Your web browser keeps a local list of website addresses that you frequent, for quick access later on. As this cached data is known as DNS (Domain Name System ), usually helps speed up your internet experience, but there are many when it can also cause problems.
So, if you’re encountering issues like outdated pages, connection timeouts, or websites not loading, then it is likely that this can be a problem related to the DNS cache.
As, there’s an easy fix for this, where flushing the DNS cache can refresh the browser’s memory and get you back to work.
What is DNS Cache?
Think of DNS like the phonebook for the internet.
The DNS cache serves like the numbers on speed dial, eliminating the need for manually searching for the contact each time you have to call someone.
As it is a small database store locally on your device, in the browser’s memory, featuring the IP addresses of recently visited websites.
Each time you navigate to a frequently visit website, the site’s server location is pull from the store information to shorten the page loading times.
Why You Should Flush DNS Cache?
DNS cache can sometimes cause problems that hamper the browsing experience.
As, threat actors may also leverage a technique known as DNS cache poisoning, where the traffic is redirect by inserting corrupt data into the cache.
So, clearing it periodically is essential for the following reasons:
- Resolving connectivity errors
- Accessing recent updates to websites
- Avoiding DNS cache poisoning
How to Clear DNS in Google Chrome for Android?
Follow These Steps:
- Open Google Chrome on your Android device.
- Type:
chrome://net-internals/#dnsin the address bar to access the built-in DNS cache viewer and clearing tool - Now, you’ll see a section call as Host resolver cache.
- Tap on it
- You can also navigate to the Sockets tab by tapping
chrome://net-internals/#socketsin the address bar for a deeper reset. - This step is optional
- Close the browser and open it again to ensure all DNS data reloads correctly
How to Clear DNS in Google Chrome for iOS?
Follow These Steps:
- Open Google Chrome on your iPhone
- Tap the three-dot menu in the bottom-right corner of the screen
- Select Settings.
- Then Privacy and security
- Tap Delete browsing data.
- From the Browsing data option.
- Select Cached images and files.
- This also resets Chrome’s DNS cache
- Now, tap Clear browsing data and provide confirmation
- Close and relaunch the Chrome browser to rebuild a fresh DNS cache
How to Clear DNS in Google Chrome for Desktop?
Follow These Steps:
- Open Google Chrome on your desktop
- In the address bar, type:
chrome://net-internals/#dns - Press Enter to load the built-in DNS cache viewer and clearing tool
- Click the Clear host cache button
- When done, go to
chrome://net-internals/#socketsto access deeper tools - Click Flush socket pools to clear active connections
- Close and restart the Chrome browser to apply the changes
