Fixing “Server IP Address Could Not Be Found” Error on Windows 10/11

Have you ever received the Server IP address could not be found error on your Windows PC while trying to access a website you regularly use? It is a genuine problem across the globe as sometimes, URLs that users visit multiple times a day end up showing the error.

Why? Well, to understand that, you need to understand what the issue is about. As the prompt suggests, the IP address of the website requested was not found. What it simply means is that the domain name user was not found to be connected with a valid IP address.

In this post, we will try to cover everything you need to know about the error. We will also discuss a few DIY ways to handle the issue so you can resolve it independently. Without further ado, let’s begin right away!

What Is the Server Address

A Server Address is a unique set of numbers allotted to any device that is connected to the internet. This helps facilitate requests and transfer of data online. In simpler words, when you visit any website for online shopping and want to see the products it offers, you are sending a request from your IP address to the IP address of the E-commerce website. These things happen in the background so the user does not get to know about them.

Also Read: How to Fix “Ethernet Does Not Have a Valid IP Configuration” Error

Why Can’t a Server IP Address Be Found

There can be multiple reasons behind the error appearing on your screen – 

• The website you want to access uses a dynamic IP; your browser has stored the older IP address in the DNS cache. 
• The website you want to open needs to be fixed or is currently under maintenance. 
• The domain name you have entered has a spelling error.
• The Proxy server you are using cannot ping the website you requested. 
• You are using a VPN that cannot connect to the desired IP address of the website for any reason. 

The issue with the server IP address that could not be found error is that it not only hampers the experience but also ignites curiosity about whether the issue is on your device only or is with the website you have requested. 

Most users started worrying about fixing the issue; believe us, they needed an expert in computer networks to resolve the issue. Well, not anymore! 

Check out some exciting ways to fix the error in the next section!

Ways to Fix Server IP Address Could not Be Found: DIY Style!

Since there are multiple reasons why the error may appear, there are multiple fixes too! Try the following fixes to resolve the issue. Make sure you have first tried resetting the internet connection, as usually, that does the job.

If that has not worked for you, try the following fixes – 

Method 1: Check Your Internet Connection

When you first receive this error, you need to check if the internet connection you are connected to is working fine. Try to check another device connected to the same network. In the absence of a secondary device, you could restart your primary device and try to connect. Once you are convinced that there is nothing wrong with your internet connection, move on to the next step.

Method 2: Restart Modem/Router

The modem/router gathers a cache of its own and when left connected for days, it develops certain anomalies that can cause problems with the internet connectivity. All the Internet Service Providers (ISPs) suggest that you reboot your router/modem at least once a day. Turn off the modem/router for 60 seconds, turn it back on, and then try to connect. Where I live, we have a power cut at least once a day which automatically restarts my router.

Method 3: Update Browser

Updating the browser is very important as the updates rolled out by developers contain bug fixes, security patches, and new features. If you are facing “the DNS address can’t be found.”
error, then we suggest you update the browser using these steps:

Step 1: Open the Google Chrome browser.
Step 2: Click on the three dots in the top right corner.
Step 3: Choose Help from the drop-down menu and then click on About Chrome.

Step 4: The update process will automatically start.

Method 4 – Clear Your Browser Cache

The error often is caused by the cache and cookies saved on your browser. To ensure that the issue does not revolve around your browser, clear all the cookies and caches from your browser. 

The steps to clear the browser cache vary from browser to browser. However, the majority of users have experienced the issue while using Chrome. Here’s how you can clear browsing data on Chrome – 

• Press the three-dot button on the top right corner of your Chrome browser.
• Go to settings from the opened menu.
• In settings, navigate to Privacy & Security through the left panel.
• There you will find an option to clear browsing data. 
• Click on it to select the data parameters you want to remove.
• You can keep your history if there’s something crucial in it, but you must clear cookies and caches.
• Once you have done that, restart your browser, and try revisiting the website, and it should work.
  

Read Also: How to Clear Chrome Net Internals DNS Error

Method 5 – Configure Your Network Adapter

If your internet has been acting weird for a while, you might need to configure the network adapter, which might be causing the issue. Here’s how you can do it – 

• Press Windows +  R to open the run search box
• In the run search, use the command “control” and hit enter.
• This will open the control panel for your PC
• In the control panel, find Network & Sharing Center.
• You will find the Change adapter settings option in the left-hand panel when opening the same.
• Click on it to open the list of adapters. 
• Right-click on the one that is being used and open its properties.
• Double-click on the TCP/IPv4 version to access its configuration.
• In the configuration, check if the adapter is fetching the IP address & Domain address on its own.
• If not, change the settings to set it automatically. 

This configuration will allow the network to re-calibrate the way your network adapter accesses the internet; hence, it might resolve the error for you. 

Method 6: Flush DNS cache

The DNS cache is designed to keep a record of all the website addresses that you have visited in the past. This helps to speed up browsing when you visit the website for a second time and so on. However, if this cache becomes corrupt/outdated, it will lead to a “The server IP address can’t be found” error. Once you flush the DNS cache, it will be regenerated the next time you visit a website. Here are the steps:

Step 1: Press Win + R to open the RUN box.
Step 2: Type “cmd” in the text box and press the OK button to open the Command Prompt.
Step 3: Copy and paste the following command:

ipconfig /flushdns

Step 4: You will get a message confirming the success.

Method 7: Check proxy settings

If you are using a Proxy setting on your computer, the proxy settings may interfere with or conflict with the DNS server settings on your computer. Here are the steps to check if a Proxy setting has been set on your computer.

