Clear the DNS cache when a site won't load (or loads the old server) — via Microsoft Learn

Commandlow riskWindows 11Windows 10

Windows remembers DNS answers, including failures. If a site was down, or just moved to a new server, the stale entry can stick. Flushing the cache makes Windows ask again.

Takes effect right away

Command

Run in a normal Command Prompt / Terminal window.

ipconfig /displaydns
ipconfig /flushdns

Undo

rem Nothing to undo: the cache refills automatically as you browse.

/displaydns shows what's cached first — useful to confirm a "Name does not exist" entry is the culprit. Browsers keep their own DNS cache too; restart the browser if it still fails.

Sources

ipconfig — by Microsoft Learn
Troubleshooting DNS clients — by Microsoft Learn

Source reviewed: 2026-11-02
Link checked: 2026-11-02
Tested hands-on: Not by Oddbyte.Me

Oddbyte.Me hasn't tried this on every Windows build, so keep the undo handy.

dnsflushdnsipconfigwebsite not loadingcache

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