Corrupted ARP cache entries will cause connectivity errors with local devices. Here is how to flush or clear the ARP cache in Windows 11 & 10.
Windows uses ARP (Address Resolution Protocol) to identify and remember the devices connected to your local network. For example, when you try to access a local device from your Windows computer, it first checks the ARP cache to see if it can find that devices information. If it didn’t, it would send a broadcast request. Once it receives the details, it saves them to the ARP cache for faster access the next time.
However, if the ARP cache is corrupted or has poisoned entries, you will be unable to connect to some or all devices on the local network. Generally, Windows users never need to worry about the ARP cache. That said, if you are experiencing connectivity issues with devices on your local network, clearing the ARP cache is one of the first steps you should take.
In this quick and easy guide, I will show you the steps to clear the ARP cache in Windows 11 and Windows 10. Let’s get started.
Before You Start
- The steps below have been tested and verified to work on Windows 11 and Windows 10.
- Administrator rights are required to clear the ARP cache.
Clear ARP Cache in Windows
- Right-click the Start button.
- Select “Terminal (Admin)” or “Windows PowerShell (Admin)“.
- Run the command below.
- Close the Terminal window.
- Restart your computer.
- With that, you’ve deleted the ARP cache in Windows 11 & 10.
Detailed Steps (With Screenshots)
Important note: There is no need to stop the “Routing and Remote Access” service to clear the ARP cache.
First, right-click the Start button on the taskbar or press the “Windows key + X” shortcut to open the Power User menu. From it, select the “Terminal (Admin)” or “Windows PowerShell (Admin)” option.
In the Terminal/PowerShell window, run the “arp -a” command to list all entries that Windows currently caches in ARP.
Next, run the following command. It deletes the ARP cache, clears the DNS cache, and removes & reinstalls the TCP/IP protocol stack.
netsh interface ip delete arpcache ; ipconfig /flushdns ; netsh int ip reset
Next, close the Terminal/PowerShell window and restart your computer.
After rebooting, Windows will automatically create the ARP cache as required based on the LAN connections. You don’t have to do anything manually. That is all. It is that simple to clear the ARP cache in Windows 11 and 10.
If you have any questions or need help, comment below. I’ll be happy to assist.
