DNS_PROBE_FINISHED_NXDOMAIN — What It Means & How to Fix It

What Does This Error Mean?

This error means your browser could not find the website's address. DNS is like a phone book for the internet — it translates a website name (like google.com) into a number your computer can use. NXDOMAIN means the name was looked up but no record was found. Either the domain does not exist, you mistyped it, or your DNS settings are broken.

Affected Models

Google Chrome
Microsoft Edge
Chromium-based browsers
Windows
macOS
Android

Common Causes

The domain name was typed incorrectly (a simple typo)
The website no longer exists or the domain has expired
Your DNS server is not working correctly
Your router's DNS cache has a bad or outdated entry
A firewall or parental control is blocking the domain

How to Fix It

Double-check the web address you typed. Look for small typos — a missing letter, an extra dot, or a wrong extension (.com vs .net).

This is the most common cause and the easiest fix.
Open Command Prompt (Windows) or Terminal (Mac) and type: ipconfig /flushdns (Windows) or sudo dscacheutil -flushcache (Mac). Press Enter.

This clears your computer's saved DNS records, forcing a fresh lookup.
Restart your router. Unplug it from the wall, wait 30 seconds, then plug it back in.

Routers store their own DNS cache. A restart clears it.
Switch to a public DNS server. In your network settings, set your DNS to 8.8.8.8 (Google) or 1.1.1.1 (Cloudflare) instead of your ISP's default.

Public DNS servers are often faster and more reliable than ISP defaults.
Try opening the website on your phone using mobile data (not Wi-Fi). If it works there, the problem is on your home network — not the website itself.

This is a quick way to rule out whether the site is down for everyone.

When to Call a Professional

If switching DNS servers and flushing your cache does not fix the problem, your ISP may have a DNS outage. Contact your internet provider's support line. You can also contact your network administrator if you are on a work or school network.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does NXDOMAIN mean the website is down?

Not necessarily. NXDOMAIN means the domain name itself could not be found — not that the server is temporarily down. The website may have moved, expired, or you may have mistyped the address. If you know the site exists, try flushing your DNS first.

Can my antivirus software cause this error?

Yes. Some antivirus and security tools intercept DNS requests and can block certain domains. Try temporarily disabling your security software and loading the page again. If it works, add the site to your antivirus whitelist.

Why does this only happen on some websites and not others?

Different websites use different DNS records. If only one site is affected, that site's domain likely has an issue — such as an expired domain or misconfigured DNS record. If many sites are affected, the problem is with your DNS settings or internet connection.