The "DNS Address Cannot Be Found" error is a common frustration for Windows 11 users trying to access websites. This error occurs when your computer fails to translate a domain name into an IP address, preventing you from loading web pages. Here are 10 proven solutions to resolve this issue and get back online.

Understanding the DNS Error

DNS (Domain Name System) acts as the internet's phonebook, converting human-readable domain names (like google.com) into machine-readable IP addresses. When this translation fails, you see the "DNS Address Cannot Be Found" error. This can happen due to various reasons including network misconfigurations, ISP issues, or problems with your DNS servers.

10 Solutions to Fix DNS Errors in Windows 11

1. Restart Your Router and Computer

  • Power cycle your router by unplugging it for 30 seconds
  • Restart your Windows 11 PC
  • This simple step often resolves temporary network glitches

2. Check Your Network Connection

  • Verify you're properly connected to your network
  • Try accessing other websites to confirm it's a DNS-specific issue
  • Test with both Wi-Fi and Ethernet if possible

3. Flush DNS Cache

  1. Open Command Prompt as Administrator
  2. Type ipconfig /flushdns and press Enter
  3. Follow with ipconfig /registerdns and ipconfig /release then ipconfig /renew

4. Change DNS Servers

  • Go to Settings > Network & Internet > Your connection
  • Select "Edit" under IP assignment
  • Choose manual and enter alternative DNS servers like:
  • Google DNS: 8.8.8.8 and 8.8.4.4
  • Cloudflare DNS: 1.1.1.1 and 1.0.0.1

5. Disable IPv6

  1. Open Network Connections (ncpa.cpl)
  2. Right-click your connection > Properties
  3. Uncheck "Internet Protocol Version 6 (TCP/IPv6)"
  4. Click OK and restart your computer

6. Update Network Drivers

  • Press Windows + X > Device Manager
  • Expand Network adapters
  • Right-click your adapter > Update driver
  • Choose "Search automatically for drivers"

7. Disable Proxy Settings

  1. Open Settings > Network & Internet > Proxy
  2. Ensure "Automatically detect settings" is on
  3. Turn off "Use a proxy server" if enabled

8. Reset TCP/IP Stack

  • Open Command Prompt as Admin
  • Run these commands in order:
  • netsh winsock reset
  • netsh int ip reset
  • Restart your computer

9. Temporarily Disable Firewall and Antivirus

  • Some security software may interfere with DNS
  • Test by temporarily disabling them (remember to re-enable afterward)

10. Perform a Network Reset

  1. Go to Settings > Network & Internet > Advanced network settings
  2. Select "Network reset"
  3. Click "Reset now" - this will reinstall network adapters and reset to defaults

Preventing Future DNS Issues

  • Keep your Windows 11 system updated
  • Maintain updated router firmware
  • Consider using reliable third-party DNS servers
  • Regularly restart networking equipment

When to Contact Your ISP

If none of these solutions work, the problem might be with your Internet Service Provider. Contact them if:
- The error persists across multiple devices
- You can't access any websites
- Other users in your area report similar issues

By following these troubleshooting steps, most Windows 11 users can resolve the "DNS Address Cannot Be Found" error and restore their internet connectivity.