How to Reset the DNS Cache on a Macintosh Computer

The Domain Name System was invented so that people would no longer have to remember the IP address of every site they wish to visit. DNS is similar in concept to a phone book, where a name is linked to a number. In the case of DNS, the number is an IP address. Apple's Mac OS X operating system caches the several most recent DNS lookups to increase the speed. However, if the DNS cache is populated with incorrect information, the Internet connectivity of the computer can suffer. You can manually reset the DNS cache on a Macintosh computer through the command-line.

Instructions

1. Click the "Finder" icon in the dock.

2. Click the "Go" menu at the top of the screen.

3. Click "Utilities."

4. Double-click "Terminal."

5. Type "dscacheutil -flushcache" without quotes, and then press "Return." The DNS cache has been reset.