What is DNS and why it matters when websites won't load?

DNS (Domain Name System) translates website names like google.com into numbers (IP addresses) that computers use to connect. Think of it like a phone book for the internet. You know the name but need the number to call.

DNS is the internet's phone book. When you type google.com, your device asks a DNS server 'What's the IP address for google.com?' The DNS server replies with a number (like 142.250.185.46), and your browser connects to that address. Without DNS, the internet wouldn't work. You'd have to remember IP addresses instead of readable names.