Google Chrome is one of the most popular web browsers across the world. The popularity emerges due to its simplicity and speed. The free web browser developed by Google Inc. possesses a very basic design making it easy for the users to access the Internet.
However, users come across a common problem arising out of human or technical glitches. Users have experienced an error message while browsing through a site, reading “This Site Can’t Be Reached”. This Site Can’t Be Reached Error can hamper the smooth functioning of the user while conducting important tasks over the internet.
This Site Can’t Be Reached annoying error comes with different error codes and there can be various reasons for the error to arise. To be more specific, This Site Can’t Be Reached error arises due to internal Google Chrome settings, DNS server not responding, out-dated browser version as well as unsuitable TLS version. The error comes with an error message mentioning what went wrong. It is a minor error and one can resolve it using some technical solutions.
How To Fix This Site Cannot Be Reached Error In Chrome
The solutions mostly refresh the system files to normalize the tasks of certain important functions of the operating system. This restores the settings and solves the error. Below describes briefly the possible solutions of the problem.
Fix #1: Changing Maximum Allowed TLS Version
TLS stands for transport layer security. It performs the task of providing communication security to the entire operating system while connected to the Internet. To be more specific, the system cryptographically communicates the data that transmits to the destination ensuring security. This type of system is indeed essential to protect private data of the user and it ensures secure browsing through the internet.
To resolve the problem merely change the amount of data that transmits to the web browser. Perform the following steps for the same.
Step 1: In the first place, open Google Chrome browser using the administrator mode in your computer.
Step 2: Now, go to the address bar and type ‘chrome://flags’ and then press enter.
Step 3: Then scroll down until you find a drop-down option named ‘Maximum TLS version enabled’
Step 4: Finally, press the drop-down arrow and set the allowed TLS settings to TLS 1.3 version. The browser was earlier running with the default version. You are good to go now.
Note: There is no save button to save the changed settings. Simply, change the settings and close the browser; the computer will automatically save the settings.
After this, restart the computer to let the new settings take effect. Try to open the webpage with the error ‘This site can’t be reached’ and check if the error persists or not.
Fix #2: Disable Experimental QUIC Protocol
In computer language, QUIC is a new experimental protocol. QUIC stands for Quick UDP Internet connection. While opening various sites simultaneously, this experimental protocol QUIC provides security protection to TLS as well as SSL. It also provides a backbone while transferring the data from the website’s server to the computer and provides latency. Some websites use QUIC protocol and do not get filtered while transmission.
Disabling this protocol can actually resolve the This Site Can’t Be Reached error and open the concerned website smoothly. Use the following steps to disable QUIC protocol in your web browser.
Step 1: In the first place, open Google Chrome browser using the administrator mode in your computer.
Step 2: Now, type ‘chrome://flags’ in the address bar and then press enter.
Step 3: Then scroll down until you find a drop-down option named ‘Experimental QUIC protocol’.
Step 4: This must be set at the default version. Click the drop-down menu and select disabled.
Again, there is no save button. After performing the above steps, simply close the web browser. Then, restart your computer so that the new settings take effect. Try to open the webpage with the error ‘This site can’t be reached’ and check if the error persists or not.
Fix #3: Reset TCP / IP Stack
The cause of the problem might be the TCP / IP Stack. TCP / IP stands for transmission control protocol and internet protocol respectively. Specifically, TCP / IP are a stack of communication protocols used to join the network devices together within the internet. It inculcates the entire internet protocol suite for the smooth functioning of the website user and the provider.
Resetting the TCP / IP Stack is a rather simple solution to resolve the error. Perform the following steps to reset TCP / IP Stack.
Step 1: To begin with, log the computer on using the administrator mode. Then, Open the Command Prompt by pressing Win logo key + R simultaneously. A run dialog box will be visible on the screen. Type ‘cmd’ and press OK.
Step 2: The Command Prompt will appear on the screen. Now, you need to enter certain commands one by one, which will reset the TCP / IP stack. Enter the following commands chronologically.
ipconfig /release
ipconfig /all
ipconfig /flushdns
ipconfig /renew
netsh int ip set dns
netsh winsock reset
Step 3: After successfully running the above-mentioned commands simply restart the computer so that new settings take effect.
