Update Error: "Couldn't resolve host name"

EDIT AFTER SOLUTION:

My openbeta edition stopped updating. No matter what I did "something" kept on blocking dcs_updater.exe from connecting to the servers.

Long story short, it turned out to be the remainings of "uninstalled Avast" was still blocking the updater. The official avast_cleaner tool helped me completely uninstalling Avast.

Hi everybody,

I hope this post for help request fits in here.

My beta installation stucked at version 2.5.6.50979.

Whenever I try updating to newer versions I always get the same error: "Couldn't resolve host name"

I have been searching the net for a long time - unfortunately no results :(

I tried the instructions given here

I have read the latest post regarding to this issue

My updater is up to date, re-downloaded from here (version: 2.10.2.42)

I even tried GUI to ensure that I have done everything correctly.

My windows build is Win10 2004, and I also tried this one.

My update log file looks like this:

00063.099 --- Log file: F:\DCS World\autoupdate_log.txt

00000.000 === Log opened UTC 2020-07-15 21:04:17

00000.013 INFO : DCS_Updater/2.10.1.38 (Windows NT 10.0.19041; Win64; tr-TR)

00000.013 INFO : cmdline: "C:\Users\TOPYA~1\AppData\Local\Temp\DCS\DCS_updater.exe" --apply selfupdate "F:\DCS World\bin\DCS_updater.exe"

00021.072 STATUS: Initializing...

00063.097 ERROR: Conection to server 'www.digitalcombatsimulator.com' failed: Couldn't resolve host name

00063.097 ERROR: statistics failed with status -1

00063.097 INFO : basedir: F:\DCS World\

00063.100 INFO : DCS/2.5.6.50979 (x86_64; EN; WORLD,RAZBAM_AV8BNA,F-5E,A-10C,KA-50,F-15C,NEVADA_terrain,FA-18C,PERSIANGULF_terrain,F-16C,SU-27,SUPERCARRIER,SU-33)

00063.100 INFO : branch: openbeta

00063.100 INFO : Copying C:\Users\TOPYA~1\AppData\Local\Temp\DCS\DCS_updater.exe to F:\DCS World\bin\DCS_updater.exe

00063.114 INFO : Successfully self-updated to version 2.10.1.38

00084.122 ERROR: Conection to server 'www.digitalcombatsimulator.com' failed: Couldn't resolve host name

00084.122 ERROR: statistics failed with status -1

00084.125 === Log closed.

 

00000.000 === Log opened UTC 2020-08-03 18:23:44

00000.013 INFO : DCS_Updater/2.10.2.42 (Windows NT 10.0.19041; Win64; tr-TR)

00000.013 INFO : cmdline: "F:\DCS World\bin\DCS_updater.exe" --apply repair

00021.084 STATUS: Initializing...

00021.085 INFO : basedir: F:\DCS World\

00021.086 INFO : DCS/2.5.6.50979 (x86_64; EN; WORLD,RAZBAM_AV8BNA,F-5E,A-10C,KA-50,F-15C,NEVADA_terrain,FA-18C,PERSIANGULF_terrain,F-16C,SU-27,SUPERCARRIER,SU-33)

00021.086 INFO : branch: openbeta

00021.087 STATUS: Connecting to update servers...

00042.131 ERROR: Conection to server 'www.digitalcombatsimulator.com' failed: Couldn't resolve host name

00042.132 ERROR: http://www.digitalcombatsimulator.com replied HTTP -1

00042.132 STATUS: Couldn't resolve host name

00046.859 === Log closed.

