Fix DNS_PROBE_FINISHED_NXDOMAIN Error (2026 Guide)

Key highlights

• Learn DNS_PROBE_FINISHED_NXDOMAIN meaning and why it appears when your browser can’t find a website’s IP address.
• Understand how DNS resolution issues, incorrect settings or corrupted cache trigger this error across Chrome, Firefox, Safari and other browsers.
• Explore the most common causes, including misconfigured DNS servers, malware interference and local network problems.
• Get quick, practical DNS_PROBE_FINISHED_NXDOMAIN error fix such as clearing the DNS cache or switching to a reliable public DNS server.
• Discover how proactive steps like checking DNS records and maintaining clean network configurations help prevent future NXDOMAIN errors.

Are you frustrated by the DNS_PROBE_FINISHED_NXDOMAIN error while browsing? If you’ve ever encountered the DNS_PROBE_FINISHED_NXDOMAIN error, you know how annoying it can be. It prevents you from accessing websites and disrupts your online experience. But what exactly does it mean and how can you fix it quickly? Let’s break it down in simple terms. 

This error message typically pops up when your browser fails to connect to a website and it can be a real roadblock for anyone trying to surf the internet. But don’t worry, this error is often easy to fix if you know where to look. The DNS_PROBE_FINISHED_NXDOMAIN error is a DNS error that typically occurs when your browser is unable to resolve a domain name to an IP address. The error message usually appears as: 

“This site can’t be reached. The server IP address could not be found. DNS_PROBE_FINISHED_NXDOMAIN.”

In this article, we’ll cover how to fix the DNS_PROBE_FINISHED_NXDOMAIN error, prevent future occurrences and understand how to resolve the error efficiently. Let’s dive into what’s going wrong when you encounter this error and how you can fix it in a snap! 

TLDR: Fix DNS_PROBE_FINISHED_NXDOMAIN

• Only one website won’t load: Check domain status, nameservers, and DNS records (A/AAAA/CNAME).
• All websites won’t load: It’s likely the local DNS or network. Flush DNS cache, restart router, disable VPN, try a public DNS.
• It started after DNS edits: Allow for propagation, then re-check records and roll back the last change if needed.
• Bluehost: Account Manager → Domains → DNS to verify nameservers + A/CNAME records.

What is DNS_PROBE_FINISHED_NXDOMAIN error?

The DNS_PROBE_FINISHED_NXDOMAIN error appears when your browser can’t find the IP address for the website you’re trying to visit. This happens because DNS (Domain Name System), the system that translates domain names into IP addresses, isn’t able to complete the lookup.

A simple way to understand DNS is to think of it as the internet’s phone book. When you type a domain like [example].com into your browser search bar, DNS looks up the matching IP address and sends your browser to the right server location. If DNS can’t find that match, the request fails and you see the “Non-Existent Domain” (NXDOMAIN) error instead. 

This issue can be triggered by several common factors, including incorrect DNS settings, DNS server problems, network connectivity issues or malware interfering with DNS requests. In all these cases, your browser simply can’t retrieve the valid IP address, so the website doesn’t load.  

This error can occur due to a variety of reasons, such as:

• DNS server issues 
• Incorrect DNS configuration 
• Network connectivity issues 
• Malware/virus infections 

Understanding the DNS_PROBE_FINISHED_NXDOMAIN error message is important because it helps you troubleshoot and fix the problem quickly, ensuring that you can access the website you need to visit. Ignoring the error message could lead to frustration and wasted time trying to access a website that won’t load.

Where might you see the DNS_PROBE_FINISHED_NXDOMAIN error?

You’ll know you’re impacted by the “DNS_PROBE_FINISHED_NXDOMAIN” error when you try to visit a website, but it fails to load and you receive a message that says, “This site can’t be reached” or “DNS_PROBE_FINISHED_NXDOMAIN.”

This error can show up in various browsers and on different platforms. Let’s take a look at some of the common scenarios where you might run into it.

1. Google Chrome: It’s the most common browser where users encounter DNS_PROBE_FINISHED_NXDOMAIN error. Chrome is unable to resolve the domain name due to DNS issues. For instance, trying to visit [example].com may result in this message instead of the webpage.  

2. Mozilla Firefox: In Firefox, users might see the “The server could not be found” error along with the DNS_PROBE_FINISHED_NXDOMAIN message. This error is typically caused by a DNS configuration problem on your device or a server issue.  

3. Microsoft Edge: Similar to Chrome, Edge users may see the “DNS_PROBE_FINISHED_NXDOMAIN” error when attempting to access websites. Edge, being Chromium-based, shares many of the same underlying issues as Chrome, including DNS-related problems.  

