http://answers.microsoft.

com/en-us/windows/forum/windows_7-networking/how-
do-i-fix-your-computer-is-trying-to-use-a-dns/9a14689c-49fd-4b05-92f2-
e3f1044c590b

how do i fix: your computer is trying to use

a dns server that is incorrect or doesn't
exist
Hi Mickelsinc,

Thank you for posting your query in Microsoft Community Forums.

Based on the description, it appears that you are facing issues with connecting to Internet as
you are getting an error message "the DNS server isn't responding" ; "your computer is trying
to use a DNS server that is incorrect or doesn't exist". I will be happy to help you in this
issue.

1) Which Security software is installed on your computer?

2) Have you made any changes on the computer prior to this issue?

Method 1: I would suggest you to check if the DNS client and the DHCP client services are
running on your computer.

a. Click on Start and type services.msc in the search field.

b. In the services panel, look for the services DHCP Client and DNS Client.

c. Right click on the service and click on properties. Under the service status, check if the
services are started.

d. Click on the dependencies tab and check if the dependencies services are started.

Method 2: If the above method does not help then you may flush the DNS Cache by running
the following command in an administrator command:

a. Click on Start and type CMD, Right click and Run as Administrator.
b. Type ipconfig /flushdns and hit Enter and wait for the confirmation message that the action
was successful.

c. Enter the command ipconfig /registerdns and hit Enter and wait for the confirmation
message that the action was successful.

Method 3: If the issue persists, I would suggest you to try to reset the TCP/IP stack. Refer
this article and follow the instructions.

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/299357

Method 4:
Step 1:
1. Connect to your router (by typing 192.168.0.1 or 192.168.1.1 in the address bar) and log
in. Check your user manual or documentation if you do not know the log-in credentials.
2. Make sure you are in the Setup -> Basic Setup category.
3. Scroll down until you see 'DHCP Server' - if it is disabled, select 'Enable'.
4. Enable DHCP If you want, you can change the number that the DHCP IP assigning starts.
(this is optional)
5. Use the DNS servers provided to you by your ISP. There are many DNS servers out there.
It's best to use your ISP's if possible.
6. Scroll down and click 'Save Settings'.

Step 2:
1. Click on Start and then Control Panel.
2. Go to Networking and sharing center and then click on Change adapter settings.
3. Right click on Local Area Connection and choose properties.
4. Highlight Internet Protocol Version 6 and click on Properties.
5. Choose Obtain DNS server address automatically and press Ok.
6. Choose Obtain IP address automatically.
7. Repeat the steps for Internet Protocol version 4 as well.

Method 5: You may also contact your Internet Service Provider for further assistance on the
issue.

Hope this helps. Try the above steps and get back to us for further assistance. We will be
happy to help you.

17 people found this helpful

 All replies (2)

Answer

Vijay Korupolu M replied on

Microsoft

Hi Mickelsinc,

Thank you for posting your query in Microsoft Community Forums.

Based on the description, it appears that you are facing issues with connecting to Internet as
you are getting an error message "the DNS server isn't responding" ; "your computer is trying
to use a DNS server that is incorrect or doesn't exist". I will be happy to help you in this
issue.

1) Which Security software is installed on your computer?

2) Have you made any changes on the computer prior to this issue?

Method 1: I would suggest you to check if the DNS client and the DHCP client services are
running on your computer.

a. Click on Start and type services.msc in the search field.

b. In the services panel, look for the services DHCP Client and DNS Client.

c. Right click on the service and click on properties. Under the service status, check if the
services are started.

d. Click on the dependencies tab and check if the dependencies services are started.

Method 2: If the above method does not help then you may flush the DNS Cache by running
the following command in an administrator command:

a. Click on Start and type CMD, Right click and Run as Administrator.
b. Type ipconfig /flushdns and hit Enter and wait for the confirmation message that the action
was successful.

c. Enter the command ipconfig /registerdns and hit Enter and wait for the confirmation
message that the action was successful.

