DNS server not responding: switching to Cloudflare (1.1.1.1) and Google (8.8.8.8)
Websites fail to load with 'Server IP address could not be found' while ping to 8.8.8.8 works fine.
Internal desktop parts run on harmless 12V DC voltage and cannot shock you. Simply unplug the wall power cable first, then touch the unpainted metal case frame to ground static electricity.
Common Symptoms & Tells
- Browser reports 'DNS_PROBE_FINISHED_BAD_CONFIG' or 'DNS_PROBE_FINISHED_NXDOMAIN'
- Discord or Steam works, but Chrome and Edge cannot open any web pages
- ISP default DNS server timing out or intercepting queries
Interactive Fix Checklist
0 of 3 steps completedSet manual IPv4 DNS to Cloudflare and Google
Press Win+R, type 'ncpa.cpl' and press Enter. Right-click your active network connection -> Properties. Select 'Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4)' -> click Properties. Check 'Use the following DNS server addresses': Preferred DNS: 1.1.1.1, Alternate DNS: 8.8.8.8. Click OK.
Configure Encrypted DNS (DNS over HTTPS) in Windows 11
Open Windows Settings -> Network & internet -> Wi-Fi or Ethernet -> Hardware properties. Under DNS server assignment, click 'Edit' -> choose 'Manual' -> toggle IPv4 ON -> set Preferred DNS to 1.1.1.1 and DNS encryption to 'Encrypted only (DNS over HTTPS)'.
Flush Windows DNS resolver cache
Open Command Prompt as Administrator and run: 'ipconfig /flushdns'. Verify output confirms 'Successfully flushed the DNS Resolver Cache.'
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