4. Safari: Safari on Mac devices may show a “Cannot open page” message when the DNS_PROBE_FINISHED_NXDOMAIN error occurs. This can happen after changes to DNS settings or when the DNS client service fails to properly fetch domain information.  

5. Windows: On Windows, this error is most often triggered by corrupted DNS cache or misconfigured network settings. For instance, if your DNS client is pointing to a non-functional or misconfigured DNS server, you’ll get the DNS_PROBE_FINISHED_NXDOMAIN message. An example would be when trying to access a page like [example].com, but the page doesn’t load.  

6. Linux: Linux users (especially on Ubuntu) may run into DNS issues due to local resolver settings. This often happens when systemd-resolved conflicts with custom DNS configurations. 

7. Mobile devices: DNS issues can also trigger this error on mobile devices, such as Android or iPhone. For example, if you’re using a custom DNS server or your mobile data connection is weak, the browser might not be able to resolve the domain name. If you’re using mobile data or Wi-Fi with custom DNS entries, errors can occur.  

It’s possible that the error is caused by a temporary issue with the website or your internet connection, in which case the problem may resolve itself after a few minutes. However, if the error persists, it’s important to troubleshoot and fix the underlying issue to ensure you can access the websites you need.  

What causes DNS_PROBE_FINISHED_NXDOMAIN error? 

The DNS_PROBE_FINISHED_NXDOMAIN error occurs when your browser asks a DNS server to resolve a domain name, but the DNS server responds that the domain does not exist or cannot be found. In simple terms, the browser can’t translate the website name into an IP address.

This usually happens due to one of three broader issues:

• Domain or DNS configuration problems
• Device or network-related issues
• Third-party interference (VPNs, security tools, CDNs)

Below are the most common and practical causes you should check.

1. Domain does not exist, is expired or not active

If a domain is expired, unregistered or suspended, DNS servers return an NXDOMAIN response by default. This commonly happens when:

• A domain registration expires
• Auto-renew is disabled
• The domain was never registered
• The domain is registered but not connected to hosting

This is one of the first things to check if NXDOMAIN appears only for one website.

2. Incorrect nameservers

Nameservers tell the internet where to look for a domain’s DNS records. If the nameservers are incorrect, missing or pointing to the wrong provider, DNS lookups will fail.

Common scenarios include:

• Nameservers were changed recently but not updated at the registrar
• The domain points to old hosting nameservers
• Nameservers were mistyped or removed

DNS changes can also take time to propagate, which may temporarily trigger NXDOMAIN.

3. Missing or misconfigured DNS records

Even if nameservers are correct, the domain still needs valid DNS records to resolve properly.

NXDOMAIN errors can occur when:

• No A record exists for the root domain
• The www record points to a non-existent target
• Records were deleted or edited incorrectly
• A CDN or proxy DNS record is misconfigured

This is a very common cause after DNS edits or website migrations.

4. DNS propagation delay

When DNS records or nameservers are changed, it can take time for those changes to update globally.

During this propagation window:

• Some users can access the site
• Others receive DNS_PROBE_FINISHED_NXDOMAIN
• Browsers may cache outdated DNS responses

5. Corrupted or outdated local DNS cache

Your device stores DNS responses locally to speed up browsing. If that cache becomes outdated or corrupted, your browser may continue requesting invalid DNS data.

This often happens after:

• DNS record changes
• Network changes
• Switching ISPs, VPNs or DNS providers

Flushing the DNS cache usually resolves this issue quickly.

6. Incorrect DNS server configuration

If your device is using an unreliable, unreachable or misconfigured DNS server, domain lookups can fail entirely.

This may occur when:

• ISP DNS servers are temporarily down
• Custom DNS addresses are entered incorrectly
• Router-level DNS settings are misconfigured

Switching to a trusted public DNS (such as Google or Cloudflare) often fixes the problem.

Also read: How to Enable Cloudflare CDN

7. VPN, firewall or antivirus interference

Some VPNs, firewalls and security tools route DNS queries through their own servers. If those DNS resolvers fail or block a request, NXDOMAIN errors can appear.

This is common when:

• A VPN uses private DNS resolvers
• Firewall rules block DNS traffic
• Antivirus software modifies DNS behavior

Disabling these tools temporarily can help confirm the cause.

8. Hosts file conflicts

The local hosts file can override DNS entirely. If a domain is mapped incorrectly or blocked in the hosts file, DNS lookups may fail.

This typically affects:

• Developers
• Systems with manual host entries
• Devices previously infected by malware

9. CDN or proxy DNS issues

If a domain uses a CDN (such as Cloudflare), DNS records are often proxied through the CDN. Incorrect proxy settings or origin server issues can result in NXDOMAIN responses.

