What is a DNS Cache?
If you’ve ever had trouble loading a webpage or accessing an online service, the problem may have been related to DNS caching. As its name implies, DNS caching is a technology that speeds up domain name resolution on the internet. In this blog, we’ll explain how DNS caching works, the various aspects of it, and how it is used to improve the performance of the internet.
Why clear/purge DNS cache?
Do you experience an erratic internet connection? Are website load times unbearably slow? DNS caching might be the culprit. DNS, or Domain Name System, is a directory of addresses that computers use when they look up website addresses. Every time you visit a website, your computer stores the DNS address so it won’t have to continually look it up, thus improving website load times. But if this isn’t done properly, then the stored DNS address can become outdated, which can lead to website errors.
This is why it’s important to clear your DNS cache regularly. Doing so will ensure that your computer is using fresh DNS addresses which should, in turn, speed up website loading times and improve the accuracy of website information.
How to clear the DNS Cache?
Clearing your DNS cache is an important part of regular website maintenance and can be done to prevent issues and improve performance. The Domain Name System (DNS) is responsible for translating domain names (e.g. example.com) into IP addresses (e.g. 192.168.0.1) so that your computer can access websites on the internet. Your computer stores the DNS information in a cache, so that it can quickly access the IP address of the website you want to visit. Over time, this cache can become outdated and can lead to errors or slow loading times when trying to access a website.
Fortunately, clearing the DNS cache is a simple task that can be done in a few steps. Here’s how to clear the DNS cache on Windows, Mac, and Android:
Windows:
- Press the Windows key and R at the same time to open the Run window.
- Type “cmd” and press enter to open a command prompt.
- Type “ipconfig /flushdns” and press enter.
MacOS:
- Open the Terminal application.
- Type “dscacheutil -flushcache” and press enter.
Linux OS:
- Open the terminal application.
- Type the command “/etc/init.d/nscd restart” and press Enter.
- You should see a confirmation message that the DNS cache has been flushed.
Android:
- Go to Settings > Wi-Fi.
- Long press your active Wi-Fi network and select “Modify network“.
- Select “Show advanced options” and set “IP settings” to “Static”.
- Enter 1.1.1.1 as the DNS 1 and 1.0.0.1 as the DNS 2.
- Save the changes and select your active Wi-Fi network again.
Once you’ve completed the steps for your device, your DNS cache will be successfully cleared. It’s important to note that it’s best to clear your DNS cache every few weeks or so as a regular maintenance task. Doing so can help prevent errors and other issues from occurring when trying to access websites.
