What does the command chrome://net-internals/#dns clear actually do?

This command takes you to Chrome's internal diagnostic page, where you can click "Clear host cache" to wipe all stored DNS lookups from the browser's memory.

Why is it necessary to clear Chrome's DNS cache?

Clearing the cache forces Chrome to perform fresh DNS lookups, resolving errors like "This site can't be reached" or fixing issues caused by outdated IP addresses.

Is the command chrome //net-internals/#dns clear different from clearing my browser history?

Yes. Clearing history removes cookies and browsing data, but the Chrome//net-internals/#dns clear command targets explicitly the internal network data.

Does this command affect my whole computer or just Chrome?

It affects only the DNS cache managed by Google Chrome; it does not flush the separate DNS cache maintained by your operating system (Windows or macOS).

What is the difference between the host cache and the system cache?

The host cache is Chrome's local storage for website IP addresses, while the system cache is used by all applications and is cleared using system-level commands.

Can I use this command on Chrome mobile (Android/iOS)?

Yes, you can type chrome://net-internals/#dns into the address bar of your Chrome mobile browser and tap the "Clear host cache" button.

What is a "stale" DNS record?

A stale record is an outdated IP address stored in the cache that no longer matches the website's current server location, leading to connectivity errors.

Should I flush sockets after running chrome://net-internals/#dns clear?

It is often recommended to flush sockets (via chrome://net-internals/#sockets) to close lingering, related connections and ensure a complete network refresh.

Will be using chrome.//net-internals/dns clear break anything on my browser?

No. Clearing the cache is a safe and standard troubleshooting step; Chrome will automatically rebuild the cache with fresh, correct data as you browse.

How often should I use the chrome://net-internals/#dns tool?

You should use it whenever you experience persistent connectivity issues with specific websites, especially after changing Wi-Fi networks or DNS settings.

Instantly Fix Chrome Errors: The chrome//net-internals/#dns clear Command

December 9, 2025 IEM Robotics

Table of Content

What is DNS Cache and Why Does It Cause Headaches
The Simple Solution: Using chrome://net-internals/#dns clear
Advanced Troubleshooting with chrome.//net-internals/dns clear
Why This Chrome-Specific Tool is Essential
Conclusion

The modern web is built on speed and reliability, but sometimes your browser gets stuck. You might encounter frustrating errors like “This site can’t be reached,” slow loading times for familiar websites, or redirects that loop endlessly. While you might first blame your internet service provider or your Wi-Fi router, the real culprit is often far closer to home: a corrupted or stale DNS cache stored within Google Chrome. Fortunately, fixing this issue is remarkably easy, provided you know the secret, internal command: chrome //net-internals/#dns clear. This powerful, hidden tool bypasses system settings, giving you direct access to the browser’s network diagnostics to flush out insufficient data and instantly restore smooth browsing performance.

When Chrome looks up a website, it records the site’s corresponding IP address in a temporary memory bank called the DNS Host Cache. This speeds up future visits, but when a site changes its IP address, your browser might cling to the old, outdated information. This simple discrepancy is the cause of many infuriating connectivity bugs. Learning how to access chrome://net-internals/#dns clear gives you the immediate power to clear that backlog, resolve conflicts, and ensure Chrome is always using the most up-to-date internet routing information. It’s a crucial skill for casual users, developers, and anyone who demands peak performance from their browser.

What is DNS Cache and Why Does It Cause Headaches

When you type a website name, such as "https://www.google.com/search?q=google.com," into your browser, the Domain Name System (DNS) acts as the internet's phonebook, translating that memorable name into a numerical Internet Protocol (IP) address. This IP address is what computers actually use to locate the web server.

The Internet’s Phonebook: How DNS Works

This translation process happens every single time you visit a new website. To reduce the time spent waiting for this translation (known as latency), both your operating system (Windows, macOS) and your web browser (Chrome) store a local copy of recent lookups. This local copy is the DNS cache.

The primary purpose of the DNS cache is efficiency; it allows your browser to skip the initial public lookup and immediately access the IP address from its local storage. This shaves milliseconds off load times, which contributes significantly to the feeling of a "fast" internet connection.

The Hidden Problem: Stale Records

The problem arises when the information in the cache becomes "stale." If a website’s IP address changes (due to a server move, a platform migration, or a simple update), your Chrome browser might continue trying to connect using the old, incorrect IP address stored in its cache.

This common scenario leads to various frustrating outcomes:

● "Site Can't Be Reached" Errors: The most common sign that Chrome is using a stale IP address.

● Redirect Loops: Often occur after a website owner updates their site’s security certificate or redirects.

● Loading Errors: Websites load partially, display strange formatting, or take an unusually long time to connect.

Because Chrome maintains its own cache separate from your operating system's cache, simply running a system-level DNS flush won't fix Chrome's specific internal problems. That’s why you need the targeted approach offered by the internal tool.

The Simple Solution: Using chrome://net-internals/#dns clear

Google Chrome bundles a robust set of diagnostic tools called Net Internals, which are accessible via specific commands in the address bar. The particular section dedicated to managing the browser's DNS cache is the target of our solution.