This usually happens when:

• DNS records are missing in the CDN dashboard
• Proxy status is misconfigured
• The origin server is unreachable

Also read: What is a CDN? How Does a CDN Work? Unlocking the Benefits + Top Alternatives

How to fix DNS_PROBE_FINISHED_NXDOMAIN error in Bluehost

If you only see NXDOMAIN for one specific domain, the issue is often a DNS record or nameserver problem. At Bluehost, we offer comprehensive solutions and support to help our customers keep their websites running smoothly. With our Web Hosting plan, you can easily address the DNS_PROBE_FINISHED_NXDOMAIN error, particularly when DNS misconfigurations are involved. Here are the key solutions: 

Here’s how to verify and fix it in Bluehost.

Step 1: Confirm your domain is active

Make sure the domain isn’t expired or unregistered in your registrar dashboard. If your domain is registered elsewhere, you can still point your domain to Bluehost by updating the nameservers.

Also read: How to Transfer A Domain Name To Us

Step 2: Verify nameservers

1. Log in to Bluehost Account Manager.

2. Go to “Domains”

3. Open Nameservers and click on “Change nameservers”.

Ensure your registrar is using the nameservers listed in Bluehost’s help doc (commonly ns1.bluehost.com and ns2.bluehost.com).

Also read: How to Change Your Name Servers

Note: Nameserver changes can take 24–72 hours to propagate worldwide and email/traffic may route inconsistently during propagation.

Step 3: Check essential DNS records in Bluehost

1. In Account Manager, go to Domains → DNS tab → Manage Advanced DNS Records.

Confirm you have:

• An A record for @ (root domain) pointing to your website’s correct IP address/host.
• A CNAME for www pointing to @ (common setup) or an A record for www pointing to the same IP.

Also read: DNS Records Introduction: A Beginner’s Guide

Step 4: Undo a bad change (fast rollback)

If NXDOMAIN started after a DNS edit, revert the last change:

In Manage Advanced DNS Records, find the edited record → Edit → restore previous value → save.

Step 5: If you use email, double-check MX records

Incorrect MX records can break email (even if the website works). Confirm MX records match your email provider’s requirements in the same DNS editor.

Email routing quick guide

Setting	Use this if…	Quick check
Local mail exchanger	Email for the domain is hosted on Bluehost	MX records should point to Bluehost
Remote mail exchanger	Email is hosted with a third-party provider (Google Workspace, Microsoft 365, etc.)	MX records must match your email provider
Automatically detect	You’re unsure where email is hosted (not recommended)	Set Local or Remote manually once confirmed

Ready to secure your domain and avoid DNS disasters? To stay protected and proactive:

• Enable Domain Privacy + Protection to guard against blacklisting and provides privacy + monitoring/alerts.
• Add SiteLock Security to scan for malware that could interfere with your DNS settings and site functionality.
• Use CodeGuard or Jetpack backups to restore site and roll back DNS records.

Don’t let DNS issues slow down your site or break critical connections. With a Bluehost domain, your DNS, hosting and email are managed in one place. Bluehost makes it easier to configure records, avoid misrouting and resolve errors faster. Get reliable domain management, simplified DNS control and seamless integration with Bluehost Domain.

Advanced troubleshooting steps to fix DNS_PROBE_FINISHED_NXDOMAIN error

If basic fixes like restarting your router, clearing browser cache or switching DNS servers didn’t work, the issue may be caused by deeper system, network or configuration conflicts. The following advanced troubleshooting steps help identify and resolve persistent DNS_PROBE_FINISHED_NXDOMAIN errors.

1. Resetting your DNS settings 
2. Checking the router configuration  
3. Updating or reinstalling network drivers 
4. Checking for malware  
5. Editing the local hosts file

Let’s understand these advanced troubleshooting steps in detail.   

1. Reset your DNS settings

• Resetting the DNS client settings can help if there’s a deeper configuration issue. Here’s how to reset them – Open Command Prompt as an administrator then type the following command:

netsh winsock reset

• After it completes, type:

netsh int ip reset

• Restart your computer. 

2. Checking the router configuration

The second step is to check your router configuration to ensure that it’s not blocking any DNS requests. To do this, log in to your router’s settings, find the option to check the DNS settings and ensure that DNS requests are allowed.

3. Updating or reinstalling network drivers

The third step is to update or reinstall your network drivers, as outdated or corrupted drivers can sometimes cause DNS errors. Outdated or corrupted network drivers can also interfere with your DNS settings. To update your drivers:

• Open Device Manager.
• Expand Network adapters, right-click on your network device and select Update driver.
• Follow the prompts to install the latest driver.

