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[ REPAIR GUIDE ] BROWSER ERRORS

How to fix "This site can't be reached"

ERROR DETECTED >This site can't be reached

UPDATED NOVEMBER 20262 MIN READ8 FIXES

QUICK FIX

Check the address for typos, make sure you are online, and restart your router. Then look at the error code under the message and follow the matching guide.

What it means

This is Chrome's general message for when it cannot load a website at all. The short code underneath, such as ERR_NAME_NOT_RESOLVED or ERR_CONNECTION_TIMED_OUT, tells you what actually went wrong. Edge shows a similar message: "Hmmm... can't reach this page".

Common causes

  • A typo in the web address
  • No internet connection, or a public Wi-Fi sign-in page not completed
  • A DNS problem looking up the site's name
  • A VPN, proxy, firewall or antivirus blocking the site
  • The website is down or blocking your connection

How to fix it

Work down the list. Each fix is safe to try before moving on to the next.

FIX 01Check the address and the error codeEASY

  1. Look for typos in the address bar, then reload with F5 (Windows) or Cmd + R (Mac).
  2. Read the short code under the message, for example ERR_NAME_NOT_RESOLVED, ERR_CONNECTION_REFUSED or ERR_CONNECTION_TIMED_OUT.
  3. Open a couple of other sites. If only one fails, the problem is probably with that site.

Why it helps: The code points to the exact cause, which saves time.

FIX 02Check your connection and sign in to public Wi-FiEASY

  1. Make sure Wi-Fi or Ethernet is connected and other apps can go online.
  2. On hotel, airport or cafe Wi-Fi, open any plain website to bring up the sign-in page and accept the terms.
  3. Restart the router and modem by unplugging them for 30 seconds.

Why it helps: Most cases come from a dropped connection or an unfinished Wi-Fi sign-in.

FIX 03Restart the browserEASY

  1. Windows: open More (three dots) > Exit in Chrome, then open it again.
  2. Mac: choose Chrome > Quit Google Chrome in the menu bar, then reopen it.
  3. On a phone, close the browser app completely and reopen it.

Why it helps: Clears temporary glitches in the browser.

FIX 04Try an Incognito window and turn off extensionsEASY

  1. Press Ctrl + Shift + N (Windows) or Cmd + Shift + N (Mac).
  2. Open the site. If it works, go to chrome://extensions and turn off extensions one at a time until you find the cause.

Why it helps: Rules out extensions that block or redirect sites.

FIX 05Clear browsing dataEASY

  1. Press Ctrl + Shift + Delete (Windows) or Cmd + Shift + Delete (Mac).
  2. Choose All time, tick Cookies and other site data and Cached images and files, and delete.

Why it helps: Removes stale saved data for the site.

FIX 06Turn off VPN and proxyEASY

  1. Disconnect any VPN.
  2. Windows 11: Settings > Network & internet > Proxy and turn off manual proxy settings you did not add.
  3. Reload the page.

Why it helps: A broken VPN or proxy can stop every site from loading.

FIX 07Flush DNS and reset the network on WindowsMEDIUM

  1. Run Command Prompt as administrator.
  2. Type ipconfig /flushdns and press Enter.
  3. If needed, also run netsh winsock reset and netsh int ip reset, then restart the PC.

Why it helps: Clears old address lookups and damaged network settings.

FIX 08Check firewall or antivirusMEDIUM

  1. Windows: open Windows Security > Firewall & network protection and check that the browser is allowed.
  2. Check your antivirus app for a block notice about the site.
  3. If you pause protection to test, turn it back on right away.

Why it helps: Security software can block a browser or a specific site.

Check it's fixed

  • The site loads in the normal browser window.
  • Other sites still load.
  • The site also loads on another device on the same network.

When to get help

If the site loads for no one, wait or contact the site owner. If no sites load on any device at home, contact your internet provider.

Questions

Why does it say "This site can't be reached" when my internet works?

Your connection may be fine but the site's name lookup failed, the site refused the connection, or something like a VPN or filter blocked it. The code under the message tells you which.

Is the website down?

Try it on another device using mobile data. If it fails there too, the site is likely down.

Where can I see what every code means?

Type chrome://network-errors in Chrome's address bar to see the full list of network error codes.

Related fixes

How to fix ERR_NAME_NOT_RESOLVEDCheck the spelling of the address, then restart your router and flush the DNS cache. If it still fails, switch to a different DNS server.How to fix ERR_CONNECTION_REFUSEDCheck the address and port, then turn off any proxy or VPN and reload. If it is your own localhost site, make sure the server is actually ruHow to fix ERR_CONNECTION_TIMED_OUTRestart your router, turn off any VPN or proxy, and reload. If the site times out on every network, the website is likely down or overloadedHow to fix DNS_PROBE_FINISHED_NXDOMAINCheck the address for typos, then restart your router and flush your DNS cache. If the name is correct and still fails, switch to a differenWhy is my internet not working?Check whether other devices are also offline. If they are, restart your modem and router and check your provider for an outage; if only one

Still stuck?

Paste the exact message and the repair bot will find the closest fix, or search it on Google, Microsoft, Apple, Reddit and YouTube.

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