 

00000.000 === Log opened UTC 2020-08-05 10:52:31

00000.015 INFO : DCS_Updater/2.10.2.42 (Windows NT 10.0.19041; Win64; tr-TR)

00000.015 INFO : cmdline: "F:\DCS World\bin\DCS_updater.exe" --apply repair

00021.090 STATUS: Initializing...

00021.091 INFO : basedir: F:\DCS World\

00021.091 INFO : DCS/2.5.6.50979 (x86_64; EN; WORLD,RAZBAM_AV8BNA,F-5E,A-10C,KA-50,F-15C,NEVADA_terrain,FA-18C,PERSIANGULF_terrain,F-16C,SU-27,SUPERCARRIER,SU-33)

00021.091 INFO : branch: openbeta

00021.091 STATUS: Connecting to update servers...

00042.141 ERROR: Conection to server 'www.digitalcombatsimulator.com' failed: Couldn't resolve host name

00042.142 ERROR: http://www.digitalcombatsimulator.com replied HTTP -1

00042.142 STATUS: Couldn't resolve host name

00052.549 === Log closed.

 

Ping results are as follows:

C:\>ping cdn.digitalcombatsimulator.com

 

Pinging 1231349722.rsc.cdn77.org [185.87.24.171] with 32 bytes of data:

Reply from 185.87.24.171: bytes=32 time=13ms TTL=53

Reply from 185.87.24.171: bytes=32 time=22ms TTL=53

Reply from 185.87.24.171: bytes=32 time=14ms TTL=53

Reply from 185.87.24.171: bytes=32 time=24ms TTL=53

 

Ping statistics for 185.87.24.171:

Packets: Sent = 4, Received = 4, Lost = 0 (0% loss),

Approximate round trip times in milli-seconds:

Minimum = 13ms, Maximum = 24ms, Average = 18ms

I would be more than glad if somebody on earth could help me.

Thanks in advance.

Hi. I've read posts from a former thread. Could you try these solutions?

1/ Use your default DNS (not Google's) then do the 'flushdns' cmd: https://forums.eagle.ru/showpost.php?p=2496269&postcount=23

2/ Try deactivating your antivirus before updating (BitDefender is known to cause this issue, among others).

Hi. I've read posts from a former thread. Could you try these solutions?

 

 

1/ Use your default DNS (not Google's) then do the 'flushdns' cmd: https://forums.eagle.ru/showpost.php?p=2496269&postcount=23

 

 

2/ Try deactivating your antivirus before updating (BitDefender is known to cause this issue, among others).

Thanks for your support Flappie.

I have tried the following items:

-Completely disable AV and Firewall

-manually change DNS server for IPv4 to free DNS from Google 8.8.8.8

-flush DNS via the command prompt - ipconfig /flushdns

-do a WINSOCK reset via the command prompt - netsh winsock reset

Somehow, I still have the problem...

Ok. Please try activating IPv6 on your network interface.

https://www.att.com/support/article/u-verse-high-speed-internet/KM1053000/

Ok. Please try activating IPv6 on your network interface.

 

 

https://www.att.com/support/article/u-verse-high-speed-internet/KM1053000/

I checked IPv6 and it is already active. :(

Can you please ensure that your main network interface (the one you get internet from) is the default one?

https://www.windowscentral.com/how-change-priority-order-network-adapters-windows-10

Can you please ensure that your main network interface (the one you get internet from) is the default one?

 

https://www.windowscentral.com/how-change-priority-order-network-adapters-windows-10

Yes, it is the default one.

I have set the Interface Metric to "1". Restarted PC. Nothing changed.

Did the same thing for IPv6 as well. Got nothing.

Changed the IPv6 DNS settings to Google Public DNS. Nothing changed.

It looks like a joke.

Can you please ensure that your main network interface (the one you get internet from) is the default one?

 

https://www.windowscentral.com/how-change-priority-order-network-adapters-windows-10

Since nothing worked, would you recommend a fresh install?

I think you should try renaming the folder C:\Users\TOPYA~1\AppData\Local\Temp\DCS into "DCS_old" first.

You might need to launch a DCS repair afterwards.

See here: https://forums.eagle.ru/showpost.php?p=4219180&postcount=11

In case you need a repair, here's the official procedure: https://www.digitalcombatsimulator.com/en/support/faq/709/

I think you should try renaming the folder C:\Users\TOPYA~1\AppData\Local\Temp\DCS into "DCS_old" first.

