Is there any network problem on your Android device, such as DNS resolution issues, slow network speeds, or wrong IP addresses? A solution is there that will help you in resolving the problems. The DNS cache can hold information about the IP addresses & domain names that were accessed recently. However, this information can get corrupted or become outdated, leading to internet connectivity issues. When you experience this kind of problem, you have to flush the DNS cache on your Android device. We will let you know how to Clear DNS Cache on Android in this article.
What Is DNS Cache On Android Devices?
It refers to a temporary database saving IP addresses of websites you have visited recently on an Android mobile. As soon as you visit a website, your Android device sends a request to a DNS server. Later, this server’s task is to convert a domain name into an IP address. Once your Android device gets the address from the DNS server, it will store this in the DNS cache to let you access it easily in the future.
As your Android device does not need to seek up the address each time, it helps to increase the speed of the procedure of accessing previously visited websites. When the DNS cache gets outdated or corrupted, you can experience slow internet browsing. In addition, it can let you face challenges when you try to access specific websites, or it might result in internet connectivity problems. Hence, you need to clear the DNS cache to alleviate the problems and improve the device’s overall efficiency.
Why Is It Important To Flush The DNS Cache?
Over time on using an Android device, the DNS cache gets corrupted or outdated. As a result, it causes network connectivity problems and reduces the browsing speed. It may cause problems like the following:
DNS Resolution Problems:
You can face the issue for different reasons, like a corrupted cache or outdated records. Try to clear the DNS cache to solve the problem and permit your device to connect to the website or domain without any issues.
Slow Internet Speeds:
If you face this problem, you should clear the DNS cache on your Android. Remember that a corrupted DNS cache reduces the speed of your mobile’s network connectivity. As a result, you will experience slower browsing speeds. Clearing this cache allows you to free up valuable memory as well as improve the network speeds. Thus, it helps to smoothen your browsing experience.
Incorrect IP Addresses:
Your Android device may use the wrong IP address for a website or domain. In this case, clearing the DNS cache is necessary to fix the problem. It may happen if the DNS cache is outdated or becomes corrupted. When you clear the cache, your device will start finding the correct IP address for the website or domain to let you connect without any issues.
Benefits You Will Get After Clearing the DNS Cache On Your Android Device:
Improved Internet Performance:
If you see that your device is facing trouble to get connected to the internet or to load pages, clearing the DNS cache is essential to get rid of old or broken DNS entries.
Troubleshooting Connectivity Issues:
If you face challenges in connecting to a specific website or app, you should try to delete the DNS cache, as it will force your Android device to acquire the most recent DNS information.
Improved Privacy:
Clearing the DNS cache eliminates any DNS information saved on your Android device and helps to preserve your privacy.
Enhanced Security:
Try to erase DNS data that is kept on the device and clear the cache, as it is an effective privacy measure. Remember that online behavior & habits can be monitored with the data.
Faster Browsing Experience:
Clearing the DNS Cache on Android devices enables your device to receive the most recent DNS information immediately for applications & sites to enhance the browsing experience.
How To Clear DNS Cache On Android?
By following the given methods, clearing the DNS cache on your Android device is possible. This process will help to fix any connection issue you are facing. You should remember that the steps are a bit different depending on what Android version you use & your device manufacturer.
Method 1. Clear DNS Cache Using Chrome:
Google Chrome includes an internal DNS cache. Hence, you should follow the steps to clear the DNS cache of the Chrome web browser.
- First, you have to open the Chrome browser on the Android device you use.
- Then, your task is to type chrome://net-internals/#DNS into the Chrome search bar.
- Choose DNS in the DNS lookup page’s left pane.
- Then, your job is to choose the Clear Host Cache option from the right-hand panel to flush the cache on the Android device.
Method 2. Modify The Wi-Fi network To Static:
You can try to change the Wi-Fi network settings to Static for flushing the DNS cache. The process which you need to follow in this case is as follows:
- First, your job is to open your Android phone’s Settings application.
- Then, you need to click on Wi-Fi.
- After that, your job is to click on the network name or the gear icon which is located beside it.
- Next, you need to click on IP settings. Then, you have to choose Static from the dropdown menu.
- Now, you should put some details like IP address, subnet mask, gateway, and DNS servers you are willing to use. The information can be obtained from the router’s configuration settings or network administrator.
- Finally, your job is to reconnect to that network. Then, wait until the Android device obtains the new IP address & DNS information. It will flush the DNS cache on the Android mobile.
Method 3. Clear DNS Cache Through The Settings App:
- First, you have to open the Settings app on the Android mobile you use.
- Now, your job is to click on Wireless & Networks or Network & Internet (depending on your Android mobile).
- Next, you should click on Advanced or More, depending on the Android version.
- Then, you need to click on Private DNS or Private DNS provider hostname.
- If you get to see any hostname or DNS address, you have to remove it.
- In order to clear the DNS cache, you need to click on Save or Apply.
Method 4. Clear DNS Cache Using The Android Terminal Emulator App:
If you are a rooted user, using a single command, you will be able to clear the DNS cache on the Android phone.
