How to increase DNS Timeout Value?

Applies To: Windows 7, Windows Server 2008, Windows Server 2008 R2, Windows Server 2012

The forwarding server needs to be given a reasonable amount of time to answer a DNS query. For example, a forwarding server that has root hints enabled may have to query on the Internet for an answer, which can require additional time. If the forwarding timeout value is too small, the DNS server might not have time to complete an Internet query. However, a forwarding timeout value that is too large can also DNS query failures when DNS queries time out. The default timeout for DNS queries from clients running a Microsoft Windows operating system is 15 seconds.

Ideally the recommended DNS Timeout value should be NOT less than 2 seconds and NOT greater than 10 seconds. (2-10 seconds). DNS resolutions failures can occur if the value is too small. A timeout value of more than 10 seconds can cause DNS resolution delays.

If the forwarding timeout value is set to a small value, the forwarding server may not have sufficient time to respond, causing DNS queries to fail. If the forwarding timeout value is set to a large value, then the DNS server may wait for a long time for the forwarding server to respond. This can cause delays and timeouts when responding to DNS queries.

If a forwarding server does not respond before the timeout value, the DNS server forwards the query to the next server in the forwarders list. If none of the servers respond in time, the DNS server responds to the original query based on whether or not recursion is enabled on the DNS server. If the Use root hints if no fowarders are available check box is cleared and forwarding servers do not respond, then the server will attempt to resolve the query with iterative DNS queries. If Use root hints if no forwarders are available is enabled and forwarding servers do not respond, the DNS server will send a SERVER_FAILURE response to the DNS client.

To configure the forwarding timeout value using the Windows interface

1. Click Start, click Run, type dnsmgmt.msc, and then press ENTER. The DNS Manager console will open.
2. In the console tree, right-click the name of the DNS server and then click Properties.
3. On the Forwarders tab, click the IP address of the forwarder you wish to configure, and then click Edit.
4. Type the forwarding timeout value next to Number of seconds before forward queries time out and then click OK twice. By default, the DNS server waits three seconds for a response from one forwarder IP address before it tries another forwarder IP address.

To configure the forwarding timeout value using a command line

1. Open a command prompt. To open an elevated Command Prompt window, click Start, point to All Programs, click Accessories, right-click Command Prompt, and then click Run as administrator.
2. At the command prompt, type the following command, and then press ENTER:
   Copy

   dnscmd <ServerName> /ResetForwarders <MasterIPaddress ...> [/TimeOut <Time>] [/Slave]
   

To view the complete syntax for this command, at a command prompt, type the following command, and then press ENTER:

dnscmd /ResetForwarders /help 

Source: https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/previous-versions/windows/it-pro/windows-server-2008-R2-and-2008/ff807396(v=ws.10)