OS X: How to reset the DNS cache

Summary

Learn how to reset (flush) the DNS cache.

Products Affected

Lion Server, OS X Lion, OS X Mountain Lion, OS X Server (Mountain Lion)

OS X Mountain Lion or Lion

Use the following Terminal command to reset the DNS cache:

sudo killall -HUP mDNSResponder

 

Mac OS X v10.6

Use the following Terminal command to reset the DNS cache:

sudo dscacheutil -flushcache

Additional Information

When you might want to do this

OS X keeps a local cache of resolved DNS queries for a time defined by the DNS server, but sometimes it may be necessary to reset the cache immediately and re-query a DNS server. For example, you might do this after an entry on the server is changed or a new entry is added.

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