Step 1: Press Windows + I to open the Settings.
Step 2: Click on Network and Internet in the left panel of the Settings window.

Step 3: Click on the Proxy option in the right section.

Step 4: Click the Setup button and toggle the switch towards the left to turn it off.

Method 8: Release And Renew Your IP Address

To refresh your network connection with your local ISP, you need to release and renew your IP address. This step resolves most “IP address not showing up” issues. Here is what you need to do:

Step 1: Press Win + R to open the RUN box.
Step 2: Type “cmd” and press OK to open the Command Prompt.
Step 3: Copy and paste the following commands and press Enter after each command.

ipconfig /release
ipconfig /flushdns
ipconfig /renew

Step 4: Exit the command prompt and check if the issue has been resolved.

Also Read: Fixed “Windows Couldn’t Automatically Bind the IP Protocol Stack to the Network Adapter” Error

Method 9: Include the site’s IP address in your host file

Every PC has a Host file that manually connects IP addresses and domain names. If you enter a domain name, it automatically picks the IP address and directs you to that website. Here are the steps to find the server IP address.
:

Step 1: Press Win + R to open the RUN box and type “notepad.exe.”
Step 2: Press Ctrl + Shift + Enter, and the notepad will open with admin privileges.
Step 3: Press the File tab on the top and navigate using the File Explorer to the following path:

C:\Windows\System32\drivers\etc\hosts

Step 4: Scroll to the very bottom of the file and type the website’s IP address, followed by a space and then the domain name.

For example

142.250.191.132 www.google.com

Step 5: Save the file and close the Notepad.

Method 10: Remove files from the “etc” folder.

Did you know there is a folder on every Windows PC that contains the network configuration files? This folder is called the “etc” folder, and if this folder gets outdated or corrupted then you may face the “Google server IP address could not be found” issues.

Step 1: Press Win + E to open the File Explorer window.
Step 2: Copy and paste the following path in the address bar.

C:\Windows\System32\drivers\etc

Step 3: Copy the entire folder and paste it on your desktop as a backup.
Step 4: Sort the folder’s contents by date. To do this, press the Sort button on the top ribbon and choose Date Modified.
Step 5: Delete the latest file and check if the issue reoccurs. Try deleting the files one by one with the latest file to be deleted first, and check.

Method 11: Reboot Your DNS Service.

Windows OS has a service related to DNS functions that also accumulate cache. To fix the error, you need to restart this service so it clears the cache.

Step 1: Press Win + R to open the RUN box.
Step 2: Type “Services.Msc” in the text box and press the OK button.
Step 3: A services window will open with all the services listed alphabetically.

Step 4: Locate DNS Client Service and make a right-click on it. Select Restart from the context menu.

Method 12: Use Windows Network Diagnostics

Microsoft has added certain troubleshooter modules within the Windows OS that can help fix some issues and errors. One such troubleshooter is the Windows Network Troubleshooter. Here are the steps to initiate this tool:

Step 1: Press Windows + I to open the Windows Settings.
Step 2: Click on the System tab in the left panel.
Step 3: Look for the Troubleshoot option in the right section and click on it.
Step 4: Next, click on Other Troubleshooters.

Step 5: Finally, click on the RUN button next to Network and Internet.
Step 6: Follow the onscreen instructions to fix the issue.

Method 13- Replace Your VPN

If the issue persists after both fixes, the VPN you are using is probably causing the error. 

VPNs use masked IP addresses to ping other websites. If the server you are using to do so is not up to the mark, issues like server IP address could not be found might occur. If you are connected using the VPN, try disconnecting it and check if the website opens now. 

If it does, the issue lies in your VPN; you might need to replace it with a better option. Not using a VPN is never a wise choice, as internet censorship can bother your experience.  But you cannot survive with a VPN that does not allow you to access websites in the first place. Hence replacing the VPN is the best option. If you are looking for a perfectly balanced VPN with better security and high-speed servers, you can try Systweak VPN. 

Method 14 – Reset Winsock & IPv4 Settings

If things are still not working out for you the easy way, you should level up and start with advanced fixes. 

• Open the command prompt as administrator from the start menu of your PC
• In the command prompt, use the command “netsh winsock reset.” 
• This will help you reset the Winsock.
• Give your PC a quick restart.
• After you are done with Winsock reset, go to the command prompt again (open as administrator)
• This time, use the command “netsh int ipv4 reset reset.log” to reset IPv4 settings.
• Give your PC another restart, and now the issue should be resolved.

Method 15: Update Your Network Adapter Driver

The network adapter is a piece of hardware attached to your PC that helps you connect to the internet. You need drivers to establish a communication bridge between the hardware and software. The “IP address not showing up” error can occur if there is a gap in communication between your network card and internet connection, which can happen due to outdated, missing, or corrupt drivers. The solution is simple – you need to update the drivers.

Download And Install Drivers From The Manufacturer’s Website.

All network card manufacturers maintain an official website where users can search, download, and install the latest version of drivers suitable for their network card.

The Advanced Driver Updater is an amazing tool that helps users scan and identify driver anomalies on the PC. It also downloads and installs the latest driver available on the internet with no restrictions. Here are the steps to use this tool:

Server IP Address Could Not be Found – FIXED!

All these fixes can be easily performed by any individual with basic knowledge of using a PC, and hence these are the DIY methods you can use to fix the error. In the comments section, let us know which of these ways you found the best. 

Hope the post helps you with desired results. Good Luck!

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