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Asked: 2024-09-26T14:36:20+05:30 In: ,

I’m experiencing issues with DNS resolution while using Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL). Despite being connected to my network, I am unable to resolve domain names. Has anyone encountered similar problems, and what steps can I take to troubleshoot and fix this issue?

I’ve been having this really frustrating problem lately with my Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL). Everything was working perfectly until I started experiencing issues with DNS resolution. It seems like I’m connected to my network just fine, but every time I try to resolve domain names, it just doesn’t work. It’s like WSL is completely ignoring DNS requests or something.

At first, I thought it might be a temporary glitch, so I tried restarting my WSL instance and even my laptop. Unfortunately, that didn’t fix the problem. I double-checked my internet connection to ensure it wasn’t a network issue, and my other applications and services on Windows can resolve domains without any hiccups. It’s just WSL that’s acting up.

I did some digging online and found a few threads where others have had similar problems, but the solutions seem a bit hit or miss. Some suggested modifying the `/etc/resolv.conf` file inside WSL to manually set DNS servers, like using Google’s (8.8.8.8 or 8.8.4.4). I gave that a shot, but I’m not even sure if I did it right, because I couldn’t even connect to the servers for some commands I was trying to run.

I’ve also seen recommendations about disabling IPv6, but I’m not too keen on changing my network settings without knowing if it’s really necessary. I’ve run a few diagnostic commands, like `ping` and `nslookup`, to see if anything comes back, but they just hang indefinitely.

So, has anyone else gone through this annoying DNS issue in WSL before? What worked for you? Are there any other troubleshooting steps I might have missed? I’m really hoping to get this sorted out because it’s really slowing down my workflow. Any advice or guidance would be super appreciated! Thank you!

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    2 Answers


    1. Experiencing DNS resolution issues in Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL) can be frustrating, especially when other applications on Windows are functioning normally. First, the `/etc/resolv.conf` file should be checked, as WSL often overwrites it upon restart. You can use the command sudo nano /etc/resolv.conf to open the file and manually add Google DNS servers by including the following lines: nameserver 8.8.8.8 and nameserver 8.8.4.4. Make sure to set the file as immutable to prevent WSL from overwriting it by running sudo chattr +i /etc/resolv.conf after saving your changes. This solution has worked for many users facing similar issues.

      If modifying `resolv.conf` doesn’t resolve the problem, you might want to explore disabling IPv6, as it can sometimes conflict with DNS resolution in WSL. This can be done via the Windows Registry or through the network adapter settings, but proceed with caution to avoid unintended network complications. Furthermore, it may be helpful to reset the WSL network settings by running the command wsl --shutdown followed by restarting your WSL instance. For persistent DNS problems, the WSL version could also be a factor; ensuring that you’re using the latest version might provide stability improvements and bug fixes. If all else fails, a complete reinstallation of WSL should be considered as a last resort.




    2. WSL DNS Issue

      WSL DNS Resolution Issues

      Oh man, that sounds really frustrating! I totally get how annoying it is when things just stop working, especially when you’re in the zone. Here are a few things you could try that might help with the DNS issue in WSL.

      Check /etc/resolv.conf

      If you haven’t already, make sure you’re editing the /etc/resolv.conf file correctly. It’s usually auto-generated, so you might have to set it to not be overwritten. You can try this:

              sudo chattr +i /etc/resolv.conf

      Then, add your preferred DNS servers, like:

              nameserver 8.8.8.8
        nameserver 8.8.4.4

      After that, see if restarting WSL helps!

      Disable IPv6

      I know you mentioned being cautious about changing network settings, but disabling IPv6 sometimes helps. You can try it out by following these steps:

              netsh interface ipv6 set teredo disabled

      Just be sure to note down how to enable it again if you need to!

      Reset WSL Networking

      Sometimes resetting the WSL networking stack can fix weird issues. You can run this command in PowerShell:

              wsl --shutdown

      Then restart WSL again and see if your DNS works!

      Check Firewall and Security Software

      Sometimes, security programs can block WSL from accessing the network. If you have any firewall or antivirus running, check to see if they are blocking WSL.

      Final Thoughts

      If all else fails, checking out the WSL GitHub issues page might uncover a similar issue. It’s a pain, but you’re not alone in this!

      Hope this helps and you get back to coding without the DNS headaches!


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