Internet Connectivity Issue - specifically with the DNS settings

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Level 1

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Internet Connectivity Issue - specifically with the DNS settings

Hi there,

I'm wondering if someone can help me resolve an internet connectivity issue on my MacBook Pro.

It appears to be a problem specifically with the DNS settings. I am connected to the internet but can only reach a website by typing in the IP address, not the domain name. The error messahe says: "Unable to resolve server's DNS address."

Regardless of whether I use Wifi, 3G modem or cable, i get the same error.

Operating System is Mac OSX Version 10.6.7

Please help!

Thanks

Mac Pro, Mac OS X (10.6.7)

Posted on Mar 28, 2012 6:39 PM

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Answer 1

Tesserax

Level 10

148,435 points

Mar 28, 2012 8:06 PM in response to fezza61

It sounds like your MacBook Pro has either incorrect or missing DNS IP address information in it network profile. Let's start with your wireless connection. You would find these in System Preferences > Network > Wi-Fi > Advanced > DNS tab

If your main Internet router is performing as the DHCP server, it would provide the DNS IP addresses (typically from your ISP) on this tab. You may have two or more addresses listed. If they are grayed, that means that the addresses are coming from the DHCP server.

In the following example screen shot, I am using DNS servers provided by OpenDNS. Notice that they are grayed as they are being provided by my main Internet router. Again, these should be either ones provided by your ISP or ones you purposely set up, like my OpenDNS ones.

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Answer 2

fezza61 Author

Level 1

0 points

Mar 29, 2012 4:37 AM in response to Tesserax

Hi Tesserax,

On the above screen on my MacBook, I can see 2 greyed out DNS Servers listed as well as a greyed out Server Domain. However, I am still unable to connect to the internet.

Any further assistance would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks

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Answer 3

Tesserax

Level 10

148,435 points

Mar 29, 2012 4:21 PM in response to fezza61

First are the DNS servers that show up the ones that your ISP has provided you? That is, are these the same DNS servers addresses that are assigned to your other network clients that can gain Internet access?

If you are not sure what the correct IP addresses are for your ISP, you can always substitute the OpenDNS or Google DNS servers instead.

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