DNS server change persistent or per-session?

Per-network-adapter config — persists across reboots until changed. Windows Network → Properties → IPv4 → preferred DNS = 1.1.1.1. Reverts to ISP if you reset network. Linux: depends on resolver manager; systemd-resolved persists via netplan.

Router-level DNS change — affects all devices?

Yes — DHCP-assigned DNS server is what client devices use unless they have static config. Router admin → DHCP settings → DNS Server 1.1.1.1, Server 2 8.8.8.8. All devices on network now use those. Bypass router-level DNS hijacking common with some ISPs.

Hosts file pin — when to use vs change DNS?

Pin one hostname when general DNS works but specific name fails (or you need to override). Change DNS when general resolution is broken. Hosts file pin: emergency one-off. Don't accumulate hosts entries for many names; harder to maintain than fixing real DNS.

ISP DNS hijacking — how to confirm?

`nslookup nonexistent-XYZ12345.example.com` — should return NXDOMAIN. If returns an IP (ad redirect page), ISP is hijacking. Same as Spamhaus's DUHL detection — many residential ISPs do this. Switch to 1.1.1.1/8.8.8.8 to bypass.

Unable to Resolve Target System Name with Tracert: Steps to Resolve

3 min read

28.06.2025

The "Unable to resolve target system name" error occurs when the tracert (Windows) or traceroute (Linux/macOS) command cannot translate the domain name or hostname into an IP address. This is typically caused by DNS resolution issues, incorrect input, or network problems.

Tracert Resolve Steps — Step-by-step — nslookup, flush, change DNS, hosts pin, ISP check.

For closely related tracert / DNS topics, see Tracert — Unable to Resolve (original), Unable to Resolve Target System Name — sibling guide, and Flush DNS Cache (SSH).

Verify the Domain Name or Hostname

Double-check the domain name or hostname for typos or errors.
Example:

tracert example.com

instead of:

tracert exampel.com

Ensure that the domain exists and is active by testing it in your web browser.

Test DNS Resolution with nslookup

Use the nslookup command to check if the domain resolves to an IP address:

nslookup example.com

If nslookup fails: This indicates a DNS issue.
If it succeeds: The problem might be specific to tracert.

Use an IP Address Instead of a Domain

To check if the issue is related to DNS, use the IP address directly with tracert:

tracert 93.184.216.34

If this works, the problem is related to DNS resolution.

Flush Your DNS Cache

Clearing your local DNS cache can resolve stale or incorrect DNS entries.

On Windows:

Open Command Prompt as Administrator.
Run:

ipconfig /flushdns

On macOS:

Open Terminal.
Run:

sudo dscacheutil -flushcache; sudo killall -HUP mDNSResponder

On Linux:

Restart the DNS service:

sudo systemctl restart systemd-resolved

Change Your DNS Server

If the issue persists, switch to a reliable public DNS server.

Use Google Public DNS:

Primary: 8.8.8.8
Secondary: 8.8.4.4

Change DNS on Windows:

Go to Control Panel > Network and Sharing Center > Change adapter settings.
Right-click your active network connection and select Properties.
Highlight Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4) and click Properties.
Select Use the following DNS server addresses:

Preferred DNS server: 8.8.8.8
Alternate DNS server: 8.8.4.4

Click OK.

Check Network Connectivity

Ensure your device has internet access:

Ping a known IP address (e.g., Google DNS server):

ping 8.8.8.8

If the ping fails, check your network connection.

Disable Firewall or Security Software

Firewalls or security software may block DNS requests. Temporarily disable them to check if they are the cause.

Inspect the hosts File

Your system hosts file may redirect the domain name incorrectly.

Edit the hosts File:

Windows: Open C:\Windows\System32\drivers\etc\hosts in a text editor.
Linux/macOS: Open /etc/hosts.

Look for an entry like this:

example.com    127.0.0.1

Remove any invalid entries and save the file.

Test from Another Network

Try running tracert from a different network or device to determine if the issue is specific to your system or network.

Contact Your ISP or System Administrator

If none of the above steps work, the issue might be with your ISP DNS servers or network configuration. Contact your ISP or system administrator for assistance.

Example of a Successful Tracert

C:\> tracert example.com



Tracing route to example.com [93.184.216.34]

over a maximum of 30 hops:



  1     <1 ms    <1 ms    <1 ms  192.168.0.1

  2      5 ms     5 ms     6 ms  203.0.113.1

  3     20 ms    21 ms    20 ms  93.184.216.34

Unable to Resolve Target System Name with Tracert: Steps to Resolve

Verify the Domain Name or Hostname

Test DNS Resolution with nslookup

Use an IP Address Instead of a Domain

Flush Your DNS Cache

On Windows:

On macOS:

On Linux:

Change Your DNS Server

Change DNS on Windows:

Check Network Connectivity

Disable Firewall or Security Software

Inspect the hosts File

Edit the hosts File:

Test from Another Network

Contact Your ISP or System Administrator

Example of a Successful Tracert

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Unable to Resolve Target System Name with Tracert: Steps to Resolve

Verify the Domain Name or Hostname

Test DNS Resolution with nslookup

Use an IP Address Instead of a Domain

Flush Your DNS Cache

On Windows:

On macOS:

On Linux:

Change Your DNS Server

Change DNS on Windows:

Check Network Connectivity

Disable Firewall or Security Software

Inspect the hosts File

Edit the hosts File:

Test from Another Network

Contact Your ISP or System Administrator

Example of a Successful Tracert

Hosting

Cloud Solutions

For You

VDS

Website Builders

Our services

Client Area

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