Clearing DNS Cache on Windows and MacOS Devices

Caching is a mechanism used by systems to improve performance, it’s the process of storing information locally to help expedite the response to requests. Assume most devices have some form of caching. Because you are manipulating your DNS settings you have three options when you want to realize the benefits of the DNS change.

1. Restart the Router / Device
2. Wait until the DNS changes propagate (~10 – 15m) through your network
3. Flush your DNS cache (local machine and browsers)

These are not mutually exclusive, you can choose to do 1 and 3 together. Clearing your DNS cache will make sure that all new requests go to the new CleanBrowsing DNS IP’s in the place of the DNS entries cached locally.

Choose your Version:

• Windows 8
• Windows 7 and Earlier
• OS X 10.4 TIGER
• OS X 10.5 and 10.6 LEOPARD
• OS X 10.7 and 10.8 Lion
• OS X 10.9 and 10.10.4 Yosemite, 10.11 El Capitan and 10.12 Sierra
• Linux (most distributions)
• Linux (most distributions)

Windows 8

Via the Graphical User Interface

1. Press the Windows Key on your keyboard or click on Windows Icon, bottom left corner
2. Type Command prompt
3. Choose Accessories
4. Right-click Command Prompt
5. Choose Run as Administrator

Via the Command line

ipconfig /flushdns

Windows 7 and Earlier

Via the Graphical User Interface

1. Click the Start Menu
2. Go to All Programs
3. Choose Accessories
4. Right-click Command Prompt
5. Choose Run as Administrator

Via the Command line

ipconfig /flushdns

OS X 10.4 TIGER

Via the Graphical User Interface

1. Click the Terminal icon or open Finder and navigate to Application/Utilities/Terminal

Via the Command line

lookupd -flushcache

OS X 10.5 and 10.6 LEOPARD

Via the Graphical User Interface

1. Click the Terminal icon or open Finder and navigate to Application/Utilities/Terminal

Via the Command line

dscacheutil -flushcache

OS X 10.7 and 10.8 Lion

Via the Graphical User Interface

1. Click the Terminal icon or open Finder and navigate to Application/Utilities/Terminal

Via the Command line

sudo killall -HUP mDNSResponder

OS X 10.9 and 10.10.4 Yosemite, 10.11 El Capitan and 10.12 Sierra

Via the Graphical User Interface

1. Click the Terminal icon or open Finder and navigate to Application/Utilities/Terminal

Via the Command line

sudo dscacheutil -flushcache
sudo killall -HUP mDNSResponder

Linux (most distributions)

Assume you know terminal.

sudo /etc/init.d/nscd restart

Ubuntu linux

Assume you know terminal.

sudo service network-manager restart