Ping request could not find host google.com, Why?

Getting a “ping request could not find host” error can be a bit baffling, especially when everything else on the network seems to be working fine. But don’t worry, it’s a common problem where your computer is having trouble finding a specific address on the network. This can happen for a bunch of reasons, like issues with the DNS server, some mix-up in system settings, or a glitch in the network setup. Let’s walk through how to figure out what’s going on and fix it.

Also see: How to Ping IPv6 Address in Windows 11

Checking DNS server settings

First up, let’s make sure the DNS (Domain Name System) server settings on your computer are correct. These servers are like the internet’s phonebook, helping your computer find the right address when you type in something like “google.com”.

To peek at your DNS server settings, here’s what to do:

1. Fire up Command Prompt.
2. Type ipconfig /all and hit Enter. This will show you a bunch of info about your network connections.
3. Look for the “DNS Servers” line in the details for your active connection. The addresses listed are your DNS servers.

If something looks off with those DNS servers, or you think they might be the problem, switching to a public DNS service like Google DNS (8.8.8.8 and 8.8.4.4) might do the trick.

Suggested read: DNS Servers to Unblock Websites and Possibly Everything

Examining the hosts file

Another sneaky place that might cause the “ping request could not find host” error is the hosts file on your computer. This little file maps hostnames to IP addresses manually. If it’s got some wrong info, you might run into trouble.

To check your hosts file:

1. Find it at C:\WINDOWS\system32\drivers\etc\hosts on Windows.
2. Open it with something like Notepad. You’ll probably need to be the admin to edit it.
3. Look for any weird entries. Normally, this file doesn’t have much in it, just some example lines starting with #.
4. If you spot something odd that shouldn’t be there, you can either delete those lines or replace the file with a default one. But, make sure to back up the original just in case.

Just a heads up, messing with the hosts file can affect how you get to some websites or network services, so be careful.

Similar problem: “PING: transmit failed. General failure” Windows 11

Using NSLookup to diagnose DNS issues

If you’re still stuck, the nslookup tool can help figure out DNS issues. This tool checks DNS servers to see if they can find the IP address for a hostname.

Here’s how to use nslookup:

1. Pop open Command Prompt.
2. Type nslookup google.com (replace google.com with whatever you’re trying to reach) and press Enter.
3. The output shows what the DNS server says. If it works, you’ll see the IP address. If not, there’s a DNS problem.

If nslookup finds the IP but ping doesn’t work, it means the DNS is fine, but the ping command is having issues.

Linked issue: Nslookup.exe keeps popping up, uses high CPU, is it virus?

Checking browser proxy settings and add-ons

Sometimes, the problem isn’t with DNS or the hosts file at all. If you can browse websites fine but command-line tools like ping don’t work, it might be your browser’s network settings or some extensions messing things up.

Check browser proxy settings:

1. Head into your browser’s settings.
2. Find the network or connection settings.
3. Look for anything that says “Proxy” or “Network Proxy”.
4. If you see a proxy set up and don’t need it, turning it off might help.

Disable proxy if necessary:

• If disabling the proxy helps, great! Try the ping command again.

Learn more: How to Disable Proxy Settings in Windows 11/10 Permanently

Inspect browser add-ons or extensions:

• Browser extensions can sometimes interfere with your network or DNS settings.
• Take a look at what’s installed and turn off any that might be causing trouble.

Getting your browser set up right and making sure no add-ons are messing with your network can clear up the “ping request could not find host” error.

Related resource: Ping IPv4 Address Instead of IPv6 in Windows 11/10 CMD

Checking firewall and antivirus settings

Firewalls and antivirus programs are super important for keeping your computer safe, but they can sometimes get a bit overzealous and block things like ping requests. If they’re set to restrict network traffic too much, you might see errors.

Review firewall settings:

1. Jump into your computer’s firewall settings, usually in the Control Panel or system settings.
2. Look for any rules that could be blocking ICMP (Internet Control Message Protocol), which ping uses.
3. If you find such rules, try turning them off for a bit to see if that fixes the problem.

Examine antivirus network settings:

1. Open up your antivirus program.
2. Head to the network protection or firewall section.
3. See if it’s set to block certain kinds of network traffic or specific apps like the command prompt.
4. Try turning these settings off temporarily or making an exception for ICMP traffic, then try ping again.

Just remember, turning off your firewall or antivirus can leave your computer open to threats, so make sure you’re safe and turn them back on after testing.

Ping request could not find host raspberrypi.local

If you’re trying to ping local network names like raspberrypi.local and getting the “ping request could not find host” error, it could be a local DNS issue or a network setup glitch.

Check local DNS services:

Make sure there’s a DNS server on your local network that knows how to deal with local names. This is usually your router or a separate server.

If you’re using something like Apple’s Bonjour or Avahi for Linux to handle local names, check that it’s working right on both your computer and the device you’re trying to reach.

Verify network configuration:

Double-check that your computer and the device (like a Raspberry Pi) are actually on the same network and subnet. Make sure both are set up to use the right DNS server, if needed.

Check the hostname configuration:

On the device you’re trying to ping, make sure its hostname is set correctly. If it uses mDNS, the .local part is crucial.

Ping request could not find host but nslookup works

It’s puzzling when nslookup finds a hostname fine, but ping still fails with “ping request could not find host.” This means DNS is working (thanks, nslookup!) but something’s up with how your system uses names in other ways.

Check system’s DNS cache:

Sometimes, your computer’s DNS cache gets outdated or wrong info. Clearing it with ipconfig /flushdns in Command Prompt might help. After that, try pinging again.

Examine network adapter settings:

Look at your network adapter settings to make sure they’re set to use the right DNS servers. If you’re using different network profiles (like Wi-Fi and Ethernet), they might have different DNS setups.

Resetting the network adapter might also help. You can do this by turning it off and on again from the Control Panel or system settings.

Look for system-level issues:

If you’re still stuck, the problem might be deeper, like corrupted network files or a broken network service.

Running a system file check (command: sfc /scannow) or resetting network settings back to default might clear things up.

Ping request could not find host packet tracer

When you’re using network simulators like Cisco’s Packet Tracer and run into “ping request could not find host” errors, you’re dealing with a virtual setup, so the troubleshooting is a bit different.

Verify network configuration in simulation:

Make sure all your simulated devices have the right settings, like IP addresses, subnet masks, and DNS servers. Routers and switches need extra attention since they’re key to moving data around.

Check connectivity and link status:

In Packet Tracer, use tools to check if everything’s connected right and all interfaces are working. Test connectivity with commands like traceroute or ping right in the simulator.

Examine DNS server and services in simulation:

If your simulation has DNS servers, check they’re set up right and actually resolving names correctly.

Review simulation logs and output:

Packet Tracer’s logs can give clues about what’s going wrong. Look for errors or hints that might explain the ping issues.

Summing things up

That annoying “ping request could not find host” message usually pops up due to DNS settings being off, local network mix-ups, or sometimes firewall or antivirus software getting in the way. Start by double-checking your DNS settings. This might mean making sure they’re right, flushing your DNS cache, or switching to a public DNS server for better reliability.

Looking at the hosts file for odd entries and making sure your firewall or antivirus isn’t too strict can also solve the problem fast. And if you’re looking into local network names or using network simulations, make sure everything’s set up just right. Usually, tackling the issue step by step from the simplest fixes (like DNS checks) to more detailed troubleshooting will get you back on track.