RDP Error: Outdated Entry in the DNS Cache

The "Outdated Entry in the DNS Cache" error is one of the issues you might encounter when attempting to connect to a remote session through Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP). This error can be frustrating, as it interrupts your remote connection and puts an abrupt stop to your work.

In this article, we will cover every aspect of this error, and provide you with methods to troubleshoot it.  

Part 1. What Does the "Outdated Entry in the DNS Cache" Error Mean?

The "Outdated Entry in the DNS Cache" error is an alert that you will typically see when you are trying to connect to a remote computer. DNS cache stores information about websites and remote servers that you have already visited to speed up the connection process. However, when an entry becomes outdated, it can prevent the connection altogether. In reality, this error signifies that a stored DNS entry is no longer valid or updated.

This error often occurs in scenarios such as:

• Attempting to connect to a remote server that has recently changed IP addresses.
• After network configuration changes, such as updates to routers or DNS settings.
• When the DNS cache on your device has not been cleared in a while, thus stores outdated entries.

Part 2. What Causes the "Outdated Entry in the DNS Cache" Error?

Delving a bit deeper into the "Outdated Entry in the DNS Cache" error, we will now uncover the most common causes for its triggering. The truth is that there are several factors that can contribute to its appearance. The most common ones are the following:

• Changes in the IP Address: If the IP address of the target computer changes, which is quite common in dynamic IP networks, an outdated DNS entry in the cache might still refer to the old IP. Therefore, when the system tries to connect to the remote device, it is unable to establish the connection.
• Network Configuration Changes: Any changes in the network configuration can lead to outdated DNS information. These changes include updating the DNS servers and changing the default gateway among others.
• DNS Server Issues: The DNS server used by your computer could be down or experiencing issues.
• ISP Cache and DNS Delays: Sometimes, your Internet Service Provider caches DNS entries on their servers. If this cache is outdated, or if it hasn’t yet updated with the recent IP changes, this could lead to that particular error.
• Device-Specific DNS Issues: In many cases, the issue arises from specific DNS settings on your device. For example, they might have been configured manually or haven’t been refreshed in quite some time.

Part 3. How to Fix the "Outdated Entry in the DNS Cache" Error?

Now that you understand the reasons why this error might occur, you can try to fix it. In this section, we have gathered some effective methods to troubleshoot the outdated DNS cache error.

1Clear DNS Cache

The first and most common solution to this error is to clear your DNS cache. Here's how to do that:

2Change DNS Server Settings

Another method that you can try to resolve this issue is to switch to a public DNS server, such as Google or Cloudflare. This solution is ideal if you are encountering this issue due to an ISP's DNS delay. Here are the steps you need to take to complete it:

3Release and Renew IP in Command Prompt

Another method that is often very effective is to use the "ipconfig" commands on Command Prompt. These commands will help reset your IP configuration, which in turn, can resolve the DNS issues you are experiencing. Here is what you need to do:

4Check the Time Synchronization of Your Devices

Finally, one method to resolve this error is to address and fix any time synchronization issues that might exist. Here are the steps you must complete:

Part 4. Secure and Stable Remote Desktop Solution to Try

While fixing the "Outdated Entry in the DNS Cache" will restore your RDP functionality, this doesn't mean that it won't happen again in the future. If you want a more stable and reliable alternative, then we recommend AirDroid Remote Support. This tool offers an effective solution for stable remote access without these common DNS and network-related issues.

The key features that you will enjoy in AirDroid Remote Support include:

Steps to Use AirDroid Remote Support