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How to Fix Wrong DNS Settings Causing Random Site Failures
Router & WiFiIntermediate10-20 minutes

How to Fix Wrong DNS Settings Causing Random Site Failures

Difficulty
Intermediate
Time
10-20 minutes
Category
Router & WiFi

Some websites won't load while others work fine - incorrect DNS settings are likely the culprit, and here's how to fix them.

💡What's Happening

You can access some websites perfectly fine, but others won't load at all - you get "DNS server not responding," "can't find server," or endless loading. This inconsistent behavior is maddening because your internet clearly works, just not for everything. The problem is almost always DNS - your router is using bad DNS servers, or your DNS settings are corrupted. The fix is straightforward once you know what to change.

✓Quick Checks (Do These First)

  • Can you access major sites like Google? If yes, internet works - it's a DNS issue.
  • Try accessing a site by IP address. In your browser, try http://142.250.185.46 (Google's IP). If that works, definitely DNS.
  • Flush DNS on your computer first. Open Command Prompt and run ipconfig /flushdns (Windows) or sudo dscacheutil -flushcache (Mac).
  • Check if it's just one device or all devices. If all devices, it's your router DNS. If one device, fix that device's DNS settings.

🔧Step-by-Step Fixes

Fix 1: Change Router DNS to Reliable Public Servers (Most Effective)

  1. Log into your router admin panel (usually 192.168.1.1 or 192.168.0.1)
  2. Navigate to Internet Settings, WAN Settings, or Network Settings
  3. Look for DNS Settings or DNS Servers
  4. Change from "Automatic" or "Get from ISP" to Manual or Use These DNS Servers
  5. Enter Google DNS: Primary 8.8.8.8, Secondary 8.8.4.4
  6. Or use Cloudflare DNS: Primary 1.1.1.1, Secondary 1.0.0.1
  7. Save settings and reboot your router
  8. Wait 2 minutes, then test accessing previously problematic websites

This bypasses your ISP's potentially flaky DNS servers with reliable alternatives.

Fix 2: Set Static DNS on Your Computer (Quick Alternative)

Windows:

  1. Open Settings > Network & Internet > Wi-Fi (or Ethernet)
  2. Click your connected network
  3. Scroll to IP settings and click Edit
  4. Change from "Automatic (DHCP)" to Manual
  5. Turn on IPv4
  6. Enter IP address, subnet mask, and gateway (get these from ipconfig /all)
  7. Set Preferred DNS to 8.8.8.8 and Alternate DNS to 8.8.4.4
  8. Click Save and test

Mac:

  1. Open System Settings > Network
  2. Select your connection and click Details
  3. Go to the DNS tab
  4. Click the + button and add 8.8.8.8
  5. Click + again and add 8.8.4.4
  6. Click OK and test your connection

Fix 3: Clear Router DNS Cache

  1. Access your router admin panel
  2. Some routers have a DNS Cache or Clear Cache option in advanced settings
  3. If available, click Clear DNS Cache or Flush DNS
  4. If not available, simply reboot your router - this clears the cache automatically
  5. Unplug router for 30 seconds, plug back in
  6. Wait for full boot up (2-3 minutes)
  7. Test your previously problematic websites

Fix 4: Disable IPv6 (If DNS Issues Persist)

  1. Access your router settings
  2. Navigate to IPv6 Settings or Advanced Settings
  3. Find the IPv6 option and Disable it
  4. Save and reboot the router
  5. Test again - some DNS issues are caused by IPv6 configuration problems

Most home networks don't need IPv6 yet, and disabling it can solve strange DNS issues.

⚠️If Nothing Worked

If you've tried multiple DNS servers and still have problems, the issue might be: (1) Your ISP is blocking certain DNS servers - call and ask. (2) Your router firmware is buggy - check for updates. (3) Malware on your computer is hijacking DNS - run a virus scan. (4) Your router is failing - DNS issues can be a sign of hardware problems. Try a factory reset as a last resort, but back up your settings first.

📞When to Call a Pro

If you've changed DNS settings and some sites still won't load, or if DNS issues come and go randomly, there might be a deeper network configuration problem, ISP issue, or router hardware fault. Professional diagnosis can pinpoint whether it's your equipment, your ISP, or something else entirely.

Need Professional Help?

If you're in the Tampa Bay area and dealing with persistent internet connectivity issues, Geeks in Sneaks provides friendly, on-site tech support in Clearwater, Clearwater Beach, and Dunedin.

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Related Topics

DNS errorsDNS settingswebsite won't loadDNS serverGoogle DNSnetwork troubleshooting

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