How to Fix DNS_Probe_Finished_NXDomain

If you are in the mess “dns_probe_finished_nxdomain” when you try to connect to the internet and start off your day? Here is a guide for you to consider.

There are a lot of errors that you cannot do without if you are using Chrome browser as either your default or one-time browser. Some of these errors include dns_probe_finished_nxdomain.

This post is also not only for random internet users. WordPress admin or if you are working with WordPress CMS you need to also consider this article if you are stuck in DNS probe finished domain error when you are trying to logging to your WordPress site.

So to say, we will start by telling you what dns_probe_finished_nxdomain is all about and all possible means on how to fix DNS probe finished nxdomain problem on Windows OS such as Windows 7.

What is dns_probe_finished_nxdomain

DNS_Probe_Finished_NXDomain denote an error message that most browsers display whenever there is an interruption between the domain name server (DNS) and the webserver you are trying to connect to.

However, whenever the DNS could not translate the webpage or website to a computer language it displays a message to tell you that there is an error or a misconfiguration between your DNS and the webserver.

The interpretation…

Suppose you entered Gadgetswright.com, the URL will be converted to a computer language which is mostly an IP address. However, if the connection couldn’t be established due to DNS error your computer will display dns_probe_finshed_nxdomain.

Just as DNS stands for “Domain name server” the “NXDomain” also stands for “Non-Existing Domain.”

And bring both the DNS and NXDomain together. It means the computer could not match the DNS to the domain name IP or URL IP you visited.

Therefore, we then consider how to fix DNS_probe_finished_nxdomain on Windows 7 and on your CMS websites.

• Chrome Browser
• Safari Browser
• The new Microsoft Edge on Windows 10
• Mozilla Firefox

If you are experiencing dns_probe_finished_nxdomain on any of the browsers mentioned above. Kindly follow the suggestions below to fix the DNS and NXDOMIAN misconfiguration problem.

How to Fix DNS_Probe_Finished_NXDomain

Here are different methods you can establish to fix DNS_Probe_Finished_NXDomain on various browsers. These methods are established to fix DNS PROBE FINISHED NXDOMAIN.

Clear your Browser Caches

Clearing your browser cache could be the only thing you need to do to clear dns_probe_finished_nxdomain error on your browser.

However, since you need to follow different approaches to clear caches on a different browser. We recommend this article. It details explicitly how to clear caches on all browsers including Chrome, Safari, Mozilla, etc.

Restart your Computer

Before we dive into the advanced method to fix the DNS server and NXDOMAIN misconfiguration problem first restart your computer and visit the concerned URL again to see whether the error still prompts.

Restart DNS Client Service

The first approach is to caches your DNS domain names. For Windows users, it restarts the DNS client service and makes the DNS of the domain names caches free.

So, we are going to use your Windows command prompt to restart your DNS service client so as to resolve the DNS and NXDOMAIN misconfiguration.

• Press “Win +R” to open Windows run box.
• Type “services.msc” and click on “OK.”
• This will open up your computer service (local).
• Scroll down until you get to “DNS Client.” Right-click on it and select “Restart.”
• A pop up will appear showing that the DNS service client is restarting.

However, if the “Restart” button isn’t clickable. That is if it greyed out, follow the procedures below to restart your DNS service client.

• Press “Win + R” at the same time to open Windows “Run” dialog box.
• Type “cmd” and click “OK.”
• Type either “net stop dnscache” or “net start dnscache” depending on Windows OS version.
• However, you might get error such as access denied. Or system error 5 has occurred.

For Windows 8, “net start dnscache” works. For more help, type “NET HELPMSG 2182.”

Change your DNS Server

If the dns_probe_finished_nxdomain problem occurs due to DNS misconfiguration it’s better to consider changing your DNS server. Without you doing any personal configuration, your ISP automatically assigned DNS server which is private. However, switching to a public DNS server to see if it fixes the dns_probe_finished_nxdomain problem for the main time.

You can change your DNS server through your control panel on Windows and here is how.

• Go to your Windows control panel.
• Tap on Network and Internet” >> “Network and Sharing Center.”
• Click on “Change Adapter Settings” to the left pane.
• Now, you need to right-click on the internet connection you use to connect to the internet and click on “Properties.”
• Click on “Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4)” and tap “Properties.”
• Writing the existing IP address that is returning the dns_probe_finished_nxdomain check on use the following DNS server addresses.
  • The Google Public DNS IP addresses (IPv4) are as follows:
    • 8.8.8.8
    • 8.8.4.4

    The Google Public DNS IPv6 addresses are as follows:

    • 2001:4860:4860::8888
    • 2001:4860:4860::8844

For devices other than Windows OS consider this explicit guide on how to change the DNS server.

Now, restart your browser and see if the DNS server misconfiguration has been fixed.

Reset Chrome Flag

Resetting the Chrome flag can be what you need to fix the dns_probe_finished_nxdomain on your Chrome browser. This could help to transform how you browse the web and fix the DNS server and NXDOMAIN misconfiguration problem.

To access and reset the Chrome flag type chrome://flags and click on the “Enter” key. Now, click on “Reset All” and then restart the Chrome browser.

Switch to Windows Defender and Disable VPN Service

If you are using a third-party anti-virus and a VPN service while experiencing the DNS PROBE FINISHED NXDOMAIN problem then it’s advisable to switch to Windows Defender and disable the VPN service.

Follow the procedures below to enable Windows Defender while you disable your anti-virus and VPN.

1. Select the Start menu.
2. In the search bar, type group policy.
3. Select Computer Configuration > Administrative Templates > Windows Components > Windows Defender Antivirus.
4. Scroll to the bottom of the list and select Turn off Windows Defender Antivirus.
5. Select Disabled or Not configured.
6. Select Apply > OK.

For more information about Windows Defender see this article.

Check your Domain DNS

You need to check your domain DNS for a reason If you encounter the dns_probe_finished_nxdomain only when visiting a particular domain, then, it is worth cross-checking your domain DNS.

If you are the owner of the domain name you can simply check your hosting service for your DNS and make sure the exact DNS is used. But, if you are not the owner, you can go to “Who.is,” enter the domain name and click on the search button to reveal DNS and other information about the domain DNS.

Check your Local Hosts File

All computer has dedicated local hosts file which are the files that contain computer manual DNS entries that are remapped to a particular IP address.

These files can be changed and edited. So, you need to preview these files to see that the IP address of the website or URL that is returning dns_probe_finished_nxdomain isn’t part of the IP addresses that are available in the hosts’ file.

To view hosts file on Windows, follow the procedures below.

• Open Notepad with administrative right on your Windows.
• Navigate “C:\Windows\System32\drivers\etc\” via the text editor.
• Right-click on “Host” and select “Open.”
• Take a close look at the IP addresses in the hosts’ file to make sure that the IP address of the website or URL or domain isn’t there.

DMS_PROBE_FINISHED_NXDOMAIN is a frustrating problem on Windows with a few options to fix it. With the options and suggestions above, the DNS server misconfiguration and non-existing domain problem should be fixed.