5 Ways To Fix The This Site Can’t Be Reached Error

Encountering the “This site can’t be reached” error can be frustrating, whether you’re a beginner trying to access a website or a website owner facing issues with your site. This error typically indicates a problem with the network connection or the website’s server configuration.

In this blog post, we will explore seven common methods to fix this error, providing step-by-step instructions that are suitable for both beginners and website owners.

What Causes The “This Site Can’t Be Reached” Error Screen?

The “This site can’t be reached” error typically occurs when a user attempts to access a website but the browser is unable to establish a connection to the site’s server. There can be several causes why this error occurs, including:

• DNS issues: Domain Name System (DNS) translates website names into IP addresses. If there are problems with the DNS server settings, the browser may not be able to resolve the website’s IP address, resulting in the error.
• Server or website maintenance: Websites occasionally go down for maintenance or updates. During this time, the server may not respond to requests, leading to the error.
• Network connectivity issues: If there are problems with the user’s internet connection or local network, the browser may not be able to establish a connection to the website’s server.
• Firewall or antivirus software: In some cases, firewall or antivirus settings may block the connection to a particular website, resulting in an error.
• Browser cache or cookies: Accumulated cache or corrupted cookies in the browser may interfere with the connection to the website’s server, resulting in the error.
• Server misconfiguration: If the website’s server is misconfigured, it may not respond to incoming requests properly, causing the error.

5 Methods To Fix The “This Site Can’t Be Reached” Error

#1. Restart Your Internet Connection

When you encounter a network related issue like the “This site can’t be reached” error messages, your first step should be to restart your internet by restarting your router.

1. Verify other websites: Open a new browser tab and try accessing another website to check if the problem is specific to one site or your entire internet connection.
2. Restart your router/modem: If the problem is with your internet connection, power off your router/modem, wait for a few seconds, and then power it back on. This simple step often resolves connection-related issues.
3. Connect via a different network: If possible, try connecting to the internet by using a different network (e.g., mobile hotspot, public Wi-Fi) to see if the problem persists. If it does, move on to one of the next methods.

#2. Clear Browsing Data And Cache

Sometimes, outdated or corrupted browser data can cause the “This site can’t be reached” error. Clearing the cache and cookies can help resolve the issue. Here’s how to do it:

1. Click on the three vertical dots located at the top-right corner of the browser window. This will open the menu in Google chrome browser.
2. From the dropdown menu, hover your cursor over the “More tools” option. This will expand a secondary menu.
3. From the “More tools” menu, click on “Clear browsing data.” This action will open the “Clear browsing data” window.

   

4. In the “Clear browsing data” window, you’ll see a dropdown menu labeled “Time range.” Click on the dropdown menu and select the desired time range for which you want to clear the cache and cookies. If you want to clear all data, choose “All time.”
5. Check the boxes next to “Cached images and files” and “Cookies and other site data.” These options ensure that both the browser cache and cookies are cleared.
6. Once you’ve chosen the desired options, click on the “Clear data” button located at the bottom of the window.

Once you have cleared the browsing history and cache files, reload the website with the error message and see if the website loads correctly. If not, move on to the next step.

#3. Disable Your Antivirus And Firewall

Firewalls and security software can sometimes block access to certain websites. Here’s how to check and adjust the settings:

For Windows Firewall settings:

1. Press the Windows key + R to open the Run dialog box. Type “control panel” and press Enter.
2. In the Control Panel, click on “System and Security” and then select “Windows Defender Firewall.”

   

3. On the left side of the Windows Defender Firewall window, click on “Turn Windows Defender Firewall on or off.” Make sure that the “Turn on Windows Defender Firewall” option is selected. If it is already enabled, proceed to the next step.

   

4. From the Windows Defender Firewall window, click on “Allow an app or feature through Windows Defender Firewall.” Ensure that the desired web browsers (e.g., Google Chrome) is listed and has both the “Private” and “Public” checkboxes ticked. If it is not listed, click on “Change settings” and then “Allow another app” to add the browser.
5. Click “OK” to save the changes and exit the Windows Defender Firewall settings.

