DNS is crucial to being able to surf the Internet. As we know, they act as a kind of translator so that the domain names that we put in the address bar are automatically linked with an IP address to which they correspond. In this way we do not need to remember numbers to enter a page, but simply its domain name. Windows makes it easy to start or stop the DNS service , which is useful in case of a problem.
How to stop or start the DNS service in Windows
Sometimes it can happen that the Windows DNS service does not work correctly and causes problems. We can use different methods to start it again. One of the easiest options is through the Windows services sub-program.
To start or stop the DNS service in Windows, the first thing we have to do is press the Windows + R key combination. Then we have to run services.msc . Once we are inside, we have to look for a DNS Client.
When we are here we simply have to click with the second button of the mouse over DNS Client and we will see the option to Pause or Start . We can also enter Properties and configure it automatically. Thus we can both start the DNS service in case it was paused, and stop it if it is started.
However, on certain devices this option is not available. We can find that at this stage, as we can see in the image above, that option appears in gray, without being able to mark it. Therefore, we cannot start or stop the DNS service in Windows in this way that we have explained.
Luckily we have other alternatives that we are going to show. Other methods with which we will be able to start or stop the DNS service in Windows 10, which is today the most used operating system among desktop users. This means that it can come in handy to many users who at some point encounter this type of problem.
Use the Windows registry
An alternative option that we can find is to use the Windows registry . To do this we have to go to the Start menu, write Registry Editor and run it in administrator mode.
Inside HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE we have to go to System, CurrentControlSet, Services and Dnscache. When we are here we have to right-click on Start and click on Modify.
We will see that by default the value that is assigned is 2. What we are going to do is set the value 4 and we click OK. With this we achieve that the service starts automatically. If we mark 3 we will have to start it manually.
Now we can follow the initial steps that we mentioned to start or pause the DNS service without these options appearing in gray.
System configuration
We also have the alternative of using the system settings. This time we have to press the Windows + R key combination and execute the MSConfig command . A new window will automatically open.
In this window we have to click on Services, which is the third option. Later we look for DNS Client . To tell us that it is running, the box must be checked. If we uncheck it, the service stops.
Symbol of the system
A third and last option we have is the Command Prompt. To do this we have to go to Start again, type Command Prompt and run it in administrator mode. From here we will be able to make different changes to the system.
With the net stop dnscache command we stop the service if it was already started. Instead the command net start dns cache starts it.
In short, these three options that we have mentioned allow you to start or stop the DNS service in Windows. Alternatives for when we cannot through the initial method we mentioned, something that is not available on all devices.
