Tackling The dns_probe_finished_nxdomain WordPress Error

When the dns_probe_finished_nxdomain WordPress error pops up on your WordPress site, it’s a sign that your site is experiencing technical difficulties, keeping people from viewing your content. 

This can be especially frustrating when you need everything to be running smoothly. It can lead to losing visitors and increase your workload.

But there’s no need to stress over this. We will walk you through simple, tried-and-true methods to fix this error.

TL;DR: The dns_probe_finished_nxdomain error occurs when your device can’t connect a website name to its IP address. This prevents users from accessing the site. Fixing this involves checking your browser, network, device, and server settings to ensure everything is configured correctly.

What is the dns_probe_finished_nxdomain WordPress error?

The dns_probe_finished_nxdomain error on WordPress happens when the domain name system, or DNS, can’t match a website name with its IP address. 

DNS acts like the internet’s directory. It helps computers locate websites by translating easy-to-remember names, like example.com, into the numerical IP addresses that computers understand and use.

When this error appears, it means the DNS lookup failed because the domain name couldn’t be found in the DNS records. This results in your browser displaying an error message rather than loading the website.

It can be frustrating because it prevents you from accessing the site, as your computer can’t connect to the domain name you typed in. Don’t stress about it. Once you know what’s going on, there are easy ways to fix the problem.

How to find and fix the dns_probe_finished_nxdomain error

Here’s how you can fix the dns_probe_finished_nxdomain error. Follow these simple steps to get back online quickly:

Browser issues

1. Switch to a different browser: Open your site in another browser. This helps you see if the problem is with the browser you’re using now.

2. Check for typos: Double-check the website address in the address bar. Even a small typo may cause your site to not load.

3. Clear your browser cache: Sometimes, your browser stores data that can cause problems. Clearing all the cache and cookies can help. Once done, close and reopen your browser to see if the issue is fixed.

Network issues

1. Restart your router: Restarting your router can reset network settings and clear out any temporary glitches or conflicts that might be affecting your internet connection ultimately slowing your site down. Turn off your router and unplug it from the power source. 

Wait for about a minute, then plug it back in and turn it on. Once it’s restarted, try accessing your site again.

2. Change DNS servers to Google or Cloudflare: Switching to different DNS servers might help. To do this you will need to access your network settings.

• On Windows, navigate to the Control Panel > Network and Sharing Center, and click Change Adapter Settings. Right-click your network, choose Properties, and select Internet Protocol Version 4 or 6. Next, add the following:   

Google (8.8.8.8, 8.8.4.4) or Cloudflare (1.1.1.1, 1.0.0.1).

• On macOS, open System Settings, search for DNS servers, and click the + sign to enter the following DNS addresses: 

Google (8.8.8.8, 8.8.4.4) or Cloudflare (1.1.1.1, 1.0.0.1)

3. Disable firewall and antivirus temporarily: Sometimes, your firewall or antivirus might block your access accidentally. Try turning them off for a short while to see if that’s the issue. Just remember to turn them back on afterward.

Device issues

1. Flush DNS cache: Clearing the DNS cache can help fix the issue.

On Windows, open Command Prompt and type the following:

ipconfig /flushdns

On macOS, open Terminal and type the following: 

sudo killall -HUP mDNSResponder

After doing this, restart your device to ensure the changes take effect.

2. Refresh your IP address: Sometimes changing your device’s IP address can help fix network issues. Remember, this changes the IP for your device, like your computer, and not the website’s IP.

For Windows, open Command Prompt and type the following:

ipconfig /release then ipconfig /renew

On macOS, go to System Settings, find Network settings, select your connection, and click on Details and then TCP/IP. Next, choose the option that says, Renew DHCP Lease.

3. Check your host file: Your host file might be blocking the site.

• On Windows, it’s located at C:\Windows\System32\drivers\etc\hosts

• On macOS/Linux, it’s in /etc/hosts

This file can only be accessed with admin privileges.

Open the file with admin rights using a text editor. Look for lines that mention your website’s name and IP address. If the IP looks wrong or unfamiliar, it might be causing the issue. Remove any suspicious lines, save the file, restart your computer, and see if the site works.

Server or Domain issues

1. Update nameservers: Check that your domain is using the right nameservers from your hosting provider. If they’re outdated or wrong, update them to make sure everything points to the right place.

2. Check server DNS settings: Make sure your server is set up to handle DNS requests properly. Look out for any internal conflicts that might be causing issues with finding your domain.

3. Check your domain settings: Log into the site where you registered your domain and check the DNS records. Make sure they’re all correct and nothing is missing or incorrect, as this can affect how your domain loads.

3. Examine the .htaccess file: Use FTP to access your WordPress site’s root folder. This is often named public_html or www. Locate the .htaccess file and look for any strange or custom rules that could be causing problems. 

Make sure to edit this file with great care. A tiny error on your end may crash your WordPress site.

Contact your web hosting provider

If you’ve tried everything and your site is still down, it’s time to ask for help. Reach out to your hosting provider’s support team. They can help with server issues that might be causing the error.

When you contact them, tell them exactly what error you’re seeing. This helps them figure out what’s going wrong and fix it faster. 

Best practices to prevent this error

To keep your site running smoothly and avoid the dns_probe_finished_nxdomain WordPress error, here are some simple tips you can follow:

Keep your domain registration updated: Make sure your domain registration doesn’t expire. This keeps your site accessible.

Ensure DNS records are updated: Regularly check with your domain registrar and host to make sure your DNS records are correct and up-to-date.

Pick a reliable webhost: This ensures efficient performance and seamless scalability.

Use reliable DNS servers: Choose dependable DNS servers like Google or Cloudflare to help keep your site reliable.

Monitor DNS records: Keep an eye on your DNS records for any changes you didn’t make, so you can catch problems early.

Employ a site monitoring tool: Use a tool that can alert you to any issues, so you can fix them quickly if something goes wrong.

Backup your DNS settings: Save a copy of your DNS settings. This makes it easy to restore them if something happens.

Regularly check firewall and security settings: Make sure your WordPress firewall and security settings aren’t blocking DNS queries by mistake.

Parting thoughts

Dealing with the dns_probe_finished_nxdomain error can be frustrating, but with the right steps, you can fix it and keep your site up and running. From trying simple browser fixes to checking your network and server settings, there are plenty of ways to handle this issue.

FAQs

How to fix DNS in nxdomain?

To fix this error, you can try restarting your router, changing DNS servers to Google or Cloudflare, or clearing your browser’s cache. These steps can help resolve the issue quickly.

Why do I keep getting a dns_probe_finished_nxdomain error?

This error can occur due to incorrect DNS settings, outdated browser cache, or issues with your network. Checking these areas can help you identify and fix the problem.

What is the nxdomain IP address?

NXDOMAIN isn’t an IP address. It stands for “non-existent domain,” meaning the domain name of the site can’t be reached because it can’t be found in the DNS records.

How do I fix my IP address on Chrome?

If you need to fix your IP address, you can do this by using the command prompt on Windows or going to network settings on macOS. This helps clear any network hiccups that might be causing issues.

Does the dns_probe_finished_nxdomain error mean that my site is down?

No. This error means there’s an issue with DNS settings, not necessarily that your entire site is down. By troubleshooting, you can often get things working again without too much hassle.