The “This site can’t be reached” message in Chrome means the browser cannot connect to your requested website as something is blocking the connection. A common cause of this issue is a problem with your internet connection, whether within your local network or your Internet Service Provider (ISP). Another possibility is that the website is temporarily down or undergoing maintenance. Let us check all the methods to fix this issue.
What Is The Meaning of the Error
The error in Chrome indicates that the browser cannot connect to the requested website. This usually means that Chrome tries to contact the site’s server, but something interferes with the connection. Common reasons for this error include:
- Your device may not be connected to the internet, or there may be a problem with your local network.
- The website might be temporarily unavailable or undergoing maintenance.
- The Domain Name System (DNS) might be unable to decode the website’s address.
- Your firewall or antivirus might be blocking access to the site.
- The URL you entered may be misspelled or incorrect.
Why are Some of the Sites not Opening in Chrome
There are several reasons why some sites might not open in Chrome:
1. Internet Connection Issues: A weak or unstable connection can prevent website loading.
2. Server Problems: The website may be down or experiencing technical difficulties.
3. Browser Cache and Cookies: Accumulated cache and cookies can lead to loading issues.
4. Firewall or Antivirus Settings: Security software might block access to certain sites.
5. Browser Extensions: Some extensions can interfere with website loading.
6. DNS Issues: Problems with the DNS server can affect site accessibility.
7. Outdated Browser: Using an outdated version of Chrome can lead to compatibility issues.
8. Network Configuration: Incorrect network settings or proxies can hinder access to certain sites.
Read Also: Allow Chrome to Access the Network in Your Firewall [Fix]
What Are The Error Codes Associated With “This Site Can’t Be Reached” Error
A few error codes might appear when you receive the Error. We have listed the most common codes explaining why they appear.
1. DNS_PROBE_FINISHED_NXDOMAIN
This error message indicates that the DNS (Domain Name System) lookup failed. This means the browser could not resolve the domain name you entered into an IP address, which is necessary to load the website.
2. ERR_CONNECTION_TIMED_OUT
This error in Chrome means the browser could not connect to the website within a specific time frame. This indicates that the server is not responding or network issues are preventing the connection.
3. ERR_CONNECTION_RESET
The error in Chrome means that the connection to the website was unexpectedly closed. This can occur for various reasons, indicating that something disrupted the connection before it could be established.
4. ERR_CONNECTION_CLOSED
The error indicates that the connection to the website was closed unexpectedly. This means that the server or the network path to the server terminated the connection before the browser could complete the request.
5. ERR_CONNECTION_REFUSED
The error means that the connection to the website was rejected. This indicates that the server is actively refusing the connection, which can happen for various reasons.
Recommended Solutions For “This Site Can’t Be Reached” Error On Windows PC
Method 1: Verify Other Websites
To confirm your internet connection is working, begin by visiting other websites, such as google.com or bing.com. If you can’t access any sites, your internet may be down. Contact Your ISP to resolve the issue.
Method 2: Verify The Website’s Server Status
Utilize online tools like Down for Everyone or Just Me to determine if the issue is unique to you or affecting all users. If it’s only you experiencing the problem, it likely indicates an issue with your internet connection, network devices, or computer.
Method 3: Verify The URL For Typo Errors
Make sure you haven’t made any typos in the website address. A mistake or misspelling in the domain name or URL can result in DNS errors like DNS_PROBE_FINISHED_NXDOMAIN.
Method 4: Clear Cache And Cookies
Browsers save temporary data to enhance connection speeds, but corrupted or outdated cache and cookies can hinder site loading. Clearing your browser data can help resolve this issue. Here’s how to clear Chrome’s cache:
Step 1: Open Chrome browser and click on the three dots in the top right corner.
Step 2: Click on Delete Browsing Data from the dropdown list.
Step 3: A new box will appear. Ensure that the Time Range is set to All Time and click on the Delete Data button.
Step 4: Close your browser and relaunch it to check if the issue persists.
Editor’s Tip: Use Advanced System OptimizerSimilar to how cookies and cache can cause problems while browsing the internet, accumulated junk and temporary and unwanted files on your PC can hinder its performance and prevent it from running optimally. To keep your computer in top shape and ensure peak performance, consider using Advanced System Optimizer—a comprehensive PC optimization tool. Here’s what you need to do: Step 1: Download Advanced System Optimizer From Here. |
Method 5: Use Another Device To Access The Website
Check the website on a different device to see if the issue is with your computer or internet connection. Try accessing the site using your mobile device’s data connection. If it loads successfully, it likely indicates that the problem is with your network connection or computer.
Method 6: Power Cycle Your Router/Modem
If the Website does not open on another device but does open on your mobile connected to a mobile data connection, then there is something wrong with your internet connection. A simple reboot will fix these issues. Here are the steps:
1. First, turn off your computer.
2. Locate your modem and router. If they are separate devices, unplug both from the power source.
3. Leave the devices unplugged for about 30 seconds to 1 minute. This allows any residual power to dissipate and helps reset the devices.
4. Plug in the Router/Modem and wait for them to fully reboot. This usually takes a few minutes; you’ll know it’s ready when the indicator lights are stable.
