IP Release, Renew, and Flush DNS
This guide walks you through releasing, renewing, and flushing your DNS information, which is used to address networking issues. If you are not comfortable using the command line, restarting your computer may produce the same effects.
Windows® 8 AND Windows® 10 and Windows® 11
- While on the desktop, press Windows Key and type CMD.
- Right-click Command Prompt and select Run as administrator.
- Type ipconfig /release in the command prompt and press the Enter/Return key on your keyboard.
- Wait a few seconds for a reply that the IP address has been released.
- Type ipconfig /renew in the command prompt and press the Enter/Return key on your keyboard.
- Wait a few seconds for a reply that the IP address has been re-established.
- Type ipconfig /flushdns in the command prompt and press the Enter/Return key on your keyboard.
- Close the command prompt and attempt to make a connection.
Windows® 7
- Click Start.
- Select Programs.
- Select Accessories and locate the Command Prompt shortcut.
- Right click the Command Prompt shortcut and select Run as Administrator from the drop down menu.
- Type ipconfig /release in the command prompt and press the Enter/Return key on your keyboard.
- Wait a few seconds for a reply that the IP address has been released.
- Type ipconfig /renew in the command prompt and press the Enter/Return key on your keyboard.
- Wait a few seconds for a reply that the IP address has been re-established.
- Type ipconfig /flushdns in the command prompt and press the Enter/Return key on your keyboard.
- Close the command prompt and attempt to make a connection.
This guide walks you through releasing, renewing, and flushing your DNS information, which is used to address networking issues. If you are not comfortable using the Terminal Utility, restarting your computer may produce the same effects.
- Open the Network Status menu: Apple menu > System Preferences > Network.
- Select the active connection from the Network Status menu and click Advanced.
- Click TCP/IP then click Renew DHCP Lease. This process may take a few minutes.
- Close the Network window.
To flush the DNS cache:
- Open the Terminal: Go > Utilities > Terminal.
- Use the command below, based on your macOS, to flush the DNS:
- macOS Big Sur (11.0.01): sudo dscacheutil -flushcache; sudo killall -HUP mDNSResponder
- macOS High Sierra (10.13), macOS Sierra (10.12), and OS X El Capitan (10.11): sudo dscacheutil -flushcache
- macOS Yosemite (10.10.4+): sudo killall -HUP mDNSResponder
- macOS Yosemite (10.10 through 10.10.3): sudo discoveryutil mdnsflushcache
- Reattempt the connection.
Note: You will not get any feedback from Terminal if this is done correctly on any OS.
Tried everything here?
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