How to Clear DNS Cache in Google Chrome

Web browsers like Google Chrome use DNS to translate the human-readable web address to a machine-friendly IP address. The browser also saves the DNS details of the websites you visit, called the DNS cache. This helps in loading those websites faster in future sessions.

However, an outdated or corrupted DNS cache could lead to issues such as the website not loading, broken web pages, etc. In such cases, clearing the Chrome browser’s DNS cache can help resolve the issues.

Note: Some web browsers, like Google Chrome, Microsoft Edge, Safari, etc. have their own DNS host and cache, which are independent of system DNS. You should clear your device’s DNS cache if you have a network-related problem within your system or any other application.

The DNS cache-clearing process is similar on all platforms and device types; you can learn how to flush the DNS on the computer, Android, iPhone, or iPad devices.

Flush DNS Cache in Chrome Computer

Every website you visit in your Chrome browser has a record of the domain name and corresponding IP address stored in the DNS cache. If the IP changes, your browser might not load the site. Hence, flushing the DNS cache will resolve the connectivity issue.

Here are the steps to clear the stored DNS cache from the Chrome browser on your computer:

1. Launch Chrome browser on your computer.
2. Type chrome://net-internals/#dns in the address bar.
   It will open the DNS lookup page within Chrome.
3. Click the Clear host cache button for the Host resolver cache option.
   

After clearing the host cache, you can visit the URL to see if it resolves to the correct IP address and open the website without issue.

Note: Clearing the DNS cache won’t impact browsing data, saved passwords, or bookmarks. It will only reset the DNS cache of the websites you visited.

Flush DNS Host Cache in Chrome Android

Like a computer browser, Chrome for Android uses built-in DNS instead of relying on the Android system DNS. Hence, clearing the Android DNS cache will not affect Chrome for Android.

You should clear the Chrome DNS host cache to resolve the issues. Here are the steps to flush the Chrome DNS cache on Android:

1. Launch the Chrome app on your Android Phone.
2. Type chrome://net-internals/#dns in the address bar.
3. Click the Clear host cache button in the right pane for the Host resolver cache option.
   

You can look up the domain name (browserhow.com) in the Domain field to verify the IP address before and after clearing the host cache. If the site with the issue has changed its resolving IP address, the lookup results will display the same.

Clear DNS Cache in Chrome iPhone or iPad

Unfortunately, the Chrome browser for iPhone or iPad does not have DNS cache storage the browser. If you visit the chrome://net-internals/#dns in the address bar, it will result in an INVALID_URL error.

The iPhone or iPad does not have any option to flush the DNS cache, even on the Network Settings page. The easy way to clear the DNS cache on iPhone or iPad is using the Airplane mode.

Using Airplane Mode

When you Turn On, and Off the Airplane mode, the iOS or iPadOS automatically reset the network settings along with the stored DNS cache. Here are the steps to follow:

1. Slide down to open the Control Center on your device.
2. Tap on the Airplane mode button to Turn On.
   
3. Wait for a few seconds and then Turn Off the Airplane mode.

Alternatively, you can also Reboot the iPhone or iPad device for the network and DNS cache flush.

Reset Network Settings

A more complex way to clear the DNS cache is by using the Reset Network settings option under the Settings app > General > Transfer or Reset iPhone > Reset.

The Reset Network Settings option is not recommended unless you have a major network-related issue. The Airplane mode resets the DNS cache on Chrome for iPhone or iPad instead.

Bottom Line

The Chrome browser has a dedicated DNS host storage independent of your system DNS. If there are any site loading or network connectivity issues within the Chrome browser, then you can visit the chrome://net-internals/#dns in the address bar and hit on the Clear host cache option.

DNS caching feature is available in computer and Android browsers. You need to rely on the Airplane mode or network settings page for iPhone or iPad.

Similarly, you can also clear the DNS resolver cache from Apple Safari and flush the Edge browser.

If the network or loading issue isn’t resolved, then you can also consider clearing the Chrome browser cache and cookies. It will ensure the obsolete files are not obstructing the browser function.

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