How to Flush DNS Cache on a Mac

Flush DNS Cache through Terminal

One of the most common methods to flush the DNS cache on a Mac is using the Terminal. This method allows you to manually clear the cache and ensure that your DNS records are up to date. Follow the steps below to flush the DNS cache through Terminal:

Launch the Terminal application on your Mac. You can easily find it in the Applications folder, under Utilities.
Type the following command and press Enter:

sudo dscacheutil -flushcache; sudo killall -HUP mDNSResponder

Note: You may be required to enter your admin password in order to execute the command. When typing the password, you won’t see any characters on the screen – this is normal. Simply type your password and press Enter.

After executing the command, the DNS cache will be flushed, and you should see a confirmation message in Terminal.

That’s it! The DNS cache on your Mac has been successfully cleared through Terminal. This will ensure that your computer retrieves the latest DNS information when accessing websites or online services.

It’s worth mentioning that flushing the DNS cache is often recommended in troubleshooting scenarios, such as when you’re experiencing DNS-related issues like slow or incorrect resolution of domain names. However, keep in mind that flushing the cache will temporarily slow down your browsing experience as your computer rebuilds the cache with the updated information.

If you’re not comfortable using Terminal or prefer a more user-friendly approach, there are alternative methods available to flush the DNS cache on a Mac. We will explore these methods next.

Flush DNS Cache through Finder

If you prefer a graphical interface rather than using the command line, you can flush the DNS cache on your Mac through Finder. Although this method requires a few more steps than using Terminal, it can be more intuitive for some users. Here’s how you can do it:

Open a new Finder window by clicking on the Finder icon in the Dock or using the keyboard shortcut Command+N.
Click on the “Go” menu at the top of the screen and select “Go to Folder” from the drop-down menu.
In the “Go to Folder” window, type in the following path and click the “Go” button:
/Library/Caches/com.apple.dns
Locate the file named “com.apple.dns.plist” and move it to the Trash. You may be prompted to enter your admin password to authorize the move.
Once the file is in the Trash, right-click on the Trash icon in the Dock and select “Empty Trash” to permanently delete the file.

By following these steps, you have successfully flushed the DNS cache on your Mac using Finder. The next time you access websites or online services, your Mac will rebuild the DNS cache with the latest information.

It’s important to note that clearing the DNS cache can be helpful in resolving DNS-related issues, but it might cause a temporary delay in accessing websites as your computer reestablishes the cache. If you experience any problems, consider restarting your Mac to ensure a fresh start.

In the next section, we will explore another method to flush the DNS cache on a Mac using the Network Utility tool.

Flush DNS Cache using Network Utility

Another convenient method to flush the DNS cache on your Mac is by using the Network Utility tool. Network Utility is a built-in application that provides various network-related functions, including the ability to clear the DNS cache. Here’s how you can do it:

Open the Network Utility tool by searching for it in Spotlight or navigating to Applications -> Utilities -> Network Utility.
In the Network Utility window, click on the “Info” tab.
Locate the “Lookup” field and enter the domain name for which you want to flush the DNS cache.
Click on the “Lookup” button.

After performing the lookup, Network Utility will display information about the domain name, including its IP address. This action triggers the DNS cache to refresh, effectively clearing the cache for that specific domain.

Repeat the above steps for any other domain names you want to flush from the DNS cache.

Using Network Utility to flush the DNS cache is a simple and user-friendly method. However, keep in mind that this method only clears the cache for specific domain names and not the entire DNS cache on your Mac. If you want to clear the entire DNS cache, you can use the previous methods mentioned.

In the next section, we will explore how to flush the DNS cache using Safari, Apple’s web browser.

Flush DNS Cache using Safari

If you regularly use Safari as your web browser, you’ll be pleased to know that it offers a simple method to flush the DNS cache. By following a few steps, you can ensure that Safari retrieves the latest DNS information for the websites you visit. Here’s how you can do it:

Launch Safari on your Mac.
Click on the “Safari” menu in the menu bar and select “Preferences” from the drop-down menu.
In the Preferences window, click on the “Advanced” tab.
Check the box labeled “Show Develop menu in menu bar” to enable the Develop menu in Safari.
Close the Preferences window.
Click on the “Develop” menu in the menu bar and select “Empty Caches” from the drop-down menu.

