Fix: dns_probe_finished_bad_config

By Kamil AnwarUpdated on July 13, 2025

Kamil is a certified Systems Analyst

Browsers suddenly can’t open any website and show “This site can’t be reached” with a DNS_PROBE_FINISHED_BAD_CONFIG error after the computer wakes up, the router restarts, or you change networks. This error means the DNS server settings are wrong, so website names can’t be turned into IP addresses.

This usually happens because the DNS settings are set up incorrectly or are damaged. Common causes include custom DNS entries, problems with the router’s software, or interference from VPN programs.

By default, your computer uses DNS settings provided by your router or modem, which typically come from your Internet Service Provider (ISP) unless you or someone else changed them. If you’re having trouble, switching to public DNS servers (like Google DNS) can improve reliability, as they’re known for being dependable and having high uptime. If you’re new to this, just follow these steps:

Press and hold the Windows key, then press R to open the Run dialog box.
Type cmd and click OK.
In the Command Prompt window that opens, type the following command and press Enter:
```
ipconfig /flushdns
```
This will clear (or “flush”) the DNS cache, which helps remove any old or incorrect DNS details that might be causing the problem.
Once done, press and hold the Windows key and press R again.
Type ncpa.cpl and click OK.
This will open your Network Connections window.
Next, let’s update your DNS settings. Find the network adapter you’re using (usually called “Wi-Fi” or “Ethernet”), right-click on it, and choose Properties.
Network Adapter Properties
In the Properties window, click on Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4) to select it, then click Properties.
Changing Settings for IPv4
Select the option Use the following DNS server addresses, then enter these addresses:
- Preferred DNS Server: 8.8.8.8
- Alternate DNS Server: 8.8.4.4
Changing DNS to Public Servers
Click OK to save your changes, and then close any remaining windows.

By Kamil AnwarUpdated on July 13, 2025

Kamil is a certified Systems Analyst

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Kamil Anwar

Kamil is a certified MCITP, CCNA (W), CCNA (S) and a former British Computer Society Member with over 9 years of experience Configuring, Deploying and Managing Switches, Firewalls and Domain Controllers also an old-school still active on FreeNode.

Comments

140

Eswar Jul 28, 2015

it works only for few min(max 1 hour) and again starts the same problem even though above DNS settings changed.There are multiple fixes again on the web but nothing works for more than a day .Issue repeats again.

K. Arrows Author Jul 29, 2015

Looks like a program on your computer changes the settings. Which firewall/antivirus software are you using?

Eswar Koneti Aug 8, 2015

sorry for late reply.I Use default anti virus comes with windows called windows defender.Firewall is windows firewall which is ON.Those settings what i changed with IP address in DNS still same appear when i recheck the TCP IP properties.Something seems to be happening.

John Creevy Jul 30, 2015

Hey man, thanks for the article. Worked perfectly.

Kaito Aug 4, 2015

Thanks for including mini-explanations. It makes it easy for those of us who are not too IT literate to understand what the steps do.

Bernice Aug 11, 2015

Works perfectly! You saved me! Many many thanks

madhur Aug 16, 2015

thank you so much, easiest way i found and perfectly resolved the problem, while microsoft forum was eating my brain with idiotic solutions

x Pstyle Aug 18, 2015

Thank you so much! this problem almost drive me crazy…

Sharine Aug 18, 2015

Work perfect, many thanks to you,

Guest Aug 19, 2015

Hi, thanks for this. It does fix the problem on my laptop. However, now my mobile devices (Nexus 5 and Kindle Voyage) won’t connect via WiFi anymore. Also, this DNS problem seemed to come out of nowhere, I didn’t (at least intentionally) change anything in my settings.. Any ideas? Thanks a bunch!

DiDo Aug 23, 2015

Many and Many thanks to you bro worked

Greg Aug 25, 2015

Why do we type in 8.8.8.8 and 8.8.4.4? What does that do exactly?

K. Arrows Author Aug 25, 2015

It is a public dns server always up, and resolves names faster then the ISP’s dns.

Bill Sellers Aug 31, 2015

Thanks…this is excellent. You’ve made my day, Kevin.

Bev Sep 10, 2015

Updating the TCP/IP DNS settings worked beautifully! THANKS!!!!

zak Sep 11, 2015

how do we fix it in Android / ios devices..??

K. Arrows Author Sep 11, 2015

reboot router and device.

Didnt work Nov 29, 2015

what if it didn’t work?

K. Arrows Author Nov 29, 2015

Update DNS in your router.

Mariana Sep 19, 2015

Thank you so much, been trying to solve this issue for days!!

