As a netizen, you must have encountered plenty of errors while browsing your favorite websites. Some of these errors are quite easy to understand, such as the “404 Page Not Found” error, while others, like the “This Site Can’t Be Reached” error, can leave you scratching your head (sarcastically speaking).
There are no details about the error or the possible reasons causing it, and nothing is displayed on the browser, which can be vague and confusing for anyone.
Generally, this error is triggered mainly due to internet issues or server configuration problems, but there could be other possibilities as well.
Whatever the reason, we will guide you through step-by-step methods to fix the “This Site Can’t Be Reached” error and explain the different reasons that might be responsible for causing it. So without further delay, let’s dig in.
What does “This Site Can’t Be Reached” Error mean?
The “This Site Can’t Be Reached” Error simply means that the browser is unable to connect to the website you’re trying to access due to some unknown reasons.
This Site Can’t Be Reached
Variations or Error Codes associated with “This Site Can’t Be Reached” Error
Although the “This Site Can’t Be Reached” error is Chrome-specific, generally vague, and doesn’t provide much information, it often comes with different error codes. You should never ignore these error codes, as they can give you clues and help narrow down the issue causing it.
However, the problem is that there are several error codes associated with the “This Site Can’t Be Reached” message, and each one could have a different reason behind it, followed by different methods to fix it.
Whatever the case, let’s check them out one by one.
You can get the error code, DNS_PROBE_FINISHED_NXDOMAIN when you run when your browser is unable to fetch DNS settings and connect to the server.
Similarly, if your browser can’t get a response from the server in a specified timeframe, it will show an error code, ERR_CONNECTION_TIMED_OUT.
Also, if your connection time runs out, you’ll encounter the error code ERR_CONNECTION_RESET.
If the connection between the browser and server is unable to start hence the browser terminates it, ERR_CONNECTION_CLOSED.
If the connection between your browser and the website is refused due to certain restrictions or server configuration issues, it will use the error code ERR_CONNECTION_REFUSED to indicate this.
Other browsers handle similar types of errors in their way, Such as:
Mozilla Firefox
Mozilla Firefox doesn’t use a single error message for various issues, but the different errors are displayed accompanied by different messages.
For example, the DNS_PROBE_FINISHED_NXDOMAIN error indicated by Mozilla as “Hmm. We’re having trouble finding that site.”, whereas it uses a different error message for any connection issues.
Safari
For Safari users, which is the default browser for Apple devices, it also doesn’t follow the same path as Chrome. It displays different error messages for different types of errors.
What causes the “This Site Can’t Be Reached” Error?
Since we have already mentioned that the “This Site Can’t Be Reached” error is a generic message used by Chrome to cover a variety of similar errors, the causes of triggering them can come from various sources. However, the most common reasons are:
Also, chrome suggests how to fix some of the issues but there are a lot of other ways you can fix this error.
How to Fix “ This Site Can’t Be Reached ” Error (6 Ways)
In this section, we will show you the best 6 troubleshooting methods that generally work for most of these errors. We will start with the easiest methods and end with the more complicated ones. So let’s check them out.
1. Check your Network Connection
Even though your internet connection seems to be alive and working, it doesn’t mean that you won’t see the “This site can’t be reached” error. The internet may be active, but your connection might have some issues.
The best and quickest fix for this is to simply restart your router or modem, which hardly takes a minute or two. So, it is one of the first things you should do.
Just unplug the power source of your router, wait for a minute or two, and then plug it back in. After that, wait for your internet connection to restore and try to access the website again.
2. Clear Browser Cache
For a faster and better user experience, browsers are equipped with built-in capabilities to store website data locally in the form of a cache. This allows the browser to load the same website faster when visited again, as it doesn’t need to fetch the data repeatedly.
However, over time, this cached data may become corrupt or outdated, leading to errors such as “This site can’t be reached.”
The best way to resolve this issue is by clearing your browser cache completely. To do this in Google Chrome, simply follow these steps:
Open your Chrome browser.
Go to Settings.
Navigate to Privacy and Security.
Click on ‘Clear browsing data.’
Select the ‘Cached images and files’ option.
Click on the ‘Clear data’ button.
Clearing Cache in Chrome
Once done, wait for a while till Chrome finishes the process, and then try to visit the website that shows the error.
3. Turn off your Antivirus or Firewall
Sometimes, your computer’s firewalls are configured so aggressively that even with slight suspicion, they can block websites and stop you from connecting to them.
To check if this is causing the issue, turn off/disable your firewall or antivirus program on your computer for a moment, and then try to access the website again.
For the steps on How you can disable them, you can check out the instructions here.
And for the antivirus program you use, go to its settings and turn it off.
If following the above method doesn’t fix the issue, check out the other methods mentioned below. Also, do not forget to turn the antivirus program back on before moving on to the next method.
4. Clear/Flush the DNS Cache
Just like a browser, your operating system also can cache website information, specifically DNS information containing IP addresses. The only difference between them is the type of data they cache and the storage mechanism they use.
This DNS caching feature allows your browser to avoid repeating the DNS lookup process and connect to servers quickly.
It sounds like an amazing feature that saves a lot of users’ time, and indeed it is. However, just like the browser cache, it can also become outdated over time and may be responsible for triggering these types of errors.
Renew Your IP Address: After flushing your DNS cache you can renew the IP address for a fresh start and help fix the issue.
5. Change DNS Servers
Sometimes, the default DNS Servers which are assigned by your ISP might not work and cause some issues. Using alternate ones that are provided by Google or Cloudflare can fix this.
Similarly, you can also follow other methods such as:
6. Turn Off VPN and Proxy
No doubt, a VPN or proxy helps protect your identity, improve your security, filter out spam, and allow you to access content from various locations. However, sometimes these functionalities can interfere with the connection when attempting to access specific sites, resulting in a “This Site Can’t Be Reached” error.
In conclusion, the “This Site Can’t Be Reached” Error might appear irritating but it can easily be fixed. All you have to just follow the right approach, which we have already mentioned in this post, i.e
Check and restart your internet device
Clear browser Cache
Turn off your Antivirus or Firewall
Clear Flush/DNS Cache
Change DNS servers
Turn off VPN or Proxy
Troubleshooting errors might take you some time, but seeking assistance from a reliable host like WPOven won’t. Check our Web hosting plans and features, and learn more about the Managed WordPress hosting Solutions we provide.
Rahul Kumar is a web enthusiast, and content strategist specializing in WordPress & web hosting. With years of experience and a commitment to staying up-to-date with industry trends, he creates effective online strategies that drive traffic, boosts engagement, and increase conversions. Rahul’s attention to detail and ability to craft compelling content makes him a valuable asset to any brand looking to improve its online presence.
