BUG: DNS Search Domains not working after WiFi drops/reconnects

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BUG: DNS Search Domains not working after WiFi drops/reconnects

I've found what seems to be a nasty little bug in OS 10.9.

My WiFi appears to drop more often when I'm in the office, or just stops responding and forces me to manually turn off and turn on airport. Although it reconnects afterwards, DNS search domains no longer work, specifically in the terminal when issuinng 'ssh servername' commands. 'ping servername' also no longer works. Only typing out the full dns name of a server works. Rebooting fixes the issue, until the wifi drops again, and then it's the same thing all over again.

I've tried a PRAM reset, but no difference. I will probably revert back to Mountain Lion in the meantime until this bug is fixed.

MacBook Pro (15-inch Early 2011), OS X Mavericks (10.9)

Posted on Oct 23, 2013 12:44 PM

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Answer 1

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adamk7 Author

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Nov 13, 2013 9:01 AM in response to adamk7

Well I found a manual fix for this. Basically, you need to restart the mDNSResponder plist and it will work again (without having to restart the machine).

In a terminal, run these two commands:

sudo launchctl unload -w /System/Library/LaunchDaemons/com.apple.mDNSResponder.plist

sudo launchctl load -w /System/Library/LaunchDaemons/com.apple.mDNSResponder.plist

I wrote a simple shell script to simplify this (google shell script basics if you've never made one before):

#!/bin/sh

echo ===============================

echo Resetting DNS search domains...

echo ===============================

printf "%s\n" "Stopping mDNSResponder.plist..."

sudo launchctl unload -w /System/Library/LaunchDaemons/com.apple.mDNSResponder.plist

printf "%s\n" "Starting mDNSResponder.plist..."

sudo launchctl load -w /System/Library/LaunchDaemons/com.apple.mDNSResponder.plist

printf "%s\n" "Restarted mDNSResponder.plist..."

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Answer 2

Aug 17, 2014 6:30 AM in response to adamk7

I experience the same DNS search domain issue, not with dropping wi-fi but after disconnecting from a VPN. Your fix works like a champ but I sure hope Apple fixes this in 10.10 Yosemite.

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Answer 3

Eric Root

Level 10

684,027 points

Aug 17, 2014 12:50 PM in response to THE L1ZARD KING

Send Apple feedback. They won't answer, but at least will know there is a problem. If enough people send feedback, it may get the problem solved sooner.

Feedback

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Answer 4

Aug 18, 2014 8:47 PM in response to adamk7

+1 - Same issue, fix works.

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Answer 5

Aug 28, 2014 10:33 AM in response to adamk7

Same issue here. Thank you for providing the script.

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