Fix DNS PROBE FINISHED NXDOMAIN Chrome error in Windows 10/11

Publish date: 2024-06-26
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Google Chrome might be the most popular web browser in the world, but it has its occasional share of issues.

One problem that Windows 10 users reported in Google Chrome is DNS PROBE FINISHED NXDOMAIN error, which can prevent you from visiting certain websites. 

This affects both older and newer versions of Windows and can be caused by certain network settings or by some programs and apps installed on your PC.

So today we’re going to analyze possible causes one by one and show you how to fix the error.

What does DNS failure means?

A DNS failure usually shows up in your browser when you lose network or Internet access and, of course, you will unable to see the webpage you were trying to load.

This error points to the fact that your browser was unable to look up the IP address for the domain you’re trying to access.

The DNS failure comes in a lot of forms, with different messages but they all mean the same thing, that your browser can’t connect to the domain of the page.

How do I fix DNS PROBE FINISHED NXDOMAIN browser error?

1. Check your antivirus

If you’re getting DNS_PROBE_FINISHED_NXDOMAIN error on Windows 10, the issue might be your antivirus.

To fix the problem, it’s advised to change your antivirus configuration and disable certain features of your antivirus. If that doesn’t work, your next step would be to disable your antivirus entirely.

However, removing the antivirus should be only the last resort. Rather, try using an antivirus that has little impact on other processes, such as Bitdefender.

Besides getting the highest scores in the latest specialized tests, thanks to the advanced technologies this software uses, it protects your Windows 10 device in real-time with minimal impact on your system performance.

The intuitive interface and the working modes make it a perfect antivirus solution for any home user.

2. Use Command Prompt

  • Click the Start button, type cmd, and select Run as administrator to start Command Prompt with full privileges.
  • When Command Prompt opens, enter the following and press Enter: ipconfig /flushdns
  • After the process is completed, close Command Prompt, and check if the problem is resolved.
  • If the flushdns command doesn’t fix this error, you might want to try running the following commands as well:

    3. Use Google’s Public DNS

  • Right-click the network icon in your Taskbar and select Open Network & Internet settings.
  • Now click on Change adapter options from the Status option.
  • Locate your network connection, right-click it and choose Properties from the menu.
  • Select Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4) and click the Properties button.
  • Select Use the following DNS server addresses option and enter 8.8.8.8 as Preferred DNS server and 8.8.4.4 as Alternate DNS server.
  • After you’re done, click the OK button.
  • After this procedure, your DNS will be changed, and hopefully, the issue should be resolved.

    As mentioned, the error occurs in Chrome. If you’re not willing to spend time troubleshooting it and you’re looking for a quick solution, the recommendation is to switch to a more reliable browser, such as Opera.

    Note that it comes as a more stable browser than Chrome, thanks to the multiple integrations it has with various other tools and apps.

    4. Reset Chrome to default

  • Open a new tab in Google Chrome and enter chrome://flags/.
  • Click the Reset all to default button.
  • Restart Chrome and check if the problem is resolved.
  • 5. Restart the DNS Client service

  • Press Windows key + R and enter services.msc.
  • Locate DNS Client service, right-click it and choose Restart from the menu.
  • After restarting the DNS Client, close Services window and check if the problem is resolved.
  • 6. Disable VPN software

    Many users use VPN software solutions in order to protect their privacy online, and even though VPN clients are extremely useful, sometimes they can cause certain problems with DNS.

    To fix this problem we highly recommend that you temporarily disable the VPN client and check if that fixes the error.

    If disabling the VPN client doesn’t fix the problem, you might have to temporarily remove it from your PC. Users reported issues with Cisco AnyConnect Secure Mobility Client, but almost any VPN client can cause this issue to appear.

    In order to completely remove your VPN from your PC and prevent any future problems, it’s advised to use a cleaning utility to remove it.

    In case you’re not familiar, a PC cleaner such as CCleaner is a special application that is designed for removing unnecessary files from your PC and some of these tools also include advanced uninstaller.

    In addition to removing programs, this application will also remove all files and registry entries associated with that program.

    As a result, it will be just as if the application was never installed on your PC. It’s simple to use, and you should be able to easily remove any application and all of its files.

    7. Disable proxy

  • Press Windows key + I to open the Settings app.
  • When the Settings app opens, go to Network & Internet section.
  • From the menu on the left, select Proxy and disable all options from the right pane.
  • After doing that, your proxy should be disabled, and the problem will be resolved.

    Proxies are not to be ignored, though. Many users rely on proxies to protect their privacy, but sometimes your proxy can cause errors such as this one to appear.

    8. Check your extensions

  • Click the Menu button in the top right corner, choose More tools, and select Extensions.
  • A list of extensions will now appear. Disable all extensions by toggling the on/off switch.
  • Once you disable all extensions, restart your browser and check if the issue still appears.
  • If the problem is resolved, you can try enabling applications one by one or in groups. By doing so you can locate the problematic extension and remove it.

    Once you find the extension that is causing the issue, remove it from your browser, keep it disabled, or update it and check if that solves the problem.

    In most cases, the DNS PROBE FINISHED NXDOMAIN error is caused by security or privacy extensions, so be sure to disable them first and check if that solves your problem.

    9. Update your browser

  • Open Chrome and click the Menu icon.
  • Choose Help and select About Google Chrome from the menu.
  • Now you’ll see the information on the Chrome version you’re using. If any updates are available, they will be downloaded automatically.
  • Once your browser is up to date, check if the problem still appears. If it shows up even after updating to the latest version, consider switching to the Beta or Canary version of Chrome.

    Also, keep in mind that newer browser versions offer new features and bug fixes, so it’s always recommended to use them.

    To conclude, problems such as DNS_PROBE_FINISHED_NXDOMAIN can be troublesome, and if you don’t want to switch to a different web browser, we suggest that you try some of our solutions.

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