Chrome://net-internals/#dns – How to Clear Chrome DNS Cache?

Posted on the 10 December 2024 by Juana Mathews @howtobuysaas

Are you facing some issues with connecting smoothly to loading websites or getting error messages while accessing a website? That might be because of a DNS caching issue on your device. But sweat not, you can use the chrome://net-internals/#dns feature to fix and troubleshoot any Chrome Net Internals issue.

Not sure how to go about it? Don’t worry, this blog provides a complete guide on how to go about it. You will get all the answers regarding Chrome Net Internals DNS caching here. So let’s get started with the basics!

What is DNS Cache?

DNS cache, or Domain Name System of Chrome Net internals, is the temporary storage system where you can find the information about your previous DNS records on a device, browser, or network. Also known as the command chrome://net-internals/#dns, this tool is very helpful, especially for keeping a local copy of the data and quickly retrieving it whenever necessary. The previously-stored DNS records that convert domain names to IP addresses, and help in faster and smoother connection to websites.

Here is how the Chrome net internals DNS caching becomes helpful for users:

  • It provides an efficient solution for troubleshooting network-related issues in web browsers and helps to connect to websites faster.
  • Locally stored DNS records help in reducing website traffic.
  • You can get better insight into the browser’s network state and previous events as you can access real-time data logs and view NetLog dumps from the past.
  • It reduces the added stress and burden on DNS resolvers and authoritative servers.
  • You can use the DNS feature on all Chrome-based browsers like Microsoft Edge, Chrome, Opera, etc.

Are you a web developer or simply a user curious to know how to check, troubleshoot, and flush the DNS cache? Then we have the perfect solutions for you, so keep reading.

How to Check Your DNS Cache

You can check your locally stored DNS cache records from your Operating System logs. This method is a little different for various devices. Hence we have outlined the processes to follow for Mac and Windows operating systems to check your DNS cache.

Mac Devices

  • Step 1: On your Mac computer, open the Console App. From the left sidebar, select your device.
  • Step 2: Type this command on the Search Bar: any:mdnsresponder and click Enter.
  • Step 3: Now, open your command line and write: sudo killall -INFO mDNSResponder.
  • Step 4: You can return to the Console App, and the list of cached DNS records will be displayed.

Windows Devices

Checking on DNS cache records on Windows computers is comparatively simpler. Let’s look at the steps involved:

  • Step 1: Click on the Start Button, then type Command Prompt on the search bar.
  • Step 2: Type this command: ipconfig /displaydns, and click on Enter.

Now you can view your DNS cache records easily!

Why Should You Delete Your Chrome Net Internals DNS Cache?

Do you want to know why it is important to delete your Chrome Net Internals DNS cache? Here are some reasons to consider:

  • Your locally stored DNS records might become obsolete and incorrect over time, and the URL will no longer be accessible. if you flush your DNS cache regularly, your computer will query the DNS server for the current IP address, thus boosting website performance.
  • Regularly deleting your DNS records will help clear out your browsing history and keeps your search data privacy.
  • Provides security against cyber attacks like DNS spoofing that redirects you to fake and harmful websites.
  • It helps resolve connectivity issues quickly and promotes smooth access to websites.

Do you want to know the methods to delete Chrome Net Internals DNS cache on your device? Worry not, we have provided you the solution for flush DNS cache on various devices, so check them out below!

Methods to Flush Chrome Net Internals DNS Cache

There are various methods to delete Chrome Net Internals DNS cache, and we have explored all of them for you:

How to Delete DNS Cache on Chrome?

No matter which device you use, flushing DNS cache can be easily done using the Chrome browser. Check out the steps you should follow:

  • Step 1: Open a new tab on the Chrome browser.
  • Step 2: On the search bar, type this command: chrome://net-internals/#dns and click Enter.
  • Step 3: When the interface opens, click on the Clear Host Cache button. With this, your DNS cache will be deleted from Chrome.
  • Step 4: Now you can restart Chrome, or open a new tab and type this on the search bar: chrome://net-internals/#sockets.
  • Step 5: Click on the Flush the Socket Pools button.

And done! Now your device has not only flushed the DNS cache, but the socket pools as well.

Steps to Delete DNS Cache on Windows 10 & 11

If you are using Windows 10 or 11, then these steps can help you clear your DNS cache:

  • Step 1: Click on the Start Button, then type Command Prompt.
  • Step 2: Open Command Prompt, then type this command: ipconfig /flushdns, then press Enter.
  • Step 3: You will get a message saying “Successfully flushed the DNS Resolver Cache.”

And done! Your DNS records have been successfully deleted from your Windows computer.

How to Delete DNS Cache on Mac Devices?

Follow these steps to flush the DNS cache on your Mac device:

  • Step 1: On your Mac computer, open the Terminal app by following Applications > Utilities > Terminal.
  • Step 2: Type the following command on the app: sudo dscacheutil -flushcache; sudo killall -HUP mDNSResponder.
  • Step 3: Now click on the Return Key, and you will be prompted to enter your Mac password.
  • Step 4: Type the password and click on Enter. You might see a message saying “mDNSResponder: restarted”.

