SESKStuff Everyone Should Know
SESK: Stuff Everyone Should Know · sesk.info/aplus-ipconfig-flushdns

Which command clears the Windows DNS client resolver cache?

ipconfig /flushdns flushes and resets the DNS resolver cache.

Start playing free

  1. ipconfig /release
  2. netstat -r
  3. ipconfig /flushdns ✔

Why: Windows caches DNS answers so repeat lookups are fast. If a cached entry is wrong or stale, ipconfig /flushdns discards it so the next lookup asks the DNS server again.

Huh, didn't know that: ipconfig /displaydns shows what is currently in the DNS client resolver cache.

The dad joke
A developer went broke because he used up all his cache.
Like this card?
Play the game

References

Answer: ipconfig /flushdns. Windows caches DNS answers so repeat lookups are fast. If a cached entry is wrong or stale, ipconfig /flushdns discards it so the next lookup asks the DNS server again.

  1. ipconfig command reference, Microsoft Learn learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-server/administration/windows-commands/ipconfig
    /flushdns Flushes and resets the contents of the DNS client resolver cache.
    Checked 2026-10-10.

Think this answer is wrong? Tap "Challenge this answer" on the card in the game and tell us why.

Test yourself in the game

Tech & GadgetsWhich port number does DNS use?Tech & GadgetsWindows 11's hardware requirements call for which Trusted Platform Module (TPM) version?Tech & GadgetsWhich DNS record type maps a name to an IPv6 address?

That's stuff everyone should know.