Solving a DNS cache problem

This guide explains how to resolve issues that may occur with a Web Hosting if it has undergone changes to its IP address (e.g., a server move) and your computer retains the old position in its DNS cache.

Flush the DNS cache…

When you visit a website, your computer locally stores an association between the domain name and its IP address in the DNS cache. This speeds up the DNS resolution process for future visits to the same site, as the computer can avoid querying the DNS servers again to obtain the IP address.

By clearing the DNS cache, you force your computer to query the DNS servers again to obtain the latest up-to-date information on the IP addresses of the sites you visit.

... on Windows

Run the following command from a Terminal application (command-line interface, CLI /Command Line Interface) on your device. Example:

1. Open the Start menu.
2. Type cmd.
3. In the search results, click on Command Prompt.
4. Run the command ipconfig /flushdns.

… on macOS

Run the following command from a Terminal application (command-line interface, CLI /Command Line Interface) on your device:

• Run the command lookupd -flushcache (if it fails: dscacheutil -flushcache).

… on Linux

Run the following command from a Terminal application (command-line interface, CLI /Command Line Interface) on your device:

• Run the command sudo systemctl restart nscd or sudo /etc/init.d/nscd restart to restart nscd.