Today we will learn How to Clear the DNS Cache. Your browser caches DNS data to make the website load faster. But you want to clear this cache? Here’s how for all major browsers. Network hiccups are a daily occurrence for computer users. Most of the time, a simple system or router reboot resolves Internet connection issues. But if these simple methods fail, you should perform a complete network reset, which includes flushing the system DNS cache.
The DNS resolver cache holds a copy of the (DNS) Domain Name Server records and reduces the time it takes to access a website’s IP address. We often clear the system DNS cache but forget to clear the browser DNS cache. Here, we will look into the importance of browser DNS caching and explain how to clear it.
Do browsers also store a DNS cache?
Yes. Web browsers maintain a copy of the DNS resolver cache. This is mainly to speed up the DNS lookup process and make the website load faster. But in many cases, clearing the system DNS cache is ineffective in solving website access problems. This can be caused by an outdated or corrupted DNS resolver cache present in the browser.
It is wise to clear the browser’s DNS cache with System DNS Cleanup. The procedure for clearing the DNS cache varies among different browsers. To make things easier, we will explain the DNS flushing process for Chrome, Edge, Firefox, Safari, and Opera separately.
How to Clear DNS Cache in Google Chrome
The option to clear the DNS cache in Chrome is not accessible through the Settings section. Here is how you can access and clear the DNS cache on Google Chrome:
- Press Ctrl + T to open a new tab in Chrome.
- Type the command chrome://net-internals/#dns in the URL bar and press the Enter key.
- Then, click the Clear Host Cache button to delete the local DNS cache.
How to Clear DNS Cache in Microsoft Edge
Microsoft Edge switched to Chromium in 2020 to improve its stability and better performance. Since it uses the same browser engine as Chrome, the DNS cache-clearing steps are the same. Repeat these steps:
- Open a new tab in Edge.
- Click on the URL bar and type the command edge://net-internals/#dns.
- Press Enter to open the DNS Settings page.
- Now, click the Clear Host Cache button to flush the Edge browser’s DNS cache.
How to Clear The DNS Cache On Mozilla Firefox
Mozilla Firefox does not use the Chromium engine. So, the process for clearing DNS cache entries is different for all Chromium-based browsers: use the following steps:
- Launch Firefox and open a new tab.
- Type the command about:networking in the address bar and press the Enter key.
- The Networking section will open. Click on the DNS option on the left side menu.
- You’ll see a list of all the DNS cache entries saved in Firefox. Click the Clear DNS Cache button to remove all entries.
How to Clear DNS Cache in Safari
Safari hides the DNS cache flush option inside the browser’s developer settings. So, you need to activate the develop menu first and only then you will see the option to clear DNS cache. Here is how to clear DNS cache in Safari:
- Go to the Safari menu bar and click on Safari Options. Click on Settings option.
- Now, select the Show Develop Menu check box in the menu bar. Close the Advanced Settings window.
- Navigate again to the Safari menu bar and click on the Develop option.
- Finally, click on the Empty Caches option in the drop-down menu. This will flush the browser’s DNS cache.
How to Clear DNS Cache in Opera
Opera is a Chromium-based browser and has a uniform .NET internal page. To clear the Opera DNS cache, repeat the following steps:
- Press Ctrl + T to open a new tab in Opera.
- Input the command opera://net-internals/#dns in the URL bar and press the enter key.
- The DNS page will open. Click the Clear Host Cache button to remove the DNS cache records.
Keep your browser’s DNS cache fresh
A corrupted DNS cache could break access to your favorite websites. For Chromium-based browsers, the commands for accessing and deleting DNS cache records remain the same. However, if you are using Safari or Firefox, the procedures for clearing the DNS cache are slightly different. If you are still having trouble accessing a website, be sure to clear browser cookies and site data.
