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How to Clear DNS Cache

DNS cache refers to the temporary storage of information about previous DNS lookups on a router, machine's OS, or web browser.
Keeping a local copy of a DNS lookup allows your router, OS, or browser to quickly retrieve it and thus a domain can be resolved to its corresponding IP much more efficiently.

However, sometimes it can cause a problem when the new filtering settings conflict with the information saved in the cache. Usually, the problem resolves after clearing the cache on a browser level.

Browser level

Chrome, Edge, Opera, Firefox, and many others

Press Ctrl + Shift + Delete simultaneously on the keyboard to open the appropriate window. Select "Cache" and click "Clear".
Please note, that you don't need to delete cookies and saved passwords.

Alternatively, you can use the browser's Settings menu, search for the "cache" setting, and select the suggested option.

Advanced cache clearing for Chrome browser

Certain popular, high-traffic websites might open even after the cache is cleared. To fix this, do the following:

  1. Enter chrome://net-internals/#dns in the address bar and press Clear host cache.
  2. Enter chrome://net-internals/#sockets in the address bar and press Flush socket pools.
  3. Clear DNS cache of the operating system (read below).
Safari
  1. Click on Safari on the top menu bar.
  2. Click Preferences.
  3. Click the Privacy tab.
  4. Click Manage Website Data...
  5. Click Remove All.
  6. Click Remove Now.
  7. Go to the Safari menu on the top menu bar.
  8. Select Quit to close Safari and save your changes.
iOS, iPadOS

Safari browser:
1. Go to Settings (the app with the gear icon).
2. Scroll down until you see Safari. Tap it.
3. Press Clear History and Website Data.
4. Press Clear History and Data again in the warning notification.

Chrome browser:
1. On your iPhone or iPad, open the Chrome app.
2. At the bottom, press More ...
3. Press History > Clear browsing data.
4. Select Cookies, Site Data and Cached Images and Files.
5. Press Clear browsing data.

Android
  1. Long press on the app in the app menu.
  2. Select App info in the pop-up window.
  3. Press Storage usage in the app's info page.
  4. Press Clear cache.

System level

Windows
  1. Open the Start menu and type cmd.
  2. Right-click on the suggested Command Prompt app and choose the Run as administrator option.
  3. Type ipconfig /flushdns inside the terminal window.
  4. Press Enter.
Mac
  1. Search for the Terminal in the applications list or press CMD+Space.
  2. Enter the following command:
    sudo dscacheutil -flushcache; sudo killall -HUP mDNSResponder
  3. Press Enter.
  4. If prompted, type your administrator account password.
  5. Press Enter again to submit your password.
Linux
  1. Search for the Terminal in the applications list or press Ctrl+Alt+T.
  2. Enter the following command:
    sudo systemd-resolve --flush-caches
  3. Press Enter.
  4. If prompted, type your administrator account password.
  5. Press Enter again to submit your password.
iOS, iPadOS, Android
  1. Turn Airplane mode on
  2. Reboot device
  3. Turn Airplane mode off

Router level

Reboot the router using the router's interface.

Alternatively, turn the router off by pressing its power button, wait for 15 seconds, and turn the router back on.

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