← Back to Troubleshooting

How to Fix "This Site Can't Be Reached" in Chrome

2 min read •
Beginner Chrome Error Connection Fix

Chrome shows "This site can't be reached" with one of these error codes:

  • ERR_CONNECTION_TIMED_OUT — server did not respond
  • ERR_NAME_NOT_RESOLVED — DNS cannot find the domain
  • ERR_CONNECTION_RESET — connection was dropped
  • ERR_INTERNET_DISCONNECTED — no internet connection

Each has a different cause but the fixes overlap. Here is how to solve all of them.

Step 1: Check Your Internet

Open a different website (like google.com). If nothing loads, your internet is down — not just one site.

Quick fixes for no internet:

  1. Turn WiFi off and on
  2. Restart your router (unplug 30 seconds, plug back in)
  3. Try mobile data to confirm it is your WiFi, not the site

Step 2: Check If the Site Is Down

If other sites load but one does not, that site might be down:

  • Try on your phone (mobile data)
  • Check downdetector.com
  • Ask someone else to try

Step 3: Flush DNS

Your DNS cache might have stale data:

Windows: 

ipconfig /flushdns

Mac: 

sudo dscacheutil -flushcache && sudo killall -HUP mDNSResponder

Chrome internal: chrome://net-internals/#dns → Clear host cache

Step 4: Change DNS Servers

Your ISP's DNS might be slow or broken:

  1. Go to network settings
  2. Change DNS to 1.1.1.1 and 8.8.8.8
  3. Try the site again

See our DNS Toolbox to verify DNS is working.

Step 5: Clear Browser Data

  1. Press Ctrl + Shift + Delete
  2. Select "All time"
  3. Check cached images, cookies
  4. Delete and try again

Step 6: Disable Extensions

Especially VPN, proxy, and ad blocker extensions:

  1. chrome://extensions/
  2. Disable all
  3. Try the site
  4. Re-enable one by one

Step 7: Disable Proxy

Settings → Network → Proxy → make sure no proxy is configured (unless intentional)

Step 8: Reset Network (Windows)

Open Command Prompt as admin: 

netsh winsock reset
netsh int ip reset
ipconfig /release
ipconfig /renew
ipconfig /flushdns

Restart computer.

Step 9: Disable VPN

VPNs can route traffic through blocked or slow servers. Disconnect and try again.

Step 10: Try Incognito

Ctrl+Shift+N → try the site. If it works in incognito, the problem is an extension or cached data in your normal browser.

Error-Specific Fixes

ERR_CONNECTION_TIMED_OUT

The server is not responding within the time limit.

  • The site might be overloaded or down
  • Your firewall might be blocking it
  • Try again in a few minutes

ERR_NAME_NOT_RESOLVED

DNS cannot find the domain.

  • Check spelling of the URL
  • Change DNS servers (Fix 4)
  • Flush DNS cache (Fix 3)
  • Check hosts file for overrides

ERR_CONNECTION_RESET

Connection started but was dropped.

  • Restart your router
  • Disable VPN/proxy
  • Check firewall settings
  • The site's server might have crashed

ERR_INTERNET_DISCONNECTED

No internet connection at all.

  • Check WiFi is connected
  • Restart router
  • Try ethernet cable
  • Call ISP if nothing works

Related Tools