Server DNS Address Could Not Be Found? Fix It

When you see “Server DNS address could not be found,” your browser cannot translate the website’s name (like example.com) into the numeric IP address it needs to connect to. This error is almost always a problem with your device’s DNS settings, your router, or your internet service provider’s DNS servers, and it is usually fixable in a few minutes. Below are the most common causes and step-by-step fixes that work on Windows, macOS, Android, and iPhone.

What DNS Actually Does

DNS (Domain Name System) is the internet’s phone book. Every device on the internet has an IP address, such as 192.168.1.1 or 2606:4700:4700::1111, but humans remember names like “keepcalculator.com” far more easily. When you type a URL, your device sends a query to a DNS server asking, “What is the IP address for this name?” The DNS server replies with the correct address, and your browser then connects to that IP.

If the DNS server is unreachable, slow, or returns an error, your browser shows “Server DNS address could not be found” even though your internet connection itself may be working fine. This is why you can often still use apps that connect directly to IP addresses, or why other devices on the same network work normally.

Why This Error Happens

There are several distinct reasons, and knowing which one applies to you makes the fix faster:

• DNS server outage: Your ISP’s DNS servers might be temporarily down or overloaded. This affects many users in the same region at once.
• Incorrect DNS settings on your device: A manual DNS entry might point to a server that no longer exists or is unreachable.
• Router issues: Your router’s DNS relay might be broken, or the router itself may need a restart.
• Local cache corruption: Your device’s DNS cache may contain a stale or invalid entry for the site you are trying to reach.
• Antivirus or firewall interference: Some security software intercepts DNS queries and can block them if it misidentifies the site.
• Typo in the URL: A misspelled domain name simply does not exist in DNS.
• Site is truly down: The website’s own DNS records may have been removed or misconfigured by its owner.

How to Fix It: Step-by-Step

Start with the simplest fixes and move to more advanced ones. Most users resolve the issue with steps 1–3.

1. Check the URL for typos. Re-type the address carefully, or search for the site on a search engine and click the result.
2. Restart your router and modem. Unplug both devices, wait 30 seconds, plug in the modem first, then the router. This clears temporary DNS issues on the router.
3. Restart your device. A full restart clears the local DNS cache and resets network connections.
4. Flush the DNS cache on Windows: Open Command Prompt as administrator and run ipconfig /flushdns. On macOS, run sudo dscacheutil -flushcache in Terminal.
5. Change your DNS server to a public one. This is the most reliable fix if your ISP’s DNS is the problem. Popular public DNS servers include Google (8.8.8.8 and 8.8.4.4) and Cloudflare (1.1.1.1 and 1.0.0.1). You can change them in your router’s admin panel or in your device’s network settings.
6. Disable and re-enable your network adapter. On Windows, go to Network Settings → Change adapter options, right-click your adapter, and select Disable, then Enable. On mobile, toggle Airplane Mode on and off.
7. Try a different browser or device. If the site loads on your phone but not your computer, the problem is local to your computer. If it fails on all devices, the problem is likely your router or the site itself.
8. Temporarily disable antivirus/firewall. If the site loads after disabling, add an exception for the site or reinstall the security software.

How to Change Your DNS Server

Changing DNS is safe and reversible. Here is how to do it on the most common platforms:

Windows 10/11

1. Go to Settings → Network & Internet → Wi-Fi or Ethernet.
2. Click your connection name, then scroll to “IP assignment” and click “Edit.”
3. Change the dropdown to “Manual,” turn on IPv4, and enter 8.8.8.8 for Preferred DNS and 8.8.4.4 for Alternate DNS.
4. Save and restart your browser.

macOS

1. Open System Settings → Network.
2. Select your active connection (Wi-Fi or Ethernet) and click “Details.”
3. Go to the DNS tab, click the “+” under DNS Servers, and add 8.8.8.8 and 8.8.4.4.
4. Click OK and then Apply.

Android

1. Open Settings → Wi-Fi, and tap the gear icon next to your connected network.
2. Tap “IP settings” and change it to “Static.”
3. Enter 8.8.8.8 for DNS 1 and 8.8.4.4 for DNS 2, then save.

iPhone/iPad

1. Open Settings → Wi-Fi, and tap the “i” next to your network.
2. Scroll to “Configure DNS” and tap “Manual.”
3. Delete any existing servers, tap “Add Server,” and enter 8.8.8.8 and 8.8.4.4.
4. Tap Save.

Alternatively, you can change DNS on your router so every device on your network uses the new server. Log into your router’s admin page (usually at 192.168.1.1 or 192.168.0.1), find the DNS settings under Internet or WAN, and enter the public DNS addresses.

Common Misconceptions

“The site is down for everyone.” Not necessarily. The error is often local. Use a service like “down for everyone or just me” to check from another network, or simply try loading the site on your phone’s cellular data.

“DNS errors mean my internet is broken.” No. You can have full internet connectivity (e.g., you can stream video or use email) and still see this error because DNS is a separate service.

“Changing DNS is dangerous.” Public DNS servers from Google or Cloudflare are widely used, free, and generally faster and more reliable than ISP servers. They do not hide your traffic or change your IP address; they only resolve names.

When the Problem Is the Website Itself

If you have tried all the fixes above and the error persists on every device and network, the website’s DNS records may be misconfigured or the domain may have expired. You can check this by using an online DNS lookup tool to see if the domain has any A or AAAA records. If the lookup returns no records, the site owner must fix it. In that case, there is nothing you can do except wait or contact the site administrator.

Prevention Tips

• Use a reliable public DNS server from the start, rather than relying on your ISP’s default.
• Restart your router at least once a month to clear accumulated DNS cache.
• Keep your router’s firmware updated to avoid known DNS bugs.
• If you use a VPN, disconnect and try again; some VPNs route DNS through their own servers, which can fail.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why do I get this error on one device but not another?

Each device has its own DNS cache and settings. The device with the error may have a stale cache entry, a manual DNS setting pointing to a dead server, or a firewall that is blocking DNS. Flush the cache on that device and check its DNS settings.

Can I fix this by clearing my browser cache?

Clearing the browser cache can help if the error is caused by a cached DNS failure, but it is not the primary fix. The DNS cache is stored at the operating system level, so flush that first. Clearing browser data is a secondary step that sometimes helps.

Is it safe to use 8.8.8.8 or 1.1.1.1?

Yes. These are public DNS servers operated by Google and Cloudflare, respectively. They are free, widely used, and generally have better uptime and speed than most ISP servers. They do not give you a different IP address or hide your browsing; they only resolve domain names.

Why does the error only happen on some websites?

If only one or two sites fail, the problem is likely with those sites’ DNS records or the site itself. If all sites fail, the problem is with your DNS server or network. You can test by trying to visit a major site like google.com.

Will changing my DNS affect my internet speed?

It can, but usually for the better. A faster DNS server can reduce the time it takes to load a website for the first time. It does not affect your download/upload bandwidth, only the speed of name resolution.

What if I still get the error after trying everything?

If you have flushed the cache, changed DNS servers, restarted your router, and tried multiple devices, the issue is likely on the website’s side. Check the site’s status via a third-party tool, or wait a few hours. If the site is critical, contact its support team.

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