The Easy 3-Step Fix

Accessing and clearing the cache using this feature is straightforward and requires no technical knowledge. Here is the step-by-step process:

Step 1: Accessing the Tool

Open a new tab in your Google Chrome browser and accurately type the following command into the address bar:

chrome://net-internals/#dns

Press Enter. You will be taken to a technical-looking dashboard titled "DNS." This interface shows you the host entries currently stored in Chrome’s DNS cache. You may occasionally see this command written slightly differently by users as chrome.//net-internals/dns clear or chrome //net-internals/#dns clear, but the double slash version is the correct and reliable way to access the tool.

Step 2: The Magic Click: Clear Host Cache

On the DNS page, locate the button labeled "Clear host cache." It is usually positioned right below the main section details.

Clicking this button executes the instruction you intend when you type chrome //net-internals/#dns clear. This action instantly wipes every stored DNS entry from Chrome's memory, forcing the browser to perform fresh lookups for every site you visit afterward. This immediate reset is the core fix for DNS-related browsing problems.

Step 3: Flush Sockets (Optional, but Recommended)

For an even more thorough reset, it is often recommended to flush the browser's socket pool. Open a new tab and enter:

chrome://net-internals/#sockets

Then click the "Flush socket pools" button. This action closes lingering connections that might be tied to the now-cleared cache, ensuring the browser starts completely fresh. After these steps, try reloading the website that was previously giving you trouble. In most cases, the site will load immediately and correctly.

Advanced Troubleshooting with chrome.//net-internals/dns clear

While simply clicking the "Clear host cache" button is the primary goal of using chrome.//net-internals/dns clear, the tool offers valuable diagnostic functions for advanced users and web developers.

Diagnosing Connectivity Issues

The DNS table displayed on the chrome://net-internals/#dns page is a real-time record of all DNS lookups Chrome has performed. For a developer or network administrator, this is a crucial window into the browser's network health.

By viewing the list, you can identify:

Stale Entries: Seeing an entry for a domain that you know has recently changed its IP address confirms the cache is the problem.
Failure States: The diagnostic page can sometimes reveal if a specific lookup is consistently failing or timing out.

This transparency enables targeted fixes, preventing the user from wasting time troubleshooting network hardware that isn't the source of the issue. Knowing where to look inside the browser's "brain" saves significant time and effort.

Why the Cache Gets Corrupted

It’s essential to understand why the cache might need to be cleared frequently. Reasons include:

● VPN/Proxy Changes: Switching between Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) or proxy servers can confuse Chrome's internal cache, resulting in a mix of old and new routing data.

● Router Issues: Sometimes, a temporary problem with your local router's DHCP (Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol) assigns an incorrect IP address that gets cached.

● Web Development: Developers frequently need to clear the cache when deploying site changes or moving servers. Without running chrome //net-internals/#dns clear, they may repeatedly see the old version of their site, hindering their work.

Why This Chrome-Specific Tool is Essential

Many users overlook this powerful internal utility because they believe clearing the standard browsing history is enough, or they rely on operating system tools. However, Chrome’s architecture makes its internal cache a uniquely persistent problem that requires a unique solution.

Chrome Cache vs. System Cache

It is critical to distinguish between the two types of DNS caches:

1. System Cache (OS-Level): Managed by your operating system (Windows or macOS). This cache is used by all applications on your device, not just Chrome. It’s cleared using commands like ipconfig /flushdns on Windows.

2. Browser Cache (Chrome-Level): Managed entirely by Chrome. This cache is explicitly optimized for Chrome's high-speed browsing and remains active even after you flush the system cache.

Because the Chrome cache is independent, network issues specific to Chrome's stored data—such as a corrupted entry for a particular domain—can only be fixed by clearing the cache. This is the sole function of the powerful and necessary chrome //net-internals/#dns clear command.

Using chrome //net-internals/#dns clear for Developers and Users

For developers, testing domain propagation or server changes requires an immediate, reliable cache reset. This tool provides a reset that is far faster and more reliably than restarting the browser or the entire computer.

For the average user, the command is simply the quickest way to resolve mysterious connectivity problems. If you've tried refreshing the page and checking your router with no success, typing the internal command is the next logical, easy, and usually practical step.

The simple process ensures that anyone, regardless of technical background, can execute the command chrome //net-internals/#dns clear and return their browsing experience to optimal speed.

Conclusion

The vast majority of network problems encountered while browsing Google Chrome can be attributed to stale or corrupted data held in the browser's DNS Host Cache. Before you spend time rebooting routers or changing system settings, remember the one simple, powerful solution that targets the problem directly: chrome //net-internals/#dns clear.

By mastering this one hidden command, you gain the ability to instantly flush Chrome’s memory, force fresh DNS lookups, and effortlessly resolve those frustrating "site unreachable" or slow-loading issues. It is a fundamental troubleshooting technique that keeps your browser efficient, reliable, and fast. The next time Chrome stumbles, simply navigate to chrome://net-internals/#dns, clear it, click the button, and enjoy a seamless return to the speed and reliability of the modern web.