DNS server is not responding [Fixed]

Your DNS server is not responding? In this post, we will show you how to fix Your computer appears to be correctly configured, but the device or resource (DNS server) is not responding error on Windows 11/10. This is similar to the Your DNS Server might be unavailable error.

When you try to connect to the Internet – but cannot, then you may run the Network Diagnostic Troubleshooter to troubleshoot the issue. But at the time, the Troubleshooter itself may throw up the following error message:

Your computer appears to be correctly configured, but the device or resource (DNS server) is not responding

What is a DNS Server?

As the name implies, DNS servers translate domain names (e.g., www.example.com) into IP addresses (e.g., 192.0.2.1). In order to connect to the internet, each network must have an IP address in order to communicate with other computers. In order for a user to find and access a website, DNS servers store a database of IP addresses associated with domain names. DNS servers also keep track of records, such as mail exchanges, which are necessary to send emails.

Fix DNS Server is not responding

If you face DNS issues or problems on your Windows 11/0/8/7 computer, here are a few things you could try to resolve the Your computer appears to be correctly configured, but the device or resource (DNS server) is not responding error:

Change the DNS server address manually
Use alternative DNS
Enter Physical address in the Network adapter setting
Disable your Firewall.

Fix DNS issues & problems

Before you begin, backup your Router settings and update the firmware of your Router. Check the Router manual for more information on this subject.

1] Change the DNS server address manually

The first thing to try is to change the DNS server address manually. Follow these instructions-

Go to Start and Click on Control Panel

Open up Network and Internet and go to the Network and Sharing Center.

Click on Change adapter settings.

Now you’ll see the list of Network adapters. Select the Network adapter that you are using and right-click on it, and open Properties.

Click on “Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4)”

You’ll see the Internet Protocol Properties.

Select “Use the Following DNS server address:”

Enter the Preferred DNS address: 208.67.222.222
Enter the Alternative DNS address: 208.67.220.220

Also, select Validate settings upon exit check-box.

Click OK, and exit.

Now you have to enter the same DNS address in the Router configuration. You may refer to the Router manual for more information on this.

2] Use alternative DNS

If this does not help, you may try to install and configure OpenDNS and see if that helps.

3] Enter Physical address in the Network adapter setting

The next suggestion I have to make is to enter the Physical address in the Network adapter setting and seeing if that works for you.

To do this-

Go to Start and type in CMD, and press Enter
In the command prompt or Windows Terminal type in IPCONFIG /ALL
Look for your network adapter
Write down the Physical Address. According to this screenshot, it’s 78-DD-08-F1-DF-B0 in my case.

Now go to Start and type in NCPA.CPL. Right Click on your Network adapter and go to Properties.

Select Configure.

Then follow these steps-

Click on Advanced Tab and select Network address
Select the radial button Value
Type in the physical address you wrote down before (In my case, it was 78-DD-08-F1-DF-B0) Remove the dashes when you type in, i.e., 78DD08F1DFB.
Click OK
Reboot the System.

Now look up your Network adapter model and go to the manufactures website to find the appropriate drivers and update the Drivers to see if that resolves your issue.

4] Disable your Firewall

The last suggestion I have to make is to disable your Firewall entirely and see if that helps your connection.

I hope something helps.

These resources may also interest you:

Can I Reset my DNS Server?

If you are hosting your DNS or using a custom DNS software or IP, then you can reset your DNS. All you will need to do is reset your router. The first step should be to restart it; if that doesn’t work, you can reset it. If you are using Public IPs such as one from Cloudflare or Google, you can switch to something else. That said, be aware that you cannot reset DNS Server if you use IPs offered by your ISP.