How To Flush DNS on Mac: A Quick and Simple Guide

We’ve all had to deal with internet connection issues at one point or another, from specific websites not loading to general unexplainable slowdowns.

In those situations, you’ll definitely want to think about how to flush the DNS on your Mac, as this might be the way to fix the problem you’re encountering. So, if you want to learn more, read on!

What Is the DNS Cache and Why Should You Flush It?

The DNS basically serves as a communicator between you and the website you're trying to access, and if you've recently visited the website, the information is cached for a faster response the next time you try to access it.

However, if the DNS cache is outdated or corrupted, it could cause connectivity issues, which is one of the reasons why you might need to flush it.

How To Flush DNS Cache on Mac

Here are the steps on how to flush the DNS cache on Mac: 

1. Click on the Spotlight search button, or just press Command+Space to start the search;
2. Type Terminal and double-click on the Terminal application, or click  Go>Utilities>Terminal. You can also click on Applications, open the Utilities folder, and double-click Terminal;
3. Once you open Terminal, enter the following command: sudo dscacheutil -flushcache; sudo killall -HUP mDNSResponder

Source: MacKeeper

4. Type in your Mac’s password, and press Enter to flush the DNS cache.

How To Flush DNS on Old macOS Versions

If you have an older version of macOS, the command will differ from the one mentioned above, while the process to clear the DNS cache on Mac remains the same.

Almost every version of Mac has a different command. If you don’t know which version of macOS you have, click on the Apple icon located in the top left corner of your screen, and select About This Mac. 

Now that you know which version of the OS you have, find the appropriate command in the table below and copy it to the Terminal application to clear the DNS cache.

How To Flush DNS Using Third-Party Software

If you don’t want to flush the DNS on your Mac manually, we recommend a cache-clearing tool like MacKeeper. This tool will clear your DNS cache automatically in a flash. You won’t have to worry about MacKeeper deleting important files, as it will only remove the unnecessary ones.

To flush the DNS cache on Mac with third-party software like MacKeeper, follow these steps:

1. Download and install MacKeeper;
2. Open it and go to the Cleaning section;
3. Click on Safe Cleanup;

Source: MacKeeper

4. Click on the Start Full Scan button;
5. Check the Caches Box, and select the caches you want to clear, such as user, system, mail, or browser caches;
6. Finally, click on the Clean Junk Files button.

Bottom Line

Clearing the DNS cache on your Mac is a good idea whenever you’re facing connectivity issues of any kind, from general slowdowns to particular websites not loading properly.

By following the steps we’ve gone over in this guide or utilizing the MacKeeper tool, you’ll hopefully be able to fix whatever issues you’re facing.