How to troubleshoot and fix a 'DNS Probe Finished No Internet' error

Summary

This guide helps you troubleshoot and resolve: How to troubleshoot and fix a 'DNS Probe Finished No Internet' error. Follow the steps below to fix the issue.

Common Causes

The 'DNS Probe Finished No Internet' error occurs when your web browser is unable to resolve a domain name (like google.com.au) into an IP address. Essentially, your computer cannot find the "phone book" of the internet, preventing you from loading websites even if your physical connection is active. This is a common issue for small business and home office setups and can usually be resolved with a few simple configuration changes.

Quick Fix Steps

Before diving into deeper settings, try these rapid solutions which resolve the majority of our clients find effective:

• Restart your browser: Close all tabs and relaunch your browser.
• Power cycle your hardware: Turn off your modem and router, wait 30 seconds, and turn them back on.
• Check your connection: Ensure you are correctly connected to your network. If you are unsure, follow our guide on How to connect to Wi-Fi.
• Try a different device: Check if another laptop or phone on the same network has the same issue to determine if the problem is with the device or the router.

Detailed Instructions

Method 1: Flush DNS Cache (Windows)

Over time, the DNS cache can become corrupted, leading to lookup failures. Clearing this cache forces Windows to request fresh DNS data.

1. Press Win + S and type cmd.
2. Right-click Command Prompt and select Run as administrator.
3. In the black window, type the following command and press Enter: ipconfig /flushdns
4. You should see a message stating "Successfully flushed the DNS Resolver Cache."
5. Restart your browser and attempt to load a webpage.

Method 2: Change DNS Servers (Windows 10/11)

If your ISP's default DNS servers are experiencing an outage, switching to a reliable public provider like Google or Cloudflare often resolves the issue.

1. Open the Start Menu and select Settings.
2. Navigate to Network & internet > Advanced network settings > More network adapter options.
3. Right-click your active connection (Wi-Fi or Ethernet) and select Properties.
4. Select Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4) and click the Properties button.
5. Select the radio button Use the following DNS server addresses.
6. Enter the following preferred addresses:
   • Preferred DNS server: 8.8.8.8 (Google)
   • Alternate DNS server: 8.8.4.4 (Google)
7. Click OK and close the windows.

Method 3: Change DNS Servers (macOS)

1. Click the Apple Menu and select System Settings (or System Preferences).
2. Navigate to Network.
3. Select your active connection (Wi-Fi or Ethernet) and click Details... or Advanced....
4. Click the DNS tab.
5. Click the + button under the DNS Servers list and add: 8.8.8.8 and 8.8.4.4.
6. Click OK and then Apply.

Advanced Troubleshooting

Resetting TCP/IP Stack

If the above steps fail, your network protocol stack may need to be reset to its default state.

1. Open Command Prompt as an administrator.
2. Type the following command and press Enter: netsh int ip reset
3. Type the following command and press Enter: netsh winsock reset
4. Restart your computer for the changes to take effect.

If you have followed these steps and are still unable to browse the web, please Open a Ticket so our technical team can analyse your connection remotely.

Still Having Issues?