How to Flush DNS on a MacBook: The Easy Way (5 Methods)

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Your Domain Name System (DNS) cache is a temporary storage of website addresses and their corresponding IP addresses. It helps your computer load websites faster by storing the IP addresses of websites you’ve visited recently. However, sometimes the DNS cache can become corrupted or outdated, which can cause problems with loading websites.

Flush DNS on a MacBook

Flushing your DNS cache is a quick and easy way to fix DNS problems on your MacBook. It will clear out the old and corrupted IP addresses from your DNS cache and force your computer to look up the IP addresses of websites again.

In this article, we’ll show you five easy ways to flush DNS on your MacBook.

Method 1: Using Terminal

Terminal is a built-in app on macOS that allows you to enter text-based commands.

flush dns using MacOS Terminal app

To flush DNS using Terminal, follow these steps:

  1. Open Terminal.
  2. Type the following command and press Enter:
sudo dscacheutil -flushcache; sudo killall -HUP mDNSResponder
  1. Enter your administrator password and press Enter.

Method 2: Using Network Utility

Network Utility is another built-in app on macOS that can be used to manage network settings.

flush dns using macOS network utility

To flush DNS using Network Utility, follow these steps:

  1. Open Network Utility.
  2. In the sidebar, click on your Wi-Fi or Ethernet connection.
  3. Click on the “Advanced” tab.
  4. Click on the “DNS” tab.
  5. Click on the “Remove All” button.
  6. Click on the “OK” button.

Method 3: Using a Third-Party App

There are a number of third-party apps available that can be used to flush DNS on macOS. One popular option is CleanMyMac X.

cleanmymac x app to flush dns

To flush DNS using CleanMyMac X, follow these steps:

  1. Open CleanMyMac X.
  2. Click on the “Maintenance” module.
  3. Click on the “DNS Flush” button.
  4. Click on the “Run” button.

Method 4: Restarting Your Router

Sometimes, restarting your router can fix DNS problems.

restart modem router

To restart your wireless router or modem, follow these steps:

  1. Unplug the power cord from the router and modem.
  2. Wait for at least 30 seconds.
  3. Plug the power cord back into the modem.
  4. Wait for the modem to fully power on. All of the lights on the modem should be solid.
  5. Plug the power cord back into the router.
  6. Wait for the router to fully power on. All of the lights on the router should be solid.

Once both devices have fully powered on, you should be able to connect to the internet again.

Method 5: Releasing and Renewing Your IP Address

You can also try releasing and renewing your IP address to fix DNS problems.

The release/renew IP address command works by sending a request to the DHCP server on your network to release your current IP address and then assign you a new one. This can be useful for troubleshooting network problems, such as if you are having trouble connecting to the internet or if your connection is slow.

To do this, follow these steps:

  1. Open Terminal.
  2. Type the following command and press Enter:
sudo dhclient -r
  1. Type the following command and press Enter:
sudo dhclient

Once you have flushed your DNS cache, try loading the website again. If you are still having problems, try one of the other methods above.

How Does Flush DNS Command Work?

The flush DNS command is used to clear the Domain Name System (DNS) cache. The DNS cache is a temporary storage of website addresses and their corresponding IP addresses. It helps your computer load websites faster by storing the IP addresses of websites you’ve visited recently. However, sometimes the DNS cache can become corrupted or outdated, which can cause problems with loading websites.

Flushing the DNS cache will clear out all of the IP addresses from the cache and force your computer to look up the IP addresses of websites again. This can help to fix a variety of DNS problems, such as websites not loading, websites loading slowly, or websites not loading correctly.

Here are some of the benefits of flushing the DNS cache:

  • It can help to improve website loading times.
  • It can fix DNS problems, such as websites not loading or websites loading slowly.
  • It can help to resolve website connection errors.
  • It can help to improve the security of your internet connection.

Flushing the DNS cache is a quick and easy way to troubleshoot DNS problems. It is a good idea to flush your DNS cache regularly, especially if you are having problems with loading websites.

Additional Tips:

  • If you are using a public Wi-Fi network, such as the Wi-Fi at a coffee shop or airport, you may need to flush your DNS cache more often.
  • If you are using a VPN, you may need to disable your VPN before flushing your DNS cache.

Flushing your DNS cache is a quick and easy way to fix DNS problems on your MacBook. It is a good idea to flush your DNS cache regularly, especially if you are having problems loading websites.

If you are still having problems loading websites on your MacBook after flushing your DNS cache, you may need to contact your ISP for further assistance.

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