Troubleshoot Fing Desktop: DNS Error

When the Fing Desktop App does its normal health checks while running in the background, there is a chance of unreliable DNS resolution by the router. When this occurs, Fing Desktop displays an error message. Refresh the scan for Fing Desktop to work and ensure everything is normal.

If you configure the router dns settings with 8.8.8.8, you will find there are no errors or alerts.

DNS resolution errors at the router level are common. 

Your Domain Name System (DNS) reads websites like www.fing.com and translates them on their end into a form of IP addresses. Your DNS then keeps a cache, similar to how cache and cookies work on your browser, to save time the next time you go to access that site. Of course this can become outdated, and if you've reached out to IT support before you'll know that clearing your cache is one of the first troubleshooting tips you'll receive.

Clearing the cache on a semi-regular basis also removes the potential for 'tracking data' and can potentially protect you against the likes of DNS Poisoning (where hackers fake address records to send you to dangerous fake websites).

So, if you're running Fing Desktop and you see you're getting the warnings 'No DNS server is configured' or 'Unable to reach local DNS' - Fing is letting you know there's some DNS issues being experienced, and it's definitely worth trying a flushdns;

1. Turn off both your router and modem.
2. While they are off, clear your internet cache from all browsers, and close all browsers.
3. For Windows;
   • Go to command prompt (cmd) and run ipconfig /flushdns.
4. For MacOS: Open terminal
   • macOS Big Sur and newer**:** sudo dscacheutil -flushcache; sudo killall -HUP mDNSResponder
   • macOS Catalina and older: sudo killall -HUP mDNSResponder

As a bonus, you can also;

On Windows;

1. Run ipconfig /release.
2. Run ipconfig /renew.

On MacOS;

• Open System Settings (or System Preferences on older versions).
• Click on Network in the sidebar.
• Select your active connection (like Wi-Fi or Ethernet).
• Click Details... next to your connection.
• Select the TCP/IP tab.
• Click Renew DHCP Lease, then click OK

This will drop your computer's current IP address assigned by your router and then renew will get it a new one.

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