Google Chrome maintains a DNS cache to speed up domain name resolution and improve browsing performance. However, sometimes outdated or incorrect DNS entries can cause browsing issues, such as website loading errors or slow connections. Flushing the DNS cache can resolve these problems by forcing Chrome to fetch updated domain information.

This guide explains how to clear the DNS cache in Google Chrome using the built-in chrome://net-internals/#dns tool. We also cover why clearing the cache is beneficial and additional troubleshooting tips.

Why Clear the DNS Cache in Chrome?

Clearing the DNS cache can help resolve various browsing issues, including:

• Fixing website loading errors: When a website changes its IP address, old cached entries may prevent access.
• Improving browsing speed: Removing outdated DNS entries allows Chrome to retrieve the latest domain data.
• Enhancing security: Some malware or DNS hijacking attacks rely on corrupted cache entries.
• Refreshing network changes: If you’ve recently updated your DNS settings, clearing the cache ensures the changes take effect.

Steps to Clear the DNS Cache in Google Chrome

1. Open Chrome’s Net Internals Page

1. Open Google Chrome.
2. In the address bar, type the following and press Enter:chrome://net-internals/#dns
3. You will be directed to the DNS page within Chrome’s Net Internals tool.

2. Flush the DNS Cache

1. Locate the “Clear host cache” button.
2. Click the button to flush Chrome’s internal DNS cache.
3. You may see the list of cached DNS entries disappear, confirming the cache has been cleared.

3. Flush the Socket Pools (Optional)

After clearing the DNS cache, you can also flush socket pools to ensure all connections reset:

1. Click on the Sockets tab in the left menu (or go to chrome://net-internals/#sockets).
2. Click Close idle sockets and Flush socket pools.

Additional Methods to Flush the DNS Cache (System-Level)

If clearing Chrome’s DNS cache does not resolve your issue, consider flushing the system DNS cache as well:

On Windows

1. Open Command Prompt as Administrator.
2. Run the following command:ipconfig /flushdns
3. You should see a message confirming the DNS cache has been cleared.

On macOS

1. Open Terminal.
2. Run the command based on your macOS version:sudo killall -HUP mDNSResponder
3. Enter your password if prompted, and the DNS cache will be flushed.

On Linux

Depending on the Linux distribution, use one of the following commands:

sudo systemd-resolve --flush-caches

or

sudo service nscd restart

Conclusion

Flushing the DNS cache in Google Chrome is a simple yet effective way to resolve browsing issues caused by outdated or incorrect DNS records. By using chrome://net-internals/#dns, you can quickly clear cached entries and improve browsing performance. If issues persist, consider flushing your system’s DNS cache to ensure a complete refresh.

Regularly clearing the DNS cache can also enhance security and prevent potential DNS-related browsing issues. Bookmark this guide for quick access whenever you need to reset Chrome’s DNS cache!