Google Chrome provides a built-in tool, chrome://net-internals, to help users troubleshoot and manage network-related settings. One of its key features is the ability to clear both the connection cache and the DNS cache, which can resolve issues related to slow browsing, outdated domain name resolutions, or network conflicts. Understanding how to access and use this tool can help improve browsing performance and resolve connectivity issues effectively.

What is chrome://net-internals?

chrome://net-internals is a hidden Chrome feature that provides advanced network debugging and monitoring tools. It allows users to inspect network activity, manage socket pools, and clear various caches, including DNS and connection caches.

This feature is particularly useful for developers, IT professionals, and users experiencing frequent browsing issues related to DNS resolution and connection problems.

Why Clear DNS and Connection Caches?

Over time, Chrome stores DNS records and connection data to speed up browsing. However, this can sometimes cause issues, such as:

• Websites not loading due to outdated DNS records.
• Slow or failed connections because of cached network data.
• Network changes not reflecting immediately.
• SSL/TLS certificate errors due to stale cache entries.

Clearing these caches can help resolve these problems and ensure a smoother browsing experience.

How to Clear DNS Cache in Chrome

To clear the DNS cache using chrome://net-internals, follow these steps:

1. Open Google Chrome.
2. Type chrome://net-internals/#dns in the address bar and press Enter.
3. Click on the “Clear host cache” button.
4. Restart Chrome to ensure the changes take effect.

This process removes all stored DNS records, forcing Chrome to re-fetch updated domain name resolutions from the DNS server.

How to Clear Connection Cache in Chrome

To clear the connection cache in Chrome, follow these steps:

1. Open Google Chrome.
2. Type chrome://net-internals/#sockets in the address bar and press Enter.
3. Click “Flush socket pools” to clear all active network connections.
4. Restart Chrome for the changes to take effect.

Flushing the socket pool resets active connections, allowing new, fresh connections to be established without conflicts.

Additional Tips for Network Troubleshooting

• Restart Your Router: If clearing the DNS and connection caches does not resolve the issue, restarting your router may help.
• Use Incognito Mode: If websites are not loading properly, try opening them in an Incognito window to check if the issue persists.
• Check Chrome Extensions: Some extensions may interfere with network settings, causing slow or failed connections. Try disabling them temporarily.
• Flush System DNS Cache: On Windows, open Command Prompt and type ipconfig /flushdns, then press Enter.

Conclusion

Using chrome://net-internals to clear DNS and connection caches is a simple yet powerful way to troubleshoot browsing issues. Whether you’re experiencing slow connections, outdated DNS resolutions, or general network-related problems, clearing these caches can help restore optimal browsing performance. By following the steps outlined above, you can ensure that Chrome always fetches the latest network information, leading to a smoother and more reliable online experience.