You might need to launch a DCS repair afterwards.

 

 

See here: https://forums.eagle.ru/showpost.php?p=4219180&postcount=11

 

 

In case you need a repair, here's the official procedure: https://www.digitalcombatsimulator.com/en/support/faq/709/

I renamed the folder, however the same error poped up.

00000.000 === Log opened UTC 2020-08-08 12:51:52

00000.012 INFO : DCS_Updater/2.10.2.42 (Windows NT 10.0.19041; Win64; tr-TR)

00000.012 INFO : cmdline: "F:\DCS World\bin\DCS_updater.exe" --apply repair

00021.100 STATUS: Initializing...

00021.101 INFO : basedir: F:\DCS World\

00021.102 INFO : DCS/2.5.6.50979 (x86_64; EN; WORLD,RAZBAM_AV8BNA,F-5E,A-10C,KA-50,F-15C,NEVADA_terrain,FA-18C,PERSIANGULF_terrain,F-16C,SU-27,SUPERCARRIER,SU-33)

00021.102 INFO : branch: openbeta

00021.103 STATUS: Connecting to update servers...

00042.151 ERROR: Conection to server 'www.digitalcombatsimulator.com' failed: Couldn't resolve host name

00042.151 ERROR: http://www.digitalcombatsimulator.com replied HTTP -1

00042.151 STATUS: Couldn't resolve host name

00043.665 === Log closed.

Sorry, I don't have ideas anymore. You should ask ED for a support ticket. Here you go: https://www.digitalcombatsimulator.com/en/support/faq/710/

Sorry, I don't have ideas anymore. You should ask ED for a support ticket. Here you go: https://www.digitalcombatsimulator.com/en/support/faq/710/

Thanks a lot anyways. I will ask ED for support.:thumbup:

I will be back and edit my post if the problem is solved.

:pilotfly:

i noticed in the first post the PING was different than my results on the hostname

ping cdn.digitalcombatsimulator.com

Pinging 1231349722.rsc.cdn77.org [195.181.169.21] with 32 bytes of data:

Reply from 195.181.169.21: bytes=32 time=16ms TTL=55

Reply from 195.181.169.21: bytes=32 time=16ms TTL=55

Reply from 195.181.169.21: bytes=32 time=15ms TTL=55

Reply from 195.181.169.21: bytes=32 time=14ms TTL=55

Ping statistics for 195.181.169.21:

Packets: Sent = 4, Received = 4, Lost = 0 (0% loss),

Approximate round trip times in milli-seconds:

Minimum = 14ms, Maximum = 16ms, Average = 15ms

do an nslookup query in command prompt and see what your server is listed as.

nslookup cdn.digitalcombatsimulator.com

Server: Fios_Quantum_Gateway.fios-router.home

Address: 192.168.1.1

Non-authoritative answer:

Name: 1231349722.rsc.cdn77.org

Address: 195.181.169.3

Aliases: cdn.digitalcombatsimulator.com

i noticed in the first post the PING was different than my results on the hostname

 

ping cdn.digitalcombatsimulator.com

 

Pinging 1231349722.rsc.cdn77.org [195.181.169.21] with 32 bytes of data:

Reply from 195.181.169.21: bytes=32 time=16ms TTL=55

Reply from 195.181.169.21: bytes=32 time=16ms TTL=55

Reply from 195.181.169.21: bytes=32 time=15ms TTL=55

Reply from 195.181.169.21: bytes=32 time=14ms TTL=55

 

Ping statistics for 195.181.169.21:

Packets: Sent = 4, Received = 4, Lost = 0 (0% loss),

Approximate round trip times in milli-seconds:

Minimum = 14ms, Maximum = 16ms, Average = 15ms

 

do an nslookup query in command prompt and see what your server is listed as.

