How to Fix the “This Webpage Is Not Available” Error

“This Webpage Is Not Available” means your browser could not load the address you requested. In current Chrome versions, the same family of problems often appears as “This site can’t be reached.” The cause can be the website itself, a temporary connection problem, browser data or extensions, a VPN or security filter, or a DNS/network configuration issue.

Start with the quick checks below and stop as soon as the page works again. Google’s current Chrome connection-error guidance recommends checking the URL, connection, browser, extensions, browsing data, and security software before resorting to deeper network changes.

1. Check the URL and find out whether the problem is only one website

First, confirm that the address is spelled correctly, including the domain ending. Reload the page once, then open two or three unrelated websites.

• Only one website fails: the site may be down, overloaded, misconfigured, or having a DNS problem. If the site has an official status page, check it. You can also test the same URL on your phone using cellular data.
• Many websites fail: focus on your internet connection, router, DNS, VPN, proxy, or Windows network settings.
• The site works in another browser: the issue is probably limited to your original browser.

Chrome’s common error reference explains that ERR_NAME_NOT_RESOLVED points to a hostname-resolution problem, while ERR_CONNECTION_TIMED_OUT means the connection took too long.

2. Rule out a browser problem

Update and restart the browser first. In Chrome, try the page in an Incognito window. If it loads there, an extension, cookie, or cached site file is a likely cause.

1. Open More > Extensions > Manage extensions and temporarily turn off extensions.
2. Reload the affected website.
3. If the page works, re-enable extensions one at a time to identify the conflict.
4. If it still fails, open More > Delete browsing data and clear cached files. Clear cookies only if needed because doing so can sign you out of websites.

See Google’s official instructions for managing Chrome extensions and deleting browsing data.

3. Check the connection, router, VPN, proxy, and security software

If several websites are unavailable, confirm that Wi-Fi or Ethernet is connected. Restart the browser, then restart the PC. If other devices on the same network also have trouble, reboot the modem/router and wait for it to reconnect fully.

Temporarily disconnect any VPN and check Settings > Network & internet > Proxy for a manual proxy you did not intend to use. A VPN or proxy can cause connection resets, timeouts, or routing problems.

Also check whether a firewall or antivirus product is blocking the browser or the specific site. Do not permanently disable security protection or whitelist a site that produces a malware warning. If you temporarily disable a security feature for a trusted-site test, turn it back on immediately afterward.

4. Flush DNS and reset the Windows network stack

Windows can retain stale DNS information or corrupted network-socket settings. Microsoft documents DNS flushing and Winsock/TCP-IP reset commands as network troubleshooting steps.

Open Command Prompt as administrator, then run:

netsh winsock reset
netsh int ip reset
ipconfig /flushdns

Restart Windows after the commands finish, then test the website again. Microsoft’s current Windows network troubleshooting guide also includes DHCP release/renew commands for cases where the PC cannot obtain a usable address.

5. Try a different DNS server, then use Network reset only as a last resort

If the connection works but domain names still fail to resolve, test a known public DNS resolver. Google Public DNS officially uses 8.8.8.8 and 8.8.4.4 for IPv4. Google also publishes IPv6 addresses and configuration guidance in its Public DNS documentation.

On Windows, open Settings > Network & internet, open the properties for your active Wi-Fi or Ethernet connection, and edit its DNS server assignment. Record the existing DNS values before changing them so you can restore them later.

If nothing else works on Windows, use Network reset as the final step. In Windows 11, Microsoft places it under Settings > Network & internet > Advanced network settings > Network reset. In Windows 10, use Settings > Network & Internet > Status > Network reset. Microsoft warns that this removes and reinstalls network adapters and restores their settings to defaults, so VPN clients or virtual-network software may need to be set up again afterward.

When the error is not yours to fix

If one website fails on multiple devices and networks while other sites work, the problem is probably on the website’s side. Likewise, a company, school, or managed network may intentionally block certain destinations. In those cases, changing your browser or repeatedly resetting Windows is unlikely to help; wait for the site operator to restore service or contact the network administrator.