This site can't be reached

How to Fix “This site can't be reached”

DNS / Connection Error 📄 Chrome, Edge, Brave
⚡ Quick answer

"This site can't be reached" is Chrome's umbrella error message for any failed connection. It is always accompanied by a more specific error code like DNS_PROBE_FINISHED_NXDOMAIN or ERR_CONNECTION_TIMED_OUT that tells you the actual cause.

First, check if your internet is working and what your current IP address is:

🔍 Check My IP Address →

What Causes the “This site can't be reached” Error?

This is not a single specific error but Chrome's user-friendly wrapper around any connection failure. Chrome shows "This site can't be reached" followed by a technical error code in smaller text. The cause depends on that sub-code. Common sub-errors include: DNS lookup failure (DNS_PROBE_FINISHED_NXDOMAIN), connection timeout (ERR_CONNECTION_TIMED_OUT), connection refused (ERR_CONNECTION_REFUSED), or name not resolved (ERR_NAME_NOT_RESOLVED). Each has different causes and fixes.

How to Fix It — 5 Methods

1 Read the error sub-code ▶

Look at the smaller text below "This site can't be reached." You will see a specific error code. Use that to find the exact fix:

  • DNS_PROBE_FINISHED_NXDOMAIN — DNS lookup failed, domain not found
  • ERR_CONNECTION_TIMED_OUT — server did not respond in time
  • ERR_CONNECTION_REFUSED — server actively rejected the connection
  • ERR_NAME_NOT_RESOLVED — DNS could not resolve the domain
2 Check your internet connection ▶
  1. Try loading google.com — if it works, your internet is fine and the problem is with the specific site
  2. Try on mobile data to check if it is a network-specific issue
  3. Restart your router if all sites fail
3 Flush DNS and change DNS server ▶

This fixes the majority of "This site can't be reached" errors.

  1. Windows Command Prompt (Admin): ipconfig /flushdns
  2. Change DNS to 8.8.8.8 (Google) or 1.1.1.1 (Cloudflare)
  3. Restart Chrome
4 Clear Chrome cache and browsing data ▶
  1. Press Ctrl+Shift+Delete
  2. All time → check all boxes → Clear data
  3. Also clear Chrome's internal DNS: go to chrome://net-internals/#dns → Clear host cache
5 Try a VPN ▶

If the site works on mobile data but not your home connection, your ISP is blocking it. A VPN routes around the block.

  1. Connect to PureVPN or IPVanish
  2. Try the site again
🔒
Some errors are caused by ISP blocks or network restrictions
A VPN bypasses them instantly by routing through a different server.
PureVPN → IPVanish →

✅ Fixed it? Visit tools.examineip.com to confirm your IP address and connection are working correctly.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does Chrome say "This site can't be reached" for only one website?
Site-specific errors usually mean that particular site is down, your DNS has a bad cache entry for it, or your ISP is blocking it. Try flushing your DNS cache first, then test with a VPN.
Does "This site can't be reached" mean the website is hacked?
No. This error is about connectivity — it just means Chrome cannot connect to the server. It has nothing to do with the security or integrity of the website.
Why does the error appear on my phone but not my computer?
Different devices may use different DNS servers or network connections. Your phone might use mobile data (different ISP) while your computer uses Wi-Fi (home ISP). Try on the same network to compare properly.

Learn More About IP Addresses & Privacy

Other Internet Errors Explained

DNS_PROBE_FINISHED_NXDOMAIN
This error means your browser could not find...
ERR_CONNECTION_TIMED_OUT
ERR_CONNECTION_TIMED_OUT means your browser sent a request to...
ERR_CONNECTION_REFUSED
ERR_CONNECTION_REFUSED means the website's server actively rejected your...

← Back to the complete guide: Internet Errors Hub

Last updated: March 30, 2026 • Report an error

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