Domain not found. Can't get on the Internet.

Please read this whole message before doing anything.

This procedure is a test, not a solution. Don’t be disappointed when you find that nothing has changed after you complete it.

Step 1

The purpose of this step is to determine whether the problem is localized to your user account.

Enable guest logins* and log in as Guest. For instructions, launch the System Preferences application, select Help from the menu bar, and enter “Set up a guest account” (without the quotes) in the search box.

While logged in as Guest, you won’t have access to any of your personal files or settings. Applications will behave as if you were running them for the first time. Don’t be alarmed by this; it’s normal. If you need any passwords or other personal data in order to complete the test, memorize, print, or write them down before you begin.

Test while logged in as Guest. Same problem(s)?

After testing, log out of the guest account and, in your own account, disable it if you wish. Any files you created in the guest account will be deleted automatically when you log out of it.

*Note: If you’ve activated “Find My Mac” or FileVault in Mac OS X 10.7 or later, then you can’t enable the Guest account. The Guest login created by “Find My Mac” is not the same. Create a new account in which to test, and delete it, including its home folder, after testing.

Step 2

The purpose of this step is to determine whether the problem is caused by third-party system modifications that load automatically at startup or login.

Disconnect all wired peripherals except those needed for the test, and remove all aftermarket expansion cards. Boot in safe mode* and log in to the account with the problem. The instructions provided by Apple are as follows:

1. Be sure your Mac is shut down.
2. Press the power button.
3. Immediately after you hear the startup tone, hold the Shift key. The Shift key should be held as soon as possible after the startup tone, but not before the tone.
4. Release the Shift key when you see the gray Apple icon and the progress indicator (looks like a spinning gear).

Safe mode is much slower to boot and run than normal, and some things won’t work at all, including wireless networking on certain Macs.

The login screen appears even if you usually log in automatically. You must know your login password in order to log in. If you’ve forgotten the password, you will need to reset it before you begin.

*Note: If FileVault is enabled under Mac OS X 10.7 or later, you can’t boot in safe mode.

Test while in safe mode. Same problem(s)?

After testing, reboot as usual (i.e., not in safe mode) and verify that you still have the problem. Post the results of steps 1 and 2.

There is likely a problem with your ISP's DNS server.

When you click a link or want to go to www.apple.com, a request for the current IP address of that site is made with a Domain Name Server, usually your ISP and it returns a number like 123.45.67.90 (example) and then this allows your computer to connect to the site.

It's so domain names can keep their names and more around to different servers and IP addresses.

If you changed your DNS server and they started implementing a payment method, they might have cut you off.

If you reset your router by unplugging it, waiting about 30 seconds and plugging it back in, that might solve the problem.

If it's been only a short time since this started, you might want to wait for the ISP to fix their DNS problem.

If it's only on the Mac, other devices connect, then it's something wrong with the Mac, perhaps you did change your DNS on the Mac and now you can't use it anymore. Did you follow someone's advice about OpenDNS or Google DNS? and changed some numbers in Nework Preferences at any time?

If your getting "Domain not found" with only one site, then it's likely offline, or if it's many sites and perhaps adult content or something, perhaps someone enabled a content filter on the router if it's not on your machine.

You'll have to provide more details, like do you have admin access on the machine and the router?

Did you enable a alternate DNS service? Change your DNS servers?

Is other devices working on the same network?

Launch the Network Utility application in any of the following ways:

☞ Enter the first few letters of its name into a Spotlight search. Select it in the results (it should be at the top.)

☞ In the Finder, select Go ▹ Utilities from the menu bar, or press the key combination shift-command-U. The application is in the folder that opens.

☞ If you’re running Mac OS X 10.7 or later, open LaunchPad. Click Utilities, then Network Utility in the page that opens.

Step 1

Select the Lookup tab and enter

www.apple.com

in the address field. Press return. Post the output – the text, please, not a screenshot.

Step 2

Select the Ping tab and do the same.

Select  ▹ System Preferences ▹ Network ▹ Advanced ▹ DNS. Under DNS Servers you should have one or more numerical addresses, such as “192.168.1.1” or “10.0.0.1”. What are those addresses?

Try using OpenDNS's DNS servers (208.67.222.222, 208.67.220.220).

Are you going through a router? Maybe it needs resetting. OpenDNS DNS's certainly work (I use them) so the problem I think is local to you.

If you are using a router can you temporarily bypass it?

Your name resolution seems to be OK. Are you able to connect to www.apple.com in your browser?