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Error message when you run the ipconfig /flushdns command on a Windows XP-based computer: "Could not flush the DNS Resolver Cache: Function failed during execution."

Article ID: 919746 - View products that this article applies to.

SYMPTOMS

When you run the ipconfig /flushdns command to clear the Domain Name System (DNS) cache on a Microsoft Windows XP-based computer, you receive an error message that resembles the following:

Could not flush the DNS Resolver Cache: Function failed during execution.

When you try to repair the network connection, you receive an error message that resembles the following:

Windows could not finish repairing the problem because the following action could not be completed:
Clearing the DNS Cache

For assistance, contact the person who manages your network.

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CAUSE

This problem occurs if the DNS Client service is not running on the computer.

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RESOLUTION

To resolve this problem, follow these steps:

Click Start, click Run, type services.msc, and then click OK.
In the list of services, click DNS Client.
Make sure that the Status column displays Started and that the Startup Type column displays Automatic.
If the service is not set to Started or if the startup type for the DNS Client service is not set to Automatic, follow these steps:
1. Right-click DNS Client, and then click Properties.
2. In the DNS Client Properties dialog box, click the General tab, and then click Automatic in the Startup type list.
3. Click Start, click Apply, and then click OK.