DNS 1 FORMERR vs 23 BADCOOKIE
Both DNS 1 (FORMERR) and 23 (BADCOOKIE) belong to the DNS Response Codes (RCODEs) category. 1 indicates that format error. The name server was unable to interpret the query due to a malformed DNS message. Meanwhile, 23 means that bad or missing server cookie. The DNS COOKIE option in the request is absent, malformed, or does not match the server's expected value.
Description
Format error. The name server was unable to interpret the query due to a malformed DNS message.
When You See It
Your DNS client or library sent a query the server could not parse, often caused by a buggy resolver, corrupted packet, or unsupported EDNS options.
How to Fix
Check your DNS client or library version for known bugs. Capture the raw query with dig or Wireshark and verify it conforms to the DNS wire format.
Description
Bad or missing server cookie. The DNS COOKIE option in the request is absent, malformed, or does not match the server's expected value.
When You See It
Your resolver sent a query without a valid server cookie, or the cookie has expired. This is part of the DNS COOKIE mechanism to prevent spoofed-source attacks.
How to Fix
Retry the query — most resolvers automatically learn the correct server cookie from the first response. If the error persists, ensure your resolver supports RFC 7873 DNS Cookies.
Key Differences
DNS 1: Format error. The name server was unable to interpret the query due to a malformed DNS message.
DNS 23: Bad or missing server cookie. The DNS COOKIE option in the request is absent, malformed, or does not match the server's expected value.
You encounter 1 when your DNS client or library sent a query the server could not parse, often caused by a buggy resolver, corrupted packet, or unsupported EDNS options.
You encounter 23 when your resolver sent a query without a valid server cookie, or the cookie has expired. This is part of the DNS COOKIE mechanism to prevent spoofed-source attacks.
When to Use Which
For 1 (FORMERR): Check your DNS client or library version for known bugs. Capture the raw query with dig or Wireshark and verify it conforms to the DNS wire format. For 23 (BADCOOKIE): Retry the query — most resolvers automatically learn the correct server cookie from the first response. If the error persists, ensure your resolver supports RFC 7873 DNS Cookies.