Skip to content
littleden.blogEvidence-led Windows troubleshooting, without the guesswork
FixesError codesComponentsCommandsWindows updatesWindows 11
Research statusMethodology
Windows command reference

NSLOOKUP

Query DNS name-resolution information so a hostname failure can be distinguished from general IP connectivity problems.

Risk: LowReviewed: 2026-09-17
nslookup example.com

When to use it

Use when websites or services fail by name and you need to see whether the configured DNS resolver returns an answer.

When not to use it

A failed lookup does not prove the browser is broken, and a successful lookup does not prove the destination service is reachable.

Primary reference

Reviewed source

Related authority records

Continue with the same failing system

These links share the same component or repair context; they are not generic keyword suggestions.

GuideDNS not resolving in Windows 11: prove name resolution before changing DNS settings

Use IP configuration, nslookup and a browser comparison to separate DNS failure from general connectivity or one-site failure.

CommandIPCONFIG /all

Display full TCP/IP configuration for all adapters, including addressing information useful for DHCP, gateway and DNS diagnosis.

CommandPING

Test IP-level reachability and round-trip responses to a TCP/IP host; comparing a hostname with an IP can also provide name-resolution clues.

GuideConnected but no Internet in Windows 11: identify IP, DNS or upstream failure

A connected Wi-Fi/Ethernet icon does not prove usable Internet; check addressing, gateway, DNS and another device before resetting Windows.

CommandTRACERT

Trace the IP path toward a destination using increasing TTL values, providing hop/latency clues without changing network settings.

GuideVPN connected but no Internet in Windows 11: separate tunnel policy from Windows networking

Compare the connection with and without the VPN, preserve organization policy, and avoid network reset until the failure is proven to be Windows-wide.