Wes Sep 20, 2015

Thanks so much!!!!!

chen Sep 28, 2015

Thank you! should I do that for all computers that use the network?

K. Arrows Author Sep 28, 2015

Only on the ones where internet is not working and you’re getting the error.

Yas Sep 29, 2015

My computer already had the 8888 and 8844 configuration so is still not connecting to the Internet 🙁 any idea on what to do now?

K. Arrows Author Sep 29, 2015

It should be 8.8.8.8 and 8.8.4.4

Jenny Oct 6, 2015

I tryed doing the version 4 thing but it wont let me open the properties when the version 4 (TCP/IPv4) is highlited. What do I do? Even the command promote thing isnt working on this

K. Arrows Author Oct 6, 2015

It appears to be an issue with your windows being corrupted then.

Yomna Ashraf Oct 8, 2015

this method worked with me thankssss alot ^^

Tapia Cadillo Rommel Oct 12, 2015

Excellent my friend!!!

Nick Oct 14, 2015

I can’t believe how fast internet goes after applying fix. How long will it last?

K. Arrows Author Oct 14, 2015

Until the public dns dies.

Giovanni Cerri Oct 16, 2015

Thank you very much for your vey detailed tutorial. Browsing is now much faster. A question though, are there any risks involved in using that public dns, for instance, more vulnerability to malwares?

K. Arrows Author Oct 17, 2015

It will not make the system prone to vulnerabilities; so all is well using the public dns.

Giovanni Cerri Oct 18, 2015

Ok, and about performance, the public dns provided by Open DNS are also as good as Google public dns?

K. Arrows Author Oct 18, 2015

I prefer Google DNS as it is more reliable with almost no down time.

Julie Waterfall Oct 18, 2015

Thanks for your help, seems to be working much faster now

Mason Oct 22, 2015

thanks so much bro

Axel Nov 4, 2015

you are the man, thanks

efesus Alloys Nov 5, 2015

Thanks broo….!! love it

Yousuf Nov 12, 2015

it works for once but i have to repeat this process each time I turn on my laptop..

K. Arrows Author Nov 13, 2015

One of your softwares installed is resetting the settings.You need to check which software it is and uninstall it.

Tim Nov 13, 2015

Thanks Kevin it worked great, now I can get on the net.

Annie Brickman Nov 15, 2015

How do I do this on Mac?

K. Arrows Author Nov 15, 2015

Click on your “Apple” menu and choose “System Preferences“.
Double-Click on the “Network” icon.
Go to the “TCP/IP” tab. …
Enter two or DNS server IP address, the ones given above.
Apply your settings by clicking the “Apply Now” button.

Annie Brickman Nov 15, 2015

Thank you so much!!

Megan Marie Brown Jan 25, 2016

am i missing more instructions here? this doesn’t make sense to me and i can’t get it to work. 🙁

K. Arrows Author Jan 25, 2016

see here: http://appuals.com/best-guide-change-dns-mac-os-x/

Top Bunter Nov 16, 2015

Excellent, thanks very much!

krmax44 Nov 19, 2015

Thank you! Easy and effective!

bandi Nov 20, 2015

Thank you….Very good

yamenshahin Nov 23, 2015

Work great

Krav Nov 27, 2015

Thanks for the fix! Changed the router settings instead of network connections though cause it was faster and fixed the issue for every other user.

Farah Dec 10, 2015

Thank you!! You’re a life saver

himanshu bhawankhel Dec 12, 2015

Hi Dear
I have tried the same for my Laptop (windows) and the problem resolved but the same problem still exist in Anrdoid mobiles connected to wifi network.
Please help

K. Arrows Author Dec 13, 2015

You can try a hardboot on your Android or change it’s DNS to the public DNS names from it’s network settings.

TheNapkinGuy Dec 24, 2015

I know -_-

Skater Dec 24, 2015

It worked at first but after i shut down my laptop and the internet and turn them on the next day it not working anymore, i repeat the steps but nothing happens. The troubleshoot result stated that my computer appears to be correctly configured, but the device or resource (DNS server) is not responding. Is that mean i have to change something on my internet setting? Pls help, im desperate.

K. Arrows Author Dec 24, 2015

Update the DNS to 8.8.8.8 and 8.8.4.4 as stated above. If you already have done this, then please re-do and check. Also disable your Antivirus & Any Internet Security Programs.

UUB Dec 27, 2015

I tried … but no reaction on the ‘ncpa.cpl’ command. I also can’t open the networkproperties. The PC is not reacting. What can be wrong?

K. Arrows Author Dec 27, 2015

No reaction to the commands indicates something else may be wrong? Does it responds to anything at all, mouse click, browser opening etc?

