When a website does not load in Chrome, most people think the internet is down. But often, the real issue is DNS. DNS helps Chrome find websites by turning website names into numbers. Although this happens in the background, problems can still occur. That is why Chrome Net Internals DNS exists.
When you open Chrome Net Internals, you may notice two sections related to DNS: DNS Cache and DNS Events. These sound similar, but they do very different things. Since many users get confused by this, let’s learn about both.
A Simple Explanation of DNS in Chrome
Before we compare DNS Cache and DNS Events, let’s quickly understand DNS itself. When you type a website name into Chrome, the browser needs to find the correct server. Because computers do not understand names like humans do, DNS converts the name into an IP address.
Chrome does this many times every day. Since this process can take time, Chrome saves some DNS information. At the same time, Chrome also records what happens during these lookups. Thus, we get DNS Cache and DNS Events.
What Is DNS Cache in Chrome Net Internals?
DNS Cache is where Chrome stores DNS results. When Chrome successfully finds the IP address for a website, it saves that information in memory. Because of this, the next time you visit the same website, Chrome does not need to ask the DNS server again.
This makes browsing faster and smoother. Although this is helpful most of the time, it can sometimes cause problems. If a website changes its IP address or your network settings change, Chrome may keep using old information.
That is why DNS Cache can break website loading, and learning how to clear DNS cache in Chrome becomes important.
What Kind of Data Is Stored in DNS Cache?
In Chrome Net Internals DNS, the DNS Cache shows:
- Website names Chrome has already looked up
- The IP addresses linked to those websites
- How long those records will stay cached
- Whether the lookup was successful or failed
Since this data is reused, it can become outdated. Thus, Chrome may try to connect using incorrect information.
What Is DNS Events in Chrome Net Internals?
DNS Events are very different. DNS Events do not store results. Instead, they show a record of DNS activity. This means DNS Events display what Chrome is doing when it tries to resolve website names.
Think of DNS Cache as saved memory, but DNS Events as a live report. Although DNS Events do not fix issues by themselves, they help explain what is going on.
What Do DNS Events Show?
DNS Events show information such as:
- When Chrome starts a DNS lookup
- If the lookup succeeds or fails
- Errors returned during DNS resolution
- How long each lookup takes
Because this information updates as you browse, DNS Events are useful for real-time troubleshooting.
The Main Difference Between DNS Cache and DNS Events
The difference between DNS Cache and DNS Events is actually simple:
- DNS Cache stores information
- DNS Events record activity
DNS Cache answers the question:
“What DNS information does Chrome already have?”
DNS Events answer the question:
“What is Chrome doing with DNS right now?”
Since these purposes are different, they are used in different ways.
When DNS Cache Causes Problems
DNS Cache causes problems when stored information becomes incorrect. This can happen because websites move servers, DNS records change, or network settings are updated.
When this happens, Chrome keeps using old DNS data. Although the website exists and works elsewhere, Chrome fails to load it. This is when clearing the cache helps.
Using chrome clear dns cache removes all stored DNS records. Chrome then requests fresh information, thereby fixing many loading issues.
How to Clear DNS Cache in Chrome
To clear DNS cache:
- Open Chrome
- Type chrome://net-internals/#dns
- Click Clear host cache
This action clears stored DNS data only. It does not delete browsing history or saved passwords. Since this is safe and fast, it is often the first troubleshooting step.
When DNS Events Are More Useful
DNS Events are useful when problems keep happening even after clearing the cache. Since DNS Events show live activity, they help you understand why Chrome is failing.
For example, DNS Events can show:
- Repeated lookup failures
- Timeouts from DNS servers
- Network-related errors
Although DNS Events do not fix anything directly, they point to the root cause.
Why DNS Events Do Not Cause Errors
DNS Events are only logs. They do not store data used by Chrome to load websites. Because of this, DNS Events cannot break anything.
DNS Cache, though, directly affects website loading. That is why DNS Cache is usually the main focus during troubleshooting.
How DNS Cache and DNS Events Work Together
The best way to troubleshoot DNS issues is to use both tools together:
- Check DNS Cache to see stored records
- Use chrome clear dns cache to reset them
- Watch DNS Events to see new lookup activity
If DNS Events show successful lookups after clearing the cache, the issue is likely resolved.
Why Chrome Net Internals DNS Is Important
Chrome Net Internals DNS gives you insight into how Chrome handles DNS internally. While most browsers restrict access to this information, Chrome makes it available.
Even though it may look complicated, the basic steps are easy. Since DNS problems are common, having access to this tool helps you resolve DNS issues faster and with less aggravation.
Final Thoughts
While DNS Cache and DNS Events may sound similar, their functions differ. DNS Cache stores resolved website information while DNS Events record DNS activity.
Clearing the DNS Cache can often resolve the issue of an unresponsive webpage since DNS Cache can become outdated. DNS Events, though, help explain what happens behind the scenes.
When you understand what both of these are in Chrome Net Internals DNS, you can troubleshoot Chrome DNS issues with confidence and ease.
FAQs
- What is DNS Cache in Chrome Net Internals?
DNS Cache is where Chrome saves the addresses of websites you visit. This helps pages load faster the next time you open them. - What are DNS Events in Chrome Net Internals?
DNS Events are logs that show what Chrome is doing when it looks up website addresses. They help you see if any DNS problems happen. - Should I clear DNS Cache or check DNS Events first?
You should clear the DNS Cache first because that typically resolves website loading issues more than other methods. - Does chrome clear dns cache delete browsing data?
No, clearing DNS Cache only removes saved website address information and it does not delete your history, passwords, or bookmarks. - Why do DNS Events still show errors after clearing cache?
DNS Events may still show errors if the problem is with your network, your DNS server, or the website itself.
