Flush DNS and Switch Servers: Open Command Prompt as Administrator
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What is Error 4394?
Windows System Error Code 4394, known as ERROR_REPARSE_TAG_MISMATCH, is a DNS & WINS error that occurs during DNS resolution and WINS name resolution. The error indicates that: There is a mismatch between the tag specified in the request and the tag present in the reparse point. When this error is encountered, the Windows operating system was unable to complete the requested operation within the DNS/WINS services subsystem. The error code 4394 is returned by the GetLastError() function and provides developers with a specific identifier to diagnose the root cause of the failure. The symbolic name ERROR_REPARSE_TAG_MISMATCH maps directly to this numeric code and is commonly referenced in Microsoft documentation, developer forums, and system logs. Understanding this error and its context within DNS resolution and WINS name resolution is essential for effective troubleshooting.
Common Causes
- System resource conflict: There is a mismatch between the tag specified in the request and the tag present in the reparse point.
- DNS server misconfigured
- Stale DNS cache entries
- Hostname cannot be resolved
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Read the full guide →Step-by-Step Solutions
- Open Command Prompt as Administrator
- Run: ipconfig /flushdns
- Change DNS to Google (8.8.8.8) or Cloudflare (1.1.1.1)
- Run: ipconfig /registerdns
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Diagnostic Command
Run this PowerShell command to find related events in your system log:
Get-EventLog -LogName System -Newest 20 | Where-Object {$_.Message -like "*4394*" -or $_.Message -like "*ERROR_REPARSE_TAG_MISMATCH*"} | Format-List
💡 Open PowerShell as Administrator, paste the command above, and press Enter.
Prevention Tips
- Use reliable DNS (8.8.8.8 or 1.1.1.1)
- Flush DNS cache periodically
- Monitor DNS resolution performance