---
title: "DNS_PROBE_STARTED — test your site, then fix it"
description: "Run a free live check to see whether DNS_PROBE_STARTED is happening on your own domain right now, then work through the causes ranked most likely first."
canonical: "https://lemwatch.com/errors/dns-probe-started"
source: "https://lemwatch.com"
---

# DNS_PROBE_STARTED: Chrome's DNS probe is still running

> A transient state Chrome shows while it retries a failed lookup with its own probe. If it sticks, the resolver is not answering at all — this usually resolves into NXDOMAIN or a resolver-unreachable failure.

## Short answer

 A transient state Chrome shows while it retries a failed lookup with its own probe. If it sticks, the resolver is not answering at all — this usually resolves into NXDOMAIN or a resolver-unreachable failure.

## What DNS_PROBE_STARTED means

 When the first lookup fails, Chrome runs a secondary DNS probe to work out whether the problem is the name or the network. This message is that probe in progress. A page stuck here means the probe itself is not completing.

## Causes and fixes, most likely first

- The configured resolver is not responding. Switch to a public resolver and retry. A non-responding resolver is far more common than a broken domain.
- The network connection dropped mid-lookup. Confirm general connectivity, then reload. Wi-Fi handoffs commonly cause this.
- A DNS-filtering extension or security tool is delaying lookups. Disable filtering extensions and retry in a private window.

## How to stop it happening again

- Monitor DNS response time as well as record content — a resolver that answers slowly degrades every page load.

## Check your own domain

 An external lookup completes independently of your resolver, so it confirms whether the hostname resolves at all while your own probe is stuck.

## Frequently asked questions

### Why is DNS_PROBE_STARTED stuck?

 Because the probe cannot reach a working resolver. Switch to a public DNS server and the state usually resolves immediately.



## Lemwatch at a glance

- What it is: website monitoring that checks uptime, page changes, SEO, security, SSL and speed in one tool.
- Free plan: 10 sites, no time limit, all check types.
- Pro: $19/mo, 50 sites, public API and webhooks.
- Agency: $59/mo, 150 sites, white-label status pages.
- Source: https://lemwatch.com/pricing (facts verified from the product's own plan limits).



## Related

- [All website error codes](https://lemwatch.com/errors)
- [DNS_PROBE_FINISHED_NXDOMAIN](https://lemwatch.com/errors/dns-probe-finished-nxdomain)
- [DNS_PROBE_FINISHED_NO_INTERNET](https://lemwatch.com/errors/dns-probe-finished-no-internet)
- [ERR_NAME_NOT_RESOLVED](https://lemwatch.com/errors/err-name-not-resolved)
- [Free DNS lookup](https://lemwatch.com/tools/dns-lookup)
- [ERR_ADDRESS_UNREACHABLE: The IP address cannot be reached](https://lemwatch.com/errors/err-address-unreachable)
- [DNS_PROBE_FINISHED_NXDOMAIN on Windows](https://lemwatch.com/errors/dns-probe-finished-nxdomain/on-windows)
- [Lemwatch pricing](https://lemwatch.com/pricing)