Internet connection suddenly seized to work properly and I don’t know why. DNS issues

Understanding and Troubleshooting DNS Connectivity Issues: A Practical Guide

Experiencing a sudden loss of internet connectivity can be frustrating, especially when the cause is unclear. Recently, many users have reported issues related to DNS (Domain Name System) errors, which can prevent websites from loading properly despite having an active internet connection. This article aims to provide a comprehensive overview of common DNS-related problems and effective troubleshooting steps to resolve them.

Identifying the Problem

Symptoms:
– Error messages such as “Your DNS server might be unavailable” or “The device detected that the DNS server is not responding.”
– Inability to access websites despite the router being connected and functioning.
– Increased difficulty in browsing or streaming content.

Possible Causes:
– Misconfigured network settings
– Problems with DNS servers provided by your ISP
– Issues with your local network hardware
– Software conflicts or malware

Initial Troubleshooting Steps

1. Verify Physical Connections
   Ensure that your router is properly connected to your computer. If using Ethernet, confirm the cable is secure and undamaged. Restart your router by unplugging it, waiting a few seconds, and plugging it back in to refresh the connection.

2. Restart Your Devices
   Reboot your computer and router to clear temporary glitches. Sometimes, a simple restart can resolve network conflicts.

3. Check Network Settings
   Navigate to your network adapter settings:

4. Open Network and Internet settings
5. Access Ethernet or Wi-Fi properties
6. Select Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4)
7. Confirm that obtaining DNS server addresses automatically is enabled

Advanced Solutions for DNS Issues

If basic steps do not resolve the problem, consider manually configuring DNS servers. Popular public DNS providers include:

• Google DNS: 8.8.8.8 and 8.8.4.4
• Cloudflare DNS: 1.1.1.1 and 1.0.0.1

To set these manually:
– Access your network adapter properties
– Select Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4)
– Choose “Use the following DNS server addresses”
– Enter the preferred DNS addresses

Command-Line Fixes

For more advanced troubleshooting, you can use command prompt instructions:

• Flush the DNS cache to clear outdated or corrupted entries:

bash
ipconfig /flushdns

• Reset Winsock catalog to reset network socket settings:

bash
netsh winsock reset

After executing these commands, restart your computer to apply the changes.

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