How to Check DNS Server Functionality

DNS is a distributed internet system that translates machine IP addresses into human-readable website domain names.

Here’s how it works

Here’s how it works:

1. You enter a domain name in your browser, for example, mail.ru.

2. The program sends a request to the DNS server, asking: "How can I find mail.ru?"

3. The server responds: "Here is its address — 185.32.189.223."

4. Now your browser knows where to send requests and loads the page.

If the DNS isn’t working correctly, various issues can arise:

• Websites won’t load, even if the internet is connected.

• Emails stop being sent or received.

• The internet connection may seem "broken," even though the issue lies elsewhere.

The main functions of DNS include:

• Mapping website names to their IP addresses so users can access sites using simple names.

• Verifying email records, enabling mail servers to exchange messages.

• Facilitating interaction between devices and the internet.

How to Identify DNS Problems

The most common sign of DNS malfunction is websites failing to load, displaying errors like:

• "Server not found";

• "DNS_PROBE_FINISHED_NXDOMAIN" or similar messages.

However, the problem may not always be DNS-related—it’s possible your internet connection is down.
 To confirm, try opening a site directly using its IP address. For instance, enter http://185.32.189.223 (one of mail.ru’s IP addresses) in your browser. If the site loads as usual, the problem lies with the DNS.

Checking DNS Settings

First, identify which DNS server your device is using. You can find these settings in your network parameters on your computer or the router’s control panel.

Public DNS servers are generally faster and more reliable than default ones.

Using Command Prompt with the Ping Command

Open the Command Prompt and enter the following command:

ping 1.1.1.1

If the server responds (you see lines showing response times), the DNS is accessible. If there’s no response, check your internet connection.

Online Tools for DNS Testing

If you’re not comfortable with the Command Prompt, you can use specialized online services, such as:

• DNSChecker: Checks the availability of DNS records from different regions.

• IntoDNS: Analyzes your domain’s DNS server settings.

These tools are simple to use: enter the domain name and select the records you want to check (A, MX, CNAME, etc.). The result is a detailed report.

Conclusion

Understanding how DNS works helps you quickly identify and resolve issues with website access, email, and the internet. If the problem persists after all checks, it’s best to seek professional assistance.