chrome//net-internals/#dns – Flush DNS Cache on Chrome

Introduction

chrome//net-internals/#dns is a hidden diagnostic page in the Google Chrome web browser. It allows advanced users and developers to inspect and manipulate Domain Name System (DNS) data related to browsing activities. This page lets you access information about DNS cache entries, DNS query results, hostname resolution, network sockets, and network-related events.

This tool helps troubleshoot network issues, enabling you to examine DNS queries, view cached DNS data, and clear the DNS cache or socket pools if needed. However, exercising caution when using this tool is essential, as making incorrect changes can affect your browsing experience. Most regular users won’t need to access chrome://net-internals/#dns, but it can be invaluable for diagnosing and resolving complex network problems in Chrome.

What Is The DNS Cache?

• The DNS cache, or Domain Name System cache, is a vital component of the DNS infrastructure used by computers and network devices to speed up the process of translating human-readable domain names (e.g., www.example.com) into numerical IP addresses (e.g., 192.168.1.1) that computers use to locate and connect to websites and services on the internet.
• When you access a website or an online resource, your device typically sends a DNS query to a DNS server to strengthen the domain name to an IP address. To enhance efficiency, the DNS system employs caching. Once a DNS server or client successfully determines a domain name, it stores this mapping in its local DNS cache for a specified period, known as the Time To Live (TTL). It means subsequent requests for the same domain name can be answered more quickly by retrieving the IP address from the local cache rather than conducting a new DNS lookup.
• DNS caching pointedly reduces the time it takes to load websites, improves overall internet performance, and reduces the load on DNS servers. However, it’s essential for DNS caches to regularly update and purge their entries. To ensure they reflect the most current IP address data for domains.

What Exactly Is DNS Cache Flushing?

• DNS cache flushing clears the stored DNS (Domain Name System) information in a computer or network device’s local cache. This cache contains records of recently resolved domain names and their corresponding IP addresses. Flushing the DNS cache is typically done to remove outdated or incorrect entries from the cache, ensuring that the device fetches the most up-to-date DNS records when accessing websites or resources.
• DNS cache flushing can be necessary when a website’s IP address has changed, a DNS lookup error occurred, or if you suspect DNS-related issues causing connectivity problems. By clearing the cache, you force the device to re-query DNS servers for the latest IP address information, helping resolve problems related to outdated or incorrect DNS data. Flushing the DNS cache is a easy maintenance task and can usually complete through command-line or settings options on various operating systems.

How To Flush The DNS Cache On Chrome Using The chrome//net-internals/#dns Command?

Flushing the DNS cache in Google Chrome using the chrome://net-internals/#dns command is straightforward. Here’s a step-by-step guide:

1. Open Google Chrome: Launch the Google Chrome web browser on your computer.
2. Access the chrome//net-internals/#dns Page: In the address bar, type chrome://net-internals/#dns and also, press Enter.
3. Clear the DNS Cache: Once you’re on the chrome://net-internals/#dns page, you’ll see a button labeled “Clear host cache.” Click this button.
4. Confirmation: A message should appear indicating that the host cache has been cleared. It confirms that the DNS cache in Chrome has been successfully flushed.
5. Restart Chrome (optional): Although not always necessary, you can consider closing and reopening Chrome to ensure the cache is fully cleared.

By following these steps, you will have effectively flush the DNS cache in Google Chrome using the chrome://net-internals/#dns command. It can be useful for resolving DNS-related issues or ensuring that your browser fetches the latest DNS records when accessing websites.

How can you use chrome//net-internals/#dns Mobile devices?

The great thing about the chrome//net-internals/#dns tool is that you can clear the DNS cache on your mobile phone (Android, iPhone, or iPad) running Chrome. Now, the question arises – how to remove the host cache in Chrome net internals DNS on mobile? Well, the answer is simple.

As you follow the steps in the above section, you have to do the same on your mobile phone. All you have to do is to open Chrome browser regardless of any mobile phone (Android or iPhone or iPad) and enter the chrome://net-internals/#dns page to clear the host cache on Chrome browser.

In case it doesn’t work, you can follow the simple steps given below:

• Open the Chrome app on your Android/iOS phone or tablet.
• Tap the “More” button at the screen’s top-right corner.
• Select “History” from the list of options.
• Choose a time range by tapping on the drop-down menu at the screen’s top. Thus, to clear all browsing data, select “All time.”
• Crisscross the boxes next to “Cookies and site data” and “Cached images and files.”
• Tap the “Clear data” button at the screen’s bottom.

What To Do If chrome://net-internals/#dns Doesn’t Work?

If chrome//net-internals/#dns doesn’t work in Google Chrome to resolve you can follow these steps:

1. Check the URL: Ensure that you’ve entered the URL correctly in the address bar. Double-check for typos or extra characters that might be preventing access.
2. Try Incognito Mode: Sometimes, browser extensions or settings can interfere with accessing certain Chrome URLs. Open an incognito window (Ctrl+Shift+N or Cmd+Shift+N) and try accessing chrome://net-internals/#dns there.
3. Clear Browser Cache: Clearing your browser cache should resolve any temporary issues. You can do this by going to Chrome’s settings, navigating to “Privacy and security,” and selecting “Clear browsing data.”
4. Update Chrome: Outdated browser versions can have compatibility issues. Ensure that your Chrome browser is up to date by going to “Help” > “About Google Chrome” and updating it if necessary.
5. Reset Chrome Settings: If the issue persists, you can reset Chrome settings to their default standards by going to “Settings” > “Advanced” > “Reset settings.”
6. Try Another Browser: If none of the above solutions work, you might consider using a different browser to access similar network diagnostics tools.

Conclusion

Hence, chrome://net-internals/#dns is a powerful tool for troubleshooting and analyzing DNS-related issues, making it valuable for developers and advanced users who need to diagnose network problems within the Chrome browser. The chrome://net-internals/#dns command is a simple and effective way to flush the DNS cache on Chrome. If you are experiencing internet browsing issues, try this command and see if it helps resolve the issue.