For Antivirus software

1. Locate your antivirus software icon in the system tray or search for the program in the Start menu. Double-click on the icon to open the antivirus program.
2. Look for settings related to firewall or network protection within the antivirus program. This may be located in the main dashboard or within the settings/preferences menu.
3. Ensure that your web browser (e.g., Google Chrome) is listed and allowed access to the internet. If it is not listed, look for options to add an application or create an exception.
4. Save the changes made to the antivirus program’s firewall or security settings.

If the “This site can’t be reached” error was caused due to a corrupted antivirus software or firewall, following these steps should resolve the issue. If not, try the next steps that involve flushing the DNS and changing DNS server addresses.

#4. Flush Your DNS Cache

One of the reasons why “This site can’t be reached” error error typically occurs is due to DNS (Domain Name System) issues, which can be resolved by flushing the DNS cache. Let’s discuss how you can troubleshoot and resolve the “This site can’t be reached” error by flushing DNS cache.

1. Press the Windows key + R, type “cmd” in the Run dialog box, and press Enter. This will open the Command Prompt.

   

2. In the Command Prompt window, type the following command and press Enter:ipconfig /flushdnsThis command instructs your system to clear the DNS cache.
3. Once the command executes successfully, you will see a message confirming that the DNS cache has been flushed.

If flushing DNS didn’t resolve the error, let’s try to change the DNS servers.

#5. Change DNS Servers

Sometimes, the default DNS servers provided by your internet service provider (ISP) may be experiencing issues. Changing to alternative DNS servers, such as Google DNS or OpenDNS, can help resolve the “This site can’t be reached” error. Here’s how to change your DNS servers:

1. Press the Windows key + R, type “ncpa.cpl” in the Run dialog box, and press Enter. This will open the Network Connections window.

   

2. Right-click on your active network connection and select “Properties.” This will open the network adapter properties window.

   

3. In the network adapter properties window, locate the “Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4)” option and double-click on it.

   

4. In the Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4) properties window, select the option “Use the following DNS server addresses.”
5. Enter the preferred and alternate DNS addresses. For example, you can use Google DNS by entering “8.8.8.8” as the preferred DNS server and “8.8.4.4” as the alternate DNS server.

   

6. Click “OK” to save the changes and exit the properties window.

By flushing your DNS cache and changing DNS servers, you can effectively troubleshoot DNS-related issues that may be causing the “This site can’t be reached” error. These methods help ensure that your system is obtaining accurate and up-to-date DNS information, enabling successful website access.

How To Fix “This Site Can’t Be Reached” Error For Website Owners

When website owners encounter the “This site can’t be reached” error, it means that users are unable to access their website. There are several potential solutions to address this issue:

1. Check server status: Ensure that the web server hosting the website is up and running. Verify that the server hasn’t encountered any hardware or software issues that could be causing the problem. You can do this by logging in to your hosting service provider account and check for any notifications regarding the server failure.
2. SSL certificate: If the website uses HTTPS, login to web server hosting to ensure that the SSL certificate is valid and properly installed. An expired or misconfigured SSL certificate can prevent users from accessing the site. If you have an outdated SSL certificate, renew or reconfigure the certificate as necessary.
3. Deactivate WordPress Plugins: If you use WordPress, try disabling plugin, especially the ones you have recently updated. You can deactivate plugins to check if the “This site can’t be reached” error is fixed.
4. Contact hosting provider or technical support: If all else fails, reach out to your hosting provider or technical support for further assistance. They can investigate the issue and provide specific guidance based on your server configuration.

Conclusion

In conclusion, encountering the “This site can’t be reached” error can be resolved using various methods, as outlined above. By following the steps provided, you can address issues related to server configuration, DNS settings, SSL certificates, firewall settings, and more.

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Don’t let the “This site can’t be reached” error hold you back from reaching your online goals. Get started today with a hosting plan that works for your business and get your website up and running without any connectivity issues.