How do I fix "No DNS access"?

BOB BURDEN 0 Reputation points
2026-09-14T21:26:33.0966667+00:00

I have 2 windows 10 computers. A recent update killed their ability to access the dns. I have NO internet available for either.

Windows for home | Windows 10 | Windows update
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  1. Clary-N 16,020 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff Moderator
    2026-09-15T07:17:19.1966667+00:00

    Hi BOB BURDEN,

    Have you had a chance to try the suggestions in the AI Answer? If so, please let me know which steps you tried and whether anything changed on either computer.

    Since both PCs started having the same problem around the same time, I would first like to determine whether the issue is with Windows or with something they share. Could you confirm the following?

    • Are both PCs connected to the same router and internet provider?
    • Can a phone or another device access the internet while connected to that same network?
    • Are the PCs connected through Wi-Fi or Ethernet?
    • Are they personal computers or are they managed by a workplace or school?
    • Do they both use the same VPN, security software or network equipment?
    • What Windows version and build does winver show on each PC?
    • Do you know which KB update was installed shortly before the problem began?

    If no device can access the internet through that router, the issue is more likely related to the router, DNS service or internet provider rather than both PCs failing separately. If other devices connect normally, the information above will help narrow the issue down to something specific to the Windows computers.

    Please also be advised that Windows 10 reached the end of support on October 14, 2025. Your PCs will continue to work, but they no longer receive standard technical assistance, feature updates, or security updates. When convenient, I recommend checking whether the devices are eligible for Windows 11. If you need more time to make the transition, the Extended Security Updates program may also be worth considering.

    When you have an update, please let me know what you find and share the exact wording of any error messages, just be sure to remove any account details, IP addresses, device names or other personal information before posting.

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  2. AI answer

    2026-09-14T21:26:50.71+00:00

    Try these steps in order on each Windows 10 PC.

    1. Reset the network stack and DNS cache
      • Open Search, type Command prompt.
      • Select Run as administrator > Yes.
      • Run these commands in this order: 
             netsh winsock reset
     netsh int ip reset
     ipconfig /release
     ipconfig /renew
     ipconfig /flushdns
      • Restart the PC and test the connection.
    2. Try a different network if available
      • If the PCs can connect to another network, do that temporarily. This helps confirm whether the current network is the problem.
      • If the current router supports Wi‑Fi, try Wi‑Fi instead of Ethernet.
    3. Check for a DNS issue on the current network
      • Open Command Prompt and query the Windows Update hostnames.
      • If the result is missing address information, the network DNS server may have corrupted entries.
      • In that case, the fix is for the ISP or network administrator to flush DNS records for these hostnames: 
             sls.update.microsoft.com
     fe2.update.microsoft.com
     fe3.delivery.mp.microsoft.com
     au.download.windowsupdate.com
     sls.update.microsoft.com.nsatc.net
     fe2.update.microsoft.com.nsatc.net
     fe3.delivery.dsp.mp.microsoft.com.nsatc.net
     audownload.windowsupdate.nsatc.net
      • If that cannot be done immediately, use another network or temporarily configure the PC to use an alternate DNS provider until the network DNS entries are updated.
    4. Reinstall the network adapter driver if resets do not help
      • This is safe, but have a backup driver available first if possible.
      • Open Device Manager.
      • Expand Network adapters.
      • Right-click the Ethernet adapter and select Uninstall device.
      • If shown, select Attempt to remove the driver for this device > Uninstall.
      • Restart the PC. Windows will try to reinstall the adapter automatically.
    5. Use Network reset as a last step
      • Go to Settings > Network & internet > Advanced network settings > Network reset.
      • Select Reset now > Yes.
      • Restart and test again.
      • Warning: this removes and reinstalls network adapters and resets their settings. VPN clients, virtual switches, and network profiles may need to be set up again.

    If both PCs failed after the same update and both have no DNS on the same internet connection, the most likely paths from the available guidance are:

    • reset the network stack and DNS cache first,
    • test on a different network,
    • then treat the current network or ISP DNS as the likely cause if both machines behave the same way.

    References:

    AI-generated content may be incorrect. Read our transparency notes for more information.

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