You are here because you tried to open a website and it couldn’t load. Instead, your web browser displayed the message ‘This webpage is not available’, or ‘This site can’t be reached’, or something similar. You will also see the ‘ERR_NAME_RESOLUTION_FAILED’ ‘ERR_NAME_NOT_RESOLVED’ written under it. What are its causes and how to fix it? We will cover these in this guide.
Causes of the ERR_NAME_RESOLUTION_FAILED Error on Chrome, Mozilla Firefox and Edge Browsers
- Internet connection problems (slow internet, many people using the internet, etc.)
- DNS server (Domain Name System Service) issues
- Website server offline
- Web browser bugs
- Outdated web browser
- Website blocked by ISP
- Website server blocked your region
- Malware or virus attack
Solutions to the ERR_NAME_RESOLUTION_FAILED Error on Google Chrome
As most people use Google Chrome, that’s why this issue is mostly reported by Chrome users. But this problem is also common with Mozilla Firefox, Opera, Microsoft Edge, Safari, and other internet web browsers. Try these methods one by one.
- Check Your Internet Connection and Restart Your Modem or Router
- Run Windows Network Troubleshooter
- Allow Your Web Browser Through Firewall
- Clear Your Browsing Data
- Change Your DNS Server Address on Microsoft Windows
- Fix Any Socket Errors with Netsh Winsock Reset Using Command Prompt
- Reset Your Modem or Router
- Remove Any New Extensions Installed on Chrome or Edge
- Use a VPN
- Reset Your Google Chrome Browser
- Uninstall Your Web Browser and Install It Again
- Try Another Browser
- Uninstall Recently Installed Programs
- Scan Your Computer with an Antivirus or Antimalware
- Use System Restore
Solution 1: Check Your Internet Connection and Restart Your Modem or Router
Firstly, check if your internet is working. Open another website on a new tab. If it’s working, disconnect it and connect again. If the internet is not working or if the disconnect and connect trick didn’t fix the problem, restart your modem or router.
Solution 2: Run Windows Network Troubleshooter
Windows has its troubleshooter that can find and fix network issues. If you’re seeing the ‘ERR_NAME_RESOLUTION_FAILED’ error message on any site you open or on most websites, run the network troubleshooter on Windows 10 and 11.
- Connect to the internet.
- Press Windows key + I to open Settings.
- Click ‘Network & Internet’. Read the name of your adapter and remember it. It could be ‘Wi-Fi’, ‘Ethernet’, etc.
- Under ‘Advanced Network Settings’, click ‘Network troubleshooter’.
- Select the network adapter and click Next.
- It will now detect problems and suggest fixes.
Solution 3: Allow Your Web Browser Through Firewall
In case you can’t visit any site through your web browser, it may be blocked by Firewall. Check if it’s allowed and then allow it if blocked.
- Click Start, type ‘Firewall’, and select ‘Firewall & network protection.
- Now click ‘Allow an app through firewall’.
- You will see a list of programs. Scroll down to find your web browser. If it’s checked, it’s allowed. If not, click the ‘Change settings’ button, checkmark the browser, and click OK.
Solution 4: Clear Your Browsing Data
In some cases, saved browsing data on a web browser is corrupt and causes the ‘ERR_NAME_RESOLUTION_FAILED’ issue. Delete your browsing data and try again.
- Open Google Chrome.
- Click the three dots at the top right corner and select ‘Settings’ from the menu.
- On the sidebar, click ‘Security and Privacy’ and then click ‘Clear browsing data’.
- Select ‘All Time’ from the drop-down menu. Now checkmark ‘Browsing history’ and ‘Cached images and files’ and click ‘Clear Data.
- If this doesn’t fix the issue, perform the above steps again and select all three options and click ‘Clear Data’. This will delete cookies and log you out of all the websites and delete all of your browsing data.
Solution 5: Change Your DNS Server Address on Microsoft Windows
It can be the case that your default DNS server address is not working correctly. A DNS server (Domain Name System Service) helps a browser translate the name of the website to its address in digits. So, change your DNS server address to solve the problem.
- Click the internet icon you see on the taskbar and click ‘Network and Internet Settings’.
- Notice the name of your network adapter under ‘Network status’ and then click ‘Change adapter options’.
- Right-click your network adapter and click ‘Properties’.
- Select ‘Internet Protocol Version 4’ and click ‘Properties’.
- Click ‘Use the following DNS server addresses’ and then type ‘8.8.8.8’ and 8.8.4.4′.
- Click OK and then click OK on the previously opened window.
Solution 6: Fix Any Socket Errors with Netsh Winsock Reset Using Command Prompt
Winsock settings have the configurations for your internet settings. We run a netsh winsock reset when there is a network connectivity problem. The reset can recover your computer from socket errors that happened by downloading an unknown file or due to some other reasons. This is essential to run if your internet is not working or if you have a stable internet connection but you can’t visit any or a specific website on your web browser.
- Click Start and type cmd and select the option to ‘Run as administrator’.
- Now copy-paste these commands on Command Prompt one by one and hit enter each time.
ipconfig /flushdns
ipconfig /registerdns
ipconfig /release
ipconfig /renew
netsh winsock reset
Now close Command Prompt, restart your computer and try again.
Solution 7: Reset Your Modem or Router
Your modem or router could be malfunctioning or some settings are causing the ‘This site can’t be reached’ error message. We recommend resetting your modem or router to its default settings. This will remove all of your settings and passwords set on your router.
- Find a small hole below or behind the router or modem. It will have ‘Reset’ written above or below it.
- Use a paperclip to press and hold that button for 10-20 seconds.
