How to View and Clear DNS Cache on Android?

Can You Use the ipconfig /displaydns Command on Android? Here’s What You Need to Know

Imagine your phone as a library. Every time you visit a website, it’s like borrowing a book. The DNS resolver cache acts like the librarian who remembers which books (websites) you’ve borrowed before, so you don’t have to search the entire library again. This speeds things up. But sometimes, the librarian gets confused, and clearing their memory helps fix issues. That’s where viewing and clearing DNS cache comes in.

What is the ipconfig /displaydns Command?

The “ipconfig /displaydns” command is a Windows-specific tool that displays the DNS cache stored on your system. Think of it as a list of websites your computer has recently visited, along with their IP addresses and expiration times (TTL).

• DNS Cache: Temporary storage for domain names and IP addresses.
• Purpose: Speeds up browsing by reducing repeated DNS lookups.

However, Android devices don’t speak the same language as Windows. Android runs on Linux, so this command won’t work there.

Viewing DNS Cache on Android

Android doesn’t have a built-in command like Windows’ ipconfig /displaydns, but there’s a workaround if you’re using Google Chrome as your browser. Here’s how:

Steps to View DNS Cache in Chrome

1. Open Google Chrome on your Android device.
2. Type chrome://net-internals/#dns into the address bar and hit enter.
3. On the left menu pane, tap “DNS.”
4. Look under the “Lookup” button—you’ll see your DNS records listed here.

Why Check DNS Cache?

• Troubleshoot website access issues.
• Identify cached records affecting internet performance.

Clearing DNS Cache on Android

Clearing the DNS cache is like wiping the slate clean for your device’s memory of websites. This can resolve connectivity problems or speed issues caused by outdated records.

Steps to Clear DNS Cache in Chrome

1. Follow steps 1–3 above to access DNS settings in Chrome.
2. Tap “Clear Host Cache” under the DNS section.

Once cleared, your device refreshes its memory, improving browsing performance.

Why Clearing DNS Cache Matters

Sometimes, cached records become outdated or corrupted, causing errors when accessing websites or slowing down internet speed. Clearing the cache fixes these problems in seconds.

What About Windows Users?

If you’re on a Windows computer, checking and clearing DNS cache is straightforward using the ipconfig /displaydns command.

Steps for Viewing DNS Cache on Windows

1. Press Windows + S and search for “CMD.” Run it as Administrator.
2. When prompted by User Account Control, click “Yes.”
3. Type ipconfig /displaydns into the command prompt and press Enter.

You’ll see a list of cached domains, IP addresses, and TTL values.

Why Use ipconfig /displaydns on Windows?

• Diagnose network issues quickly.
• Identify cached entries causing problems with website access.

FAQs

Question: Can I use ipconfig /displaydns directly on my Android device?

Answer: No, this command is exclusive to Windows systems due to its architecture differences from Android.

Question: Why should I clear my DNS cache?

Answer: It helps resolve website access issues and improves internet performance by removing outdated or corrupted records.

Question: Is there an alternative method for non-Chrome users?

Answer: For non-Chrome browsers or apps, clearing the device’s network settings may help flush cached DNS records.

By following these steps, you can troubleshoot common network problems effectively without needing advanced tools or commands!