By selecting “Empty Caches” in the Develop menu, Safari will clear not only its browser cache but also the DNS cache. This ensures that any stored DNS information is removed, and Safari will fetch the latest DNS details when accessing websites.

It’s important to note that clearing the cache in Safari may cause a temporary delay when loading websites for the first time, as the browser reestablishes the cache. However, this process helps resolve any DNS-related issues you may be experiencing, such as slow or incorrect loading of web pages.

In the next section, we will explore another method to flush the DNS cache on a Mac using the System Preferences.

Flush DNS Cache through System Preferences

If you prefer a more straightforward approach without using Terminal or other applications, you can flush the DNS cache on your Mac through the System Preferences. This method utilizes the Network settings to clear the DNS cache. Follow the steps below:

Click on the Apple menu in the top-left corner of the screen and select “System Preferences.”
In the System Preferences window, click on the “Network” icon.
From the left-hand sidebar, select your active network connection, such as Wi-Fi or Ethernet.
Click on the “Advanced” button in the bottom-right corner of the window.
In the new window that appears, click on the “DNS” tab.
At the bottom of the DNS tab, you’ll find a list of DNS servers. Select all the existing DNS server entries by clicking on each one while holding down the Command key.
Once all the DNS servers are selected, click on the “-” button below the list to remove them.
Click on the “OK” button to save the changes and close the DNS settings.

By removing the DNS server entries, you are effectively clearing the DNS cache associated with your network connection. This forces your Mac to obtain fresh DNS information when accessing websites or services.

Remember to re-add the DNS server entries if you had any custom DNS settings before flushing the cache. You can do this by clicking on the “+” button below the list of DNS servers and entering the appropriate DNS server addresses.

With these steps, you have successfully cleared the DNS cache through the System Preferences on your Mac. Now, your computer will fetch the latest DNS information when establishing network connections.

In the next section, we will discuss how you can verify that the DNS cache has indeed been flushed on your Mac.

Verify DNS Cache has been Flushed

After performing the steps to flush the DNS cache on your Mac, you may want to verify that the cache has indeed been cleared. There are a few simple methods you can use to confirm that the DNS cache has been successfully flushed:

Ping a domain: Open the Terminal application and type the following command: ping domain.com (replace “domain.com” with an actual domain name). If you receive a response with the updated IP address of the domain, it means that the DNS cache has been cleared, and your computer is obtaining fresh DNS data.
Visit a website: Open your web browser and visit a website that you haven’t accessed recently. If the website loads properly and you don’t experience any DNS-related issues, it indicates that the DNS cache has been successfully flushed. You can also try visiting multiple websites to ensure that the DNS resolution is working correctly.
Check DNS settings: Open the Network settings in the System Preferences. Review the DNS servers configured for your network connection. If you had any custom DNS settings, ensure that they have been correctly added back after flushing the cache.
Monitor network activity: Use network monitoring tools, such as Activity Monitor or third-party network monitoring software, to observe network activity on your Mac. If you notice new DNS requests being made when accessing websites or online services, it indicates that the DNS cache has been cleared and your computer is retrieving fresh DNS information.

By performing one or more of these methods, you can verify that the DNS cache on your Mac has been successfully flushed. If you encounter any issues or inconsistencies, consider restarting your Mac or seeking further assistance from a technical expert.

Remember, flushing the DNS cache is a useful troubleshooting step for resolving DNS-related issues, but it’s not something you need to do on a regular basis. The DNS cache will automatically update over time, ensuring accurate and efficient DNS resolution for your Mac.

Congratulations! You now have the knowledge to flush and verify the DNS cache on your Mac, allowing for a smoother and more reliable browsing experience.