If you’re having trouble loading a website on your web browser, clearing the DNS cache can help. Since the DNS cache keeps a record of the websites you have visited, you may want to clear it to keep your browsing history private. Additionally, the need to perform this task may also arise when you suspect you have been a victim of DNS spoofing/poisoning. So, here is how you can flush or reset the DNS cache on your Mac.
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In This Article
What happens when you flush the DNS cache on your Mac?
First, you should understand what a DNS server does. Once you enter the address of a website on your web browser, it contacts the DNS server for the website’s IP address. When the IP address is provided to the web browser, it loads the website.
To make this process faster and more streamlined, your device stores the IP addresses of the websites you visit in the DNS cache. When you enter the web address the second time, your browser does not need to contact the DNS server again. It can simply use the IP address stored in the DNS cache.
You can probably guess where the potential issues arise. Like every other cached memory, the DNS cache is prone to get outdated and corrupted. When this happens, your browser is unable to load the website linked to the corrupted IP address. This is when flushing the DNS cache comes in handy. Once that’s done, your browser will contact the DNS server again for the appropriate IP address.
Flush or Reset DNS Cache on a Mac
Step 1: Click on Finder and select Applications.
Step 2: Go to the Utilities folder and select Terminal.
Step 3: Depending on your macOS version, type the following commands:
Ventura and Monterey: sudo dscacheutil -flushcache; sudo killall -HUP mDNSResponder
El Capitan, Lion, Mountain Lion, Mavericks, Sierra, High Sierra, Mojave: sudo kilall -HUP mDNSResponder
Tiger and Snow Leopard: lookupd -flushcache
Yosemite: sudo discoveryutil mdnsflushcache
Step 4: Type your password and hit Enter.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
How do I flush DNS cache on Windows?
Go to Command Prompt (Windows + R followed by Enter) and ipconfig /flushDNS.
When should I flush the DNS cache?
If you can’t connect to a website even after typing the right address, flushing the DNS cache may resolve the issue.
What happens when you flush the DNS cache?
The DNS cache contains the IP addresses of the websites you have visited recently. Flushing it clears those saved addresses.
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Conclusion
This is how you can flush or reset DNS on your Mac. Read this article to learn how you can set up a private DNS on your Android smartphone. If you know any other methods to go about this task, let us know in the comments!
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