# 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.

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#### 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.

<details id="bkmrk-advanced-cache-clear"><summary>Advanced cache clearing for Chrome browser</summary>

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](https://docs.safedns.com/link/183#bkmrk-system-level)).

</details>##### 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 &gt; 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**.

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#### 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

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#### 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.