5. Once both devices are powered back on and stable, turn on your computer and reconnect other devices to the network.
6. Open your browser and check if you can access the internet.
Method 7: Troubleshoot your Network
Microsoft provides Windows users with certain Troubleshooters to fix issues within Windows OS. Today, we will use the Network and Internet troubleshooter to fix this issue. Here are the steps:
1. Press Win + X to open the Power menu and choose Settings.
2. Click on System in the left panel. Scroll down in the right section and click on Troubleshoot.
3. Next, click on Other Troubleshooters and then click on the RUN button next to Network and Internet.
4. Follow the onscreen instructions, and this Troubleshooter will identify and fix the issues.
Method 8: Modify DNS Servers
DNS configuration is crucial for accessing the internet; issues could be why you’re having trouble connecting. Follow these steps to check your DNS settings:
Step 1. Press `Win + R` on your Windows computer to open the Run dialog.
Step 2. Type `ncpa.cpl` and press Enter.
Step 3. Right-click on your Ethernet connection and select “Properties.”
Step 4. Double-click on “Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4).”
Step 5. Ensure that “Obtain DNS server address automatically” and “Obtain an IP address automatically” are selected, then click “OK.”
Step 6. Check if this resolves your issue. If not, proceed to the next step.
Step 7. Select “Use the following DNS server addresses” and enter Google’s public DNS addresses: 8.8.8.8 and 8.8.4.4.
Step 8. Click “OK” and check if your internet access is restored.
Method 9: Flush DNS
Flushing the DNS cache on Windows can resolve issues related to outdated or corrupt DNS entries. Here’s how to do it:
Step 1: Press `Win + S` to open the search bar and type `cmd` or `Command Prompt.`
Step 2: Right-click “Command Prompt” in the search results and select `Run as administrator.` This will open the Command Prompt with elevated privileges.
Step 3: In the Command Prompt window, type the following command and press Enter:
ipconfig /flushdns
Step 4: You should see a message indicating that the DNS Resolver Cache has been successfully flushed.
Step 5: After you see the confirmation message, you can close the Command Prompt window.
Method 10: Reset Your Network Settings
If the previous solutions do not resolve the “Ethernet is connected to the network but no internet” error, you may need to reset your network settings. This action will restore all network configurations on your PC to their default settings, which could help fix the issues you’re experiencing.
To reset the network settings in Windows, open the Settings app, go to Network & Internet > Advanced network settings > Network reset, and click Reset now.
Method 11: Use Incognito Mode
Incognito or private browsing mode acts as a stealth feature for your browser. It bypasses cached data and extensions, making it helpful for troubleshooting issues.
To open an incognito window (Ctrl+Shift+N in Chrome, Ctrl+Shift+P in Firefox), try accessing the website again. If it loads successfully, this suggests that an extension or cached data may be the source of the problem.
Method 12: Update Browser
1. Launch the browser and click on the hamburger menu in the top right corner.
2. Hover the mouse on Help and click on About Google Chrome.
3. The Chrome Update will start automatically.
Method 13: Disable Extensions
While extensions improve the browsing experience, they can sometimes interfere with the browser’s normal operation. You can disable all extensions to determine if an extension is causing an issue. If this resolves the problem, you can enable each extension individually to identify the one causing the conflict.
1. Launch the browser and click on the hamburger menu in the top right corner.
2. Hover over Extensions and select Manage Extensions.
3. A new tab will open; to disable each extension, slide the toggle buttons under them to the left.
Method 14: Reset Browser
The error should no longer appear after clearing the browser cache, disabling extensions, and updating the browser. However, if it persists, you may need to reset the browser by following these steps:
1. Launch the browser and click on the hamburger menu in the top right corner.
2. From the dropdown menu, select Settings, then choose Reset Settings from the left panel.
3. In the right panel, click on Reset Settings, and then confirm by clicking the Reset Settings button.
Method 15: Use Alternate Browser
If the problem continues after reinstalling the browser, consider using an alternative browser. Remember that Chrome, Edge, and Opera are all based on the same Chromium engine, so it may be more effective to try Firefox, which is built on a different platform.
Solutions For “This Site Can’t Be Reached” Error On Android
If you are facing this issue on your Android device, it could be due to the same causes listed above. Before we jump to the troubleshooting steps, here are a few things you should verify beforehand.
- Check the Website URL and verify if it is correct without any typos.
- Check the Website status using DownDetector.
Editor’s Tip: Carry Out These Workarounds For Immediate Solution.
Method 1: Clear Cookies And Cache
Step 1: Open the Chrome browser on your Android device and tap on the three dots.
Step 2: Tap on Delete Browsing Data, and a new box will appear.
Step 3: Select the dropdown on the top and choose All Time.
Step 4: Tap the Delete Data button at the bottom right corner.
Method 2: Update Browser
Step 1: On your Android device, long-tap the Chrome browser icon and then tap the (i) icon.
Step 2: Scroll down the various options and tap on App details in the store.
Step 3: The Google Play Store will open with details about the Chrome browser and two buttons: Uninstall and Open. If you see the Update button in place of Open, tap on it to update your Chrome browser.
Method 3: Change Your DNS
Step 1: Open Chrome Browser and click on the three dots in the top left corner.
Step 2: Tap on Settings and then tap on Privacy and Security.
Step 3: Locate and tap on Use Secure DNS.
Step 4: Tap on the circular button next to Choose Another Provider.
Step 5: tap on the Dropdown and choose OpenDNS.
Have You Connected to Your Requested Website
In conclusion, resolving the “This Site Can’t Be Reached” error involves a systematic approach to identifying and addressing potential issues. By checking your internet connection, verifying the website’s status, inspecting URLs for errors, and troubleshooting network settings, you can often restore access to the site. If these steps don’t resolve the issue, consider further diagnostics with tools or contact your Internet Service Provider for assistance. With patience and the right troubleshooting methods, you can typically find a solution and return online.
Read Also: How To Set Up Proper Security and Firewalls on Windows
