DNS server not authoritative for zone error on Command Prompt [FIX]

by Matthew Adams
Matthew Adams
Matthew Adams
Windows & Software Expert
Matthew is a freelancer who has produced a variety of articles on various topics related to technology. His main focus is the Windows OS and all the things... read more
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The Command Prompt is Windows’ built-in command-line utility, which is otherwise DOS in a window. Some users have said that a DNS server not authoritative for zone error message appears within Command Prompt when they enter commands.

One user stated on the dedicated forum thread.

Every time I try and enter a location on my computer through the command prompt,
e.g. C:\Users\Owner\workspace\swarm. It keeps returning with “DNS Server not authoritative for this zone”, what should I do?

Learn how to solve this error by following the steps below.

How do I fix the DNS Server not Authoritative for Zone error?

1. Run a System File Checker Scan

  1. Some users have confirmed that running a System File Checker scan within the Command Prompt fixed the error for them. To do that in Win 10, press the Windows key + X hotkey.
  2. Click Command Prompt (Admin) to open the CP window.
  3. Before running an SFC scan, enter ‘DISM.exe /Online /Cleanup-image /Restorehealth’ in the Prompt and press Return.
  4. Then input ‘sfc /scannow’ in the Prompt, and press the Enter keyboard key.sfc scannow cmd
  5. Wait for the SFC scan to finish, which might take about 30 minutes or longer. If the scan results say Windows Resource Protection fixed something, restart the desktop or laptop.

2. Open the Command Prompt From its Folder

  1. The “DNS server not authoritative for zone” error can be due to users running it from non-standard shortcut locations, such as the Quick Launch bar. So, try opening the Command Prompt from its folder by pressing the Windows key + S hotkey.
  2. Enter ‘cmd’ in the search box that opens.
  3. Right-click the Command Prompt to select Open file location, which opens the folder shown directly below.command prompt windows system
  4. Right-click Command Prompt in the Windows System folder and select Run as administrator.

3. Set up a New Command Prompt Shortcut

  1. Some users have also fixed the “DNS server not authoritative for zone” error by setting up new Command Prompt shortcuts. To do that, right-click the desktop and select New > Shortcut.
  2. Then enter ‘%COMSPEC%’ in the Type the location text box.create a shortcut for command prompt
  3. Press the Next button.
  4. Enter ‘Command Prompt’ in the Type a name text box.name the shortcut command prompt
  5. Select the Finish option to add the shortcut to the desktop as in the shot below.cmd.exe desktop shortcut

4. Who Needs the Command Prompt?

Remember that there are numerous alternatives to the Command Prompt. For starters, users can utilize PowerShell in Windows 10 instead. Enter ‘PowerShell’ in Cortana’s search box and click Windows PowerShell to open that command-line utility.

power shell

Furthermore, there are also numerous third-party Command Prompt alternatives. Console 2, PowerCMD, and Terminal Windows are just three notable third-party software alternatives. Those third-party command-line utilities include tabs and more customization settings than the built-in Command Prompt.

So, users who still can’t fix the DNS server not authoritative for zone can check out some of those Command Prompt alternatives.

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