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How to fix DNS_PROBE_FINISHED_NXDOMAIN

ERROR DETECTED >This site can't be reached. Check if there is a typo in example.com. DNS_PROBE_FINISHED_NXDOMAIN

UPDATED NOVEMBER 20262 MIN READ9 FIXES

QUICK FIX

Check the address for typos, then restart your router and flush your DNS cache. If the name is correct and still fails, switch to a different DNS server or turn off any VPN or DNS filter.

What it means

Chrome looked up the website's name and the DNS answer said the name does not exist (NXDOMAIN). Related codes mean slightly different things: DNS_PROBE_FINISHED_NO_INTERNET means Chrome found no internet connection, and DNS_PROBE_STARTED means Chrome was still checking when the page failed.

Common causes

  • A typo in the web address
  • The domain has expired, does not exist or was recently set up
  • Your router's or provider's DNS is failing
  • Stale DNS data on your device or in Chrome
  • A VPN, DNS filter or custom secure DNS setting
  • No internet connection (for the NO_INTERNET version)

How to fix it

Work down the list. Each fix is safe to try before moving on to the next.

FIX 01Check the addressEASY

  1. Look for typos and a wrong ending such as .co instead of .com.
  2. Try the site on another device using mobile data.
  3. If it fails everywhere, the domain may not exist or may have expired.

Why it helps: NXDOMAIN literally means the name was not found.

FIX 02Check your internet connectionEASY

  1. Make sure Wi-Fi or Ethernet is connected and other apps work.
  2. On public Wi-Fi, complete the sign-in page.
  3. Unplug the router for 30 seconds, plug it back in, and wait for it to reconnect.

Why it helps: Fixes the DNS_PROBE_FINISHED_NO_INTERNET version and many lookup failures.

FIX 03Turn off VPN and DNS filtersEASY

  1. Disconnect any VPN, ad-blocking DNS app or parental filter.
  2. Reload the page.
  3. If it works, check the filter's block list or settings.

Why it helps: These tools often answer blocked names with "does not exist".

FIX 04Clear Chrome's host cacheEASY

  1. Type chrome://net-internals/#dns in the address bar and press Enter.
  2. Select Clear host cache.
  3. Reload the page.

Why it helps: Removes saved lookups that may be out of date.

FIX 05Flush your computer's DNS cacheMEDIUM

  1. Windows: run Command Prompt as administrator and type ipconfig /flushdns.
  2. Mac: open Terminal and run sudo dscacheutil -flushcache; sudo killall -HUP mDNSResponder, then enter your password.
  3. Reload the page.

Why it helps: Clears old or failed lookups stored by the system.

FIX 06Check Chrome's secure DNS settingMEDIUM

  1. Open More (three dots) > Settings > Privacy and security > Security.
  2. Find Use secure DNS.
  3. If a custom provider is chosen, switch to your current service provider or turn it off, then reload.

Why it helps: A failing custom DNS provider can return errors for valid sites.

FIX 07Change your DNS serverMEDIUM

  1. Windows 11: open Settings > Network & internet. For Wi-Fi, select Wi-Fi > Hardware properties; for a cable, select Ethernet. Next to DNS server assignment, select Edit.
  2. Choose Manual, turn on IPv4, enter a public DNS service's addresses and save.
  3. Mac: System Settings > Network, select your connection, Details > DNS, and add servers with +.

Why it helps: Bypasses a DNS server that is giving wrong answers.

FIX 08Reset Windows network settingsADVANCED

  1. Warning: you may need to reconnect to Wi-Fi and reinstall VPN software afterwards.
  2. Run Command Prompt as administrator.
  3. Run netsh winsock reset, netsh int ip reset, ipconfig /release, ipconfig /renew and ipconfig /flushdns.
  4. Restart the PC.

Why it helps: Repairs damaged network settings that break DNS.

// RUN THIS SITE? FIXES FOR SITE OWNERS

FIX 09Check the domain's DNSADVANCEDSITE OWNERS

  1. Confirm the domain is registered and has not expired.
  2. Check the nameservers at your registrar match your DNS host.
  3. Make sure a record exists for the exact hostname, including www.

Why it helps: If the record is missing, every visitor gets NXDOMAIN.

Check it's fixed

  • The site loads by name.
  • Other sites load normally.
  • The site loads on another device on the same network.

When to get help

If many valid sites fail on every device at home, contact your internet provider. If your own domain returns NXDOMAIN, contact your registrar or DNS host.

Questions

What does NXDOMAIN mean?

It is a DNS answer meaning "non-existent domain": the name you typed could not be found.

What is DNS_PROBE_FINISHED_NO_INTERNET?

Chrome checked and found no working internet connection. Fix your Wi-Fi or Ethernet connection first.

What is DNS_PROBE_STARTED?

Chrome was still running its DNS check when the page failed. Reload, and if it repeats, follow the same fixes.

Related fixes

How to fix ERR_NAME_NOT_RESOLVEDCheck the spelling of the address, then restart your router and flush the DNS cache. If it still fails, switch to a different DNS server.How to fix "DNS server not responding"Restart your modem and router, then flush your device's DNS cache (on Windows, run ipconfig /flushdns in Command Prompt). If it still fHow to fix "This site can't be reached"Check the address for typos, make sure you are online, and restart your router. Then look at the error code under the message and follow theWi-Fi connected but no internet: how to fix itCheck whether other devices also have no internet. If they do, restart the modem and router and check for a provider outage; if only one dev

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