Chrome://net-internals/dns: The Simple Fix When Websites Won’t Load
Ever typed a website address into Chrome and gotten that frustrating “This site can’t be reached” error? I’ve been there more times than I can count, and nine times out of ten, the problem isn’t actually the website—it’s your DNS cache acting up. That’s where chrome://net-internals/dns comes in handy.
Let me walk you through everything you need to know about this Chrome tool, why clearing your DNS cache matters, and how to actually fix those annoying connection problems without calling tech support or restarting your computer a million times.
What Exactly Is chrome://net-internals/dns?
The chrome://net-internals/dns page is basically Chrome’s internal tool for managing DNS (Domain Name System) information. Think of it as Chrome’s behind-the-scenes control panel for how your browser connects to websites.
When I first discovered this tool, I was struggling with a website that kept showing an error message even though my internet connection was fine. A friend who works in IT told me about this URL, and honestly, it felt like finding a secret cheat code for my browser.
DNS is like the internet’s phone book—it translates website names (like google.com) into IP addresses that computers can actually understand. Your browser stores this information temporarily to speed things up, but sometimes that stored data gets outdated or corrupted, and that’s when things start breaking.
Why You’d Need to Access Chrome Net Internals DNS
I’ve run into situations where I needed chrome://net-internals/dns more times than I expected. Here are the most common scenarios where this tool becomes your best friend:
Websites won’t load even though your internet is working. You can browse some sites fine, but specific ones just refuse to connect. This happened to me with my bank’s website once, and I nearly panicked thinking my account had issues.
You recently changed your DNS settings and Chrome is still using the old information. When I switched to Google’s public DNS servers for faster browsing, some sites kept acting weird until I cleared the DNS cache.
After connecting to a VPN, sometimes Chrome holds onto old DNS records that conflict with your new connection. I use a VPN for work, and this issue pops up probably once a month.
Error messages like “DNS_PROBE_FINISHED_NXDOMAIN” keep appearing. That’s basically Chrome’s way of saying “I can’t find this website’s address in my records.”
Websites load on other browsers but not Chrome. If Firefox or Safari can reach a site but Chrome can’t, the DNS cache is usually the culprit.
How to Use chrome://net-internals/dns to Clear Your DNS Cache
Alright, here’s the step-by-step process I use whenever I need to flush my DNS cache in Chrome. It’s super straightforward, and you’ll be done in about 30 seconds.
First, open Google Chrome. In the address bar at the top where you’d normally type a website, type in chrome://net-internals/dns exactly like that and hit Enter.
You’ll land on a page that looks pretty technical with lots of information. Don’t let that intimidate you—you only need to focus on one thing.
Look for the button that says “Clear host cache” and click it. That’s literally it. You’ve just cleared Chrome’s DNS cache.
I usually also clear my browser cache at the same time for good measure. To do that, type chrome://net-internals/#sockets in the address bar, then click “Flush socket pools.” This closes any stuck connections.
After clearing the DNS cache, try loading the website that was giving you trouble. Most times, it works immediately. If it doesn’t, give it a minute and try again, or move on to some of the other troubleshooting steps I’ll cover below.
Understanding the DNS Information on the Net Internals Page
When you visit chrome://net-internals/dns, you’ll see a bunch of information that might look like gibberish at first. Let me break down what you’re actually looking at.
The page shows you Chrome’s host resolver cache, which is basically a list of all the websites Chrome has looked up recently and their corresponding IP addresses. You’ll see domain names paired with numbers that look like 192.168.1.1 or similar.
There’s also information about cache capacity and active entries. This tells you how much DNS information Chrome is currently storing. I’ve noticed that when this number gets really high, that’s when connection problems tend to pop up more often.
The “Clear host cache” button is your main tool here. When you click it, all that stored DNS information gets wiped clean, forcing Chrome to look up fresh information the next time you visit a website.
Some entries might show as “expired” or have timestamps. This tells you how old that particular DNS record is. Older entries are more likely to be outdated, which is why clearing them out helps.
Other Chrome Net Internals Tools You Should Know About
While we’re talking about chrome://net-internals/dns, I want to mention a few other related tools in Chrome’s net internals section that have saved me time and frustration.
chrome://net-internals/#sockets shows you all the active socket connections in Chrome. If websites are loading slowly or hanging, flushing the socket pools here often helps. I use this whenever streaming services start buffering for no apparent reason.
chrome://net-internals/#events displays a live log of network events happening in Chrome. This is more advanced, but if you’re trying to figure out exactly where a connection is failing, this event viewer can show you.
chrome://net-internals/#proxy lets you see and modify proxy settings. If you’re on a corporate network or school Wi-Fi, this can help identify connection issues related to proxy configurations.
I’ve also used chrome://net-internals/#http2 to check HTTP/2 session information when websites with modern protocols act up.
The entire net internals section is like Chrome’s diagnostic toolkit, and getting familiar with it has made troubleshooting so much easier for me.
When Clearing DNS Cache Doesn’t Fix the Problem
Sometimes you’ll clear the DNS cache using chrome://net-internals/dns and the website still won’t load. Don’t worry—I’ve been there too, and there are other steps you can try.
