What is DNS and How Does it Affect GitHub?
DNS, or Domain Name System, acts as an address book for the internet, translating human-readable domain names into IP addresses that computers can understand. When you type “github.com” in your web browser, DNS resolves it to the corresponding IP address to establish a connection with GitHub’s servers.
- Step 1: Check your internet connection
- Step 2: Clear DNS cache
ipconfig /flushdns
(Windows)sudo killall -HUP mDNSResponder
(Mac)sudo systemd-resolve --flush-caches
(Linux)- Step 3: Check your DNS settings
- Open your network settings (Control Panel > Network and Internet > Network and Sharing Center).
- Select your active network connection and click “Properties”.
- Choose “Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4)” and click “Properties”.
- Select “Use the following DNS server addresses” and enter the preferred DNS server:
- Preferred DNS server: 8.8.8.8
- Alternate DNS server: 8.8.4.4
- Preferred DNS server: 208.67.222.222
- Alternate DNS server: 208.67.220.220
- Step 4: Temporarily disable security software
- Step 5: Restart your computer
- Step 6: Contact your ISP
Before diving into DNS troubleshooting, it’s crucial to ensure your internet connection is stable. Restart your router or modem and make sure you have a reliable network connection.
In some cases, your computer’s DNS cache might contain outdated records causing connection issues. To clear the DNS cache, open the Command Prompt (Windows) or Terminal (Mac/Linux) and use the appropriate command:
If clearing the DNS cache didn’t resolve the issue, it’s worth checking your DNS settings. Make sure you’re using a reliable DNS resolver like Google DNS or OpenDNS. Here’s how to change your DNS settings:
Google DNS:
OpenDNS:
In rare cases, security software on your computer might interfere with the DNS resolution process, causing connectivity issues. Temporarily disable your antivirus or firewall software and check if it resolves the problem.
After performing the above steps, give your computer a fresh start by restarting it. Oftentimes, a simple reboot can fix various networking issues, including DNS problems.
If none of the above steps resolved the issue, it’s possible that your Internet Service Provider (ISP) is experiencing DNS problems. Get in touch with your ISP’s support team and provide them with detailed information about the issue.
With these troubleshooting steps, you should be able to fix the “Unable to Resolve Host github.com” error and regain access to GitHub’s invaluable resources. Remember to always keep your DNS settings up to date and ensure a reliable internet connection for smooth browsing experiences.