading to this error.

How Dns_probe_finished_nxdomain appear on different browsers

Google Chrome: 

Chrome simply tells you that “This site can’t be reached” and gives the error code “ DNS_probe_finished_nxdomain” with one tip of “Check if there is a typo in example.com.”

Microsoft Edge:

Microsoft Edge mentions, “Hmmm…can’t reach this page.” and gives the reason “example.com’s server IP address could not be found,” along with very useful links of similar website suggestions with the link to find your searched website on search results and with tips to fix the issue.

Edge also gives a “Troubleshoot” button to let Windows check for any connection issues.

Firefox:

Firefox shows “Hmm. We’re having trouble finding that site” and says it can’t connect to the website along with simple tips and one useful tip of checking your firewall. 

Opera:

Opera goes beyond by listing simple to advanced tips to solve the error and mentions “This site can’t be reached” and its IP address could not be found. 

Safari:

Safari simply mentions that it can’t find the server without giving any tips.

Steps to solve DNS_probe_finished_nxdomain error 

The DNS_PROBE_FINISHED_NXDOMAIN error means your browser can’t find the website you’re trying to visit. To fix this, try these steps:

1. Restart Your Computer and Router

Restarting your computer and router can often resolve the DNS_PROBE_FINISHED_NXDOMAIN error. It can clear temporary glitches in both devices that may cause temporary issues that disrupt DNS resolution. Restarting them can clear these glitches.

Restarting your computer:

Save any open work.

Click on the Start menu.

Click on the “Power” button.

Click on the “Restart.” button.

 Restarting your router:

• Locate your router’s power button or unplug it from the power source.
• Wait for about 10 seconds.
• Turn the router back on or plug it back in.
• Wait for the router to fully restart (this may take a few minutes).

By following these steps, you can refresh your network connection and potentially resolve the DNS_PROBE_FINISHED_NXDOMAIN error.

2. Turn off your VPN or use a VPN

If you’re using a VPN, the DNS_PROBE_FINISHED_NXDOMAIN error can be caused by DNS issues in the VPN server you’ve selected. Turning off your VPN can solve the problem. 

Alternatively, you should try using a VPN if you aren’t using one because a VPN can solve DNS issues if your ISP has blocked the site or if your network’s DNS is misconfigured. 

2. Reset Chrome Flags

Chrome flags are experimental new features of Google Chrome that aren’t officially released. However, Google allows users to try these features before the release and give feedback. 

Since they’re experimental features, they have bugs and can cause many issues, including browsing problems.

If you’ve turned on any Chrome flag feature, turning off the features turning them off can potentially solve the error. 

How to reset Chrome flags:

Open Chrome.

Type or copy ‘chrome://flags/’ in the address bar of your Chrome browser and press Enter.

Click “Reset all” to return flags to default settings.

Close and reopen Chrome.

3. Using reliable DNS servers

Your devices use the default DNS servers often provided by your ISP, which means you might not be able to access some sites that are blocked by your ISP. 

Changing to reliable DNS servers like Cloudflare and Google’s DNS servers can help you solve the DNS_PROBE_FINISHED_NXDOMAIN error. 

Changing DNS server in Chrome: 

If you use Chrome browsers, you can change your DNS through settings. 

Go to Chrome’s settings.

Go to “Privacy and security”.

Scroll down and click on “Security”.

Turn on “Use Secure DNS”.

Select either ‘Cloudflare (1.1.1.1)’ or ‘Google (Public DNS). 

Changing the DNS server in Windows: 

If you change the DNS server in Windows settings, it will affect every browser you use. 

Click on the Start or Windows icon on your keyboard. 

Search “control panel” and click on it.

Click on “Network and Internet”.

Click on “Network and Sharing Center”.

Click on “Change adapter settings”.

Right-click on your enabled network and click “Properties”.

Find and select “Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPV4)” and click on “Properties.”

Now choose “Use the following DNS server addresses:
 

Enter the following Google DNS servers:

• 8.8.8.8
• 8.8.4.4
  

Now click ‘OK’.

4. Flush the DNS Cache

Your computer keeps a list of website addresses with their IP addresses for quick access to those websites. If this list is outdated, it can cause errors, clearing it can potentially fix the problem.

How to Flush the DNS Cache:

Windows:

Press ‘Win + R’ and, type ‘cmd,’ and press Enter.

In the Command Prompt, type ‘ipconfig /flushdns’ and press Enter.

macOS:

• Open Terminal.
• Type ‘sudo killall -HUP mDNSResponder’ and press Enter.
• Enter your password if prompted.

5. Restart the DNS Client Service

DNS Client Service helps your computer communicate with the DNS server and find websites by translating domain names into their IP addresses, if this service doesn’t work properly, your computer will have problems communicating with the DNS servers of the website and will cause issues. Restarting DNS Client Service has a higher chance of fixing the error. 

How to restart the DNS client service:

Windows:

Press ‘Win + R,’ type ‘services.msc’, and press Enter.

Find “DNS Client” in the list.

Click on the “Restart Service” Icon.

6. Disable your antivirus 

Your antivirus or firewall of your antivirus can potentially block access to a website even if it is secure. 

Try turning your antivirus off and visiting the website to see if the error has been solved. Each Antivirus software has different settings to turn off the protection. 

Here’s how to turn off Windows Security antivirus which is the default antivirus for Windows users. 

Click on Start or press the Windows icon on your keyboard.

Search “Windows security”

Click on “Virus & threat protection.”

Click on “Manage Settings.”

Turn “Real-time protection” and “Cloud-delivered protection” off.
 

Conclusion: 

DNS_PROBE_FINISHED_NXDOMAIN can also happen due to issues with the website’s DNS servers itself. The owner might not have configured the DNS setting, which can cause  DNS_PROBE_FINISHED_NXDOMAIN for all website visitors. 

If you’re a website owner, hiring an urgent website management expert or manually fixing your DNS settings will fix this issue for your visitors. 

You can also try using a different internet connection and device to see if you’re the only one facing the DNS_PROBE_FINISHED_NXDOMAIN error or if it is a problem with the website you’re visiting.