What happens if DNS cannot resolve a domain name?

Study with Khan Academy's The Internet Test. Prepare with dynamic questions, interactive hints, and detailed explanations. Ace your exam confidently!

Multiple Choice

What happens if DNS cannot resolve a domain name?

Explanation:
DNS translates a domain name into an IP address. When that step fails, the browser has nothing to connect to, so the connection can’t be established. The error DNS_PROBE_FINISHED_NXDOMAIN appears because the domain name doesn’t have a corresponding entry in DNS. Since there’s no IP address to reach, there’s no attempt to use IPv6, no redirect to a homepage, and no automatic retrieval of a cached DNS record to fix the problem. The missing address is what stops the request from leaving the client.

DNS translates a domain name into an IP address. When that step fails, the browser has nothing to connect to, so the connection can’t be established. The error DNS_PROBE_FINISHED_NXDOMAIN appears because the domain name doesn’t have a corresponding entry in DNS. Since there’s no IP address to reach, there’s no attempt to use IPv6, no redirect to a homepage, and no automatic retrieval of a cached DNS record to fix the problem. The missing address is what stops the request from leaving the client.

Subscribe

Get the latest from Examzify

You can unsubscribe at any time. Read our privacy policy