 

nslookup cdn.digitalcombatsimulator.com

Server: Fios_Quantum_Gateway.fios-router.home

Address: 192.168.1.1

 

Non-authoritative answer:

Name: 1231349722.rsc.cdn77.org

Address: 195.181.169.3

Aliases: cdn.digitalcombatsimulator.com

These are the results:

C:\Users\İTOPYA>nslookup cdn.digitalcombatsimulator.com

Server: UnKnown

Address: 2001:4860:4860::8888

*** UnKnown can't find cdn.digitalcombatsimulator.com: No response from server

C:\Users\İTOPYA>nslookup http://www.digitalcombatsimulator.com

Server: UnKnown

Address: 2001:4860:4860::8888

*** UnKnown can't find http://www.digitalcombatsimulator.com: No response from server

And when I change my DNS settings to auto, the results are as follows:

C:\Users\İTOPYA>nslookup cdn.digitalcombatsimulator.com

Server: myhome.mynet

Address: fd59:f178:33d4:0:202:61ff:feb6:9648

Non-authoritative answer:

Name: 1231349722.rsc.cdn77.org

Address: 185.87.24.171

Aliases: cdn.digitalcombatsimulator.com

C:\Users\İTOPYA>nslookup http://www.digitalcombatsimulator.com

Server: myhome.mynet

Address: fd59:f178:33d4:0:202:61ff:feb6:9648

Non-authoritative answer:

Name: digitalcombatsimulator.com

Address: 91.134.1.104

Aliases: http://www.digitalcombatsimulator.com

And when I change my DNS settings to auto, the results are as follows:

 

C:\Users\İTOPYA>nslookup cdn.digitalcombatsimulator.com

Server: myhome.mynet

Address: fd59:f178:33d4:0:202:61ff:feb6:9648

 

Non-authoritative answer:

Name: 1231349722.rsc.cdn77.org

Address: 185.87.24.171

Aliases: cdn.digitalcombatsimulator.com

 

 

C:\Users\İTOPYA>nslookup www.digitalcombatsimulator.com

Server: myhome.mynet

Address: fd59:f178:33d4:0:202:61ff:feb6:9648

 

Non-authoritative answer:

Name: digitalcombatsimulator.com

Address: 91.134.1.104

Aliases: www.digitalcombatsimulator.com

When you say you changed your DNS to auto (In the router or Windows), why wasn't it on auto in the first place as the results of how it was, showed that it can't even find your routers name let alone the DCS website.

Now that the DNS is on Auto, it is seeing the router as it should and resolving the domain names correctly, however the cdn.digitalcombatsimulator.com address is different to my test and I think the other user responding here. (this faulty ip address may be still be in the windows DNS cache, run a command line and the "Ipconfig /flushdns" command).

Coff at ED has also hinted that there may be an issue their end, I am guessing with the updater program or the servers themselves.

He asked users to be patient whilst they investigate the issues and come up with a solution.

My NSlookups:

Regards, Ian.

you can also statically set your DNS to Google. your ISP could have bad / old results.

https://www.windowscentral.com/how-change-your-pcs-dns-settings-windows-10

ONLY CHANGE the DNS!!! Google is 8.8.8.8 and 8.8.4.4. also be aware that if your router management is some FQDN then getting to it by name will not work. also another thing to try is go into the router and change DNS there. i am assuming that your ISP connection is DHCP from the ISP.

When you say you changed your DNS to auto (In the router or Windows), why wasn't it on auto in the first place as the results of how it was, showed that it can't even find your routers name let alone the DCS website.

 

Now that the DNS is on Auto, it is seeing the router as it should and resolving the domain names correctly, however the cdn.digitalcombatsimulator.com address is different to my test and I think the other user responding here. (this faulty ip address may be still be in the windows DNS cache, run a command line and the "Ipconfig /flushdns" command).

 

Coff at ED has also hinted that there may be an issue their end, I am guessing with the updater program or the servers themselves.

 

He asked users to be patient whilst they investigate the issues and come up with a solution.

 

Thank you for your response.

