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If you try to run CMD shortcuts from non-default locations, you may get the message “The DNS server is not authoritative for this zone”. This can also prevent you from performing an important task. Let’s look at some methods to help you troubleshoot this problem.
The full error message has the following description:
The system cannot find a test for the message in the application file, the DNS server is not authoritative for this zone.
Table of Contents:
What is the reason for “The DNS server is not authoritative for this zone”?
Hard disk error: A hard disk error may also be the cause of this particular error message. If this scenario applies, you can probably solve the problem by performing a CHKDSK scan to check the integrity of the system metadata and replace bad sectors with good ones.
Damaged system file: It looks like this particular problem may be caused by a corrupted system file or an error in the registry. If this scenario applies, you can solve the problem with some built-in utilities that can repair corrupted system files (SFC and DISM). In more serious cases, you may need to upgrade all operating system components by performing a restore or reinstallation.
How to remove the “DNS server cannot resolve zone” error message?
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Updated: April 2025
Setting up a new shortcut
Some users have also eliminated the “DNS server cannot resolve zone” error by creating a new shortcut.
- Right-click on the desktop and select New > Shortcut.
- Then type “%COMSPEC%” in the Enter Location text box.
- Click the Next button.
- Enter “Command Prompt” in the Enter Name text box.
- Select Done to add the shortcut to the desktop.
Launch a scan to check the system files
Some users have confirmed that running a scan of system files using the command prompt fixes the error.
- Press the Windows + X key combination.
- Press Command Prompt (Admin) to open the CP window.
- Before running the SFC scan, type “DISM.exe /Online /Cleanup-image /Restorehealth” at the command prompt and press Return.
- Then at the prompt, type “sfc /scannow” and press Enter.
- Wait for the SFC scan to complete, which may take about 30 minutes or more.
- If the results of the scan show that Windows resource protection has fixed something, reboot your desktop or laptop.
Open a command prompt in the appropriate folder
The “DNS server is not authoritative for the zone” error message may be caused by users opening the command line in a location other than the default shortcut, such as the Quick Launch toolbar. So try opening the command prompt from its folder.
- Press the Windows + S key combination.
- Type “cmd” in the search box that opens.
- Right-click at the command prompt and select Open File Location to open the folder.
- Right-click on the command line in the Windows system folder and select Run as Administrator.
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Frequently Asked Questions
How do I make my DNS server authoritative for the zone?
- Open the DNS Manager.
- In the console tree, right-click the zone in question and select Properties.
- Click the Name Servers tab.
- Click Add.
- Specify additional DNS servers by name and IP address, and then click Add to add them to the list.
How do I fix an inaccessible DNS server?
- Reboot your router.
- Uninstall any additional security software.
- Run the Windows network troubleshooter.
- Clean DNS.
- Reset TCP/IP with netsh command.
- Enter the IP address manually.
- Make sure DNS is obtained automatically.
- Use OpenDNS or Google DNS.
What does “DNS server does not authorize zone” mean?
The "DNS server is not authoritative for the zone" error usually occurs when Windows users try to use certain CMD or Phyton commands via the terminal. In general, this problem prevents affected users from running commands that do not invoke built-in utilities.
What causes a DNS error?
DNS errors occur mainly because you cannot connect to an IP address, which means that you no longer have access to the network or the Internet. DNS stands for Domain Name System. In other words, DNS translates your web domain name into an IP address and vice versa.