The Internet has made our work and life so much easier. Most of our work has been reduced to a matter of just a few clicks. All sort of information is available at the tip of our hands. We can access any information we want by the help of search engines and web browsers.
Google Chrome is a widely used web browser because of its convenient, user-friendly interface and structure. Although, there are times when it frustrates us. Let’s pick this for example- ‘The site cannot be reached.’
Best ways to fix “This site can’t be reached” in Google Chrome
I am sure all of us must have received this message while trying to access some web page or the other. In fact, you might have faced this today which led you to this article. Most of the times, this issue seems to get resolved after refreshing the browser once or twice.
But sometimes, for various reasons, the problem still persists and can become a big nag for you especially if you are in a hurry and need to sift through the web quickly. But don’t worry!
We have listed a few simple yet effective techniques which will help you fix the issue. Read on to know 7 ways to fix ‘This site can’t be reached’ on Google Chrome.
Method 1 – Changing maximum allowed TLS Version
TLS stands for Transport Layer Security. It is a protocol designed to provide secure communication over a computer network. To address the latest security threats, the TLS has been revised several times and newer versions have been launched. Many websites and internet services, therefore, require to be on the latest TLS version so that you can access their content in a safe and secure manner.
As an added bonus, updating your TLS version will make you less vulnerable to hackers and makes your communication more secure and private. In this method, we are going to change the maximum TLS version enabled in your Google Chrome browser.
Step 1 – First, navigate to Google Chrome.
Step 2 – Open chrome://flags in the browser. Scrolling below, you will find a drop-down menu with the name Maximum TLS version-enabled.
Step 3 – Change the default setting to TLS 1.3.
Upon completion of this procedure, restart your browser. The changes that you have made in the settings will automatically get saved.
Method 2 – Disable Experimental QUIC Protocol
QUIC or Quick UDP Internet Connection, provides security equivalent to TLS/SSL. QUIC is the name for an experimental protocol that supports a set of multiplexed connections over UDP. User Datagram Protocol (UDP) is a core member of the Internet Protocol. In some cases, disabling this protocol might be able to help you open the webpage.
Step 1 – Open Google Chrome.
Step 2 – In the search bar, type chrome://flags. Wait for the page to open.
Step 3 – Find a drop-down menu with the name Experimental QUIC Protocol and disable the protocol.
Restart your browser and the web page may not show you the error anymore. This is a very easy procedure and works most of the times in these cases.
Method 3 – Reset TCP/IP Stack
The foundational protocols in the Internet Protocol suite the Transmission Control Protocol. The Internet Protocol are a set of communication protocols widely used in the internet and similar computer networks. It helps in data communication by specifying how data should be addressed, transmitted and received.
Basically, when a program wants to set a lot of data, TCP is in charge of the data dividing and then sending it through the network. It also puts the divided data back together correctly on the receiver.
It may so happen that you cannot reach your desired web page due to issues with the TCP/IP stack. The major reason behind this is lack of secure connection of the TCP/IP with the webpage. Let’s see how you can reset it.
Step 1- Press Windows Key+X to run Command Prompt as an administrator.
Step 2 – Type the following commands. Make sure that you press the enter key after submitting each command.
ipconfig /release
ipconfig /all
ipconfig /flushdns
ipconfig /renew
netsh int ip set dns
netsh winsock reset
Step 3 – Restart your system once you have run all the commands.
Although this fix is quite effective, it might cause Chrome to display the error ‘err network changed in Google Chrome’, if done incorrectly. So, carefully go through the steps and implement them to fix your browser’s issue.
Method 4 – Restart DNS Client
The DNS is a naming system for computers connected to the internet. It is also called a resolver because it helps in resolving a remote host’s name into its IP address.
The DNS Client sends resolution requests to a DNS Server which is the internet’s equivalent for a phonebook. DNS Server stores a list of domain names and converts them to IP addresses, which is necessary because, although domain names are easy for people to remember, computers access websites based on the IP addresses.
A glitch in the DNS Client can also become the source of the error. Therefore, restarting it can help you solve your problem. Follow these steps to restart your DNS Client:
Step 1 – Open the Start Menu. Type Services in the search box.
Step 2 – Upon right-clicking on Services, you will find an option to Run as Administrator. Click on it.
Step 3 – A dialogue box will open featuring a number of services. Search for the service DNS Client.
Step 4 – After clicking on DNS Client, you will find an option to restart it. Select the option.
Restart your system and open Google Chrome. This should be able to solve your issue. It can also assist in solving the error, ‘this site took too long to respond’. Do try it and get solutions to two major browser issues.
Method 5 – Change your IPV4 DNS Address
Every computer on a network has a unique address to identify it. This address is called the IP address. DNS stands for Domain Name Service. A DNS address converts alphabetic references into a server’s IP address.
In the Windows Operating System, in order for the DNS Client Server to function efficiently, you need to set the IP address of the DNS Server properly in the Client’s TCP/IP property sheet. To solve the error, you can change your IPV4 DNS address to the Google public DNS server address:
Step 1 – Click on Open Network and Sharing Centre by right-clicking on the network icon in your taskbar. Select Network Connections and open properties.
Step 2 – Enter the Google public DNS server address after double-clicking on Internet Protocol Version 5 (TCP/IPv4).
Step 3 – The Google Public DNS server address is:
8.8.8.8
8.8.4.4
Step 4 – Click on OK after selecting Validate settings after exit.
Try opening the website now, the error should be resolved. If not, go on to read the next technique and you may find the right solution to your browser’s problem.
Method 6 – Reset your Chrome Browser settings
Sometimes we make changes in our browser setting. We might have done it unknowingly or even knowingly, maybe a certain website or extension required that change. What happens is that these changes can sometimes have adverse effects on the working of your browser which can ultimately lead to such errors.
In such cases, resetting all of your browser settings can return things back to normalcy. An added advantage of this method is that it can also assist you in solving the issue ‘Google Chrome has stopped working’. Talk about hitting two birds with one stone.
Step 1 – Navigate to your Google Chrome browser and open a new tab.
Step 2 – In the search bar, write chrome://flags. Wait for the page to open.
Step 3 – You will find an option to Reset all to default. Click on it. Close all the windows.
Step 4 – Open your browser again after restarting your system.
A word of caution though. If performed incorrectly, this method can cause the ‘err connection reset error’ to pop up. So take note of all the steps and carefully perform them on your system.
Method 7 – Reinstall Chrome
All these methods should suffice to solve your issue. However, if for some perplexing reason the problem still persists, you can try uninstalling and reinstalling Google Chrome.
Step 1 – Open the Start menu and double-click on the Control Panel to open it. If you can’t find the Control Panel, press Windows Key+R, type “Control Panel” and press Enter.
Step 2 – Navigate to the ‘Uninstall a Program‘ option and open it.
Step 3 – Enter the following address in the search bar:
C:\Users\%your_name%\AppData\Local\Google\
Step 4 – Delete everything inside the folder. Open the official Chrome website and download the Google Chrome Browser.
This will act like refreshing your browser and sometimes, that’s just what it needs to function properly. Open your desired web page on the reinstalled Google Chrome.
Conclusion
The error this site cannot be reached’ in Google Chrome can really get on your nerves sometimes especially if it’s happening repeatedly. Go through all the methods and find the ones that seem the most suitable for you.
These are very effective measures and should work for all. Hopefully, they will be able to provide an easy solution to your woes. However, ensure that you follow all the steps carefully to resolve your issue. Happy browsing!
