Google might have its own way of saving DNS information. I see the same old DNS info in my Google Chrome on Linux and Apple OS X. How can I clear the DNS cache in Chrome without closing it completely?
Google Chrome has a built-in DNS and proxy caching server to make it faster. You can easily clear DNS entries on Chrome.
Chrome: Clear DNS Cache
Here is how to clear the DNS cache in the Google Chrome browser:
- Start a new tab.
- Enter the web address in the search bar: chrome://net-internals/#dns
- Click on the “Clear host cache” button, and once you’ve done that, the DNS will be flushed out.
- Then, open a new tab and enter the URL: chrome://net-internals/#sockets
- Click the button labeled “Flush socket pools.”
- Shut down the tab in Google Chrome.
DNS Cache Defined
DNS cache serves as a repository for frequently accessed domain and website information, with the goal of optimizing browsing speed. It functions as a backup in scenarios where remote or ISP DNS servers are unreachable, allowing users to access websites through Chrome’s DNS cache.
However, in instances where a website updates its DNS entry or encounters specific network issues, it becomes imperative to clear the DNS cache to establish connections with the accurate IP addresses online.
DNS Cache Flushing Explained
Clearing the DNS cache in Google Chrome is a common troubleshooting step to resolve issues related to accessing websites or experiencing slow loading times. Over time, the DNS cache can become outdated or corrupted, leading to errors in resolving domain names to IP addresses.
By clearing the cache, users can refresh the browser’s memory of domain mappings, potentially resolving issues related to accessing certain websites or domains. Additionally, clearing the DNS cache can also enhance privacy by removing any stored records of visited websites, thereby minimizing the risk of tracking or data leakage.
Below are instructions on how to flush out DNS cache on different devices.
Apple macOS
Launch the Terminal application and enter the following command:
- sudo dscacheutil -flushcache
-
sudo killall -HUP mDNSResponder
Linux
Access the terminal and enter either the ‘service’ command or the ‘systemctl’ command:
- sudo service network-manager restart
MS-Windows 7/8/10/11
Access the command prompt by following these steps: Press the Windows Key, type ‘Command Prompt,’ then right-click on the application and choose ‘Run as Administrator. Now, input the following command:
- ipconfig /flushdns
DNS Flush Verification
To ensure your DNS cache is correctly flushed, you can employ the nslookup command across various operating systems including Linux, macOS, Unix, or Windows. In Windows 10/11, simply open the command prompt and enter nslookup followed by the domain names you wish to verify, like so:
- nslookup yahoo.com
- nslookup nixcraft.com
Alternatively, Linux, macOS, and Unix users can explore the effectiveness of the flush using either the dig or host commands. Execute the following commands accordingly:
- host www.cyberciti.biz
- dig google.com