- From the Google Play Store, you have to download as well as install the Android Terminal Emulator app.
- Then, your job is to launch the application. Now you need to type this given command:
su
- You have to grant root access as soon as it is prompted.
- Next, you need to type the mentioned command for clearing the DNS cache:
ndc resolver clearnetdns wlan0
- To allow the DNS cache to get cleared, you have to wait for some seconds.
- Then, you need to type this command to exit the Terminal Emulator app:
exit
Method 5. Empty The Cache From Chrome’s Settings Page:
Although most people believe that clearing Chrome’s browsing data lets you remove cached pictures and files, a few users think that emptying the app cache helps to fix several DNS issues. In case, the processes we have mentioned above didn’t work, you can empty the cache from Chrome’s app info page.
- Your first task is to tap & hold Chrome on the Android mobile to see a quick shortcut menu. Then, you can open the information page of Chrome by clicking on the “i” or “App Info” option.
- After that, your task is to open “Storage usage,” and then your job is to click on “Clear cache” on the next page. It deletes all local cache which are stored on your Android mobile and fixes DNS-related problems.
Method 6. Clear Site Storage:
It is the easiest process that you can follow to clear the DNS cache on an Android device. If you visit a site, it will store some information in the browser. While a few of them are known as cookies, sometimes these are called cache. Do you want to remove both from the browser? Before that, you need to know that for different browsers, you need to follow different processes for clearing site storage or deleting cache & cookies.
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For Google Chrome Users:
- If you are a Google Chrome user, you need to navigate to Settings first. Then, you have to move to Site Settings and then Storage.
- After that, an option called “Clear Site Storage” will appear in front of you.
- Then, you have to hit that button. Now, choose the affirmative option for clearing site storage on Google Chrome.
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For Mozilla Firefox Users:
- If you are a Mozilla Firefox user, first you have to navigate to Settings.
- Then, your job is to go to Privacy.
- Now, your task is to find out the “Clear Now” button under CLEAR PRIVATE DATA. Then, your job is to click on it.
- An option will appear to select what to delete and what not to. Your job is to choose what you are willing to delete. Then, click on the “Clear Now” button.
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For Opera Users:
If you are an Opera user and willing to flush the DNS cache in this browser, you should follow the below-mentioned steps:
- First, you have to open this browser on the smartphone you have.
- After that, your task is to click on the Opera icon at the app’s bottom.
- Then, you should tap on the option — Clear browsing data.
- Once the pop-up screen appears, you need to tick or untick browsing history, cookies & data, and saved passwords.
- At last, your task is to hit the OK button for clearing the DNS cache from the browser.
Method 7. Change The DNS Server On Android:
When the DNS server can’t resolve the lookup despite clearing the DNS cache, you need to change the DNS server. You definitely know that Android 9 was released recently and Google officially added a system-wide DNS setting. Go through this section properly to learn the procedure of changing the default DNS server on your Android phone. The steps you need to follow in this case are as follows:
On Android 9 And Above:
- Your first task is opening Settings on your Android. Then, you have to navigate to “Connecting & sharing.” Then, you can see the option “Private DNS” option.
- Now, your job is to select “Designated private DNS” and click on “Modify.” Next, your task is to enter your preferred DNS server. For instance, you can use Cloudflare’s DNS hostname, which is 1dot1dot1dot1.cloudflare-dns.com.
On Android 8.1 And Older:
Those who are using Android Oreo and older versions, need to follow this procedure.
- Hence, you need to open Settings and head toward “Wi-Fi.”
- Next, your task is to open the Wi-Fi access point to which you are connected. After that, you need to change the “IP settings” to “Static “.
- Now, your job is to change these DNS 1 & DNS 2 addresses for the Wi-Fi connection. In this case, one thing you should know is that changing the DNS server is necessary for every Wi-Fi connection manually.
Method 8. Using A Third-party App:
- Your first job is to install the DNS Changer app from the Play Store on the Android mobile. Then, you have to open it. Next, select the custom DNS server from the list.
- Click on “Start.” The application uses the VPN API of Android to route all traffic through the custom DNS server. So, a pop-up will appear for the approval of a VPN connection.
Method 9. Clear Cache from the device Application Management Settings:
- Navigate to the ‘Settings’ app first on the Android device. Then, you need to open the ‘Applications’ tab. Or you have to choose the ‘Application Management’ tab.
- Next, you have to click on the web browser to clear the cache.
- After that, you should click on the ‘Storage’ option that you can find on the app settings window.
- Next, you should choose the ‘Clear Cache’ option.
These are all the processes you can follow to learn how to clear the DNS cache on Android.
Conclusion:
In order to fix connectivity problems, enhance internet performance, and safeguard privacy, clearing the DNS cache is necessary. In this article, we have given detailed information to let you learn how to clear DNS cache on Android and make browsing safer.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does using a VPN clear the DNS cache on Android?
No, it doesn’t clear the DNS cache on Android.
Does clearing the DNS cache on Android delete browsing history?
It doesn’t delete browsing history.
Is it safe to clear the DNS cache on Android?
You can clear the DNS cache on Android because it is really safe.
