When you visit websites, your computer stores DNS (Domain Name System) information to load pages faster. Sometimes this cached data becomes outdated or corrupted, causing connection errors. Flushing DNS cache clears these stored records, forcing your system to fetch fresh data from DNS servers.

Here's how to flush DNS cache on different operating systems:

• Windows: Open Command Prompt as administrator and type: ipconfig /flushdns
• macOS: Open Terminal and use: sudo dscacheutil -flushcache (for newer versions) or sudo killall -HUP mDNSResponder
• Linux: The command varies by distribution. For systemd-resolved: sudo systemd-resolve --flush-caches

When should you flush DNS? Common scenarios include: website not loading despite working elsewhere, recent DNS changes not propagating, or troubleshooting network issues. The process is safe and won't affect your personal data or settings.

After flushing, restart your browser and test the problematic website. If issues persist, consider clearing browser cache or checking your network configuration. For persistent problems, contact your hosting provider or ISP for further assistance.