Hmm Can’t Reach This Page on Edge or Chrome? 12 Ways to Fix It (2026)

Microsoft Edge displays the “Hmm, can’t reach this page” error. This usually means the browser couldn’t establish a connection with the website you’re trying to visit. Google Chrome may show a similar message such as “This site can’t be reached,” but both errors usually point to the same underlying problem. It could be a temporary internet issue, incorrect DNS settings, a VPN or proxy conflict, corrupted browser data, or another network-related issue on your computer.

In this guide, we’ll explain the most common causes of the “Hmm, can’t reach this page” error and walk you through 12 proven solutions that work on both Windows 11 and Windows 10.

What Causes the “Hmm, Can’t Reach This Page” Error?

The “Hmm, can’t reach this page” error appears when Microsoft Edge can’t establish a connection to the website you’re trying to visit. This doesn’t always mean the website is offline. In many cases, the problem is caused by your computer, browser, or network configuration.

Some of the most common causes include:

• Internet connection problems: An unstable Wi-Fi connection, router issues, or ISP outage can prevent your browser from loading websites.
• DNS resolution issues: If your computer can’t translate a website’s domain name into its IP address, Edge won’t be able to find the server.
• Corrupted browser cache or cookies: Outdated browsing data can sometimes interfere with loading websites correctly.
• VPN or proxy settings: A VPN or incorrectly configured proxy server may block or interrupt the connection.
• Problematic browser extensions: Some extensions, especially ad blockers, VPNs, and security tools, can prevent certain websites from opening.
• Firewall or antivirus software: Security software may mistakenly block your browser or the website you’re trying to access.
• Incorrect network settings: Corrupted TCP/IP or Winsock settings can cause connection failures across multiple websites.
• Website server issues: Sometimes the website itself is temporarily down or experiencing technical problems, and there’s nothing wrong with your computer.

Fix 1. Check Your Internet Connection

Before trying advanced troubleshooting, make sure your internet connection is working properly. A temporary network problem, a weak Wi-Fi signal, or a router issue can prevent Edge or Chrome from connecting to websites.

Try opening a different website or use another device connected to the same network. If no websites load, restart your modem or Wi-Fi router by turning it off for about 30 seconds, then turn it back on. Once your connection is restored, reopen your browser and check if the error is resolved.

Fix 2. Restart the DNS Client Service

The DNS Client service helps Windows translate website names (such as www.google.com) into IP addresses that your computer can understand. If this service stops running or becomes unresponsive, Microsoft Edge may display the “Hmm, can’t reach this page” error even though your internet connection is working normally.

Restarting the DNS Client service refreshes DNS resolution and often fixes website loading problems.

1. Press Windows + R, type services.msc, and press Enter.
2. Locate DNS Client in the Services window.
3. Right-click it and select Restart. If the service isn’t running, click Start instead.
4. If needed, open Properties and make sure the Startup type is set to Automatic.
5. Close the Services window and try opening the website again.

If the problem persists, continue with the next solution to clear the DNS cache.

Fix 3. Flush the DNS Cache

Windows stores DNS information locally to speed up website loading. If these DNS records become outdated or corrupted, Microsoft Edge or Google Chrome may fail to find the correct website and display the “Hmm, can’t reach this page” error.

Flushing the DNS cache removes the old records and forces Windows to request updated DNS information.

1. Open Command Prompt as Administrator.
2. Run the following command:

ipconfig /flushdns

If the problem continues, run these commands to renew your network connection:

ipconfig /release
ipconfig /renew

Once the commands are complete, reopen your browser and check if the website loads normally.

Fix 4. Reset TCP/IP and Winsock

Corrupted network settings can prevent your browser from connecting to websites even when your internet connection is working. Resetting the TCP/IP stack and Winsock restores Windows’ network configuration and often fixes persistent connection errors.

