DNS not responding error.

[Deleted account 220319001]

My laptop internet is down and when I run a Windows diagnosis that is the message I get.

It says....

Your computer is trying to use a DNS server that is incorrect or doesn't exist.

My internet is working though cause I'm posting this via WiFi on my phone.

Is there a layman's easy fix ??

It was working fine last night then the internet just dropped off so I just switched the thing off and here it is still the same.

 

[oblertone]

Even your laptop has had enough

 

[Cook1e]

0. (Afterthought) First restart your computer and your router and try again

1. Open a command window (click 'Run' and type "cmd" into the box that appears, then press 'Enter', or type "cmd" into the search box on the bottom left)

2. Into the black window which appears, after the 'C:\users\Cabby >' prompt, type "ipconfig /all" and press 'Enter'.

3. Look at the info which appears. There should be a line which says: 'DNS servers....... xxx.xxx.xxx.xxx', where the xs stand for a string of numbers separated by dots: e.g. "149.112.112.112" or "8.8.8.8"

4. Type "ping xxx.xxx.xxx.xxx", where xxx etc are the numbers you saw in step 3, and press 'Enter'. You should see a series of 4 response times and an average. This means your DNS server is fine and the problem lies elsewhere. If you see 'Timeout' messages, the DNS server is down, or unreachable for some reason.

Let us know what you see and we'll go from there...

 

[Santa-2512]

Reset you router.

something has prolly tried to change it to it's own ""Prefered"" DNS servers and failed lol (my guess is on the computer)

Most BT Home Hub & Plusnet Hubs have locked DNS servers ie you have to use there DNS servers ( the dns server ip addresses are hard coded and cant be changed)

Non oem routers are more configurable,and you can change the DNS server at the router as well

Primary DNS 8.8.8.8 & Secondary DNS 4.4.4.4 are googles own DNS servers, so if you get no joy, use those as a start point

 

[Deleted account 220319001]

Cheers lads.

Did a router reset/restart and a laptop restart and seems now to be working.

It is a BT Home hub btw.

 

[wessie]

Cheers lads.

Did a router reset/restart and a laptop restart and seems now to be working.

It is a BT Home hub btw.

I used BT & Plusnet (rebadged BT) for a while. Frequent router resets were necessary. Not sure if they use crappy routers, crappy firmware or just have a network that is a pile of poo. Probably a bit of all three. Changed to a LLU connection via TalkTalk with their own badged router made by D-link and a reset is rarely required.

 

[Deleted account 220319001]

TBH, I'm not computer savvy at all but have noticed quite a few times my internet drops off for about 5 minutes or so then appears again all good and well.

 

[wessie]

TBH, I'm not computer savvy at all but have noticed quite a few times my internet drops off for about 5 minutes or so then appears again all good and well.

yep, happened to me every day on BT, usually twice a day when they rebalanced the network either side of peak hours of 1800-2300 but at other random times if there was a spike in demand. I had hoped such a thing would go when I switched to fibre but it didn't.

I just don't get this line dropout very often with TalkTalk. Maybe there aren't many TT customers here as there is Virgin cable in the street so my contention ratio is lower i.e. fewer people sharing the same connection which can be a problem if everyone in your area uses the same provider. If I look at the neighbours who have wifi in range, most or on Virgin, a few on BT/Plusnet and only 1 other on TT.

 

[Deleted account 220319001]

I'm on some deal at the moment that finishes in July then they are getting binned, £43 a month is hardly a great deal IMO when the PO are offering £16 a month.

 

[wessie]

I'm on some deal at the moment that finishes in July then they are getting binned, £43 a month is hardly a great deal IMO when the PO are offering £16 a month.

Shell Energy has the best deal at the moment for the basic fibre package https://www.moneysavingexpert.com/phones/cheap-broadband/#fibreoptic but check this link in July.

This is basically what I have now but rebranded to Shell as it is provided via the TalkTalk LLU. As ever, check any network's reputation in your area as each of them has places where their local service is overwhelmed.

 

[Deleted account 220319001]

I was suckered in to an 18 month deal for some super duper fibre nonsense that I know I don't need. I don't download games, have 10 kids upstairs online playing games or a wife making porn movies in the bedroom, so lesson learned.

Will check back that link later, cheers.