How to Clear DNS Cache in Chrome Multiple Methods You Can Try

To clear the DNS cache in Google Chrome, you can use the built-in Chrome tool by navigating to chrome://net-internals/#dns and clicking the Clear host cache button. Additionally, clearing the socket pool cache via chrome://net-internals/#sockets and clicking Flush socket pools can help. Other methods include toggling Airplane mode on Android or resetting network settings. These steps help fix DNS-related browsing issues by removing outdated or incorrect DNS records.

What is DNS Cache?

DNS (Domain Name System) acts as the internet’s address book, translating website domain names to IP addresses. Chrome stores recent DNS lookups in a cache to speed up website loading. However, when this cache holds outdated or corrupted entries, it can cause problems accessing websites or result in error messages.

Why Clear DNS Cache in Chrome?

Clearing the DNS cache in Chrome is necessary when you experience:

- DNS error messages like “DNS_PROBE_FINISHED_NXDOMAIN” or “ERR_NAME_NOT_RESOLVED”

- Websites not loading, loading slowly, or inaccessible

- Incorrect website pages or missing content
These symptoms indicate stale or incorrect DNS records in the browser cache, and clearing the DNS cache refreshes and resolves them.

Method 1: Clear DNS Cache Using Chrome’s Internal Tool

1. Open a new tab in Chrome.

2. Enter chrome://net-internals/#dns in the address bar and press Enter.

3. Find and click the Clear host cache button.
This immediately clears Chrome’s DNS resolver cache and can resolve many DNS-related browsing issues.

Method 2: Flush Socket Pools in Chrome

Flushing socket pools can complement clearing the DNS cache:

1. Open a new Chrome tab.

2. Type chrome://net-internals/#sockets in the address bar and press Enter.

3. Click on Flush socket pools.
This clears persistent socket connections that may hold outdated DNS information.

Method 3: Toggle Airplane Mode (Android)

On Android devices, toggling Airplane mode can reset network connections and clear DNS cache:

1. Swipe down from the top of the screen.

2. Enable Airplane mode and wait about 10 seconds.

Disable Airplane mode.
3. This quick reset often clears network cache including DNS.

Method 4: Reset Network Settings (Android 9+)

A more comprehensive option on Android is resetting network settings:

1. Go to Settings → System → Reset options → Reset Wi-Fi, mobile & Bluetooth.

Confirm to reset.
2. This clears all network-related caches including DNS entries on the device.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Does clearing DNS cache log me out of websites?
No, clearing DNS cache only removes the browser’s stored DNS records. It does not affect login sessions.

How often should I clear DNS cache?
There is no fixed schedule; clear it when encountering connectivity issues or DNS errors.

Is clearing DNS cache the same as clearing browser cache?
No. DNS cache stores domain-to-IP mappings, while browser cache stores website content like images and scripts.

Conclusion

Clearing the DNS cache in Google Chrome is a straightforward process that resolves many common browsing issues caused by outdated DNS data. Using Chrome’s built-in DNS clearing tools, combined with optionally flushing socket pools or resetting network settings on Android, will ensure you access websites quickly and correctly. Keeping your DNS cache fresh is an easy way to maintain a smooth and error-free browsing experience.

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