How to Fix Windows Client Not Registering in DNS

It has come to our attention that even after a device has been set up as part of a domain Active Directory (AD), the Windows client may still fail to register in the DNS and/or DNS table. This can hinder the client computer’s access to the organization’s data and restrict its connectivity to the internal network. In this article, we will delve into this problem and explore solutions for clients that aren’t registering in DNS.

What Causes Windows Server DNS Client Issues?

Several factors can lead to Windows Server DNS client issues, including incorrect DNS configuration, network connectivity problems, and service disruptions. Specifically, when a Windows client doesn’t register with DNS, it is often due to either disabled dynamic DNS updates or incorrectly set network configurations. The following section will take a closer look at these configurations.

Troubleshooting Windows Client DNS Registration Problems

If you’ve configured a device within a domain AD and it still doesn’t register with DNS, consider the following troubleshooting methods:

1. Enable Dynamic DNS Updates on the client.
2. Manually register DNS.
3. Adjust the domain-wide Group Policy Object (GPO).
4. Verify the computer’s domain membership.
5. Allow Dynamic Updates for both Nonsecure and secure connections.

Let’s discuss each method further.

1] Enable Dynamic DNS Updates on the Client

A common reason for the lack of automatic DNS registration is that dynamic DNS updates haven’t been activated. To enable this feature, you will need to configure the group policy on the client device. Here’s how:

1. Open the Group Policy Management Console.
2. Navigate to Computer Configuration > Administrative Templates > Network > DNS Client.
3. Find the policy for Dynamic Updates, double-click on it, and change the setting to Enabled.
4. Click Apply > Ok to confirm your changes.

After applying these changes, check if the problem is resolved. If not, proceed to the next suggestion.

2] Manually Register DNS

If the problem persists even after enabling dynamic updates, you can manually register DNS through the Command Prompt. Open the Command Prompt as an administrator and execute the following commands sequentially:

ipconfig /registerdns net stop netlogon net start netlogon

Once you’ve completed these commands, check if the DNS registration for your client has occurred successfully.

3] Configure the Domain-Wide GPO

Next, verify whether the domain-wide GPO is set up to allow DNS registration refreshes. You can accomplish this by configuring the Registration Refresh Interval, which dictates how frequently a DNS client attempts to update its registration. This interval plays an essential role in keeping DNS records current, especially in dynamic IP environments such as those using DHCP. Follow these steps to adjust it:

1. Access the GPO on your domain machine.
2. Navigate to Computer Configuration > Administrative Templates > Network > DNS Client.
3. Locate the Registration Refresh Interval setting, double-click it, change to Enabled, and set the value to 1800 seconds (or adjust according to your needs).
4. Click Apply > Ok.

After making these adjustments, check whether the issue still exists.

4] Verify Domain Membership

It’s possible that your client computer is no longer a member of the domain, especially following an update. If it isn’t part of the domain, changes in DNS won’t be recognized. To check the domain association, you can use either of the following methods:

• Open the Run dialog (Win + R), enter “sysdm.cpl” , and press Enter. In the System Properties window, check the Workgroup under the Computer Name tab.
• Open Command Prompt as an administrator and execute systeminfo | findstr /B /C: "Domain" to see the active domain. If it shows WORKGROUP, then it’s not part of any domain.

If the computer is indeed outside the domain, you must reach out to your organization’s IT administrator to reinstate your user account in the Active Directory.

5] Allow Dynamic Updates for Both Secure and Nonsecure

If previous solutions haven’t worked and you need a quick fix, you might set dynamic updates to permit both secure and nonsecure DNS updates. This is a temporary workaround, which can be beneficial if your device cannot handle secure updates. However, this option should only be taken as a last resort to maintain your desired level of privacy and security. To implement this, do the following:

1. Open the DNS Manager.
2. Expand the Server Node, and find the zone you wish to configure.
3. Right-click on the zone and select Properties.
4. Go to the General tab and in the Dynamic updates drop-down, choose Nonsecure and secure.
5. Click Apply > Ok.

Finally, verify if the client can now register with DNS.

Using the solutions provided here, you should be able to resolve the DNS registration issue effectively.

How to Enable DNS Client Service?

You can enable the DNS client service directly through the Services application. Press Win + S, type “Services”, and open the application. Locate the DNS client service, double-click it, and select Start. Additionally, you may set the Startup type to Automatic, then click Apply > Ok.