Wim Beelen Dec 28, 2015

Yes, the pc is reacting to everything, except not when I want to open the network properties.

Corey Dec 28, 2015

Once I get to the WiFi properties I have an iPv6 not an iPv4. It then reads that the two suggested DNS servers are invalid. What can I do from here?

K. Arrows Author Dec 28, 2015

Use these:

Primary: 2001:4860:4860::8888
Secondary: 2001:4860:4860::8844

Roxstar Rishabh Jan 8, 2016

It worked for 4 days then again it shows the same problem!! can i get a permanent solution pls???

K. Arrows Author Jan 8, 2016

The solution is permanent, one of your programs is probably pushing the change in settings. I’d suggest doing a clean boot.

Krishan Jan 8, 2016

It’s working, thnku bro

Helene Jan 13, 2016

Thank you for the simple steps… Truly appreciate the knowledge to self help with out the frustrations.. Extremely happy internet user.

jasrockett Jan 13, 2016

Wow it worked. Thank you so much Kevin

Jhon Jan 14, 2016

OMG!!!! It really works, i cant believe it would be so easy. Thanks

ze_captaincabs Jan 14, 2016

Thank you so much! Man, quite a number of probs popping out of my laptop since the win10 update.

GqrlicBreqd Jan 19, 2016

it worked at first, but then when i restarted my pc it happened again

K. Arrows Author Jan 19, 2016

This indicates that something on your PC is changing the settings. I would suggest a clean boot.

Julian Feb 2, 2016

Thanks!!! I had this problem for the longest time and always assumed that it was because I had a very old wireless router, this worked!

Jimmy Campbell Feb 8, 2016

Been having this same issue for about a month. It’s only when I use my surface pro 3 on my home network (Time Warner Cable) They say it’s an OS issue, and recommended this page to fix. It didn’t change anything. (And I’m sure it’s coincidence, but it seems worse.) Anyone else have this not fix their issue then find another?

K. Arrows Author Feb 9, 2016

You must have installed something on your surface which is resulting in this error, try doing a clean boot and disable/uninstall any apps recently installed after which the issue started.

Koh Sing Feb 9, 2016

Hi, it work for me. Thanks

Lior Feb 12, 2016

It fixed my problem. Thanks!!!!

daniel seo Feb 17, 2016

Thank for sharing with nice and usfull post you post is very useful me thank i will come back again on this website for see useful post. this is solve my problem thanks admin for this post

K. Arrows Author Feb 17, 2016

Welcome.

Katie Arbuthnot Feb 25, 2016

i am getting this error on all my devices when it connects to our home router, but doesnt happen when we connect to other wifi’s do you think this is the same problem?

K. Arrows Author Feb 26, 2016

Please reset your router and then try. The reset button is located on the back of the router which needs to be held for 6 to 10 seconds.

Katie Arbuthnot Feb 26, 2016

I have tried that already as well

K. Arrows Author Feb 27, 2016

Have you tried changing DNS? Also who is your Internet Provider?

Katie Arbuthnot Feb 28, 2016

centurylink. I don’t know how to change my DNS

K. Arrows Author Feb 28, 2016

follow steps here:
http://appuals.com/best-fix-steps-fix-dns_probe_finished_nxdomain/

Tyler Feb 26, 2016

Thanks this was very helpful!

Jess Mar 3, 2016

THANK YOU

Lascelle Brown Sep 16, 2019

My issue is on the DNS server it’s self. none of my computers can reach the DSN server

Shane Warren Author Sep 18, 2019

Check with your ISP, it is probably a service outage at their end.

Jerusha Dass Mar 5, 2016

OMG YOU ARE BLOODY AMAZING!!!!!! I had to fix 6 different issues on my computer, 1 after another to finally get down to this error TT__TT and you helped me fix it…i was on the verge of formating my entire system XD YOU ARE AMAZING!!!! MAY THE FORCE BE WITH YOU!!!!

Jashan Grover Mar 8, 2016

Thanks man I hat worked for me. What kind of a study did u do for being MCTS.I too hve interest in doing such things.

Varun Mar 14, 2016

This worked for me. However the next day i had to do it again, is there anyway to configure the settings so they stick permanently

Cristian Florea Mar 29, 2016

Thank you very much!

RAY LIU Apr 18, 2016

Thank you!

DerpLord_ Apr 21, 2016

Thanks! I had this error after using a VPN service and I thought it would take hours to find a fix! Thanks to this it didn’t! And again, you have my thanks.

Anns Walter Apr 26, 2016

Thanks a lot. Before this was unable to load the youtube & facebook. Really appreciate for sharing it with us. You made my day.