And done! You have successfully deleted the DNS cache from your Mac computer.

How to Flush DNS Cache on Linux Devices?

You can delete the DNS Cache on Linux computers by using the “systemd” command. Just follow these simple steps:

  • Step 1: On your Linux computer, open the Terminal by clicking Ctrl+Alt+T.
  • Step 2: When the Terminal app opens write this command: sudo systemd-resolve –flush-caches, then click Enter.
  • Step 3: You will get the message saying “Cache cleared”.

And Done! You have successfully flushed the DNS cache on your Linux device.

Steps to Delete DNS Cache on Mobile Phones

Did you know you could use the chrome://net-internals/#dns feature on any mobile device? Think Android, iOS, iPads, etc. where you can easily troubleshoot any website URL issues. Let us take a look at how to clear the DNS cache on mobile phones.

  • Step 1: On your mobile phone, open the Chrome browser. Then type the command: chrome://net-internals/#dns. Just like in other devices, the interface will open.
  • Step 2: Click on Clear Host Cache to flush DNS data.
  • Step 3: Now in a new tab, type chrome://net-internals/#sockets, then click on Flush the Socket Pools.

And done! Just follow these steps and you can easily delete old DNS records with just a few clicks!

Is this method not working for your device? Don’t worry, we are here with an alternative method:

  • Step 1: Open the Chrome browser from your mobile app. Then click on More (three dots) button from the top right corner of the screen.
  • Step 2: Click on History, then click on “Delete browsing data” on top of the page.
  • Step 3: Select All time from the drop-down menu. Then tick mark the “Cookies and site data” and “Cached images and files”.
  • Step 4: Now select Clear Data from the bottom of the screen, and now your previous DNS data will be deleted!

How To Check If Your DNS Cache Is Deleted?

Here is how you can check and verify if the DNS cache is deleted from your device.

For Windows 10 & 11 Devices

  • Step 1: Click on the Start button, then search for Command Prompt.
  • Step 2: After opening Command Prompt, type this command: nslookup yahoo.com
    nslookup nixcraft.com
  • Step 3: Click Enter, and you can verify whether your DNS cache has been deleted from Chrome Net Internals.

For Mac, Linux, and Unix devices

  • Step 1: Open the Terminal App by following Applications > Utilities > Terminal.
  • Step 2: Type these commands: $ host www.cyberciti.biz
    $ dig google.com
  • Step 3: Press Enter, and you can access the information of whether your DNS cache is deleted.

Pros and Cons of Using Chrome Net Internals DNS (chrome://net-internals/#dns) tool

Positive
  • It is a quick and easy process to clear out your DNS records smoothly.
  • You can use the tool on the Chrome browser itself, which is accessible from various devices, and you don’t need any other software to perform the task.
  • It is a smooth and straightforward method to troubleshoot and improve the overall performance of your website connectivity.
Negatives
  • It is mostly suitable for seasoned experts and web developers who want to explore the inner workings of their system, and it may not be very suitable for novice users.
  • This feature can delete all of your stored website domain names and IP addresses, and the website loading can become slower until your browser rebuilds its cache.
  • If you are not careful enough while using this feature, you might end up deleting all of your data by mistake.

Additional Troubleshooting Methods if chrome://net-internals/#dns Does Not Work

Is chrome://net-internals/#dns not working? No worries, here are two different methods to try out in this case:

1. Reset Chrome Flags

Chrome Flags are a set of toggle switches that help you enable or disable some hidden features of the chrome browser. Developers can access them for experimental or testing purposes. However, enabling some Chrome flags can lead to errors, so it becomes important to reset them once in a while.

Here is how you can reset Chrome Flags:

  • Step 1: Open a new tab on the Chrome browser, then type this command on the search bar: chrome://flags, then press enter.
  • Step 2: Click on the “Reset all to Default” button present at the top of the page.
  • Step 3: Click to confirm, and then click on “Reset All”.
  • Step 4: Now you can relaunch Chrome and the changes will be applied.

2. Reset DNS Client Services

Method 1:

  • Step 1: On your Windows device, open Command Prompt.
  • Step 2: Type this command: services.MSC, and press Enter. This will take you to the local services page.
  • Step 3: Look for the ‘DNS client’ option, right click on it and you will be prompted to restart. Go through the process, and it might help remove the errors that you are facing.

Method 2:

  • Step 1: On your Run tab, search for cmd or command. It will open the DOS layout.
  • Step 2: Here, type net stop dnscache or net start dnscache. This will refresh all of your cache records, and solve your errors.

Final Thoughts

Knowing about Chrome Net Internals DNS caching can be very helpful in easily troubleshooting website connectivity issues and fixing errors. We hope this blog could help you understand and fix all the issues you were facing and help you go through your work smoothly.