As you browse the internet, errors can happen for a variety of reasons. One common error message you may encounter in Google Chrome is DNS_PROBE_STARTED. This error means that Chrome was unable to resolve the domain name of a website into its associated IP address. When this happens, the page will fail to load and you’ll see an error message at the top of the browser window.
Don’t worry, there are a few easy steps you can take to fix this issue and get back to enjoying the internet. By resetting your network settings in Chrome, flushing your DNS cache, and checking for any antivirus software conflicts, you should be able to resolve the DNS_PROBE_STARTED error. If the problem continues, it may indicate an issue with your internet service provider or router that requires contacting support. Follow the steps below to fix the DNS_PROBE_STARTED error in Google Chrome and restore your browsing experience.
Table of Contents
Check Your DNS Server Settings
To resolve the DNS_PROBE_STARTED error in Google Chrome, you’ll need to check your DNS server settings. DNS servers act as the “phone book” of the internet, translating the domain names you enter in your browser to the correct IP addresses. If your DNS servers aren’t set up properly, you’ll see this error.
First, you should verify that your router or modem’s DNS settings are pointing to a valid DNS service. The default DNS servers from your internet service provider should work, or you can use a third-party DNS service like Google Public DNS or OpenDNS. Make sure any DNS server addresses you enter are correct.
You’ll also want to flush your local DNS cache and browser cache to refresh your settings. In Google Chrome, open the Settings menu, select “Advanced,” and click “Clear browsing data.” Check the boxes next to “Cached images and files” and “Hosted app data,” then click “Clear data.”
If the issue continues, you may need to renew your router or modem’s IP address and DNS server lease times. Unplug your router or modem for 5 minutes, then plug it back in. This will force the device to request a new IP address and DNS servers from your internet service provider’s network.
Trying the steps above should resolve most DNS_PROBE_STARTED errors. However, if the problem persists, contact your internet service provider’s support for further help. With some troubleshooting, you’ll be browsing the web again in no time.
Flush Your DNS Cache
To resolve the DNS_PROBE_STARTED error in Google Chrome, you will need to flush your DNS cache. This means clearing your browser’s stored DNS records to force it to query DNS servers for the current IP address of websites.
Flushing the DNS cache is a simple process:
- Open the Chrome browser on your device.
- In the address bar at the top, type “chrome://net-internals/#dns” and press Enter. This will open the DNS tab of Chrome’s net-internals page.
- Find the “Clear host cache” button and click it. This will clear your cached DNS records.
- Close the net-internals tab.
- Restart your Chrome browser. This refreshes Chrome and ensures it queries DNS servers for new DNS records.
- Try accessing the website that was giving you the DNS_PROBE_STARTED error. The issue should now be resolved.
If flushing the DNS cache does not fix the problem, you may have a network connectivity issue or there could be a problem with your router, modem or Internet Service Provider (ISP). As an alternative, you can switch to a public DNS service like Google Public DNS or OpenDNS which offer alternative DNS services. You may need to contact your ISP for further help diagnosing and resolving the issue.
Clearing your DNS cache and switching to public DNS services are two of the most effective ways to remedy DNS lookup failures and connectivity issues in Google Chrome. By following these steps, you will likely resolve the DNS_PROBE_STARTED error and regain access to websites. Please let me know if you have any other questions!
Disable IPv6 on Your Network Adapter
To disable IPv6 on your network adapter, follow these steps:
Go to Network Connections
Open the Control Panel on your PC and navigate to ‘Network and Sharing Center’. Select ‘Change adapter settings’ to view your network connections.
Locate Your Wi-Fi Adapter
Look for the Wi-Fi adapter you’re using to connect to the internet. This is usually called ‘Wi-Fi’ or has the name of your Wi-Fi network. Right-click on it and select ‘Properties’.
Uncheck IPv6 Settings
In the ‘Wi-Fi Properties’ window, uncheck the box next to ‘Internet Protocol Version 6 (TCP/IPv6) to disable IPv6. Leave ‘Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4)’ checked.
Click OK
Click ‘OK’ at the bottom of the window to save the changes. Your Wi-Fi adapter will now use IPv4 instead of IPv6 to connect to networks and the internet.
Additional Steps (Optional)
You may also want to:
- Disable IPv6 on your Ethernet adapter if you use a wired connection.
- Restart your PC and router for the changes to take effect.
- Clear your browser’s cache and browsing data to refresh settings.
Disabling IPv6 is a simple workaround that can fix the DNS_PROBE_STARTED error on Google Chrome. If the issue continues, you may need to perform additional troubleshooting steps. But disabling IPv6 is a good first step to try in order to resolve connectivity problems related to IPv6 on your network.
Conclusion
In conclusion, there are a few effective ways to troubleshoot and fix the DNS_PROBE_STARTED error in Google Chrome. You can start by clearing your browser’s cache and cookies, then restarting your browser. If that doesn’t work, you may need to reset your DNS settings or flush your DNS cache. As a last resort, you can uninstall and reinstall the latest version of Google Chrome. While frustrating, this error is often temporary and fixable by trying a few basic troubleshooting steps. With some patience and persistence, you’ll be browsing the web again in no time. Good luck resolving your DNS issues and happy surfing!
