DNS 3 NXDOMAIN vs 5 REFUSED
Both DNS 3 (NXDOMAIN) and 5 (REFUSED) belong to the DNS Response Codes (RCODEs) category. 3 indicates that non-Existent Domain. The queried domain name does not exist in the DNS namespace. Meanwhile, 5 means that query refused. The name server refuses to perform the requested operation for policy reasons.
Description
Non-Existent Domain. The queried domain name does not exist in the DNS namespace.
Quand vous le voyez
The domain has no DNS records at all — either it was never registered, has expired, or you have a typo in the hostname.
Comment résoudre
Double-check the domain spelling. If you own the domain, verify your registrar settings and ensure the nameservers are correctly delegated.
Description
Query refused. The name server refuses to perform the requested operation for policy reasons.
Quand vous le voyez
The server rejected your query due to access control — for example, a recursive resolver that only serves its own network, or a zone transfer blocked by ACL.
Comment résoudre
Check the server's allow-query, allow-recursion, or allow-transfer ACLs. If you are not authorized to use this resolver, switch to a public DNS service.
Différences clés
DNS 3: Non-Existent Domain. The queried domain name does not exist in the DNS namespace.
DNS 5: Query refused. The name server refuses to perform the requested operation for policy reasons.
You encounter 3 when the domain has no DNS records at all — either it was never registered, has expired, or you have a typo in the hostname.
You encounter 5 when the server rejected your query due to access control — for example, a recursive resolver that only serves its own network, or a zone transfer blocked by ACL.
Quand utiliser lequel
For 3 (NXDOMAIN): Double-check the domain spelling. If you own the domain, verify your registrar settings and ensure the nameservers are correctly delegated. For 5 (REFUSED): Check the server's allow-query, allow-recursion, or allow-transfer ACLs. If you are not authorized to use this resolver, switch to a public DNS service.