How to Fix “This Site Can’t Be Reached” Error in Google Chrome (2026)

When Google Chrome displays the “This site can’t be reached” error, it means the browser couldn’t establish a connection to the website you’re trying to visit. In some cases, Chrome also displays an error code such as ERR_CONNECTION_TIMED_OUT, ERR_NAME_NOT_RESOLVED, or ERR_CONNECTION_REFUSED, which can help identify the underlying cause. The problem isn’t always with Chrome itself. It can be caused by a temporary internet outage, DNS issues, corrupted browser data, problematic extensions, incorrect network settings, or even a website that’s temporarily offline.

In this guide, we’ll explain the most common reasons why Chrome displays the “This site can’t be reached” message and proven solutions to restore access to websites on Windows 11 and Windows 10.

Fix 1. Restart Chrome and Check Your Internet Connection

Sometimes the “This site can’t be reached” error is caused by a temporary browser glitch or a brief network interruption. Restarting Chrome and verifying that your internet connection is working can quickly rule out these common issues.

1. Close all Chrome windows and open the browser again.
2. Try visiting a different website, such as Google or Bing, to check whether the problem affects all websites or just one.
3. If no websites load, restart your modem or Wi-Fi router and reconnect your PC to the network.
4. Open Chrome again and check if the website loads normally.

If the error persists, continue with the next solution.

Fix 2. Clear Chrome Cache and Cookies

Google Chrome stores cached files and cookies to load websites faster. Over time, this data can be corrupted and prevent Chrome from loading websites correctly. Clearing this browsing data forces Chrome to download fresh website files, which often resolves the “This site can’t be reached” error.

1. Open Google Chrome and press Ctrl + Shift + Delete.
2. Set the Time range to All time.
3. Select Cookies and other site data and Cached images and files.
4. Click Delete data. Restart Chrome and try opening the website again.

Note: Clearing cookies signs you out of most websites, but your bookmarks and saved passwords won’t be removed.

Fix 3. Disable Chrome Extensions

Browser extensions can improve Chrome’s functionality, but they can also interfere with website connections. VPN extensions, ad blockers, privacy tools, and security add-ons are common causes of the “This site can’t be reached” error.

1. Open Chrome and type chrome://extensions in the address bar.
2. Turn off all installed extensions.
3. Restart Chrome and try opening the website again.
4. If the website loads, enable the extensions one at a time until you find the one causing the problem.

Once you’ve identified the problematic extension, update it, remove it, or leave it disabled.

Fix 4. Reset Chrome Settings

If the “This site can’t be reached” error started after changing Chrome settings or installing new extensions, restoring the browser to its default configuration can help. This removes temporary settings that may be preventing Chrome from loading websites without deleting your bookmarks, saved passwords, or browsing history.

1. Open Google Chrome and click the three-dot menu.
2. Go to Settings > Reset settings.
3. Click Restore settings to their original defaults.
4. Select Reset settings to confirm.

Once the reset is complete, restart Chrome and check whether you can access the website.

Fix 5. Flush the DNS Cache

Chrome relies on your computer’s DNS cache to quickly find the IP addresses of websites. If the cached DNS records become outdated or corrupted, Chrome may display the “This site can’t be reached” error even when the website is available.

1. Press Windows + S, type cmd, then select Run as administrator.
2. Type the following command and press Enter:

ipconfig /flushdns

Wait until you see the message “Successfully flushed the DNS Resolver Cache.”Restart Google Chrome and try visiting the website again.

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

ipconfig /release
ipconfig /renew

Restart Google Chrome and try opening the website again.

Fix 6. Change Your DNS Server

If flushing the DNS cache doesn’t help, your current DNS server may be slow, unavailable, or unable to resolve website addresses correctly. Switching to a reliable public DNS service, such as Google Public DNS or Cloudflare DNS, can often resolve the “This site can’t be reached” error.

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 one of these options:

Google DNS

• Preferred: 8.8.8.8
• Alternate: 8.8.4.4

Cloudflare DNS

• Preferred: 1.1.1.1
• Alternate: 1.0.0.1

Save the changes, restart Chrome, and check if the website loads correctly.

Fix 7. Reset TCP/IP and Winsock

If Chrome still can’t connect to websites, your Windows network configuration may be corrupted. Resetting the TCP/IP stack and the Winsock catalog restores the default network settings and often resolves persistent connection issues.

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.
4. Open Google Chrome and check whether the website loads successfully.

If the error continues, move on to the next solution to check whether your firewall or antivirus software is blocking the connection.

Fix 8. Check Firewall or Antivirus Settings

Your firewall or antivirus software may block Chrome from accessing certain websites if it mistakenly identifies the connection as suspicious. Temporarily disabling these security features can help determine whether they’re causing the “This site can’t be reached” error.

1. Temporarily disable your antivirus or web protection feature.
2. If you’re using a third-party firewall, turn it off for a few minutes.
3. Open Google Chrome and try visiting the website again.
4. If the website loads, add Chrome or the website to your security software’s allow list before turning the protection back on.

Important: Only disable your firewall or antivirus temporarily for testing, and re-enable it immediately after checking the website.

Fix 9. Check if the Website Is Down

If Chrome displays “This site can’t be reached” for only one website while other websites load normally, the problem may not be on your computer. The website’s server could be temporarily unavailable due to maintenance, technical issues, or an outage.

1. Try opening the same website on another device or using a different internet connection.
2. Visit a website status checker such as Down for Everyone or Just Me or Downdetector to see if other users have reported an outage.
3. If the website is down, wait until the service is restored and try again later.

If the website is online but Chrome still can’t access it, the issue is likely related to your network or browser configuration. Review the previous fixes or contact your internet service provider if the problem affects multiple websites.

Still, Chrome displays “This Site Can’t Be Reached” Error?

If you’ve tried all the solutions above and Chrome still can’t open websites, the problem may be caused by your internet service provider (ISP), a router configuration issue, or a temporary outage affecting the website itself.

Try these additional steps:

• Restart your modem and Wi-Fi router.
• Install the latest version of Google Chrome.
• Check for pending Windows updates.
• Scan your computer for malware.
• Contact your ISP if multiple websites are inaccessible across different devices.

If the error occurs only on a single website, it’s likely the website is temporarily unavailable. In that case, wait a while and try again later.

If the problem affects every website even after trying all the fixes in this guide, consider using another browser to confirm whether the issue is specific to Chrome or affects your entire internet connection.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)