Fix: “This Site Can’t Be Reached” error on chrome

This site can’t be reached error on chrome is quite common for chrome users. Generally, the cause of this error is DNS lookup failed which prevents webpage to open. In this case, you might come across DNS_PROBE_FINISHED_NXDOMAIN or ERR_CONNECTION_TIMED_OUT. There is no specific reason for these errors, usual causes are related to chrome settings, Network adaptor settings, or DNS settings. Don’t be frustrated by this error, we got some fixes for you that might solve your problem.

Fix 1- Reset TCP/IP

Resetting TCP/IP is another method to fix this site can’t be reached error on chrome. To do so, follow these steps:

1. Type cmd in the search bar below and choose Run as administrator to launch the command prompt window.
2.  Inside the command prompt window, type below mentioned commands and press enter after each one.

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

3. Once done, restart your system and go to the website again to see if it works.

Fix 2 – Change IPv4 DNS Address

IPv4 is set to obtain DNS server address automatically but sometimes this can cause this site can’t be reached error on chrome. You can change it to a Google server address, doing this will most likely resolve the issue. Here’re steps on how to do it:

1. Navigate to control panel < Network and Internet < Network and Sharing Center and click on Change Adapter Settings.
2. Right-click on your active internet connection and go to properties. Select Internet Protocol version 4 (TCP/IPv4) and click on properties again.
3. Select use the following DNS server addresses in the window that opens, use Google DNS “8.8.8.8” and “8.8.4.4” in the Preferred and alternate DNS section.
4. Check validate settings before existing and click ok to save settings.

Fix 3 – Run Windows Network Troubleshooter

You can run a Windows network troubleshooter to detect any issues with your active network connection.

1. Press windows+R keys simultaneously on your keyboard to open the Run dialog box.
2. Type ‘ncpa.cpl’ in the open dialog box and press enter to open the network connections.
3. Right-click on your active network and select diagnose. 
4. Give the network troubleshooter some time to run. If it shows DHCP is not enabled for “Wireless Network Connection”, you will have to repair this issue as an administrator.
5. Click on try these repairs as an administrator and select apply on the next prompt.
6. Reboot your computer and check if the issue is fixed.

Fix 4 – Disable Experimental QUIC Protocol flag

QUIC uses UDP ports 84 and 443 which allows clients to bypass transparent proxies. In this UMT features like web filtering might not work on google chrome but works fine on Internet Explorer and Firefox. To disable the experimental QUIC protocol flag follow these steps:

1. Open Chrome and type chrome://flags/ in the search bar.
2. Search for Experimental QUIC Protocol and change the default to disabled from the drop-down menu.
3. Relaunch Google Chrome to check if it worked.

Fix 5 – Restart DNS Client

Sometimes restarting the DNS client can help in resolving this site can’t be reached error on chrome. Follow these steps to do so:

1. Press windows+R keys simultaneously on your keyboard to open the Run dialog box.
2. Type ‘services.msc’ in the open dialog box and press enter to open the services window.
3. Locate the DNS client and click on restart the service option on the top left corner of the window.
4. After the restart, check if the website opens in chrome.

Fix 6 – Flush the DNS cache to fix this site can’t be reached an error

Sometimes invalid DNS cache causes this site can’t be reached error on chrome. To fix this error, you’ve to flush your old DNS cache. Try these steps to do:

1. Type cmd in the search bar below and choose Run as administrator to launch the command prompt window.
2. Inside the command prompt window, type ipconfig /flushdns command and press enter.
3. You will see successfully flushed the DNS resolver cache message on the command prompt.
4. Restart your system to see if this fix worked for you.

Fix 7 – Reset Google Chrome

Resetting chrome settings can also help to fix this error.

1. Type chrome://settings/reset in the search bar of chrome and press enter.
2. Under the reset and cleanup tab, select Restore settings to their original defaults.
3. It will show you a warning pop-up, just click on reset settings.

Fix 8 – Reinstall Chrome

Make sure to backup all your data like bookmarks, passwords, and settings before uninstalling chrome. Only do this as your last resort:

1. Go to control panel > Programs > Programs and features.
2. Look for google chrome and click on uninstall and click uninstall again in the open dialog.
3. After the uninstallation, open any browser to install the latest version of chrome.
4. Restart your computer and launch chrome.

We hope at this point this guide has fixed this site can’t be reached error on chrome. If you still have any queries feel free to ask them in the comment session below. If you found this helpful, you’ll surely find the fix for “Adobe Flash Player is blocked” on Chrome helpful too.