My DNS has been on auto since maybe 2 years, yet when I encountered this error first thing I checked was ED FAQ page. They recommended to set it to Google DNS.

Now I periodically set it auto and switch back to Google just to check if it changes something.

I also know flushdns command, I tried that one also I don't know how many times.

I finally wrote a support ticket and wait for some hero to rescue me.

Otherwise a new installation, maybe a brand new windows 10 is the only option.

Of course, there is always a possibility to fail again when trying to install modules, terrains, etc.

your nslookup and ping results definitely show issues with resolution. unless of course ED has routes configured to push certain Geo locations to another IP address for the updates. MadDog-IC is getting different results compared to mine and i assume he has no problems.

with that said i tested again on my end and now have different results

nslookup

> server 8.8.8.8

Default Server: dns.google

Address: 8.8.8.8

> cdn.digitalcombatsimulator.com

Server: dns.google

Address: 8.8.8.8

Non-authoritative answer:

Name: 1231349722.rsc.cdn77.org

Address: 195.181.169.21

Aliases: cdn.digitalcombatsimulator.com

"www" will return different results than "cdn"

The most important thing is this: if you click this link - http://cdn.digitalcombatsimulator.com - do you see this?

It would be interesting to see what happens in your network. Here's what I see in Wireshark when the game is trying to update itself:

192.168.1.20 is my PC

192.168.1.1 is my router

91.134.1.104 is www.digitalcombatsimulator.com

Here's what happens:

Phase 1

My PC asks my router for the IP registered as www.digitalcombatsimulator.com.

My router then connects to the corresponding IPv4 IP "91.134.1.104" (which happens to be www.digitalcombatsimulator.com)

Phase 2

My PC asks my router for the IP registered as srv7update.digitalcombatsimulator.com.

My router then connects to the corresponding IPv6 IP.

Could you please make a full install of Wireshark (it's free and open source) and try the same thing?

your nslookup and ping results definitely show issues with resolution. unless of course ED has routes configured to push certain Geo locations to another IP address for the updates. MadDog-IC is getting different results compared to mine and i assume he has no problems.

 

with that said i tested again on my end and now have different results

 

 

nslookup

 

> server 8.8.8.8

Default Server: dns.google

Address: 8.8.8.8

 

> cdn.digitalcombatsimulator.com

Server: dns.google

Address: 8.8.8.8

 

Non-authoritative answer:

Name: 1231349722.rsc.cdn77.org

Address: 195.181.169.21

Aliases: cdn.digitalcombatsimulator.com

 

"www" will return different results than "cdn"

This gives me an idea to use VPN and pretend to be in a different location. But I don't know it helps?...

The most important thing is this: if you click this link - http://cdn.digitalcombatsimulator.com - do you see this?

 

Yes I can connect to this site.

Now I will use Wireshark according to your suggestion.

This gives me an idea to use VPN and pretend to be in a different location. But I don't know it helps?...

No need to. If that's only a DNS issue, a simple fix would be to define a local redirection in your Windows C:\Windows\System32\drivers\etc\hosts file (i.e. "dcs.com = 12.34.56.78"). Beforehand, we need to know what happens exatly. That's when Wireshark comes in.

It would be interesting to see what happens in your network. Here's what I see in Wireshark when the game is trying to update itself:

 

 

192.168.1.20 is my PC

192.168.1.1 is my router

91.134.1.104 is www.digitalcombatsimulator.com

 

Here's what happens:

 

Phase 1

My PC asks my router for the IP registered as www.digitalcombatsimulator.com.

My router then connects to the corresponding IPv4 IP "91.134.1.104" (which happens to be www.digitalcombatsimulator.com)

 

Phase 2

My PC asks my router for the IP registered as srv7update.digitalcombatsimulator.com.

My router then connects to the corresponding IPv6 IP.

 

 

 

 

Could you please make a full install of Wireshark (it's free and open source) and try the same thing?

I tried and I hope it is the one you asked.

I zipped and attached it.

Thank you

wireshark.zip