DNS_PROBE_FINISHED_NXDOMAIN WordPress Error Fixed


Recently, one of our readers asked them what they could do to solve the dns_probe_finished_nxdomain WordPress problem.

This error message will be displayed in Chrome when your browser cannot connect to the website you requested. Other browsers use different messages to display this error. In this article, we will show you how to easily fix the dns_probe_finished_nxdomain WordPress error and how to avoid it in the future. Moreover, we have already written about a related error “ERR_CONNECTION_TIMED_OUT Error” that is also available for you.

DNS_PROBE_FINISHED_NXDOMAIN means

dns_probe_finished_nxdomain WordPress is a Google Chrome error message that appears when the browser cannot find the website you are trying to visit. This error occurs when DNS (Domain Name System) cannot find or connect to the IP address of this website. Then, your browser assumes that the domain name of the website does not exist. The wrong nxdomain part means “Domain not found.”

To learn more, check out our guide on how domains/DNS work (visual explanation). If you see this error when you try to access a WordPress site, you may think there is a problem with your site. The good news is that your website is likely to perform well. The problem is that your computer cannot connect to it.

How do I Fix DNS_PROBE_FINISHED_NXDOMAIN error?

There are several ways to fix the dns_probe_finished_nxdomain WordPress error. However, it is important to verify that it is an error first. Before doing anything else, you should check that the domain name is spelled correctly. For example, if you accidentally enter a misspelled domain name, your browser may not be able to find the domain and this error will occur.

Even if you click on a link, you still need to verify the domain name. The person who created the link may have entered it incorrectly. If you are sure that the domain name is correct, click the Reload or Retry button. Next, you should try to access the website from your mobile phone (4G network), so you can check if it is a problem with your device or WIFI connection.

If the website also fails to load on your phone, you need to contact your WordPress hosting provider immediately, because this means your website is down. However, if the website loads normally on your phone, then you know that the problem is with your computer or Wi-Fi connection.

6 Fix: DNS_PROBE_FINISHED_NXDOMAIN WordPress Error

Let us try to solve this problem. The first thing you should try is to restart your computer. If this does not help, turn off the Internet modem and turn it on. These steps may automatically clear DNS and network-related issues. If the error still occurs, you may need to try the following methods:

  1. Clear browser cache
  2. Turn off Chrome’s experimental features
  3. Clear the computer’s DNS cache
  4. Release and update your IP address
  5. Use Google’s public DNS server
  6. Check the “hosts” file on the computer

1. Clear Your Browser’s Cache

To clear the cache in Chrome, go to the page chrome://settings/Clear data in your browser. This should give you a pop-up window where you can clear the cache. First, set the time range to “All time”, and then check the “Cached images and files” box. After that, click the “Clear Data” button.

Clear Chrome Browser Cache
Clear Chrome Browser Cache

Now, try the site again. If you still receive the dns_probe_finished_nxdomain WordPress error message, please try the next solution.

2. Turn Off Experimental Chrome Features

If you have enabled any experimental Chrome features, this may be the cause of the dns_probe_finished_nxdomain WordPress error. To turn off these options, visit chrome://flags/ in your browser and click the “Reset All” button at the top. If the website you are trying to visit still shows an error, try the next solution.

Turn Off Experimental Chrome Features
Turn Off Experimental Chrome Features

3. Flush Your Computer’s DNS Cache

Your computer usually saves (stores) the IP addresses of websites you have visited before. If the IP address of the website changes, it may cause a dns_probe_finished_nxdomain WordPress error. The following is how to clear the DNS cache regarding dns_probe_finished_nxdomain fix.

Note: These instructions are for Windows 10. For macOS instructions, see our guide to clearing the DNS cache.
First, find the command prompt application. Go ahead and open it.

Tip: If you are not logged in as an administrator, use the Run as administrator option.

Next, type ipconfig /flushdns and press Enter on the keyboard. Then you should see a success message. Now, try to visit the site again. If the dns_probe_finished_nxdomain WordPress error message still appears, please try the next solution.

