Encountering the “Temporary failure in name resolution” error can be frustrating, especially when accessing the internet for something urgent. This error typically occurs in Unix-like operating systems such as Linux, indicating that the system struggles to resolve a domain name to its corresponding IP address. This guide will provide detailed steps on how to fix the “Temporary failure in name resolution” error.
Table of Contents
“Temporary failure in name resolution” Error Causes
There could be many reasons for what causes the “Temporary failure in name resolution” error. Look below:
Incorrect DNS Configuration
Your system’s DNS settings might be misconfigured. This can cause the “Temporary failure in name resolution” error.
Network Issues
Problems with your network connection can prevent DNS resolution. Hence, the “Temporary failure in name resolution” error can occur.
Firewall or Security Settings
Overly restrictive firewall settings can block DNS requests – welcoming the “Temporary failure in name resolution” error.
DNS Server Issues
The DNS server you are using might be down or experiencing problems. Therefore, the “Temporary failure in name resolution” error.
How to Fix the “Temporary failure in name resolution” Error?
Check Your Network Connection
You must be sure that your network connection is active. A simple way to test this is by pinging a known IP address, such as Google’s DNS server:
bash
ping 8.8.8.8
If you receive responses, your network connection is working. If not, you need to troubleshoot your network connection.
Verify DNS Configuration
The next step is to check your DNS configuration. The DNS servers your system uses are typically listed in the /etc/resolv.conf file. Open this file using a text editor like nano or vi:
bash
sudo nano /etc/resolv.conf
You should see lines similar to this:
plaintext
nameserver 8.8.8.8
nameserver 8.8.4.4
Add or update the nameserver entries if the file is empty or the DNS servers are incorrect. Google’s public DNS servers (8.8.8.8 and 8.8.4.4) are a good choice for reliable DNS resolution.
Restart the Network Service
After updating the DNS configuration, restart your network service to apply the changes. On most Linux distributions, you can do this with the following command:
bash
sudo systemctl restart NetworkManager
Alternatively, you can use the service command:
bash
sudo service network-manager restart
Check Firewall Settings
Firewalls can sometimes block DNS traffic. To check if your firewall is causing the issue, temporarily disable it and see if the problem is still there. Use the following command to disable the firewall on systems using ufw:
bash
sudo ufw disable
If disabling the firewall resolves the issue, you must adjust your firewall rules to allow DNS traffic (port 53).
Verify Network Interface Configuration
Incorrect network interface settings can also cause DNS resolution issues. Check your network interface configuration file, usually located at /etc/network/interfaces or in the /etc/netplan directory on newer distributions like Ubuntu.
Open the configuration file and ensure the DNS settings are correctly specified. For example, a typical entry might look like this:
plaintext
iface eth0 inet static
address 192.168.1.100
netmask 255.255.255.0
gateway 192.168.1.1
dns-nameservers 8.8.8.8 8.8.4.4
If the DNS settings are missing or incorrect, add or update them accordingly.
Update Your System
Sometimes, the issue can be due to a bug in the system’s network components. Be sure your system is updated by running the following commands:
bash
sudo apt update
sudo apt upgrade
This will fetch and install the latest updates for your system, potentially resolving the DNS resolution issue.
Use a Different DNS Resolver
If the problem persists, consider using a different DNS resolver. In addition to Google’s DNS, other reliable options include Cloudflare’s DNS (1.1.1.1) and OpenDNS (208.67.222.222). You can specify these DNS servers in the /etc/resolv.conf file:
plaintext
nameserver 1.1.1.1
nameserver 1.0.0.1
Persistent Changes to resolv.conf
Changes to /etc/resolv.conf can be overwritten by network managers. To make persistent changes, configure the network manager itself. For NetworkManager, you can create a configuration file:
bash
sudo nano /etc/NetworkManager/conf.d/dns.conf
Add the following content to specify DNS servers:
plaintext
[main]
dns=none
[global-dns]
nameservers=8.8.8.8;8.8.4.4;
Save and close the file – then restart NetworkManager:
bash
sudo systemctl restart NetworkManager
Debugging with dig & nslookup
Tools like dig and nslookup can help diagnose DNS resolution issues. Install these tools if they are not already present:
bash
sudo apt install dnsutils
Use dig to query a domain:
bash
dig example.com
Look for the ANSWER SECTION to see if the domain resolves correctly. Similarly, use nslookup:
bash
nslookup example.com
These tools provide detailed output to help identify where the resolution process is failing.
Conclusion
The “Temporary failure in name resolution” error can occur due to various issues ranging from DNS configuration errors to network connectivity problems. Check & adjust your network and DNS settings to resolve this error and restore proper name resolution. Remember the points mentioned in this post. Using the correct tools – you can fix this error, no big deal.
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FAQs
Q1. What is the “Temporary failure in name resolution” error?
This error indicates that your system cannot resolve a domain name to its corresponding IP address.
Q2. How can I check my DNS configuration?
You can check your DNS configuration by opening the /etc/resolv.conf file and ensure it contains correct nameserver entries.
Q3. What should I do if my firewall is blocking DNS traffic?
Temporarily disable the firewall using sudo ufw disable and see if DNS resolution works. If it does, adjust your firewall rules to allow DNS traffic on port 53.
Q4. How do I restart my network service after changing DNS settings?
Use sudo systemctl restart NetworkManager or sudo service network-manager restart to restart your network service.
Q5. What DNS servers can I use if my current ones are not working?
You can use public DNS servers like Google’s (8.8.8.8, 8.8.4.4), Cloudflare’s (1.1.1.1, 1.0.0.1), or OpenDNS (208.67.222.222).
Q6. What tools can help diagnose DNS resolution issues?
Dig and nslookup tools can help diagnose DNS resolution issues by providing detailed query results.
Q7. What if I still need help to fix the error?
If you need help with this error or any hosting-related issues or services. Connect with Leasepacket. Leasepacket is a renowned security & hosting services provider.