K. Arrows Author Apr 27, 2016

Welcome.

Pie MD Apr 30, 2016

You have just saved me! Thank you!

Ac May 14, 2016

You my friend are awesome. Thank you!

Nate May 24, 2016

Dude. Thank you, excellent fix.

Michael May 25, 2016

Each time I update the DNS settings on my Windows 7 computer to use 8.8.8.8 and 8.8.4.4 the result is I cannot get to any web site. When I revert back to “Obtain DNS server address automatically” I can get to all web sites except the one that displays DNS errors every few days. Is there something else I can check that might be blocking the use of 8.8.8.8 and 8.8.4.4?

K. Arrows Author May 25, 2016

If it’s just one site, then its the issue with the site, you do not need to use 8.8 and 4.4. which site is it?

khush Jun 8, 2016

i can use all other like google youtube and facebook but wen i am trying to load kickass.cr, torrentz website to download using utorrent so i need to set this dns aur other if this dns work would it give problem to other sites

Isabel May 25, 2016

My laptop hasn’t been able to go onto any websites when connected to my Uni network for the last 3 years!!! I used to get sooo frustrated and NONE of the IT could help me!!! So I have always used the computers provided at uni, but today for some reason I thought id give it one last try and found this page! First thing that has ever worked!!! Thanks so much!!! Finally can do assignments without using the gross Uni computer labs!!! YAY!!!

K. Arrows Author May 25, 2016

welcome 🙂

defin1eye Jul 3, 2016

Worked though i did just switch to automatic dns

John Smith Jul 21, 2016

also having DNS_PROBE_FINISHED_BAD_CONFIG

TheDeathAngel16 Aug 4, 2016

Thanks so much for this post saved my computer. Your amazing thanks

:D Oct 17, 2016

thank you!!!

Milan Perišić Oct 30, 2016

Thanks!!!!!!!!!

aThankfullVisitor Oct 30, 2016

Thank You so much, this website is incredible!

zaher shamly Nov 9, 2016

I don’t have the option to click on Properties

K. Arrows Author Nov 9, 2016

please post a screen shot.

Vitru Varenya Jan 6, 2017

I have problem in Windows activation on Windows 10 Pro are you ableto help with it….???

Draco Rex Jan 28, 2017

amazing thanks

Thiago Mota Feb 3, 2017

You’ve just saved my like, Dude… Thanks, man

ahmad kidwai Feb 14, 2017

thanks a lot

the greatyawn Feb 14, 2017

OMG. thank you very much it’s fixed

Brian Rumao Mar 1, 2017

Thank you so much. It worked like a charm

jin comal Mar 21, 2017

THANK YOU!!!!!!!! from korea

brent Mar 25, 2017

thanks this is the bestt

Cem Apr 11, 2017

Thank you! Never thought that this would actually work 😀

stefanw1337 May 20, 2017

Only problem is, I got Google DNS in router already and had other DNS before that too, and got the error.. And it came outta nowhere.

Patty Granados May 23, 2017

You’re a genius, thank you! XD

sarshi02 Jun 8, 2017

YOU ARE AMAZING! U know ur stuff .. I had problem connecting to my new wifi virgin media originally with sky .. all other devices connected to the new virgin wifi my HP laptop didn’t !.. tried to do everything but then search the error message came up on internet came up with this genius Kevin arrows post and followed it all and it worked ! Am no IT computer person just lay person followed his instructions and it worked ! Thank you oncd again ! Saved me from having to call virgin or do
More random google searching !

Geani Jul 1, 2017

Thanks

K. Arrows Author Jul 14, 2017

Welcome.

paul takon Jul 3, 2017

thanks so much

prince sahdev Aug 22, 2017

Great job man__ Thanks

Harold Frazier Sep 17, 2017

I tri this and can now get online but for some reason YouTube no longer works and flash video players aren’t working either

K. Arrows Author Sep 29, 2017

Make sure that the plugins are enabled.

Thx Oct 31, 2017

Tthankssss

Thicczie Dec 17, 2017

Thanks man that really worked

Charles Benoit Dec 30, 2017

Great stuff. Worked first try…. had four people try to fix

Emirs2002 Dec 31, 2017

You’re my **** * hero man ;-; THANKS

Marko Jan 10, 2018

Thank you very much for this! You are a legend!

Emily Feb 22, 2018

You just literally saved my day! You’re amazing!! Thank you SO much!

Brian King Nov 11, 2018

DAMMMM YOU ARE PERFECT!!!! THANKS

Eduardo Dugarte Jun 20, 2020

Friend thank you very much for helping me, I have tried everything for several days, but nothing had come out. Thank you very much and have a prosperous life.

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