How to Clear DNS Cache in Firefox using about:networking

When using Firefox, you may occasionally run into problems like websites not loading, seeing outdated versions of pages, or experiencing slow browsing speeds. Basically, these issues come due to Firefox’s outdated or corrupted DNS cache. So, if you are facing these types of issues with your Firefox, then you need to clear your Firefox DNS cache.

Why Clear the DNS Cache in Firefox?

There are several reasons why you might need to clear the DNS cache in Firefox:

• Website Migration or IP Changes: If a website has moved to a new server or changed its IP address, the cached DNS information in Firefox might point to the old IP, causing connectivity issues.
• Outdated DNS Records: DNS records can become outdated, leading to errors like "Server Not Found" or "DNS Probe Finished No Internet."
• Network Troubleshooting: Clearing the DNS cache can help resolve network-related issues, such as slow loading times or inability to access certain websites.

Privacy Concerns: Clearing the DNS cache can remove traces of the websites you’ve visited, enhancing your privacy.

How to Clear DNS Cache in Firefox Using "about:networking" 

Follow the below steps to clear Firefox’s DNS cache. Also these steps work on all OS versions Firefox like Windows, macOS, Linux.

Step 1: Open Firefox

• Launch Firefox in your Windows, Mac, Linux system
• Once the Firefox open go to the search bar

Step 2: Use about:networking Command

• In the search bar type "about:networking" and click Enter.
• After clicking on Enter you will redirected to the Firefox Networking page.

Step 3: Choose DNS Option

• Look for the DNS option, it is just below the Sockets option.
• Click on the DNS option to view other options.

Step 4: Clear DNS Cache

In the next page you will see the list of all DNS cache entries saved in Firefox. Now, click on the Clear DNS Cache button to clear DNS cache in Firefox.

Additional Tips for Managing DNS in Firefox

1. Use a Custom DNS Server: Consider using a public DNS server like Google DNS (8.8.8.8, 8.8.4.4) or Cloudflare DNS (1.1.1.1) for faster and more reliable DNS resolution.
2. Enable DNS-over-HTTPS (DoH): Firefox supports DNS-over-HTTPS, which encrypts your DNS queries for enhanced privacy. To enable it:
   • Go to Settings > General > Network Settings > Settings.
   • Check "Enable DNS over HTTPS" and choose a provider.
3. Regularly Clear Browser Cache: In addition to DNS cache, regularly clear your browser’s cache, cookies, and history to improve performance and privacy.

Conclusion

Clearing the DNS cache in Firefox is a quick and effective way to fix common browsing issues, from websites not loading to outdated content. This guide gives you the tools to refresh Firefox’s DNS data. If problems linger, explore OS-level fixes or extension conflicts to get back to seamless browsing.