How to clear your DNS cache

The following methods allow you to remove old and inaccurate DNS information that may result in 404 errors.

Windows® 8

To clear your DNS cache if you use Windows 8, perform the following steps:

  1. On your keyboard, press Win+X to open the WinX Menu.
  2. Right-click Command Prompt and select Run as Administrator.

  3. Run the following command:


    ipconfig /flushdns


    If the command succeeds, the system returns the following message:


    Windows IP configuration successfully flushed the DNS Resolver Cache.


Windows® 7

To clear your DNS cache if you use Windows 7, perform the following steps:

  1. Click Start.
  2. Enter cmd in the Start menu search text box.
  3. Right-click Command Prompt and select Run as Administrator.

  4. Run the following command:


    ipconfig /flushdns


    If the command succeeds, the system returns the following message:


    Windows IP configuration successfully flushed the DNS Resolver Cache.


Windows XP®, 2000, or Vista®

To clear your DNS cache if you use Windows XP, 2000, or Vista, perform the following steps:

  1. Click Start.
  2. On the Start menu, click Run....
    • If you do not see the Run command in Vista, enter run in the Search bar.

  3. Run the following command in the Run text box:


    ipconfig /flushdns


    If the command succeeds, the system returns the following message:


    Successfully flushed the DNS Resolver Cache.


MacOS® 10.10.4 and above

To clear your DNS cache if you use MacOS X version 10.10.4 or above, perform the following steps:

  1. Click Applications.
  2. Click Utilities.
  3. Click Terminal.

  4. Run the following command:


    sudokillall -HUP mDNSResponder


    If the command succeeds, the system does not return any output.


    Warning: To run this command, you must know the computer's administrator account password.


MacOS 10.10.1, 10.10.2, and 10.10.3

To clear your DNS cache if you use MacOS X version 10.10 through 10.10.3, perform the following steps:

  1. Click Applications.
  2. Click Utilities.
  3. Click Terminal.

  4. Run the following command:


    sudodiscoveryutil mdnsflushcache


    If the command succeeds, the system does not return any output.


    Warning:  To run this command, you must know the computer's administrator account password.


MacOS 10.7, 10.8, and 10.9

To clear your DNS cache if you use MacOS X version 10.7, 10.8, or 10.9, perform the following steps:

  1. Click Applications.
  2. Click Utilities.
  3. Double-click Terminal.

  4. Run the following command:


    sudokillall -HUP mDNSResponder


    If the command succeeds, the system does not return any output.


    Warning: To run this command, you must know the computer's administrator account password.


MacOS 10.5 and 10.6

To clear your DNS cache if you use MacOS X version 10.5 or 10.6, perform the following steps:

  1. Click Applications.
  2. Click Utilities.
  3. Double-click Terminal.

  4. Run the following command:


    sudodscacheutil -flushcache


    If the command succeeds, the system does not return any output.


    Warning: To run this command, you must know the computer's administrator account password.