1. Open Command Prompt as Administrator.
2. Run the following commands one at a time:

netsh winsock reset
netsh int ip reset

3. Restart your computer and check if the “Hmm, can’t reach this page” error is resolved.

Fix 5. Change Your DNS Server

If your ISP’s DNS server is slow or unavailable, Edge may fail to load websites. Switching to a public DNS service like Google DNS or Cloudflare DNS can improve reliability and resolve connection problems.

1. Press Windows + R, type ncpa.cpl, and press Enter.
2. Right-click your active network connection and select Properties.
3. Open Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4).
4. Select Use the following DNS server addresses and enter:

Google DNS

• Preferred: 8.8.8.8
• Alternate: 8.8.4.4

Or Cloudflare DNS

• Preferred: 1.1.1.1
• Alternate: 1.0.0.1

Click OK, then restart your browser and try opening the website again.

Fix 6. Clear Browser Cache and Cookies

Corrupted or outdated cache and cookies can prevent websites from loading correctly. Clearing your browsing data forces Edge or Chrome to download fresh website files, which often resolves loading problems.

1. Open Edge or Chrome.
2. Press Ctrl + Shift + Delete.
3. Select Cookies and other site data and Cached images and files.
4. Click Clear data, then restart your browser and try opening the website again.

Note: Clearing cookies will sign you out of most websites, so you’ll need to log in again.

Fix 7. Disable Browser Extensions

Browser extensions, especially VPNs, ad blockers, and security tools, can sometimes interfere with website connections. Temporarily disabling them can help identify whether an extension is causing the error.

1. Open your browser’s Extensions page.
2. Turn off all installed extensions.
3. Restart the browser and check if the website loads.
4. If the error disappears, re-enable the extensions one at a time until you find the one causing the problem.

Remove or update the problematic extension to prevent the issue from happening again.

Fix 8. Turn Off VPN or Check Proxy Settings

A VPN or incorrect proxy configuration can block your browser from connecting to certain websites. If you’re using a VPN, disconnect it temporarily and try loading the page again.

To check proxy settings, open Settings > Network & Internet > Proxy and make sure a proxy server isn’t enabled unless your organization or network requires one. After making any changes, restart your browser and see if the “Hmm, can’t reach this page” error is resolved.

Fix 9. Reset Edge or Chrome Settings

If none of the previous solutions work, resetting your browser can fix problems caused by incorrect settings or configuration changes. This restores the browser to its default settings without deleting your bookmarks, browsing history, or saved passwords.

1. Open your browser’s Settings.
2. Search for Reset settings.
3. Select Restore settings to their default values and confirm the reset.
4. Restart the browser and check if the website loads normally.

Fix 10. Update Edge or Chrome

Using an outdated browser can cause compatibility and connectivity issues. Installing the latest updates ensures you have the newest bug fixes, security patches, and performance improvements.

• Microsoft Edge: Open Settings > About Microsoft Edge.
• Google Chrome: Open Help > About Google Chrome.

The browser will automatically check for updates. Install any available updates, restart the browser, and try accessing the website again.

Fix 11. Check Firewall or Antivirus Settings

Your firewall or antivirus software may mistakenly block your browser or certain websites. Temporarily disable your security software and check if the website opens.

If the page loads successfully, re-enable your antivirus or firewall and add the website or browser as an exception instead of leaving your device unprotected.

Fix 12. Check if the Website Is Down

Sometimes the problem isn’t your browser or internet connection—the website itself may be temporarily unavailable due to server maintenance or an outage.

Try opening the website on another device or a different internet connection, such as your mobile network. If the site doesn’t load anywhere, wait a while and try again later. If other websites work normally, the issue is likely with the website rather than your computer.

Still Getting the “Hmm, Can’t Reach This Page” Error?

If you’ve tried all the solutions above and Microsoft Edge still displays the “Hmm, can’t reach this page” error, the problem may be on Microsoft’s end. Try opening the same website on another device or a different internet connection, such as your phone’s mobile data. If the website doesn’t load anywhere, it’s likely experiencing a temporary outage.

However, if other devices can access the website, restart your computer and router, and then try again. If the problem affects every browser and website, contact your internet service provider (ISP) to check for network issues in your area.

Frequently Asked Questions