4. Check for malware

Malware can sometimes modify your DNS settings, leading to errors like

DNS_PROBE_FINISHED_NXDOMAIN

Run a full system scan using your antivirus software to ensure your system is clean.

5. Edit the local hosts file

Your local hosts file can sometimes override DNS settings and block certain websites. To ensure this isn’t the cause:

• Go to:

C:\Windows\System32\drivers\etc\hosts

• Open the file using Notepad with administrator privileges.
• Look for any entries that might be blocking access to certain websites and remove them.

These advanced troubleshooting steps can often help resolve the “DNS_PROBE_FINISHED_NXDOMAIN” error, but if the error persists, you may need to seek professional help or contact your internet service provider.

How to prevent future DNS_PROBE_FINISHED_NXDOMAIN error?

To avoid encountering the DNS_PROBE_FINISHED_NXDOMAIN error in the future, it’s important to take proactive steps. It is important to ensure your DNS client service and DNS settings are configured correctly.

1. Clear your DNS cache regularly: Over time, your DNS cache can build up with outdated entries that may cause errors. Flushing the cache on a regular basis can prevent DNS probe issues. You can clear the cache easily using Windows Command Prompt or through the browser settings (e.g., Google Chrome browser or Mozilla Firefox). 
2. Use a reliable DNS server: Set your device to use a preferred DNS server or an alternate DNS server like Google DNS or OpenDNS. These servers are generally faster and more reliable than your Internet Service Provider’s (ISP) default servers, reducing the chances of encountering a DNS_PROBE_FINISHED_NXDOMAIN error. 
3. Check the DNS server address: Ensure that the DNS server addresses in your network settings are correct. An incorrect DNS server address can prevent your device from resolving domain names correctly. 
4. Ensure correct IP address configuration: Make sure your IP address is correctly set. You can manually configure the IP addresses in the network settings or use DHCP to automatically obtain an IP address. This is crucial for maintaining a stable internet connection. 
5. Review your local host’s file: The local host’s file can override DNS settings, causing issues with DNS resolution. Make sure that the file doesn’t contain incorrect or outdated entries that could interfere with accessing websites. 
6. Disable VPN or proxy services: Sometimes, a VPN service or proxy server can cause DNS issues by misdirecting traffic or blocking access to certain domain names. Disabling the VPN or proxy service might resolve the problem. 
7. Update your antivirus software: Certain antivirus software can block DNS requests, leading to the DNS_PROBE_FINISHED_NXDOMAIN error. Check your antivirus settings and ensure that it’s not interfering with the DNS service. 
8. Reset Chrome Flags: If you encounter an error in Google Chrome, try resetting the Chrome flags. Some experimental features in Chrome might conflict with your DNS settings. You can reset them by navigating to the chrome://flags page and selecting “Reset all to default.” 
9. Check your network settings: In Windows or Mac, go to the Network and Sharing Center or System Preferences and make sure that your network adapter settings are properly configured. Ensure that DNS client and network settings are correctly aligned with the required settings for your internet connection. 
10. Change DNS settings on your router: Sometimes, the issue can stem from your internet router. Access your router’s configuration page and ensure that the DNS server addresses are correctly set. Using a public DNS like Google DNS or Cloudflare DNS can improve your overall internet experience. 
11. Use Internet Protocol version 4 (IPv4): If your Internet Protocol version is set to IPv6, switch to IPv4, as it’s more commonly supported and may help prevent DNS resolution issues. 

By following these steps, you can reduce the risk of encountering the DNS_PROBE_FINISHED_NXDOMAIN error in the future. If the issue persists, contacting your ISP’s support team for further assistance might be necessary to ensure that your DNS settings are correctly configured. 

Also read: How to Configure DNS Settings in WHM (Bluehost Guide)

Final thoughts

The DNS_PROBE_FINISHED_NXDOMAIN error can be frustrating, but in most cases it’s easy to fix with the right troubleshooting steps. From checking DNS settings and clearing local caches to switching to a reliable public DNS resolver, small adjustments often restore access quickly. With a methodical approach, you can reduce the chances of recurring DNS issues and keep your browsing experience smooth and uninterrupted.

If you want a dependable hosting foundation that helps minimize DNS-related hiccups, Bluehost hosting is a solid choice. Bluehost offers reliable infrastructure, integrated DNS and hosting management and strong uptime, all backed by 24/7 expert support. With everything managed in one place, it’s easier to configure settings correctly, troubleshoot faster and keep your website accessible when it matters most.

Power your site with Bluehost hosting for dependable uptime and easy management.

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