Method 3: If the issue persists, I would suggest you to try to reset the TCP/IP stack. Refer
this article and follow the instructions.

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/299357

Method 4:
Step 1:
1. Connect to your router (by typing 192.168.0.1 or 192.168.1.1 in the address bar) and log
in. Check your user manual or documentation if you do not know the log-in credentials.
2. Make sure you are in the Setup -> Basic Setup category.
3. Scroll down until you see 'DHCP Server' - if it is disabled, select 'Enable'.
4. Enable DHCP If you want, you can change the number that the DHCP IP assigning starts.
(this is optional)
5. Use the DNS servers provided to you by your ISP. There are many DNS servers out there.
It's best to use your ISP's if possible.
6. Scroll down and click 'Save Settings'.

Step 2:
1. Click on Start and then Control Panel.
2. Go to Networking and sharing center and then click on Change adapter settings.
3. Right click on Local Area Connection and choose properties.
4. Highlight Internet Protocol Version 6 and click on Properties.
5. Choose Obtain DNS server address automatically and press Ok.
6. Choose Obtain IP address automatically.
7. Repeat the steps for Internet Protocol version 4 as well.

Method 5: You may also contact your Internet Service Provider for further assistance on the
issue.

Hope this helps. Try the above steps and get back to us for further assistance. We will be
happy to help you.

17 people found this helpful

HairyFool replied on

Insider

Run the command IPConfig /all in a command window and compare it to this:

C:\Users\Your Username>ipconfig /all

Windows IP Configuration

Host Name . . . . . . . . . . . . : PCName

Primary Dns Suffix . . . . . . . :
Node Type . . . . . . . . . . . . : Hybrid
IP Routing Enabled. . . . . . . . : No
WINS Proxy Enabled. . . . . . . . : No
DNS Suffix Search List. . . . . . : home

Ethernet adapter Local Area Connection: Could be the Wireless interface if a laptop

Connection-specific DNS Suffix . : home

Description . . . . . . . . . . . : Marvell Yukon 88E8056 PCI-E Gigabit Ether
net Controller
Physical Address. . . . . . . . . : 00-24-8C-XX-XX-XX Specific to each PC
DHCP Enabled. . . . . . . . . . . : Yes If "No" then the settings are defined on the PC
Autoconfiguration Enabled . . . . : Yes
Link-local IPv6 Address . . . . . : fe80::74ef:2b4c:c42c:a213%10(Preferred)
IPv4 Address. . . . . . . . . . . : 192.168.0.38(Preferred) Your PCs address
Subnet Mask . . . . . . . . . . . : 255.255.255.0
Lease Obtained. . . . . . . . . . : 08 March 2013 09:38:46
Lease Expires . . . . . . . . . . : 11 March 2013 09:38:47
Default Gateway . . . . . . . . . : 192.168.0.1 Your routers address
DHCP Server . . . . . . . . . . . : 192.168.0.1 Only if "Yes" for DHCP server
DHCPv6 IAID . . . . . . . . . . . : 218113164
DHCPv6 Client DUID. . . . . . . . : 00-01-00-01-16-CF-F3-B6-00-24-8C-22-C7-EC

DNS Servers . . . . . . . . . . . : 192.168.0.1 Normally router address, this is the important

bit
NetBIOS over Tcpip. . . . . . . . : Enabled
The DNS Server in a home network is frequently the router which actually forwards DNS
requests to the ISPs DNS Server

It is a little concerning that the 64bit IE works OK but not Chrome. There are a couple of
trojans that put their own DNS servers into the browser to give false responses, it may be it
has not worked for IE.

Try opening a command prompt and typing nslookup. This is the command line DNS utility.
The address it shows should be your router the same as the server above. Type in the line
www.google.com, I get 6 lines all beginning 74.125.132

Check the address settings for the network interface, most commonly they are set to obtain
address automatically, if they are not do you know of any reason they would have to be set to
manual settings?

8 people found this helpful

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