How to clear network cache |  DNS flushing

How to clear network cache | DNS flushing


Discover very practical instructions to clean the network on Windows and macOS and leave your machine free from errors and file overloads

If your Internet connection is having some kind of problem, it might be a good idea to clear your network cache to regain stability. This procedure is also known as Flush DNS and consists of removing bugs and IP addresses stored over time, which can cause slowdowns due to overload or even errors in accessing pages with broken links.



In fact, the acronym DNS stands for Domain Name System and is the location on your computer where cache files are stored, a system similar to that seen in browsers.

It is precisely this system that allows you to access web pages faster.

How to clear network cache

Flush DNS is an extremely simple process to perform and does not require any advanced computer knowledge. Below you can see the methods for Windows and macOS:

On Windows

The step-by-step guide below works on any version of Windows from 7 onwards and can be completed in just a few clicks. Learn it:

  1. On the Home screen, click the Start menu;
  2. write it down anyway and right-click on “Command Prompt”;
  3. Click “Run as administrator” and “Yes”;
  4. Type the command ipconfig /flushdns and press Enter.



  5. You can clear your Windows network cache in just a few clicks (Image: Screenshot/Fabrício Calixto/Canaltech)

Ok, now restart your computer and check the cleaning results.

On macOS

If you’re using macOS and want to clear your computer’s network cache, please note that the process may vary from version to version. Despite the differences, the step by step is simple to follow.

First, you need to press the F4 key and type “terminal” in the launchpad search field to access the terminal window. Next, in the command prompt, you need to type the following line, depending on the version of your Mac:

  • Yosemite or higher: sudo killall -HUP mDNSResponder;
  • Mavericks, Mountain Lion and Lion: sudo killall -HUP mDNSResponder;
  • Leopard or earlier: sudo lookupd -flushcache.


  • To clear the macOS network cache, you need to access the system launchpad (Image: Screenshot/Fabrício Calixto/Canaltech)

You still can Check out these tips to make your Mac run faster. If you also use Windows, learn 10 great tips to optimize your operating system and make your machine run faster.

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