How to Fix Slow DNS Lookup
Most of the time, when you are accessing websites, it takes longer to load. One of the main issues behind it is the slow DNS lookup. The load time is of some milliseconds; however, when you visit more websites, this slow load time can combine and, after some time, make your overall browser slower. In this blog, learn what a slow DNS lookup is and how to fix slow DNS lookup on your system to use your browser smoothly without waiting for the site to load.
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What Is DNS Lookup?
A computer cannot straightaway understand the words; however, it first translates your website domain name into an IP address, then forwards your request to the DNS server. But what’s the process of it? Here is the process of DNS lookup:
- Website Search: The first step is when you search and type the domain into your browser.
- DNS Query: The site you are searching for has its query forwarded to the DNS server.
- DNS Lookup: DNS lookup checks if the domain name for your suite is in the database.
- Website load: Once your browser knows the location of the website server you want to access, it can begin loading the website. The browser uses the site’s IP address and lets you connect with it instantly.
Also Read: What Is a DNS?
Factors That Cause Slow DNS Lookup
Among the several factors involved in slowing DNS are those that result in slow browsing and longer loading times for websites. Here are some of the main factors of the slow DNS:
Overload DNS Service
Internet service providers assign a DNS server to every user; these servers are identical, and when many people use them simultaneously, the server becomes congested, resulting in websites loading very slowly.
What’s the Solution?
There is no need to keep older DNS records; start deleting the older ones, keeping only the information that you access more frequently. So later, when you access that site, it won’t take a long time to load.
DNS server Distance
If the DNS server is located at a distance, it will take extra minutes to load websites. Moreover, it can time out your browser, and site pages won’t load.
What’s the Solution?
You can use faster DNS services like Cloudfare, Google, and Amazon. They work efficiently, both globally and locally, allowing you to visit the sites quickly.
Cache Issues
Any website you access leaves some cache, and again, accessing the same site won’t take longer. Since the DNS server knows the IP, however, if the cache isn’t stored or is not functioning, then the DNS lookup will follow all the steps.
What’s the Solution?
Check whether your DNS cache is turned on or not. If it isn’t, then enable it so you won’t get a longer time visiting the already visited site.
Multiple Redirect Paths
One domain can be redirected to another using CNAME. To reach you, the actual site, these multiple redirections require a DNS lookup from scratch, which is a time-consuming process.
What’s the Solution?
Since many redirections take more time to reach you to the right site, website developers must give the direct domain to the DNS server.
DNS Traffic Issue
When a lot of people are using the same site or using the same DNS, then the site takes time to search for the correct IP. And you see the website slowdown.
What’s the Solution?
The solution for busy DNS servers is that website owners can utilize a CDN, or Content Delivery Network. Moreover, efficient DNS servers can be used as well.
Incorrect DNS Settings
Correct DNS settings are important; if not, then your internet connection will be slow. There is TTL, i.e., Time to Live. If it’s high, you will receive an error or outdated information; if it’s low, then the DNS server must check the website’s IP address each time you visit.
What’s the Solution?
The simplest way is to flush the DNS cache and set the TTL, which is typically between high and low, so that it does not display outdated data.
How to Fix Slow DNS Lookup? Working Methods
Here are the working methods that will resolve the slow DNS Lookup:
1. Fixing on Computer
On PC, below are the steps to follow for the slow DNS issue:
- Go to Network Settings, and click on Wi-Fi or Ethernet.
- From Settings, select Network and Internet.
- Click on “Properties” for the network you are using.
- Scroll down to IP Assignment and Click on Edit.
- Set Automatic to Manual.
- Turn on IPv4.
- Enter DNS servers. In Preffered enter 1.1.1.1, and in Alternate, enter 8.8.8.8
- Save Changes and restart the Network.
Here, 1.1.1.1 is the Cloudfare DNS, and 8.8.8.8 is the Google Public DNS. You can use them when the DNS provided by your ISP is slow. Using the DNS service by Public Providers will make your browsing efficient.
2. Minimize DNS Setup
A large number of DNS records can delay the website’s response time. When there are more record server will respond really slowly. To make it faster, remove any older records that are no longer in use, including the CNAME and TXT records. Moreover, avoid accessing the site from multiple redirections; only use the domain that directly gets you to the final site’s IP address.
3. Keep DNS Records
When you keep the DNS cache, it minimizes loading time, and when you search for the same website again, it will display the results directly without delay. This means the browser won’t request the DNS server for the website’s IP address. Moreover, you can turn on the browser cache and server-side cache if you are managing a site. Moreover, the OS cache knows the IP address of the site you visit more. Accessing the site again PC will show you direct results.
4. Use CDN
Content Delivery Networks are servers located globally that store copies of websites, including images and videos from the site. It is used to reduce the load time. Services like Cloudflare and Akamai have their own DNS servers, helps in accessing you the websites quickly by requesting the nearest edge server.
5. DNS TTL
TTL, which has a full form of Time to Live, tells your network nad DNS the time till when they can keep data before updating it. Higher TTL will take time in updating the DNS; however, the lower one just takes 30 to 120 seconds, and the lower is better for the websites that make more changes.
6. Reduce DNS Chaining
Some websites do not have a single domain that only opens the site; sometimes, when you access the site, it shows you another redirection to reach the actual site. Connect the domain directly to the site’s actual IP address to access the site immediately.
7. Optimize DNS Performance
DNS performance can be speedy when your website is shown to you from the server located nearby. Moreover, load balancing can help as users can access the site without facing load time due to the multiple DNS servers. Also, you can use a public DNS server like Cloudfare, Amazon ro Google.
How to Know If DNS Is Functioning Properly?
After learning how to fix slow DNS lookups, it is also necessary to check DNS performance daily, so you can identify any issues more quickly before something major happens.
- Use DNS Speed Performance online tools like DNS Speed Test.
- Check and track DNS response time. There are online tools that you can use to check out the response time. Identify the slowdowns and solve them instantly.
- When your DNS request fails, keep a track of it, and from the failed lookups, you can know what the issue is, maybe you need to change settings.
- Updating the DNS record must be changed all over the internet; users will get outdated information.
Summary of How to Fix Slow DNS Lookup
Many users experience slow DNS issues, which you can know when your websites take more than a few minutes to load in your browsers. Moreover, this is why many people search for how to fix slow DNS lookup. You can fix it by removing irrelevant DNS cache, clearing multiple redirections, and using a public DNS server for Google and Amazon. Moreover, use iProVPN as it has servers spread globally, making your browsing faster.
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Slow DNS Lookup - FAQs
- How to fix slow DNS lookup?
Clear the DNS cache or try using the Public DNS servers of Cloudfare, Google or Amazon. This way, you can fix the slowdown from DNS.
- Which is the best DNS server for gaming?
In terms of speed Cloudfare 1.1.1.1 is best, for improved reliability Google DNS server of 8.8.8.8 is best.
- What impacts the DNS server performance?
There are some factors that impact DNS performance: the server being outdated, and improper settings being used. Moreover, if DNS servers are placed far away from your location, then there will be a slowdown in performance.
- Which is the slowest DNS server?
Normally, the DNS servers provided by your IP are slower because they assign the same server to multiple users, causing slowdowns.
- Can I use an online speed test to check my DNS?
Yes, there are online tools that will let you test your DNS server speed and performance.
