Exploring Chrome’s DNS Settings: A Comprehensive Guide

Google Chrome, a popular web browser known for its speed and efficiency, comes equipped with various advanced features to enhance user experience. Among these is a powerful tool for managing and troubleshooting DNS settings, accessed through the internal URL chrome://net-internals/#dns. This page provides detailed insights into the DNS resolution process and allows users to clear the DNS cache, among other functions. Understanding how to navigate and utilize this tool can help users address network issues and optimize their browsing experience.

What is DNS and Why is it Important?

DNS, or Domain Name System, functions as the internet’s directory. It translates human-friendly domain names like “example.com” into machine-readable IP addresses such as “192.0.2.1”. This translation is crucial because, while humans prefer easy-to-remember domain names, computers operate using numerical IP addresses.

Without DNS, navigating the web would be cumbersome and inefficient. Every time you want to visit a website, you would need to remember its numerical IP address. DNS simplifies this process, making internet browsing user-friendly and efficient by converting domain names into IP addresses quickly and accurately.

Navigating Chrome’s DNS Settings

To access Chrome’s DNS settings, enter chrome://net-internals/#dns into the address bar and hit Enter. This command directs you to an internal Chrome page dedicated to DNS management. Here’s a breakdown of what you’ll find:

1. Host Resolver Cache: This section displays a list of domain names that Chrome has recently resolved along with their corresponding IP addresses. It shows the time each entry was added and when it will expire. This information is valuable for understanding how Chrome is resolving domain names and for troubleshooting potential issues.
2. Clear Host Cache: This button allows you to clear the DNS cache. The DNS cache stores resolved domain names and IP addresses to speed up subsequent visits to the same websites. If the cache becomes outdated or corrupted, it can cause issues such as slow loading times or errors when accessing websites. Clearing the cache can resolve these problems by forcing Chrome to fetch new DNS information.
3. Sockets: This tab provides information about the current network connections and their statuses. It is useful for diagnosing more complex network issues, such as connectivity problems or delays.
   

   Reset the DNS Cache in Chrome on iPhone

   Unfortunately, the Chrome browser for iPhone or iPad does not have DNS cache storage the browser. If you visit the chrome://net-internals/#dns in the address bar, it will result in an INVALID_URL error.

    

   The iPhone or iPad does not have any option to flush the DNS cache, even on the Network Settings page. The easy way to clear the DNS cache on iPhone or iPad is using the Airplane mode.

   Method 1: Reset Network using Airplane Mode

   When you Turn On, and Off the Airplane mode, the iOS or iPadOS automatically reset the network settings along with the stored DNS cache. Here are the steps to follow:

   1. Slide down to open the Control Center on your device.
   2. Tap on the Airplane mode button to Turn On.
   3. Wait for a few seconds and then Turn Off the Airplane mode.

   Alternatively, you can also Reboot the iPhone or iPad device for the network and DNS cache flush.

   Method 2: Reset Network Settings

   A more complex way to clear the DNS cache is by using the Reset Network settings option under the Settings app > General > Transfer or Reset iPhone > Reset.

    

   The Reset Network Settings option is not recommended unless you have a major network-related issue. The Airplane mode resets the DNS cache on Chrome for iPhone or iPad instead.

   Bottom Line

   The Chrome browser has a dedicated DNS host storage independent of your system DNS. If there are any site loading or network connectivity issues within the Chrome browser, then you can visit the chrome://net-internals/#dns in the address bar and hit on the Clear host cache option.

   DNS caching feature is available in computer and Android browsers. You need to rely on the Airplane mode or network settings page for iPhone or iPad.