Uh-oh! You just tried to access an important domain—maybe even your business email domain—only to be met with the dreaded ‘DNS_PROBE_FINISHED_NXDOMAIN’ error. Annoying, right? If your domain is critical for email compliance, this can disrupt email deliverability, authentication checks (like SPF, DKIM, DMARC), and overall security. But don’t worry—we’ve got you covered! Let’s break down what’s happening and how to fix it.
🧐 What Does This Error Mean?
Think of DNS (Domain Name System) as the internet’s phonebook. When you type a website or email domain, your system queries a DNS server to find the correct IP address. If the lookup fails, you get the ‘NXDOMAIN’ error, meaning "Non-Existent Domain."
This error can disrupt:
✅ Access to your website or email services
✅ Email authentication (DMARC, SPF, DKIM)
✅ DNS-based security protocols
Now, let’s fix it!
🛠️ Quick Fixes to Get Back Online
🔄 1. Restart Your Router & Computer
The classic IT fix—turn it off and on again! This refreshes your network and may solve temporary DNS resolution issues.
💾 2. Flush Your DNS Cache
Clearing cached DNS records can resolve outdated or incorrect entries.
For Windows:
1️⃣ Open Command Prompt as Administrator
2️⃣ Type: ipconfig /flushdns
3️⃣ Press Enter
For Mac:
1️⃣ Open Terminal
2️⃣ Type: sudo dscacheutil -flushcache; sudo killall -HUP mDNSResponder
3️⃣ Enter your password (if prompted)
🌐 3. Change Your DNS Server
Your default DNS server might be slow or unreliable. Switch to Google DNS or Cloudflare DNS for better resolution.
🔹 Google DNS: 8.8.8.8 and 8.8.4.4
🔹 Cloudflare DNS: 1.1.1.1 and 1.0.0.1
How to Change:
🔹 Go to Network Settings → Select your active connection (Wi-Fi or Ethernet) → Manually enter new DNS addresses.
🖧 4. Reset Your Network Settings
Sometimes, network configurations get corrupted. Resetting them can restore access.
For Windows:
1️⃣ Open Command Prompt (Admin)
2️⃣ Type: netsh winsock reset
3️⃣ Restart your PC
For Mac:
1️⃣ Open Terminal
2️⃣ Type: sudo ifconfig en0 down; sudo ifconfig en0 up
📜 5. Check Your Hosts File
Your system’s hosts file might be blocking the domain.
🔹 Windows: Open Notepad as Admin → Go to C:\Windows\System32\drivers\etc\hosts
🔹 Mac: Open Terminal → Type: sudo nano /etc/hosts
Look for any suspicious domain entries and remove them.
🚨 Still Having Issues?
If you’re still seeing the error:
✔️ Check if the domain is actually down via online tools like who.is.
✔️ Disable VPN or Proxy, as they might interfere.
✔️ Verify DNS settings in your domain registrar or hosting provider.
✔️ Check SPF, DKIM, and DMARC records, as a misconfigured email authentication setup could also cause lookup failures.
🚀 Final Thoughts
For businesses relying on secure email communication, DNS issues can be a big deal. Whether it’s email authentication failures or domain lookup errors, these steps will help restore access quickly.
👉 Need help with email security & compliance? YourDMARC can help ensure smooth email authentication and DNS setup. Stay compliant, stay secure!