Is your DNS server down? How to check?

If you are unable to access websites, you may wonder if the issue is caused by your DNS server. DNS (Domain Name System) is what translates domain names like google.com into IP addresses so your browser can load the website.

Here are some ways to check if your DNS server might be down:

Easy Way (For Everyday Users)

1. Check the error message on your browser. Common DNS-related errors include:

   • “DNS_PROBE_FINISHED_NXDOMAIN” (Chrome)

   • “Server not found” (Firefox)

   • “This site can’t be reached” (Edge/Chrome)

2. Use an online DNS checker to confirm without changing your settings:

   • DNS Checker – view DNS results from different global servers.

   • WhatsMyDNS – simple DNS propagation test.

   • IntoDNS – detailed DNS health and nameserver report.

3. (Optional) Switch to a public DNS to double-check:

   • Google DNS → 8.8.8.8 / 8.8.4.4

   • Cloudflare DNS → 1.1.1.1 / 1.0.0.1

   • If websites work after switching → your original DNS server is likely down.

Advanced Way (For Technical Users)

1. Test with nslookup:

   nslookup google.com [DNS server IP]

   • Shows IP address → DNS is working.

   • “Server not responding” or “timed out” → DNS may be down.

2. Check connectivity with ping:

   ping [DNS server IP]

   • Replies received → DNS server is reachable.

   • No reply → server may be unreachable or down.

3. (If you are using Linux/macOS) Try dig:

   dig @[DNS server IP] google.com

Other Things to Keep in Mind

• Propagation delay: If you recently updated your nameserver, changes may take 24–48 hours to fully propagate worldwide. During this time, access may be inconsistent.

• Local caching: Sometimes the issue is with your device or ISP’s cache. Try clearing your browser cache, flushing DNS, or testing on a different network (like mobile data).

• Website issue vs. DNS issue: If only your own website is inaccessible but others load fine, it may be the website or hosting service that is down, not the DNS server.

When to Contact Support

If you are still unsure or unable to confirm, please contact our Support Team by submitting a ticket through Customer Portal or send an email to support@ipserverone.com with the information below:

• Your domain name

• The DNS server you are using

• Any error messages or screenshots you see

Our team is always happy to help, so please don’t hesitate to reach out if you need further assistance!