Did you get a DNS error when you tried connecting to a certain website? How about when connecting to your own network? These problems can arise when dealing with the internet but the good news is that there is a solution.
Domain Name Server or DNS is responsible for translating the address of a website so that the web browser you use can connect to it. However, there are occasions when connection to the server can be lost due to corrupt settings or a problem on the part of the server.
If you find yourself having trouble connecting to a site and get a DNS error, here are some things you can do:
Check the connection
Knowing the source of the issue helps you solve the problem much faster. There can be many reasons why you can’t connect to the internet, but you need to narrow those down. This can be done by doing a couple of tests.
First, try connecting another device – another computer, a laptop, a smartphone, a table or just about anything that has internet connectivity capabilities – to the router. You can do this the wired way or the wireless way.
Next, try opening a site from the other device. If the site loads then you know the problem lies with the first device. Otherwise, there is a problem with your router or ISP.
If you encountered the latter, then you have to power cycle your modem and router. This is done by unplugging the power cable of the modem as well as that of the router. Let both devices be without power for about 30 seconds. Doing this allows residual charges to be released and it clears memory as well.
After waiting 30 seconds, connect the modem first and wait until it has fully connected. When it has powered on, connect the router’s power cable then wait for it to boot. Once power is back on both devices, try connecting to another site again. If that doesn’t work, move on to the next solution.
Check the computer
Using a different browser is one way to test DNS connections. A number of really good browsers are available for free such as Google Chrome and Mozilla Firefox. You can download those to see if each responds the same way when trying to connect to the internet. If both browsers can’t gain access to a site, then there must be something wrong with the settings on your computer.
One of the simplest ways to troubleshoot the issue is to try flushing your DNS. Windows users can open up a command prompt then type ipconfig /flushdns. Wait for the command to finish executing then restart your computer. Once everything is up, check your connection again. If it still exists, there might be problem with your router or ISP.
If the route is used in a home network, try to connect it directly to your computer. If that still fails, then your ISP is most likely having a problem. You can give them a call to know if they are experiencing any troubles.
Connectivity issues don’t just trouble desktop devices, they can also bother smartphones but trying out different solutions before contacting technical support can help solve the issue.