The error message “DNS_PROBE_FINISHED_NXDOMAIN” is a well-known error that the Google Chrome browser shows when there is a problem with DNS.
DNS_PROBE_FINISHED_NXDOMAIN means that it is not possible for Google Chrome to open a website because the IP address cannot be accessed via the domain name.
A DNS (domain name server) is a system that translates a domain name into an IP address. If there is a problem with DNS, the domain name cannot be translated via, for example, the Google Chrome browser. In the case of Google Chrome, the error message “DNS_PROBE_FINISHED_NXDOMAIN” is then displayed.
DNS_PROBE_FINISHED_NXDOMAIN error message in Google Chrome
Is the website online?
To resolve the “DNS_PROBE_FINISHED_NXDOMAIN” error message, there are a few things you can do. This way you can start checking whether the website you are visiting is online/available. You do this by visiting the website isitdownrightnow to check whether the website is even available.
If the website is available, then we need to see if the problem lies in the internet settings.
Disable VPN or proxy server
If you are connected to a proxy server or a VPN, disable it. A VPN sends internet traffic through a third-party server. If there is a problem with this VPN server, you will see an error message such as “DNS_PROBE_FINISHED_NXDOMAIN”. So change servers if necessary or disable the proxy or VPN if you are connected to it.
Restart router
Restarting the router can resolve the “DNS_PROBE_FINISHED_NXDOMAIN” error.
The DNS cache is a temporary database that stores information about the websites you have recently visited. When you try to visit a website, your computer first checks its own DNS cache to see if it already has the IP address for the domain name. If the IP address is not in the cache, it sends a request to the DNS server to get the IP address.
Sometimes the DNS cache on your router can become outdated, which can cause DNS resolution issues such as the “DNS_PROBE_FINISHED_NXDOMAIN” error. By restarting the router, you essentially clear the DNS cache on the router and start over.
Clear Google Chrome DNS Cache
In addition to the router DNS cache, Google Chrome also has an internal database with DNS data. This DNS data can become outdated just like in the router. Clearing the Google Chrome browser's internal DNS cache data may resolve this issue.
Open the Google Chrome browser. In the address bar type:
chrome://net-internals/#dns
Then click on the “Clear host cache” button.
Reset Chrome flags
If you have made adjustments to the Google Chrome hidden settings called the “flags”, then possible DNS problems may arise. It is advisable if you have made any changes to the flags settings to reset them.
Open the Google Chrome browser. In the address bar type:
chrome://flags/
Then click the “Reset all” button and click “Relaunch” at the bottom to restart Google Chrome.
Remove Google Chrome extensions
If you have recently installed a browser extension, remove the browser extension. Some extensions change settings in Google Chrome or redirect internet traffic through other servers. It is advisable to remove all extensions that you do not use, trust or do not recognize at all from the Google Chrome browser.
Open the Google Chrome browser. In the address bar type:
chrome://extensions/
Click the “remove” button to remove the extension. Below is an example!
If you want to reset everything in Google Chrome you can Reset Google Chrome to default settings.
Other tips
If the problem is not yet resolved, you can use the Change DNS server to a Google Public DNS. You can also use the Delete DNS cache in Windows. If you haven't restarted your computer yet, this is also something you could try.
Also check whether there is a temporary internet problem with your internet provider. You can usually find this type of information on the status page of your ISP, or you can contact the ISP.
I hope this helped you. Thank you for reading!