There are many ways to speed up your Mac and the most effective one is to clear the DNS cache or DNS resolver cache. If you are unfamiliar with this term, then you should know that the cache is a temporary database of NDS lockups on the operating system and browser. The records kept in the cache contain various information such as recently visited websites and the root domains. If you are having internet connectivity issues on your device, then your first step in troubleshooting is to clear the DNS cache on your Mac.
How Does Clearing the DNS Cache on a Mac Solve Internet Connectivity Issues?
If you are trying to visit a website and it isn’t loading as it should, the DNS cache is usually what’s causing the problem. Not just that, but the DNS cache can also make it difficult for a Mac to find internet connectivity. This is why clearing the cache will boost the speed of your Mac when surfing the web while also improving internet stability.
How to Clear DNS Cache on Mac
Even though it may seem like clearing DNS caches on Mac is something that only tech-savvy people can do, this is not actually the case. We are going to explain the process in a step by step manner so that you know exactly what to do.
The following guide can be used on Macs that are running on the following operating systems: Catalina, Mojave, High Sierra, Sierra, and El Capitan.
- Access the Terminal by using the Launchpad or Finder – Applications – Utilities;
- Enter the following command: sudo killal -HUP mDNSResponder;
- Type in your private Mac password and hit the enter key;
- All that’s left is to wait for the audio alert to confirm that the DNS cache has been cleared.
How to Clear the DNS Cache on Older Macs
If you are not using one of Apple’s latest Macs, then you are required to follow another guide. Don’t worry, we have your back! Use the commands below to clear the DNS cache:
For macOS Yosemite:
sudo discoveryutil udnsflushcaches
For macOS Lion, Mountain Lion, and Mavericks
sudo killall -HUP mDNSResponder
Final Words
We hope that our guide helped you clear your Mac DNS cache and solved your bad internet connectivity or website not loading problem. If you still have any questions left unanswered, then you can ask in the comments section below.