# How to Fix DNS_PROBE_FINISHED_NO_INTERNET in Chrome

URL: https://www.mytechnician.tech/tips/fix-dns-probe-finished-no-internet/
Published: 2026-07-12 | Author: Ankit Kumar
Tags: Windows 11, Network, Wi-Fi, Fix, Troubleshooting
Summary: Chrome showing DNS_PROBE_FINISHED_NO_INTERNET on every site? Fix it by flushing DNS, changing DNS servers, and resetting the network stack — step by step.
Recommended app: Network Traffic Monitor & Analyzer — https://www.mytechnician.tech/apps/network-monitor/ (Microsoft Store: https://apps.microsoft.com/detail/9NGCWN2BKVSC?hl=en-us&cid=mytechnician-web). Optional; every step below uses built-in Windows tools.

## The Problem
Chrome (or Edge) refuses to load any website and shows the error **DNS_PROBE_FINISHED_NO_INTERNET** — even though your Wi-Fi says connected, and sometimes other apps like Spotify or games still work fine.

DNS is the system that turns a website name (google.com) into a server address. This error means your browser asked your DNS server to look up a name and got no answer. The cause is almost always on your side: a stale DNS cache, a broken DNS server setting, a misbehaving router, or a VPN/antivirus interfering with lookups. That means you can usually fix it in a few minutes.

## Quick Checks Before You Start
1. **Try another device** on the same Wi-Fi. If everything fails there too, restart your router first (unplug 30 seconds, plug back in).
2. **Using a VPN or proxy?** Disconnect it and test — VPNs that crash leave DNS pointing at a dead server.
3. **Try another browser.** If Firefox works but Chrome doesn't, clear Chrome's own cache: see [clear browser cache and cookies](https://www.mytechnician.tech/tips/clear-browser-cache-and-cookies/).

## Step 1: Flush the DNS Cache
Windows caches DNS answers, and a corrupted cache keeps serving dead results.

1. Right-click the Start button and choose **Terminal (Admin)**.
2. Run these commands one at a time:
   ```
   ipconfig /flushdns
   ipconfig /release
   ipconfig /renew
   ```
3. Also clear Chrome's internal DNS cache: paste `chrome://net-internals/#dns` into the address bar and click **Clear host cache**.
4. Reload the page.

## Step 2: Change Your DNS Server
If your ISP's DNS server is down or unreliable, switch to a public one — this is the single most effective fix.

1. Open **Settings** (`Win + I`) > **Network & internet**.
2. Click your active connection (**Wi-Fi** > your network properties, or **Ethernet**).
3. Next to **DNS server assignment**, click **Edit**.
4. Choose **Manual**, turn on **IPv4**, and enter:
   - **Preferred DNS:** `1.1.1.1` (Cloudflare) or `8.8.8.8` (Google)
   - **Alternate DNS:** `1.0.0.1` or `8.8.4.4`
5. Click **Save** and reload the page.

## Step 3: Restart the DNS Client Service
1. Press `Win + R`, type `services.msc`, press Enter.
2. Find **DNS Client** in the list.
3. If its Restart option is greyed out (normal on Windows 11), reboot the PC instead — that restarts it.

## Step 4: Reset the Network Stack
Deeper corruption in Windows networking components causes persistent DNS failures.

1. In **Terminal (Admin)**, run:
   ```
   netsh winsock reset
   netsh int ip reset
   ```
2. Restart your PC.
3. Still broken? Use the full reset: **Settings** > **Network & internet** > **Advanced network settings** > **Network reset** > **Reset now**. This reinstalls all network adapters — you'll need to re-enter Wi-Fi passwords.

## Step 5: Rule Out Antivirus and Router Problems
1. **Temporarily disable third-party antivirus/firewall** and test. If pages load, the security suite's web-protection module is intercepting DNS — update it or adjust its settings. Related: [fix Windows Firewall blocking apps](https://www.mytechnician.tech/tips/fix-windows-firewall-blocking-apps-windows-11/).
2. **Update router firmware** and, if the error hits every device, log into the router's admin page and set its DNS servers to `1.1.1.1` / `8.8.8.8` as well.

**Getting "DNS server not responding" from the Windows troubleshooter instead?** Same family of problem, slightly different fix order: [fix DNS server not responding](https://www.mytechnician.tech/tips/fix-dns-server-not-responding-windows-11/). **Connected but no internet at all (not just browsing)?** See [fix "No Internet, Secured" Wi-Fi](https://www.mytechnician.tech/tips/fix-no-internet-secured-wifi/). **Pages load but painfully slowly?** That's [slow internet troubleshooting](https://www.mytechnician.tech/tips/speed-up-slow-internet-connection-windows-11/).

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Source: https://www.mytechnician.tech/tips/fix-dns-probe-finished-no-internet/ — My Technician, free Windows 10/11 troubleshooting guides.
Related tool: Network Traffic Monitor & Analyzer (Network Traffic Monitor & Analyzer shows real-time bandwidth usage, active connections, and per-app network traffic on Windows 10 and 11.) — https://www.mytechnician.tech/apps/network-monitor/
More guides: https://www.mytechnician.tech/llms.txt