Your router has been reset. You will now need to set up your router again.
Solution 8: Remove Any New Extensions Installed on Chrome or Edge
Some extensions installed on web browsers can affect their internet connectivity and, in some cases, connectivity to certain websites. If you have recently installed any extension on your web browser, uninstall it, and check again.
- Open Google Chrome, click the three dots at the top right and select ‘Settings’.
- Click ‘Extensions’ from the side panel.
- Disable any extension by toggling it off or uninstalling it by clicking the ‘Remove’ button.
Solution 9: Use a VPN
Some users see the ‘ERR_NAME_RESOLUTION_FAILED’ error when they visit a website that has been blocked by their ISP (Internet Service Provider). Moreover, in some cases, a website doesn’t allow access to users from some parts of the world. To bypass regional restrictions, you can use a VPN (Virtual Private Network). This is applicable if your internet is working but you can’t visit a certain or a few websites.
- Open your web browser and go to Google.
- Search ‘free VPNs’.
- Select a VPN website, download and install the VPN.
- Turn on the VPN and visit the website that was giving the ‘This site can’t be reached’ error message.
On the other hand, if the error occurred while using a VPN, uninstall the VPN, apply Solution 6 (netsh winsock reset), and try again.
Solution 10: Reset Your Google Chrome Browser
If your internet web browser is causing the issue and clearing the browsing data didn’t fix the issue, you should try resetting it. If some settings of the browser have been altered, this reset will fix that. The reset option is only available for Google Chrome. For other web browsers, see Solution 11.
- Open Google Chrome and type
chrome://flags/
in the address bar. - Now click the ‘Reset all’ button at the top right.
- Relaunch the browser and try again.
Solution 11: Uninstall Your Web Browser and Install It Again
Most browsers don’t have a reset option. It is also possible that you reset your web browser but still see the ‘This site can’t be reached’ error. In this situation, you can completely uninstall your web browser, download the latest version from its official website, and install it.
- Go to Start and click the Settings icon above the ‘Power’ button or press Windows key + I.
- Click ‘Apps’.
- Scroll down to find your web browser and click it.
- It will show the option to uninstall. Click the ‘Uninstall’ button.
- Follow the instructions of the uninstallation wizard.
- Restart your computer.
- Go to the website of the browser. Download and install the web browser.
Solution 12: Try Another Browser to Fix the Name Resolution Issue
Some browsers have stricter security rules and don’t allow sites to load. For example; Google Chrome doesn’t load websites that don’t have a valid HTTPS license. So, a potential reason for the ‘This site can’t be reached’ error could be the security protocols of your web browser. Install another internet web browser such as Mozilla Firefox, Opera, and Safari to visit the website that is showing the error. Windows users already have Microsoft Edge installed by default. You can use that as well.
Solution 13: Uninstall Recently Installed Programs
A buggy, malicious, or incompatible program can cause other applications to malfunction. You can uninstall the programs you recently installed. This solution is more important if the website error started after the installation of another application. For those who can’t recall a new install, Windows shows the installation date of each program in ‘Apps’.
- Go to Start and click the Settings icon.
- Click ‘Apps’.
- Under ‘Apps & features’ and the search bar, click the ‘Sort by’ drop-down menu and select ‘Install date’.
- Now uninstall the programs that were recently installed.
Solution 14: Scan Your Computer with an Antivirus or Antimalware
A virus or malware might be infecting your computer and causing interruptions in your internet connection. To find and delete viruses, scan your computer with a reliable antivirus or antimalware. In case you don’t have any antivirus installed, perform these steps:
- Open your browser and go to Google.
- Type ‘Free antivirus’ and press enter.
- Find the antivirus you like or trust and install it.
- Open the antivirus. Look for a scan option. Perform a full system scan.
Solution 15: Use System Restore
The System Restore feature, when kept on, saves the state of your PC at regular intervals or important events (like a new program installation). With System Restore, you can erase a problem that occurred recently by going back to a previous state. Here’s how to do System Restore on Windows.
- Click Start and type ‘Control Panel’ and click Control Panel.
- Type ‘Recovery’ on the search bar at the top right corner in Control Panel.
- Select ‘Recovery’.
- Click ‘Open System Restore’.
- On the System Restore wizard, click ‘Next’.
- Choose a restore point and click ‘Next’.
- When it’s completed, restart your PC.
System Restore deletes anything you recently installed.
Conclusion
The ‘ERR_NAME_RESOLUTION_FAILED’ issue usually occurs due to internet connection and web browser issues. Implement the mentioned solutions to fix the problem.
FAQs
What Is ‘ERR_NAME_RESOLUTION_FAILED’ On Chrome?
The ‘ERR_NAME_RESOLUTION_FAILED’ error is seen on Chrome when the browser can’t load a website. It shows this error and the message ‘This site can’t be reached’. Common reasons could be a slow internet connection, web browser issues, or a blocked website.
How Do I Fix The ERR_NAME_RESOLUTION_FAILED Error?
– Check your internet connection
– Restart or reset your modem and router
– Clear browsing data
– Uninstall the web browser and install it again
– Use another browser
– Change the DNS server address
– Install a VPN application
How Do You Reset Your DNS Server?
Open Admin: Command Prompt and run these commands
– ipconfig /flushdns
– ipconfig /registerdns
– ipconfig /release
– ipconfig /renew
– netsh winsock reset
Why Does It Say A Website Is Unreachable?
Several things can cause the browser to show that a website is unreachable. Commonly, it says that when there is no internet connection, slow internet, the web browser is blocking a website, DNS server issues, the website’s server is down, the website doesn’t allow your region, or some malware is interrupting your connection.