This article will explain to you why you might not be seeing your website correctly and how to resolve the issue.  This is especially applicable if your website was recently migrated to a new hosting environment.


1. What is DNS Cache?


In order to help you surf the Web faster,  when your computer visits a website for the first time, it will store that websites DNS (Domain Name System) information by "caching" or saving onto your computer.  This allows your computer to  look in its cache to see if that website's information is stored.  If it is stored, then your computer can load that website faster.

However,  this can cause you to see different results if the websites DNS information has changed since the computer's last visit.  By flushing the DNS cache on your computer, it effectively removes all traces of that websites data that is stored in its cache, so it will force your computer to find the new DNS information for your website on your next visit.


Why Should I flush the DNS Cache?

When you migrate your web site files and data to a new hosting environment or different IP address, there is a process called DNS Propagation, where your ISP waits to grab the new DNS for the latest changes so that you can see the web site from it's new host / new IP.  By flushing your DNS cache, in most cases, it will allow you to access your site from it's new location without having to wait for lengthy propagation times.


Important! -  The process of flushing your computer's DNS Cache is NOT the same as deleting your browser's cache.  Deleting data from your browser's cache doesn't achieve the same result.  


So if you have already tried to delete your browser cache and still aren't seeing what you should be, then follow these steps to flush the DNS Cache on your computer:


(Disclaimer - We offer this tutorial for educational purposes only and are not liable or responsible for unexpected results on your computer or Internet Service Provider (ISP).  In addition, we do NOT provide IT or technical support for any errors should any mistakes or errors occur. )


2. How To Clear Your DNS Cache on Your Windows PC

  1. Click your "Start" button in the left corner of your screen
  2. In the search bar, type "command prompt".
  3. Use your mouse or keypad and click on the "Command Prompt" link


2.1 How To Clear Your DNS Cache on Your Windows PC

  1. Once you have the Administrator: Command Prompt window open, simply type "ipconfig /flushdns" (without the quotes, of course), and then hit your "Enter" button to execute the command.


2.2 How To Clear Your DNS Cache on Your Windows PC

If done correctly, you should see a message verifying that you have successfully flushed the DNS cache.



3. How To Clear Your DNS Cache on Your Mac

  1. Open a terminal window on your Mac.  You can do this by going to this folder on your computer: Applications/Utilities/Terminal.  You can also try opening your search icon (magnifying glass) in the upper right corner of the computer and typing "terminal".
  2. Based on your OS version, choose the appropriate command and enter it into the terminal area. NOTE: You many be required to enter your keychain password, as this operation requires Administrative privileges on your Mac.
      • Mac OSX 10.4 (Tiger) lookupd -flushcache
      • Mac OSX 10.5 & 10.6 (Leopards) dscacheutil -flushcache
      • Mac OSX 10.7 & 10.8 (Lions) sudo killall -HUP mDNSResponder
      • Mac OSX 10.9  (Mavericks) dscacheutil -flushcache;sudo killall -HUP mDNSResponder

     3.  Hit your computer's "Enter" key to run the command.  Your DNS Cache should now be successfully flushed.



4. Visit Your Website or Website Admin area and Verify that your site looks or is functioning correctly.