Clear Domain Name Service Cache / Flush DNS in Windows

Description: Review how to clear stored entries in the Domain Name Service (DNS) cache to resolve networking issues. 

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Domain Name Service (DNS) is a service that converts a domain name that is easy to remember (such as Google.com, Yahoo.com, or Shift4.com) into an IP address that a computer can use to connect to that domain through a network or through the Internet.

After a computer resolves a name to an IP address, it stores this information for a period of time. If an IP address or server configuration change is made, the DNS information stored at a client computer may be outdated and causes an inability to connect.

To clear the DNS cache of a PC, perform the following:

 

1. Open Command Prompt. 
2. Type: "ipconfig /flushdns" ("ipconfig[space]/flushdns")
3. Press Enter.
 

When complete, a message displays stating, "Successfully flushed the DNS Resolver Cache."