How do I resolve DNS server problems?

[Paul_Johnson]

I had an interesting experience with my internet today. I typically get up to 200-300mbps download and an average of 15mbps upload with an average ping of 11-18ms.

 

Today, when I woke up, half the websites I typically visit wouldn't load. And after running the network troubleshooter when you go to network sharing center, it said my DNS server wasn't responding. I then used my iphone's internet to google how to deal with this, and it led me to cleaning my browsing history, checking the same websites with different browsers(and all browsers had the same issues), and also to reboot my modem by unplugging it for a minutue, then plugging it back in. Nothing worked at all until about 30 minutes ago when things were STILL not working, but unplugging my modem for the 5th time today and plugging it back in solved it. 

 

I've never had this big of an internet malfuction. Any idea what else I should have done today? I feel like I just got lucky with the 5th attempt to reboot my modem. 

[Chionele]

You could try using alternate DNS server, such as Google's 8.8.8.8 or CloudFlare's 1.1.1.1.

[IAmAndre]

If the DNS server isn't responding it's most likely an issue with your ISP. You should check if your neighbors have the same issue and/or contact the ISP. Or you could just use a different DNS as mentioned before.

[Windows7ge]

The way things work is your ISP hosts your DNS servers. Your clients query these servers to translate the website Domain Names into IP addresses. If your ISP's DNS goes down or your connection to them are severed in some manor you're effectively cut off from the Internet (unless you know the IP's of the websites you want to go to).

 

Chances are they got the service re-established and rebooting the modem that 5th time was just necessary for the modem to re-connect.

 

As Chionele as suggested you don't have to use your ISP provided DNS. You can use the Public DNS provided by companies like Google & Cloud Flare. Downside of this is unless you live very close to one of their servers your Ping is likely to increase as your DNS query has to physically travel farther before it gets resolved.

[Jarsky]

On 11/9/2020 at 1:00 PM, Paul_Johnson said:

And after running the network troubleshooter when you go to network sharing center, it said my DNS server wasn't responding.

That generally isn't an accurate statement, it means that it couldnt resolve DNS...so it could be that your connection was just down, that would have resulted in being unable to reach a DNS server. 

 

On 11/9/2020 at 1:00 PM, Paul_Johnson said:

 

I then used my iphone's internet to google how to deal with this, and it led me to cleaning my browsing history, checking the same websites with different browsers(and all browsers had the same issues)

Clearing the browser doesnt really do anything for DNS< but it does clear cookies and temporary files forcing the site to be fully reloaded (as does using a different browser)

 

On 11/9/2020 at 1:00 PM, Paul_Johnson said:

 and also to reboot my modem by unplugging it for a minutue, then plugging it back in. Nothing worked at all until about 30 minutes ago when things were STILL not working, but unplugging my modem for the 5th time today and plugging it back in solved it. 

Unplugging/replugging in the modem, depending on the connection, does a "reset" on the line. If you have dynamic IP, then it will often also lease a new IP address which may be in a different scope which can resolve some issues depending if they have a configuration issue. 

 

On 11/9/2020 at 1:00 PM, Paul_Johnson said:

I've never had this big of an internet malfuction. Any idea what else I should have done today? I feel like I just got lucky with the 5th attempt to reboot my modem. 

This isnt really a Server subforum thread, in future if you cant get your Internet to work, give your ISP a call.