How to Flush DNS Cache on Mac
If your Mac is unable to load a website that’s working fine on other devices, there are some issues with the DNS cache. When you’re stuck with connectivity issues, you should clear the DNS cache on your MacBook and the website should start loading for you. If you don’t have much idea about what DNS cache is and how it impacts your Mac’s functionality, you need not worry, as we’re here to help you. Read on to learn why flushing the DNS cache is important and how to clear the DNS cache on your Mac. No matter which macOS you’re using, this guide will surely come in handy. Without any ado, let’s begin!
What is DNS Cache?
DNS (Domain Name System) is like a phone book of the internet. It translates domain names into IP addresses, allowing you to access the website you need. A DNS cache is a memory on your device’s OS or browser that stores information about all the previous requests made to the DNS server from your device or browser.
Your Mac uses this information to fulfil your requests in the future. The browser doesn’t have to make a new request every time, instead, it can use the DNS cache and access the saved information to load the website quickly. Since your browser doesn’t have to communicate with a remote DNS server, this saves time and delivers faster results.
How to Clear DNS Cache on Mac
It’s relatively simple and quick to clear the DNS cache on your Mac. You can easily do it, even if you don’t have sound technical knowledge. All you have to do is open Terminal and then paste a command. Here’s how to flush the DNS cache on Mac with the Terminal Command.
How to Clear DNS Cache on Older macOS
The DNS flush command is different in the older macOS. The overall process is the same, but you have to copy/paste different Terminal commands fordifferent macOS versions.macOS VersionTerminal CommandmacOS SonomamacOS VenturamacOS MontereymacOS Big SurmacOS Catalinasudo dscacheutil -flushcache; sudo killall -HUP mDNSRespondermacOS MojavemacOS High SierramacOS SierraOS X Mountain LionMac OS X Lionsudo killall -HUP mDNSResponderMac OS X El CapitanOS X Maverickssudo dscacheutil -flushcache;sudo killall -HUP mDNSResponderOS X Yosemitesudo discoveryutil mdnsflushcache;sudo discoveryutil udnsflushcachesMac OS X Snow Leopardsudo dscacheutil -flushcacheMac OS X Leopardsudo lookupd -flushcacheMac OS X Tigerlookupd -flushcache
What does DNS Flushing Do? Why is it important?
Over time, the DNS cache could be corrupted or outdated. This happens due to older website information (some websites may change their IP addresses), technical glitches, ormalware.When this happens, your Mac uses inaccurate local cache information to load the requested webpage. Your web browser checks the DNS cache to look up an IP address for the website’s URL you’ve entered, it will find the wrong or an unusable address. This prevents the browser from loading a website. Even if it does, the process is slow and specific web page elements, like videos, won’t load. You may even see a 404 error.
When you face such connectivity issues, you must flush the DNS cache on your Mac. When you do this, your Mac will delete its local DNS records. So, next time you wish to open a website, your web browser will retrieve the fresh information from the DNS server. This will improve your browsing experience and will make your browser much faster.
You must flush the DNS cache on your Mac if you can’t access a website or are stuck with a 404 error. It also prevents DNS spoofing (or DNS cache poisoning), an attack where someone manipulates DNS records with false or incorrect information. With the false information, users are redirected to wrong, fraudulent, or malicious websites.
Kanika Gogia
Kanika has been a loyal iPhone user since 2014 and loves everything Apple. With a Master’s in Computer Applications, passion for technology, and over five years of experience in writing, she landed at Beebom as an Apple Ecosystem Writer. She specializes in writing How To’s, troubleshooting guides, App features, and roundups for Apple users to help them make the best use of their gadgets. When not writing, she loves to try out new recipes and enjoy some family time.
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