How to Clear DNS Using Chrome Net-Internals

by

Have you ever tried to visit a website and it just wouldn’t load? Maybe it says, “This site can’t be reached” or takes forever to respond. That could be a DNS issue — and Chrome has a built-in way to help you fix it fast.

TL;DR — Quick Fix Summary

If a website isn’t loading, your DNS cache may be the culprit. You can clear it directly using Chrome’s hidden Net-Internals tool. Just type chrome://net-internals/#dns in the address bar, click “Clear host cache”, and you’re done! It’s safe, easy, and can often fix weird internet hiccups.

What Is DNS?

Before we jump into the fix, let’s talk about DNS. DNS stands for Domain Name System. It acts like the internet’s phone book. Instead of remembering a bunch of numbers (IP addresses), you just type in something like www.google.com, and DNS connects you to the right place.

Sometimes, the info gets stored locally (in your browser or computer) to make things faster next time. That’s called DNS caching. But if something changes—like the website moves servers—your cache could get outdated or broken.

Why Would You Want to Clear DNS?

Here are a few reasons:

  • Website not loading? Might be an old DNS record.
  • Switched Wi-Fi networks? Clear DNS to refresh the connection.
  • Testing web changes? Developers often do this when testing new sites.

Meet Net-Internals — Chrome’s Hidden Tool

Chrome has a cool set of hidden pages called Net-Internals. Think of them like a toolbox for troubleshooting your internet in Chrome. One of these tools lets you see and clear DNS info.

To get there, open Chrome and type this in your address bar:

chrome://net-internals/#dns

Hit Enter, and you’re in!

Clear DNS Cache in Just a Few Clicks

You’ll see a simple page with a couple of buttons. Here’s what to do:

  1. Look for the big button that says “Clear host cache”.
  2. Click it once.
  3. And that’s it!

The DNS cache is now wiped clean. Chrome will now fetch fresh DNS info the next time you visit websites.

Easy, right?

What’s Happening Behind the Scenes?

When you click “Clear host cache”, Chrome forgets all the domain-IP pairs it had stored. Next time you visit a site, Chrome will ask a DNS server for the latest info.

This usually happens very fast, within milliseconds. But clearing the cache forces a fresh lookup and can fix many mystery loading issues.

Bonus: Clearing Sockets (Totally Optional)

If you want to go the extra mile, you can also flush the sockets. This forces Chrome to restart all its network connections. Sometimes DNS info can stick in there too.

Here’s how to do it:

  1. Type chrome://net-internals/#sockets into the address bar.
  2. Click on “Flush socket pools”.

This isn’t necessary for most users, but it’s good to know, especially if you’re a developer or just super techy.

Still Not Working? Other Things to Try

Clearing Chrome’s DNS cache helps a lot, but it’s not always the full story. If you’re still having issues, try these:

  • Restart Chrome — Sometimes you just need a fresh start.
  • Restart your computer — Flushes the system DNS cache.
  • Try a different browser — Helps figure out if Chrome’s the problem or your whole system.
  • Use a custom DNS — Set your DNS to Google (8.8.8.8) or Cloudflare (1.1.1.1).

Tip: Do It Safely

Clearing DNS won’t break anything. Chrome will just re-learn the right IPs. Still, it’s best to only do it when you notice problems or are testing something new.

Here’s a short checklist to stay safe:

  • Don’t do it during an important Zoom meeting.
  • Save your work in case you need to restart your browser.
  • Tell your roommate it’s not the Wi-Fi’s fault before panicking.

When Would a Normal Person Actually Use This?

Great question! Here are real-life examples:

  • You own a website and just changed hosting.
  • Your favorite site isn’t loading on Chrome, but it does on Firefox.
  • You’re getting weird “Server not found” messages.
  • You changed your DNS to something better and want Chrome to catch on.

Funny But True: DNS Has a Short Memory

DNS cache isn’t forever. Sometimes it only lasts a few minutes or hours. But during that time, it can totally mess with your browsing. So think of clearing DNS as giving Chrome a fresh cup of coffee — it wakes everything up.

Does This Work in Other Browsers?

Not quite the same way. Chrome has its own DNS cache separate from your system. Firefox and Edge handle things differently. You can clear those with other tools or restart the browser/system.

But for Chrome, Net-Internals is the ninja trick that works the fastest.

Quick Recap

Let’s bring it all together:

  1. Go to chrome://net-internals/#dns.
  2. Click “Clear host cache”.
  3. (Optional) Go to chrome://net-internals/#sockets and flush socket pools.
  4. Restart Chrome if needed.

Problems solved! Ninja mode: activated.

Final Thoughts

The next time a site won’t load, don’t scream at your screen. Just remember the DNS trick! Chrome makes it super easy with Net-Internals, and it’s a great way to troubleshoot weird network issues without calling tech support.

You’ve now joined an elite club of people who know how to clear DNS the fun, fast, and Chrome-y way.

Give it a try now — just be careful not to get addicted. Fixing things is fun!