Most Effective Methods to Fix “DNS Server Unavailable” Error

DNS Server Unavailable

If your computer faces problems with its internet connections, then it is possible that your computer experiences “DNS Server Unavailable” error. As a Windows user, you may see this error quite often whenever you want to browse from the browsers on your computer. “DNS Server Unavailable” can be indicated by the way the browser in your Windows computer fails to open a web page.

As such, a browser failing to open a web page must indicate a failed internet network. First thing you must do is probably checking on the internet provider of the internet connection your computer is currently connected to. To check whether or not the problem comes from the internet connection, check on the other devices connected to the same internet connection. In case the other devices can use the internet network properly, then your computer may experience the “DNS Server Not Available” error.

Once you open the browser in your computer, you may not be able to open a web page. Along with it, you will get a notification regarding the DNS server issue. The web page will show certain parts indicating the DNS server error along with the further explanation about it. Then, a notification about “DNS Server Unavailable” error will show up on the screen. Below the explanation, you will also get a quick fix using Windows Network Diagnostic Troubleshooter. Other than using the automatic repair service from Windows, you can also fix the “DNS Server Not Available” error with other methods. In order to understand the “DNS Server Unavailable” error, you must look at the brief explanation about it below.


Getting to Know About “DNS Server Unavailable” Error

Despite the improvement of the Windows operating system as the years come to pass, several errors caused by Windows services still occur over time. As a long time Windows user, you must have been familiar with the errors revolving Windows Modules Installer Worker and “KMode Exception Not Handled” still exist to this present day. Contrary to these problems with Windows services, the issue with DNS server is rooted in the external factors concerning internet connections.


Easy Methods to Fix “DNS Server Unavailable” Error

In any events a DNS server suffers incorrect configuration, you should check for the external problems which may cause it to happen. This type of error often deals with network connection malfunction, changes in TCP/IP, changes caused by malware or virus, router issues, firewall issues, and other internet connections issues. Once you trace the cause of “DNS Server Not Available” error, then you can pick the method to fix it.

To help you fix the “DNS Server Unavailable” error, check out each one of the methods below and see which one works for you.


Easy Fix for “DNS Server Unavailable” Error: Restart Router

The simple way to fix the DNS server error is to restart your modem router. By doing this, you can fix the error in the internet connection which often causes the DNS server not available. Once you restart your modem, you will get to use your browser again to surf the internet. If this method still does not fix the “DNS Server Unavailable” error, then you can call the customer service of the network provider. It is possible that the problem comes from the network provider server rather than your internet modem.


Perform Windows Update

Step 1: Go ahead to the Windows Settings or Control Panel.

Step 2: Locate the section “Update & Security” and click on it.

Step 3: Find the button “Check for updates” and click on it.

Step 4: The updates will take some time to finish.

Step 5: At last, reboot your Windows computer to save the changes.


Disable Proxy

Step 1: Press Windows and R buttons at the same time to open the Run box.

Step 2: When Run box appears, type in msconfig and click OK or press Enter to continue.

Step 3: Find the Boot tab and click on the Safe Boot.

Step 4: Select Apply and OK to save the changes. Close the window.

Step 5: Afterward, restart your PC at once.

Step 6: When the Windows PC turns back on, press Windows and R buttons again.

Step 7: Once the Run box shows, type in inetcpl.cpl.

Step 8: On the new window, click OK on the internet properties.

Step 9: Find the section “Connections” and click on it.

Step 10: Uncheck “Use a proxy server for your LAN“ and click OK.

Step 11: Once again, open the Run box and search for msconfig.

Step 12: Uncheck the Safe Boot box.

Step 13: Finally, click Apply and OK to save the changes and restart your Windows PC at onceSee if the browser can open a web page once the PC turns back on.


Use Windows Network Troubleshooter to Fix “DNS Server Unavailable” Error

Whenever Windows system experiences errors, you can always try to solve the issues by running a network troubleshooter. This method works perfectly for someone who is not familiar with computer systems. You will only have to find the Windows troubleshooter and let it fix the errors within the system. The troubleshooter will work by detecting for problems within the specific part which encounters issues and automatically repair them. Similarly to any errors found in Windows services, Windows Network Troubleshooter will scan for problems which cause “DNS Server Unavailable” error specifically. Once the troubleshooter finds the errors, it will take a few minutes to get rid of the problem.

