DNS_PROBE_FINISHED_BAD_CONFIG is a common error that you may come across when surfing the Internet. The error is related to the IP address of the website(s) which may crop unexpectedly and prevent you from accessing a specific site or stop you from using the Internet altogether.

The error could occur if the DNS server is not responding properly or there is some problem with the Internet connection. The error is not dreadful as it might seem to many users and sometimes the problem is temporary.

Before you perform any troubleshooting steps given below, restart your router and see if the problem is resolved. If you are still getting a DNS_PROBE_FINISHED_BAD_CONFIG error, start with the first solution and if it does not work, try the next solution.

Solution One – Release and Renew IP address

Windows operating system stores the IP addresses of the websites you visit. The information is stored in DNS cache. In case, the IP address of the website changes the Window refers old IP address to access the website which leads to errors like DNS_PROBE_FINISHED_BAD_CONFIG.

To resolve such problem, you need to flush the DNS cache by releasing stored IP address. Windows will then store new IP address of the website(s) that would resolve the DNS_PROBE_FINISHED_BAD_CONFIG error. Here are the steps to follow.

• Press Windows logo key and R simultaneously on the keyboard to invoke Run command console
• Type cmd in Run command box and click OK

• In the command prompt window, type following commands and press Enter on the keyboard after each command. Before typing the next command, allow the previous command operation to complete
• ipconfig /release
• ipconfig /flushdns
• ipconfig /renew
• Close command prompt window

Launch any browser and try accessing the website which encountered DNS_PROBE_FINISHED_BAD_CONFIG error. If the error still persists, try next solution.

Solution Two – Change DNS settings

There is a possibility the DNS server of your Internet Service Provider is down or not functioning properly. A simple solution to this problem is using Public DNS server addresses that would help you access the problematic sites. Here are the steps to follow.

• Press Windows logo key and R simultaneously on the keyboard to bring up the Run command console
• Type control panel in Run command box and press Enter on the keyboard

• In the next window, set the View by –Small icons
• Click Network and Sharing center

• In the Network and Sharing Center, click Change adapter settings

• Right-click problem network generally indicated with a yellow exclamation mark or red mark icon and select Properties.
• Note – In some cases, you may not find any problem with Internet connection but the steps remain same.

• In the Properties windows, go to Networking tab and select item Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4) and then click the Properties button.

• Click the option “Use the following DNS server addresses”, and enter the following values

• For Preferred DNS server type 8.8.8
• For Alternate DNS Server, type 8.4.4
• Click OK

Check if the problem is resolved. If the problem still persists, try the following DNS server addresses and see if it works.

• For Preferred DNS server type 67.222.222
• For Alternate DNS Server, type 67.220.220
• Click OK

Try accessing the website to see if the problem is resolved. In most cases, the DNS_PROBE_FINISHED_BAD_CONFIG error should be resolved by now.