Clear DNS cache: how to empty the DNS resolver cache

A regular DNS flush is useful for several reasons. In Windows, macOS, and Linux distributions like Ubuntu, the web address cache is cleared in a few steps.

Each operating system deals with internally stored entries for address resolution differently. To clear the DNS cache because, for example, the DNS server is not responding, you need system-specific tools and commands. Here are some instructions for the most important representatives.

Now type the following CMD command into the window of the command prompt:

Enter the following command to clear the Windows 10 DNS cache using the command line tool ipconfig:

Linux distributions do not use a native DNS cache. Address entries are only cached on the systems when DNS services such as dnsmasq, nscd or systemd-resolved (default in Ubuntu 18 and 20) are used.

A terminal command for deleting the cache memory is only available for systemd-resolved:

To execute the command, simply enter the administrator password. Don’t be surprised if the command does not return a message. To verify that the deletion was successful, you can view the systemd-resolved cache by executing the following terminal command:

Mac operating systems, like Windows systems, rely on a native DNS cache. However, the command you need to type to clear the DNS cache varies depending on the version you installed. In any case, you need the terminal for the input, which you can call up via the “Utilities” menu.

For macOS versions 10.11 (El Capitan) and later, as well as 10.7, 10.8, and 10.9, the clear command is as follows:

If you are using a device with macOS 10.10 (Yosemite), you need the following command:

Older versions like macOS 10.5 and 10.6 use the following command:

After entering the corresponding command, you will be prompted to enter the administrator password. The DNS cache will then be cleared.