Britain Connected

How to clear your DNS cache

The following methods allow you to remove old and inaccurate DNS information that may result in 404 errors.

Windows® 8

To clear your DNS cache if you use Windows 8, perform the following steps:

1. On your keyboard, press Win+X to open the WinX Menu.
2. Right-click Command Prompt and select Run as Administrator.

3. Run the following command:

   ipconfig /flushdns

   If the command succeeds, the system returns the following message:

   Windows IP configuration successfully flushed the DNS Resolver Cache.

Windows 7

To clear your DNS cache if you use Windows 7, perform the following steps:

1. Click Start.
2. Enter cmd in the Start menu search text box.
3. Right-click Command Prompt and select Run as Administrator.

4. Run the following command:

   ipconfig /flushdns

   If the command succeeds, the system returns the following message:

   Windows IP configuration successfully flushed the DNS Resolver Cache.

Windows XP, 2000, or Vista®

To clear your DNS cache if you use Windows XP, 2000, or Vista®, perform the following steps:

1. Click Start.
2. On the Start menu, click Run....
   • If you do not see the Run command in Vista, enter run in the Search bar.

3. Run the following command in the Run text box:

   ipconfig /flushdns

   If the command succeeds, the system returns the following message:

   Successfully flushed the DNS Resolver Cache.

MacOS® 10.10.4 and above

To clear your DNS cache if you use MacOS X version 10.10.4 or above, perform the following steps:

1. Click Applications.
2. Click Utilities.
3. Click Terminal.

4. Run the following command:

   sudo killall -HUP mDNSResponder

   If the command succeeds, the system does not return any output.

   Warning:

   To run this command, you must know the computer's administrator account password.

MacOS® 10.10.1, 10.10.2, and 10.10.3

To clear your DNS cache if you use MacOS X version 10.10 through 10.10.3, perform the following steps:

1. Click Applications.
2. Click Utilities.
3. Click Terminal.

4. Run the following command:

   sudo discoveryutil mdnsflushcache

   If the command succeeds, the system does not return any output.

   Warning:

   To run this command, you must know the computer's administrator account password.

MacOS 10.7, 10.8, and 10.9

To clear your DNS cache if you use MacOS X version 10.7, 10.8, or 10.9, perform the following steps:

1. Click Applications.
2. Click Utilities.
3. Double-click Terminal.

4. Run the following command:

   sudo killall -HUP mDNSResponder

   If the command succeeds, the system does not return any output.

   Warning:

   To run this command, you must know the computer's administrator account password.

MacOS 10.5 and 10.6

To clear your DNS cache if you use MacOS X version 10.5 or 10.6, perform the following steps:

1. Click Applications.
2. Click Utilities.
3. Double-click Terminal.

4. Run the following command:

   sudo dscacheutil -flushcache

   If the command succeeds, the system does not return any output.

   Warning:

   To run this command, you must know the computer's administrator account password.