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How to empty DNS cache under Windows

Clear locally stored DNS entries when a site or server points to a wrong address….

TopicIT Networking →
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Windows Beginner 2 min.

Clear locally stored DNS entries when a site or server points to a wrong address.

Avant de commencer : adaptez toujours les commandes et manipulations à votre environnement. Sur un système de production, prévoyez une backup ou un retour arrière lorsque l’action peut modifier la configuration.

Étapes à suivre

  1. 1

    Open a terminal.

    Open Windows Terminal or l, prompt commands.

  2. 2

    Empty DNS cache

    Run ipconfig /flushdns.

  3. 3

    Check Result

    Windows must confirm that the DNS resolution cache has been emptied.

  4. 4

    Retester the name

    Then try nslookup namedomain.fr or restart the affected application.

Commands utiles

ipconfig /flushdns
ns Outlook example.fr

À retenir

  • Emptying the local cache does not alter public DNS records.
  • A DNS cache may also exist in the browser, router or intermediate solver.
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Technical deep dive

Windows DNS cache: what is actually cleared

Technical checkpoints

  • ipconfig /flushdns clears the local DNS Client cache; it does not clear a DNS server cache or an application/browser cache.
  • Get-DnsClientCache shows cached entries and their TTL.
  • Restarting Dnscache is more intrusive than a flush and is normally unnecessary just to invalidate an entry.

Before / after

Inspect the entry, clear the cache, then resolve the same name again using the same DNS server.

Get-DnsClientCache
ipconfig /flushdns
Resolve-DnsName example.com

Topic-specific pitfalls

  • Testing a different name after the flush does not prove the problematic entry changed.
  • A hosts file, NRPT, browser DoH or VPN

How to validate

  • The name resolves to the expected address and the response source is identified.
  • TTL and cache behavior are consistent with the expected DNS change.
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