Flush Your Computer’s DNS Cache
Flush Your Computer’s DNS Cache

4. Release and Renew Your IP Address

The next step is to update the IP address of your computer on the Internet. Go ahead and open the command prompt application as described in the previous step. Next, enter the following commands in this order. Press Enter after each item.

  • ipconfig /version
  • ipconfig/flushds
  • ipconfig /update

After entering the first and third commands, you will see a few lines of information. This is normal. If you still receive dns_probe_finished_nxdomain WordPress errors after this, please try the next solution.

5. Use Google’s Public DNS Servers

By default, your computer uses a DNS server from an Internet service provider (ISP). You can change it to use Google’s public DNS server. In Windows, open the control panel and go to Network and Internet »Network and Sharing Center. Next, click on the “Change adapter settings” link on the left.

You will see a list of connections. Right-click the current connection and select the “Properties” option. Next, click Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/ipv4), and then click the Properties button. Next, you need to click the “Use the following DNS server addresses” option and enter these DNS servers:

  • Preferred DNS server: 8.8.8.8
  • Alternate DNS server: 8.8.4.4

Then click the “OK” button to save the changes. Try to visit the website again to see if the dns_probe_finished_nxdomain WordPress error has been fixed. If not, please try the last method.

6. Check Your Computer’s ‘hosts’ File

The host file is the file your computer uses to map domain names to IP addresses. If the website is not properly registered with this file, this may be the cause of the dns_probe_finished_nxdomain WordPress problem. On Windows, you can find this file through File Explorer. First, open File Explorer and search for the Windows folder on your computer. It is usually located in the C:\ drive. Mac users can find this file in the /private/etc/hosts/ folder.

After that, go to System32 »Drivers» etc. Here, you need to find the host file and double-click to open it. If you are asked to select an application, please use Notepad. Now, check if the website address exists in the host’s file. If so, please delete it along with the IP address next to it. Then save the file. After doing this, we hope that the dns_probe_finished_nxdomain WordPress error for this site will not appear.

DNS_PROBE_FINISHED_NXDOMAIN Error FAQ

What does DNS_PROBE_FINISHED_NXDOMAIN Error mean in WordPress?

This error message indicates that the domain name system (DNS) cannot find the IP address associated with the domain you’re trying to access. It prevents your browser from connecting to the website, resulting in the “NXDOMAIN” (Non-Existent Domain) error.

What causes the DNS_PROBE_FINISHED_NXDOMAIN error in WordPress?

Several factors can trigger this error, including incorrect DNS settings, misconfigured DNS records, issues with the server’s DNS, or problems with the website’s hosting provider.

Is the DNS_PROBE_FINISHED_NXDOMAIN error browser-specific?

No, this error is not browser-specific. It can occur in any web browser (Chrome, Firefox, Safari, etc.) since it is related to the DNS resolution process, which happens at the operating system level.

What is DNS cache, and how do I flush it to fix the error?

A DNS cache is a temporary database on your computer that stores DNS lookup information to speed up future requests. To flush it, open the command prompt/terminal and run the appropriate command based on your operating system (e.g., “ipconfig /flushdns” on Windows, “sudo dscacheutil -flushcache” on macOS).

How do I change DNS servers to troubleshoot the error?

Access your network settings and switch to public DNS servers like Google DNS (8.8.8.8 and 8.8.4.4) or Cloudflare DNS (1.1.1.1 and 1.0.0.1). This can help if your ISP’s DNS servers are causing the issue.

What should I do if the error is due to a misconfigured DNS record?

Login to your domain registrar or hosting account, and ensure that your DNS records are correctly set up. Correct any mistakes and allow time for the changes to propagate.

If none of the above methods work, what should I do?

If you have tried all the methods and the error persists, contact your internet service provider (ISP) or web hosting provider for further assistance. They can help diagnose and resolve more complex DNS-related issues.

Bottom Line

To fix the DNS_PROBE_FINISHED_NXDOMAIN error in WordPress, you need to make sure your domain name is pointing to the correct hosting IP address, check your DNS records, and clear your DNS cache or you may contact your web hosting provider. We hope this post solves your problem.

Please let us know if you know of any other method to solve this WordPress error in the below comments section. Cheers..!


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