How to flush DNS Cache

A very common issue after updating A Record is a mapped domain goes to the default .cgi page.  This happens when your local DNS resolvers cache a domain name to IP mapping. When going to go to the domain, it's actually pulling up an old IP address (cached on your computer) instead of using the new one and finding the correct record.

Here's how you clear DNS cache:

Microsoft Windows 8

1. Close the application you're currently working with (browsers and/or email client)
2. Press the Windows Logo + R keys together simultaneously to have the Run dialogue window to appear. 
3. Type cmd in the text box and select OK.
4. When the black screen appears, type the command below and hit enter:
   ipconfig /flushdns
5. Restart your application (browser or email client). 

Microsoft Windows Vista and Windows 7

1. Close the application you're currently working with
2. Click the Start icon and follow All Programs > Accessories, look for Command Prompt.
3. Right click on Command Prompt and select "Run as Administrator". 
4. When the black screen appears, type the command below and hit enter:
   ipconfig /flushdns
5. Restart your application (browser or email client). 

 Microsoft Windows XP

1. Close the application you're currently working with
2. Go to the Start menu and click Run. 
3. Type cmd in the text box and select OK.
4. When the black screen appears, type command below then hit enter:
   ipconfig /flushdns
5. Restart your application (browser or email client). 

Mac OS X

This instruction is for Mac OX 10.10 Yosemite and will not work on prior versions of Mac OSX as it changes between versions. It is advised that you follow Apple's instructions to check your version number, then search for the command specific to your version of OSX.

1. Close the application you're currently working with, such as an internet browser or email client. 
2. Navigate to your Applications folder. 
3. Open Utilities and double click on Terminal. 
4. Type the following command and hit enter: 
   sudo discoveryutil mdnsflushcache;sudo discoveryutil udnsflushcaches;say flushed
5. Enter the admin username and password when prompted.
6. Restart your application (browser or email client). 
   Don't worry if either command says something like "Not found", and continue to restart your application. 

Linux

Different distributions and versions of Linux may have slightly different commands due to differences in configuration. One of the commands below should work.

1. Open up a root terminal window (Ctrl+T in Gnome).
2. Type the command below and hit enter:
   /etc/init.d/nscd restart
   You may need to use sudo depending on your installation instead:
   sudo /etc/init.d/nscd restart
   Some distributions support this command:
   sudo /etc/init.d/dns-clean start
   Or support this command:
   sudo service nscd restart
   Some installations may have NSDS located in another directory, like the following example. You may need to locate where it is installed to be able to execute the correct command.
   /etc/rc.d/init.d/nscd restart

3. Restart your application (browser or email client).