Flush your operating system’s DNS cache, not just Chrome’s. On Windows, open Command Prompt and type ipconfig /flushdns. On Mac, use Terminal and enter sudo dscacheutil -flushcache. This clears the DNS cache at a system level, which can fix issues that clearing Chrome’s cache alone doesn’t touch.
Restart your router. I know, I know—it’s the classic tech support advice, but it actually works. Unplug your router for 30 seconds, plug it back in, and wait for it to fully restart. This refreshes your connection and can resolve DNS issues.
Change your DNS servers. If your ISP’s DNS servers are having problems, switching to public DNS like Google (8.8.8.8 and 8.8.4.4) or Cloudflare (1.1.1.1) can make a huge difference. I made this switch permanently and noticed faster browsing overall.
Clear your browser’s entire cache and cookies. Sometimes the issue isn’t just DNS but corrupted browser data. Go to Chrome settings, privacy and security, and clear browsing data. I usually select “All time” for the time range.
Disable VPN or proxy temporarily. If you’re using a VPN or proxy, try disconnecting to see if that’s causing the conflict. I’ve had VPN apps mess with my DNS settings without me realizing it.
Check if the website is actually down. Use a site like “Down For Everyone Or Just Me” to verify the website isn’t experiencing issues on their end. Sometimes it really is them, not you.
How DNS Cache Problems Happen in the First Place
Understanding why you need chrome://net-internals/dns helps prevent these issues from popping up constantly. Here’s what usually causes DNS cache problems based on my experience.
Outdated DNS records are the biggest culprit. Websites sometimes change their IP addresses, but your browser still has the old address cached. When Chrome tries to connect using that outdated information, the connection fails.
Network changes mess things up too. When you switch from Wi-Fi to mobile hotspot, or connect to a different network entirely, Chrome might hold onto DNS information from your previous connection.
VPN usage creates DNS conflicts because VPNs often use their own DNS servers. When you disconnect, Chrome can get confused about which DNS information to use.
Corrupted cache files can happen if Chrome crashes or your computer shuts down unexpectedly while Chrome is running. I’ve noticed this especially after power outages.
ISP DNS issues sometimes cause problems that manifest as Chrome DNS cache errors. If your internet provider’s DNS servers are slow or malfunctioning, the information Chrome caches becomes unreliable.
Preventing DNS Cache Issues Before They Happen
After dealing with DNS problems enough times, I’ve figured out some preventive steps that reduce how often I need to visit chrome://net-internals/dns.
Clear your DNS cache regularly even when things are working fine. I do this about once a month as maintenance, kind of like clearing out old files from your computer. It takes two seconds and prevents buildup of outdated information.
Use reliable DNS servers instead of your ISP’s default ones. Since switching to Google’s public DNS, I’ve had way fewer connection issues. The speed improvement is noticeable too.
Keep Chrome updated to the latest version. Google fixes bugs and improves how Chrome handles DNS information in updates. I have Chrome set to update automatically, so I don’t have to think about it.
Restart Chrome completely every few days rather than just closing the window. On Windows, Chrome often keeps running in the background even when you close it. Right-click the Chrome icon in your system tray and select “Exit” to fully close it.
Avoid switching networks constantly if possible. Each time you jump between Wi-Fi networks, Chrome has to adjust its DNS cache, and frequent switching increases the chance of errors.
The Difference Between DNS Cache and Browser Cache
People often confuse these two types of cache, so let me clarify the difference since it matters when you’re troubleshooting.
DNS cache (what we clear with chrome://net-internals/dns) stores the IP addresses of websites. It’s about connection information—helping Chrome find where websites live on the internet.
Browser cache stores website files like images, scripts, and stylesheets. It’s about loading speed—helping websites display faster by keeping local copies of content.
When a website won’t load at all, that’s usually a DNS cache problem. When a website loads but looks broken or outdated, that’s typically a browser cache issue.
I’ve had situations where I needed to clear both. Maybe a website redesigned their page AND changed their server, so both types of cache had outdated information. In those cases, clearing just the DNS cache wouldn’t have fixed everything.
Mobile Browsers and DNS Cache
Quick side note—chrome://net-internals/dns works on desktop Chrome but not on mobile. If you’re having DNS issues on Chrome for Android or iOS, the troubleshooting process is different.
On mobile, your best bet is clearing Chrome’s cache through the app settings, or using your phone’s network reset option. I’ve also found that toggling airplane mode on and off sometimes clears up DNS issues on mobile.
For persistent mobile DNS problems, forgetting and reconnecting to your Wi-Fi network often helps. It forces your phone to get fresh DNS information from the router.
When to Seek Additional Help
Most DNS cache problems get solved with chrome://net-internals/dns, but if you’re still stuck after trying everything I’ve mentioned, it might be time to dig deeper or get professional help.
Persistent DNS errors across all browsers and devices suggest the problem is with your router or ISP, not Chrome specifically. Contact your internet provider if multiple devices can’t reach certain websites.
If only specific websites consistently fail while everything else works, those sites might have you blocked, or there could be regional restrictions in play. A VPN can help test this theory.
