How do I solve the "server DNS address could not be found" error on Windows 10? [closed]

Question

After installing Windows 10, I am continuously getting the "server DNS address could not be found" error.

I will be able to use the Internet for 4-5 minutes, and after that for 20-25 min I will get the above error.

How do I resolve this issue?

Answer 1

There might be a problem with your DNS servers of the ISP. A computer by default uses the ISP's DNS servers. You can manually configure your DNS servers. It is free and usually better than your ISP.

1. Go to Control Panel → Network and Internet → Network and Sharing Centre
2. Click on Change Adapter settings.
3. Right click on your connection icon (Wireless Network Connection or Local Area Connection) and select properties.
4. Select Internet protocol version 4.
5. Click on "Use the following DNS server address" and type either of the two DNS given below.

Google Public DNS

Preferred DNS server : 8.8.8.8
Alternate DNS server : 8.8.4.4

OpenDNS

Preferred DNS server : 208.67.222.222
Alternate DNS server : 208.67.220.220

Answer 2

Steps to manually configure DNS:

1. You can access Network and Sharing center by right clicking on the Network icon on the taskbar.

2. Now choose adapter settings from the side menu.

3. This will give you a list of the available network adapters in the system . From them right click on the adapter you are using to connect to the internet now and choose properties option.

4. In the networking tab choose ‘Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4)’.

5. Now you can see the properties dialogue box showing the properties of IPV4. Here you need to change some properties.

   Select ‘use the following DNS address’ option. Now fill the following fields as given here.

   Preferred DNS server: 208.67.222.222

   Alternate DNS server : 208.67.220.220

   This is an available Open DNS address. You may also use google DNS server addresses.

   After filling these fields. Check the ‘validate settings upon exit’ option. Now click OK.

You have to add this DNS server address in the router configuration also (by referring the router manual for more information).

Refer : for above method & alternative

If none of this works, then open command prompt(Run as Administrator) and run these:

ipconfig /flushdns
ipconfig /registerdns
ipconfig /release
ipconfig /renew
NETSH winsock reset catalog
NETSH int ipv4 reset reset.log
NETSH int ipv6 reset reset.log
Exit

Hopefully that fixes it, if its still not fixed there is a chance that its a NIC related issue(driver update or h/w).

Also FYI, this has a thread on Microsoft community : Windows 10 - DNS Issue