What is a DNS Server and What to Do If It Is Not Responding?

The internet has long become an integral part of our lives. Here, we not only work and search for information, but also communicate, relax, and entertain ourselves. It is very frustrating to see the message “DNS server is not responding” on the screen. What is it, and how can you fix this problem? Let’s take a look in this article.

What is a DNS Server?

To understand what a DNS server is, take a look at the address bar of a website. There, you can see the address of the page you are currently viewing, something like www.google.com. We immediately understand which website we are on. But computers – machines – don’t understand words. They prefer to work with numbers. Meanwhile, we humans would like to see easily readable website addresses.

This is where DNS (Domain Name System) comes in. It is a system that converts human-readable website addresses into IP addresses, which consist of numbers (e.g., 142.250.190.78). Simply put, it can be described as a translator from “human” to “computer” or a directory of IP addresses.

How the DNS System Works

So, we’ve imagined that DNS is a directory of internet addresses. When you enter a website address, your device contacts the DNS server to find out its IP. This happens in fractions of a second, but it provides you with access to the desired website.

Main Functions of a DNS Server

• Domain-to-IP Conversion: Without this, your browser cannot load a page.
• Speed Optimization: DNS servers use caching, allowing for quicker processing of repeated requests.
• Ensuring Website Availability: Even if the site’s server is temporarily unavailable, DNS can redirect the request to a backup server.

How DNS Servers Are Used

We don’t usually notice the work of DNS servers, but they ensure our daily access to websites. They convert the website addresses we enter into IPs and help us get exactly where we need to go.

Examples of how DNS servers are used:

• Browsers make DNS requests each time you enter a website address.
• Providers offer default DNS server access so clients can easily connect to the internet.
• Many companies use their own or specialized DNS servers to make it easier to access their websites.

Why the DNS Server Isn’t Responding

DNS is a widespread and reliable technology. Despite this, failures can occur. Have you ever seen “DNS server is not responding” on your computer screen? This means your device cannot get a response from the DNS server. Without an answer, the website cannot load because its IP is unknown.

Main Causes

• Provider Issues: Technical failures or server overloads at your provider’s end.
• Router Problems: For example, incorrect network settings or device overheating.
• Incorrect DNS Server Settings: Sometimes the issue may lie in a manually selected DNS server.
• Network Attacks: DDoS attacks can overload DNS servers, making them unavailable.
• Caching: Outdated entries in the DNS cache can cause requests to be incorrectly directed.

What to Do If the DNS Server Is Not Responding

If you encounter this error, don’t panic. The issue can be resolved in a few simple steps:

1. Restart the Router and Device: Many problems can be fixed by simply restarting. Turn off the router for a few seconds and then turn it back on. Also, restart your computer or smartphone.
2. Check Your Internet Connection: Make sure your internet connection is working. Try connecting to another network or check the connection via cable.
3. Update Network Drivers: Outdated drivers can cause DNS errors. Download the latest version of drivers for your device from the official website.
4. Contact Your Provider: If the previous steps didn’t help, the issue may lie with your provider. Call customer support and inform them about the situation.

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These are the simplest ways to resolve the issue. However, if they don’t work, and you are determined to fix the problem yourself, you can try more advanced solutions:

1. Check if the DNS Client Service Is Running on Your Computer: On your computer, press WIN+R. In the window that appears, type the command services.msc. A list of services will appear. Find the DNS Client service and check its startup type – should be set to Automatic and the status should be Running. If it’s not running, you need to start it.
2. Clear the DNS Cache: On a Windows computer, use the command ipconfig /flushdns in the terminal. This will delete outdated DNS entries that might be incorrect.
3. Set the Network Adapter to Use Google’s Public DNS: Why use Google’s Public DNS? Unlike DNS servers from providers, Google’s servers are almost always reliable. To switch to Google DNS, go to: Start → Control Panel → Network and Sharing Center → Change adapter settings. Select the adapter you use to connect to the network, then right-click on the adapter icon → Properties → Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4) → Properties. Open it, then in the General tab, check “Use the following DNS server addresses” and enter the following:
   • Preferred DNS server: 8.8.8.8
   • Alternate DNS server: 8.8.4.4
     Click OK and close. Now your computer is set up to use Google’s Public DNS service.

What to Do If the DNS Server Isn’t Responding?

After reading the article, if you still have questions, watch the  video: