Resetting DNS

How to restore your DNS settings to default

Resetting DNS

DNS-MNS can restore your DNS settings to automatic (DHCP) mode, where your router or ISP provides DNS servers.

Using DNS-MNS to Reset

The easiest way to reset DNS is through the tool itself:

1. Run dns-mns
2. Select option 3 (Clear/Reset DNS)
3. Confirm the reset

[ CLEAR/RESET DNS ]

This will reset your DNS settings to automatic (DHCP).
Your router/ISP will provide DNS servers.

Are you sure? (y/n): y

Resetting DNS settings...
DNS has been reset to automatic.

What Reset Does

Linux

systemd-resolved:

• Removes /etc/systemd/resolved.conf.d/dns-mns.conf
• Restarts systemd-resolved service

NetworkManager:

• Resets ipv4.ignore-auto-dns to no
• Clears custom DNS settings
• Reloads the connection

resolv.conf:

• Restores from backup if available
• Or configures for DHCP

macOS

• Clears custom DNS using networksetup -setdnsservers "Wi-Fi" empty
• Flushes DNS cache
• System returns to DHCP-provided DNS

Windows

• Resets DNS using Set-DnsClientServerAddress -ResetServerAddresses
• Clears DNS cache
• System returns to DHCP-provided DNS

Manual Reset

If DNS-MNS isn’t available, you can reset manually:

Linux

systemd-resolved:

sudo rm /etc/systemd/resolved.conf.d/dns-mns.conf
sudo systemctl restart systemd-resolved

NetworkManager:

# Get your connection name
nmcli connection show

# Reset DNS
sudo nmcli connection modify "Your Connection" ipv4.dns ""
sudo nmcli connection modify "Your Connection" ipv4.ignore-auto-dns no
sudo nmcli connection up "Your Connection"

resolv.conf:

# If you have a backup
sudo cp /etc/resolv.conf.backup /etc/resolv.conf

# Or let DHCP handle it
sudo dhclient -r && sudo dhclient

macOS

# Reset to empty (DHCP)
sudo networksetup -setdnsservers "Wi-Fi" empty

# Flush cache
sudo dscacheutil -flushcache
sudo killall -HUP mDNSResponder

For Ethernet:

sudo networksetup -setdnsservers "Ethernet" empty

Windows

# Reset to DHCP
Set-DnsClientServerAddress -InterfaceAlias "Wi-Fi" -ResetServerAddresses

# Clear cache
Clear-DnsClientCache

For Ethernet:

Set-DnsClientServerAddress -InterfaceAlias "Ethernet" -ResetServerAddresses

Flushing DNS Cache

After resetting DNS, it’s a good idea to flush your DNS cache:

Linux

sudo resolvectl flush-caches

macOS

sudo dscacheutil -flushcache && sudo killall -HUP mDNSResponder

Windows

Clear-DnsClientCache

Or in Command Prompt:

ipconfig /flushdns

Verifying Reset

Confirm that DNS has been reset to automatic:

Linux

resolvectl status

Look for “DNS Servers” from your router’s IP range (e.g., 192.168.x.x).

macOS

networksetup -getdnsservers Wi-Fi

Should show: “There aren’t any DNS Servers set on Wi-Fi.”

Windows

Get-DnsClientServerAddress -InterfaceAlias "Wi-Fi"

Should show DNS from your router.

When to Reset DNS

Consider resetting DNS if:

• You’re experiencing connectivity issues
• Websites aren’t loading correctly
• You want to return to your ISP’s default DNS
• You’re troubleshooting network problems

After resetting, your ISP-provided DNS will be used. This may be slower or have restrictions depending on your provider.