To help you run the Windows Troubleshooter, follow these steps below.

Step 1: Head to the Windows Settings from the Control Panel or press Windows and I buttons at the same time.

Step 2: Look for the option “Update & Security”.

Step 3: Take a look at the left menu and find the option Troubleshoot.

Step 4: In the Troubleshoot tab, click on Internet Connections.

Step 5: Select the option “Run the troubleshooter” to continue.

Step 6: Follow the instructions to run the troubleshooter.

Step 7: At last, reboot your Windows computer to save the changes.


Disable Antivirus and Firewall Temporarily

A lot of times, the Windows firewall and antivirus may cause the “DNS Server Unavailable” error. If you want to fix this error, try to perform this method by following the steps below.

Step 1: Search for the Antivirus Program icon on the system tray and right-click on it.

Step 2: Find the “Disable” option and click on it.

Step 3: Set the time frame where the”Antivirus will remain disabled”. Write down 15 to 30 minutes on the time frame box to get the DNS server back to normal.

Step 4: Open your browser and see if you can open a web page on it.

Step 5: After disabling the antivirus, you can disable the Windows Firewall now. Head to the Control Panel to disable the firewall.

Step 6: Open the section “System and Security” and look for Windows Firewall to continue.

Step 7: On the left window pane, choose the option “Turn Windows Firewall on or off”.

Step 8: Disable the Windows Firewall and close the Control Panel.

Step 9: At last, restart your Windows computer and wait for it to turn back on. See if you can open a web page with your browser.


Use Google DNS To Fix “DNS Server Unavailable” Error

When even the troubleshooter cannot fix the DNS server error, then you can try using Google DNS. Since this is a manual method to fix the “DNS Server Unavailable” error, you can use the help of Google DNS. To use this method, follow the steps below.

Step 1: Open the Run box by pressing Windows and R buttons simultaneously.

Step 2: On the Run box, type Control Panel and press Enter.

Step 3: Afterward, pick the Control Panel program.

Step 4: Look for the option “Network and Internet” and click on it.

Step 5: Then, choose the section “Network and Sharing Center”.

Step 6: Find the option “Change adapter settings” and click on it.

Step 7: Select the Wi-Fi connection your computer is connected to.

Step 8: Proceed to double-click on it and choose Properties.

Step 9: Find the option “Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4)” and click Properties.

Step 10: Check the box stating “Use the following DNS server addresses” and type 8.8.8.8 on the Preferred DNS Server and 8.8.4.4 on the Alternate DNS Server.

Step 11: At last, select Apply and OK to save changes.


Get DNS Server Address

Aside from utilizing Google DNS, you can use DNS server address automatically to fix the “DNS Server Unavailable” error. Follow these simple steps below to perform this method.

Step 1: Head to the Windows Control Panel.

Step 2: Find the section “Network and Internet” and click on it.

Step 3: Search for the option “Change adapter settings” and click on it.

Step 4: Afterward, you can select the Wi-Fi connection your computer is connected to.

Step 5: Double click on the Wi-Fi’s name and select Properties.

Step 6: Find the option “Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4)” and click Properties.

Step 7: Check the boxes next to the statement “Obtain an IP address automatically” and “Obtain DNS server address automatically.”

Step 8: At last, click Apply and OK to save the changes.


Flush DNS and Reset TCP/IP

If you are familiar with the Windows Command Prompt, then you can use the TCP/IP to fix the “DNS Server Unavailable” error. In order to perform this method, follow the steps below.

Step 1: Open the Command Prompt as Admin by right-clicking Windows icon at the start menu.

Step 2: After the Comman Prompt window appears, you can type these commands; ipconfig /release, ipconfig /flushdns, ipconfig /renew, chronologically and press Enter.

Step 3: Afterward, go to the Command Prompt again and type down; ipconfig /flushdns, nbtstat –r, netsh int ip reset, netsh winsock reset, and press Enter.

Step 4: Finally, you can reboot your Windows computer to apply the changes.

Written by Vlad Akilov

The former owner of The Blog Joint, that t is a blog about all technology news in the world, it will include funny and interesting stories and reviews. Also some useful links and stories from other blogs that we find that the readers would like to know about and might even learn from.