How to Fix ‘Hosts File not working’ issue on windows 11/10

Do you know how to Fix ‘Hosts File not working’ issue on windows 11/10? If the Hosts file on your Windows computer is not functioning properly, there are any number of possible explanations for this. Hosting files are files that contain particular domain names and Internet Protocol (IP) addresses. For the purpose of testing, it is utilised to circumvent the Domain Name System (DNS) in order to enable web browsers to be redirected to particular IP addresses.

There are a variety of potential explanations for why the hosts file is not functioning properly on your Windows computer. It’s possible that the format you’re using in your hosts file is incorrect. Furthermore, the permission issue that the Hosts file is experiencing is also one of the reasons for this. It’s possible that the format you’re using in your Hosts file is incorrect. In addition to that, problems with the permissions of the Hosts file should also be considered one of the causes. There is a possibility that the Hosts file is being bypassed on your Windows 11/10 computer if you have any Proxy settings configured.

In the event that something similar occurs to you, you can attempt simple ways how to Fix ‘Hosts File not working’ issue on windows 11/10 by implementing the solutions that are discussed in this article. Make certain that you are utilising the appropriate format in your Hosts file in order to redirect websites in your web browser before you attempt the solutions that are provided below. The Hosts file will not function properly if you add your website in a format that is not correct.

Causes of the ‘Hosts File not working’ issue on windows 11/10

1. Corrupted Hosts File: The Hosts file itself may be corrupted due to various reasons, such as improper editing or malware.
2. Antivirus or Firewall: Some antivirus or firewall programs may block access to the Hosts file, causing it not to work as expected.
3. Incorrect Configuration: Errors in the syntax or content of the Hosts file can render it ineffective.
4. DNS Cache: Cached DNS entries may override the entries in the Hosts file, leading to its apparent non-functionality.
5. Third-party Applications: Certain third-party applications or services may interfere with the Hosts file’s functionality.
6. System Updates: Updates to the operating system or related components may introduce changes that affect the behavior of the Hosts file.
7. Network Configuration: Issues with network settings or configurations can impact the Hosts file’s ability to resolve domain names correctly.

How to Fix ‘Hosts File not working’ issue on windows 11/10

Verify Hosts File Location

1. The hosts file is typically located in the directory “C:\Windows\System32\drivers\etc.”
2. Navigate to this directory using File Explorer.

Edit Hosts File with Administrator Privileges

1. Right-click on the hosts file and select “Properties“.
2. Go to the “Security” tab and click on “Edit“.
3. Select your user account and grant it “Full control” permissions.
4. Click “Apply” and then “OK” to save changes.
5. Make sure to edit the hosts file with administrative privileges to avoid permission-related issues.

Clear DNS Cache

1. Open Command Prompt as an administrator by searching for “cmd” in the Start menu, then right-click and choose “Run as administrator”.
2. Type the following command and press Enter: ipconfig /flushdns
3. This command clears the DNS resolver cache, which may resolve any conflicts with the hosts file.

Restart DNS Client Service

1. Press Win + R to open the Run dialog box.
2. Type “services.msc” and press Enter to open the Services window.
3. Scroll down and locate “DNS Client” in the list of services.
4. Right-click on “DNS Client” and select “Restart“.
5. Restarting the DNS Client service ensures that it picks up the changes made to the hosts file.

Disable IPv6 (Optional)

1. In some cases, IPv6 can interfere with the hosts file. Disabling it temporarily may resolve the issue.
2. Right-click on the network icon in the system tray and select “Open Network & Internet settings”.
3. Click on “Change adapter options”.
4. Right-click on your network connection and select “Properties“.
5. Uncheck the box next to “Internet Protocol Version 6 (TCP/IPv6)” and click “OK“.

Check for Hosts File Syntax Errors

1. Open the hosts file in Notepad.
2. Ensure each entry follows the format: <IP Address> <Hostname>
3. Remove any unnecessary spaces or comments.
4. Save the file and attempt to access network resources.

Use Notepad as Administrator

1. Editing the hosts file requires administrative privileges.
2. Right-click on Notepad and select “Run as administrator.”
3. In Notepad, navigate to “File” > “Open” and browse to the hosts file location.
4. Make necessary modifications and save the file.

Conclusion

The hosts file is an essential component in the process of mapping domain names to IP addresses, which allows for the successful circumvention of DNS resolution. Nevertheless, users may occasionally experience problems in which the hosts file does not function as expected on Windows 11 or Windows 10. This guide provides in-depth instructions on how to troubleshoot and resolve this issue, thereby ensuring that the hosts file continues to function without any interruptions.

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