Your web browser keeps a local list of the addresses of websites you visit frequently for quick access later. While this cached data, known as DNS (Domain Name System), often helps speed up your internet experience, it can also cause problems in some cases. So if you’re experiencing issues with out-of-date pages, connection timeouts, or the site not loading, it’s most likely a DNS cache-related issue. Fortunately, there’s a simple fix, flushing the DNS cache can refresh your browser’s memory and get you back on track.
What is DNS caching?
Think of DNS as the phone book of the Internet. Here, the DNS cache acts like a number on speed dial, so you don’t have to manually search for a contact every time you call someone. It is a small database, stored in your device’s local browser memory, that contains the IP addresses of recently visited websites.
Each time you navigate to a frequently visited website, the website’s server location is extracted from the stored information to improve page load times.
Why flush DNS cache
DNS caching can sometimes cause issues that affect your browsing experience. Additionally, threat actors may exploit a technique called DNS cache poisoning to redirect traffic by inserting corrupted data into the cache. Therefore, it is crucial to clear it regularly for the following reasons:
- Resolve connection errors
- Visit the website for the latest updates
- Avoid DNS cache poisoning
How to clear DNS in Google Chrome for Android
- Open Google Chrome on your Android device.
- type:
chrome://net-internals/#dnsAccess the built-in DNS cache viewer and cleaning tool in the address bar - Here you will see a section called Host Resolver Cache. click on it
- You can also navigate to socket By clicking on the tab
chrome://net-internals/#socketsDo a deeper reset in the address bar. However, this step is optional - Close the browser and open it again to ensure all DNS data reloads correctly
How to clear DNS in Google Chrome for iOS
- Open Google Chrome on iPhone
- Click on the three-dot menu in the lower right corner of the screen
- Select Settings > Privacy & Security
- tap Delete browsing data. from Browse data options, choices Cached images and files. This will also reset Chrome’s DNS cache
- Now, click Clear browsing data and provide confirmation
- Close and restart Chrome to rebuild the new DNS cache
How to clear DNS in desktop Google Chrome
- Open Google Chrome on your desktop
- Enter in the address bar:
chrome://net-internals/#dns - Press Enter to load the built-in DNS cache viewer and cleaning tool
- Click the Clear Host Cache button
- Once done, navigate to
chrome://net-internals/#socketsAccess deeper tools - Click Flush the socket pool Clear active connections
- Close and restart Chrome to apply changes
FAQ
1. What is DNS caching?
The DNS cache is a small database stored in the device’s local browser memory that contains the IP addresses of recently visited websites.
2. Why flush the DNS cache?
Flushing the DNS cache can help resolve issues such as expired pages, connection timeouts, or websites that fail to load.
3. Will refreshing DNS delete my browsing history?
No, clearing your DNS cache will only reset stored domain lookups and will not interfere with your browsing history, saved passwords, and bookmarks.
4. Can clearing DNS improve internet speed?
Flushing the DNS cache can improve the loading speed of sites affected by outdated DNS records. However, it will not significantly increase overall internet bandwidth.
5. Is it safe to refresh DNS?
Yes, DNS cache flushing is completely safe and will not harm your device or data. It simply refreshes outdated DNS records.
