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Flush the DNS resolver cache on Windows

Purge cached DNS lookups so Windows re-resolves hostnames from scratch — the fix for 'the new server is live but my browser still hits the old one'.

WindowsnetworkDNStroubleshootingMedium risk
Run `ipconfig /flushdns` to clear the DNS client cache, then revisit the site.

01Command

Command
$ ipconfig /flushdns

02What it does

Windows caches every DNS answer locally (using whatever TTL the record carries), so an updated record can keep pointing you at the old IP for hours. Run `ipconfig /displaydns` first if you want to see exactly which names and addresses are cached. Flushing is instantaneous and safe — it only forces future lookups to query DNS servers again; browser-internal caches (Chrome has its own) may also need a restart.

03Risk

RiskMedium risk

04Undo

✓No undo needed — this command does not change persistent state.

05Sources

  • ipconfig | Microsoft Learn
    Microsoft · vendor-doc · 2026-09-17
    Evidence: Microsoft documents that 'ipconfig /flushdns' flushes and resets the contents of the DNS client resolver cache, and that /displaydns displays its contents.
  • IPCONFIG - Windows CMD
    SS64 · technical · 2026-09-17
    Evidence: SS64 lists /displaydns to view cached DNS entries and /flushdns to purge the DNS resolver cache.

Last verified: 2026-09-17 · Category: Network

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