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Flush your DNS cache

If you see an error displaying "This site can't be reached", you may need to clear your DNS cache in order to access your site.

Stephy Miehle avatar
Written by Stephy Miehle
Updated this week

What does the "This site can't be reached" error mean?

If you see an error displaying "This site can't be reached", check for typos first. If you have verified that the domain name is correct, you may need to clear your DNS cache in order to access your site.

Domain Name System (DNS) is the system that translates IP addresses like 192.168.0.1 into friendlier names like gouconnect.com.

When you visit a website, your browser looks up the correct IP address for the domain name. Looking up the same thing again and again can get slow, so browsers and Internet Service Providers (ISPs) save a map of IPs and domain names in a DNS cache. If your website has moved or changed its domain, the saved data can be stale, resulting in an error when you try to access your site. We can refresh the data by flushing (reloading) the DNS cache.

You can choose to flush the cache in your browser or for your whole computer.

Flush DNS cache in your browser

Access the correct link based on your browser. You may need to copy the URL to your address bar and press "Enter" to visit the settings page.

Once you are on the DNS settings page, click the button that says "Clear host cache" or "Clear DNS cache".

Google Chrome

chrome://net-internals/#dns

Microsoft Edge

edge://net-internals/#dns

Mozilla Firefox

about:networking#dns

Opera

opera://net-internals/#dns

Flush DNS cache on your whole computer

These instructions vary based on your operating system. You may need to be logged in as an Administrator or provide your admin password.

Windows

  1. Open the Command Prompt

    Press Windows key + R to open the Run dialog.
    Type cmd and press Enter or click OK to open the prompt

  2. Run the Command

    In the Command Prompt terminal, type ipconfig /flushdns and then press Enter

Once you have received confirmation that the DNS was flushed, you can close the Command Prompt window and try to access your website again.

Mac

  1. Open the Terminal app
    You can access Terminal via Launchpad, Finder > Applications > Utilities, or by using Spotlight Search (Command + Space and type Terminal)

  2. Run the command for your operating system version
    Copy and paste the correct command, then press Enter

    • Sequoia, Sonoma, Ventura, Monterey, Big Sur, Catalina
      ​sudo dscacheutil -flushcache; sudo killall -HUP mDNSResponder

    • Mojave, High Sierra, Sierra, El Capitan, Mavericks, Mountain Lion, Lion
      ​sudo killall -HUP mDNSResponder

  3. Enter your admin password for the computer and press Enter

You will not see a verification that the DNS cache was flushed.

Close the Terminal and try to access your website again.

Still Have Questions?

If you're still receiving the "This site can't be reached" error, you can reach our Support team using the button below:
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