As the internet evolves at an unprecedented pace, so does the way in which websites are accessed. From faster and more secure connections to mobile applications and the introduction of new devices, the web has seen a lot of changes over the last few years. For users, this means they experience websites in a different manner than they used to. Since the web is built on domain names rather than URLs, it’s no wonder the way users access websites has changed too. To give users the best experience possible, websites have been learning how to accommodate these new developments. What used to be a simple, single-page website is now a dynamic and interactive one that can adapt to a user’s screen size and device. It’s also more likely that users will click on links within the text rather than navigate from page to page to reach their destination. To handle these changes, websites have their own domain name system. These are the servers that lookup domain names instead of relying on URLs alone. However, as websites have evolved, so too has the amount of information these servers have to process. And since the internet is a big place, the amount of information these servers process can quickly increase. This is where DNS caching comes in.

What is DNS Caching?

DNS stands for Domain Name System. It’s the system that translates easy-to-remember domain names like Google.com into numerical IP addresses that computers can understand. The Domain Name System is what’s used to translate domain names like Google.com to numerical IP addresses like 54.198.93.106 so a computer can access the right website. So, how do you find the right IP address when you type in Google.com? With the help of DNS. You can think of DNS as a phonebook or directory where computers go to look up the number for a website. It’s also responsible for translating other names, like Google.com, into numerical IP addresses like 54.198.93.106.

Now, for websites to work, computers need to be able to connect to each other using these numerical IP addresses. But what if not every computer on the internet can be reached? In order for computers to communicate, computers need to have these IP addresses. But what if the internet goes down? Computers won’t be able to communicate with each other. This is where DNS comes in.

Why Use DNS Caching?

DNS caching is a great way to improve your website’s performance. It uses a DNS server to store a copy of your website’s DNS information. Whenever a user requests your website’s numerical IP address, the DNS server will check its cache and return the correct information. Essentially, you’re saving a lot of time and bandwidth by storing the information on your DNS server. This could be a solution if your current DNS provider is going out of business, or if you’re experiencing issues with your current DNS provider.

How to Flush Your DNS Cache?

If your DNS server is cached and you want to flush the DNS cache, there are a few different ways to do this. But all of them will require you to change the way your computer accesses the internet.

You can change your computer’s network settings to force it to use a different DNS server. Another change is to change your computer’s DNS settings. You can also choose to manually flush your DNS server.

Find Out Your DNS Cache TTL

If you’re experiencing slow internet speeds and DNS cache issues, you may want to look into your DNS cache. Luckily, there’s an easy way to find out how long your DNS cache is.

Simply log in to your internet service provider (ISP) and look up the IP address of your DNS server. If you’re not sure how to find this information, let us know and we can help! Once you know this, enter your computer’s IP address and scroll down to find your DNS server’s IP address. Write this number down so you can easily reference it later. Next, look for the DNS Cache Time setting under Advanced Settings. If you don’t see this, use the following troubleshooting steps to find out your cache time.

Change Your DNS Server

If you’ve tried flushing your DNS cache and you’re still experiencing issues with slow internet speeds and DNS cache, it may be a good idea to change your DNS server. You can find the IP address of your current DNS server by following the steps above. You can also type in your computer’s IP address and find the DNS server setting in your router’s settings. Once you know this, simply change your DNS server to your new DNS. Be sure to save your new DNS settings so you don’t have to change this again when your internet service provider (ISP) updates its settings.

Flush the DNS Cache on Windows

Windows computers have a built-in DNS caching function. You can flush your Windows computer’s DNS cache from the Command Prompt. To do this, you need to change the directory to your computer’s Command Prompt. Do this by following these steps:

Open Start > Search > Command Prompt. If you can’t find this, use the following steps to open a Command Prompt:

Right-click on the Start button on your computer and select Command Prompt from the menu. Now, change to the directory where your Command Prompt is located by following these steps:

To do this, you need to change the directory to your computer’s Command Prompt by following these steps:

Right-click on the Start button on your computer and select Command Prompt from the menu. Next, change to the directory where your Command Prompt is located:

Change Your DNS Server

If changing your DNS server doesn’t work, you may also want to try changing your DNS server. You can find your current DNS server by following the steps above. Once you know this, simply change your DNS server to your new DNS server. Be sure to save your settings so you don’t have to change this again when your internet service provider (ISP) updates their settings.

Flush the DNS Cache on Mac

Mac computers have a built-in DNS cache function as well. You can flush your Mac’s DNS cache from System Preferences. To do this, follow these steps:

Open System Preferences from your dock or menu bar. If you can’t find this, use the following steps to open System Preferences:

Select Network from the list of options in the left-hand column. Next, select your computer’s name in the right column. You should now see an option called the DNS tab. Select it to open the DNS tab. Now, select the Clear built-in DNS cache option.

Summary

Your DNS server is caching the information your website sends to your browser. This is a slow and expensive process that can slow down your page load times and affect your server’s performance. You can flush your DNS cache to reduce the amount of information your server has to process.