Reset your network settings

Copy-paste commands to flush DNS and renew your IP on Windows, macOS and Linux, with every line explained.

These commands clear stale state after router changes, ISP outages or VPN problems. None of them delete your files or saved Wi-Fi passwords. Run only the lines you need.

Windows

Start → type cmd → right-click Command Prompt → Run as administrator.

ipconfig /flushdns

Empties the DNS cache so stale or poisoned lookups are fetched again.

ipconfig /release

Gives your current IP address back to the router. You'll briefly go offline.

ipconfig /renew

Asks the router for a fresh IP address and settings.

netsh winsock reset

Resets the Windows network socket catalog, which broken VPN or antivirus software can corrupt. Needs a restart.

netsh int ip reset

Resets TCP/IP settings to defaults. Use only if the above didn't help. Needs a restart.

macOS

Applications → Utilities → Terminal. You'll be asked for your password.

sudo dscacheutil -flushcache

Clears the directory service cache, including DNS entries.

sudo killall -HUP mDNSResponder

Restarts the macOS DNS service so it forgets cached lookups.

sudo ipconfig set en0 DHCP

Renews the IP address on en0 (usually Wi-Fi on laptops). Check the interface name with `networksetup -listallhardwareports`.

Linux (systemd)

Open a terminal.

resolvectl flush-caches

Clears systemd-resolved's DNS cache.

nmcli networking off && nmcli networking on

Restarts all NetworkManager connections, which renews DHCP leases.

Made a change? Measure again to see the difference.

Run the Health Check