How to Fix the ‘DNS_Probe_Finished_NxDomain’ Error in Google Chrome

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The DNS_Probe_Finished_NxDomain error in Google Chrome indicates that the browser is unable to resolve the domain name to an IP address. This error typically occurs when there's an issue with your DNS (Domain Name System) configuration or when the website you’re trying to reach is not available.

How to Fix ‘DNS_Probe_Finished_NxDomain’ Error

1. Restart Your Router

Before diving into more complex solutions, restart your router. This simple step can often resolve DNS-related issues.

  1. Power Cycle the Router: Unplug your router from the power source.
  2. Wait for 30 Seconds: Give the router some time to reset.
  3. Plug It Back In: Reconnect the power and wait for the router to fully restart.
  4. Check the Connection: Try accessing the website again to see if the error is resolved.

2. Clear DNS Cache

Clearing your DNS cache can help resolve the issue if outdated or corrupted DNS entries are causing the error.

  1. Open Command Prompt as Administrator:
    • Search for "Command Prompt" in the Start menu, right-click it, and select "Run as administrator."
  2. Flush DNS Cache:
    • Type the following command and press Enter:
      ipconfig /flushdns
    • This command will clear the DNS cache. After the process completes, try accessing the website again.

3. Change DNS Server

Switching to a different DNS server can resolve issues related to your ISP’s DNS servers. Public DNS servers like Google DNS or Cloudflare are reliable alternatives.

  1. Open Network Settings:
    • Press Windows + R, type ncpa.cpl, and press Enter to open the Network Connections window.
  2. Select Your Network Adapter:
    • Right-click your active network connection (Wi-Fi or Ethernet) and choose "Properties."
  3. Change DNS Settings:
    • Scroll down and select "Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4)" and click "Properties."
    • Select "Use the following DNS server addresses" and enter the following:
      • Preferred DNS server: 8.8.8.8
      • Alternate DNS server: 8.8.4.4 (for Google DNS)
      • Alternatively, use Cloudflare’s DNS:
        • Preferred DNS server: 1.1.1.1
        • Alternate DNS server: 1.0.0.1
    • Click "OK" to save the changes.
  4. Restart Browser: Close and reopen Chrome, then try accessing the website again.

4. Reset Chrome Flags

Chrome Flags are experimental features that can sometimes cause issues with DNS. Resetting them to default can resolve this error.

  1. Access Chrome Flags:
    • Type chrome://flags/ in the address bar and press Enter.
  2. Reset All to Default:
    • Click "Reset all" to revert all Chrome Flags to their default settings.
  3. Restart Chrome: Relaunch Chrome and check if the error persists.

5. Disable VPN/Proxy

If you’re using a VPN or proxy, it might interfere with DNS resolution, causing the DNS_Probe_Finished_NxDomain error.

  1. Disable VPN:
    • Turn off your VPN if you’re using one and try accessing the website again.
  2. Disable Proxy Settings:
    • Go to "Settings" > "Network & Internet" > "Proxy" and ensure that the "Use a proxy server" option is turned off.
    • Alternatively, type inetcpl.cpl in the Run dialog (press Windows + R) to open Internet Properties, go to the "Connections" tab, click "LAN settings," and make sure "Use a proxy server for your LAN" is unchecked.

6. Check the Hosts File

The hosts file on your computer might have incorrect entries that block access to specific websites.

  1. Open the Hosts File:
    • Press Windows + R, type notepad C:\Windows\System32\drivers\etc\hosts, and press Enter.
  2. Review Entries:
    • Look for any entries that might be blocking the domain you’re trying to access. The hosts file should not contain any entries related to the website unless you intentionally blocked it.
  3. Remove Suspicious Entries:
    • Delete any lines that appear suspicious or that block the website.
  4. Save and Close: Save the file and close Notepad, then try accessing the website again.

7. Reset Chrome to Default Settings

If all else fails, resetting Chrome to its default settings can resolve any configuration issues that might be causing the error.

  1. Open Chrome Settings:
    • Click the three-dot menu in the top-right corner, then select "Settings."
  2. Scroll to Advanced:
    • Scroll down and click on "Advanced" to expand more settings.
  3. Reset Settings:
    • Under "Reset and clean up," select "Restore settings to their original defaults."
    • Confirm by clicking "Reset settings."
  4. Restart Chrome: After resetting, relaunch Chrome and try accessing the website.

Conclusion

The DNS_Probe_Finished_NxDomain error can be frustrating, but it’s usually related to DNS configuration issues that can be resolved by following the steps outlined above. If the problem persists after trying all these solutions, consider checking with your ISP for network issues or reaching out to a professional for further assistance.


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