Note: The user should enter the above commands correctly with care; otherwise there is a chance for some other error to arise.
Now, try to open the webpage with the error ‘This site can’t be reached’ and check if the error persists or not.
Fix #4: Restart DNS Client
As mentioned above, one probable cause of the This Site Can’t Be Reached error can be when the DNS client stops responding. DNS or Domain Name System or the Resolver – is a client built in most computers to issue the domain name queries to the required server. To put it differently, this client conducts the transmission of the query about the domain name. When the DNS server stops responding the error might arise.
Restarting the DNS client, thereby refreshing the client’s functions, can evidently solve the error. Perform the following steps for the same.
Step 1: To begin with, go to the start menu and search for ‘Services’ in the search bar.
Step 2: Right-click on the services option and choose Run as Administrator.
Step 3: Services window will appear on the screen. Various services offered by the operating system will be visible there. Scroll and find the service named ‘DNS Client’.
Step 4: Right-click on the option and select ‘Restart’.
This will restart the entire DNS client services and indeed resolve the problem. Once you complete the above steps restart the system so that the new settings take effect. Now, try to open the webpage with the error ‘This site can’t be reached’ and check if the error persists or not.
Fix #5: Change Your IPV4 DNS Address
The intricate design of IPV4 or Internet protocol version 4 performs mainly two tasks. It identifies the network interface and locates the concerned network to the destination. Internet protocol version 4 (IPv4) comprises of Internet protocol address with a 32 bit number.
Changing the DNS of IPv4 can do the wonder of solving the error. Follow the simple steps to perform the following.
Step 1: In the first place, Right-click on the Wi-Fi icon on the bottom left of the screen.
Step 2: From the two available options, select Open Network and Sharing Center.
Step 3: A new window will pop on the screen. Scroll down and select ‘Change network adapter options’ under change your network settings.
Step 4: Network connections window will appear on the screen. Double on Wi-Fi icon.
Step 5: A window named Wi-Fi status will pop-up on the screen. From the lower end of the window, select Properties.
Step 6: Then, navigate for Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP / IPv4) and double click it.
Step 7: Now, you need to change the DNS server addresses. Check ‘Use the following DNS server addresses’ if not checked and enter the below-mentioned addresses.
8.8.8.8 (under Preferred DNS network)
8.8.4.4 (under Alternate DNS network)
Step 8: Next, tick the checkbox ‘Validate settings upon exit’ if unchecked and press okay. Without checking this option the new settings will not take place.
The above addresses are the Google public DNS server address. They will allow the IPv4 to work smoothly while browsing through Google Chrome. Finally, try to open the webpage with the error ‘This site can’t be reached’ and check if the error persists or not. If the site does not open try the methods mentioned below.
Fix #6: Reset Your Chrome Browser Settings
There might be a chance that you have changed the settings of the Google Chrome browser itself. For instance, adding a certain troublesome extension, unknowingly validating certain settings within the browser or changing the status quo. This might be restricting the browser to load the particular site.
Resetting the Google Chrome Browser settings can resolve the error and restore the settings to the status quo. In order to reset, simply perform the following steps.
Step 1: To begin with, open the Google Chrome browser using the administrator mode. This will allow us to make changes to the device.
Step 2: Now, type ‘chrome://flags’ in the address bar and then press enter.
Step 3: To reset the settings, click on ‘Reset all to default’ option on the left.
Step 4: Finally, restart the computer so that the new settings can take effect.
Now, try to open the webpage with the error ‘This site can’t be reached’ and check if the error persists or not. If this does not work perform the final solution described below.
Fix #7: Reinstall Chrome
If the above solutions fail, then the final solution to the problem is reinstalling Google Chrome in your device. The best and final solution available will refresh the browser settings entirely, restore them and thereby resolve the error. To do so, execute the following steps.
Step 1: To begin with, press the windows button and open the ‘Control Panel’ of the device.
Step 2: Navigate for ‘programs and features’ and open it.
Step 3: All the applications installed on the computer will open. Locate Google Chrome.
Step 4: Finally, to uninstall Google Chrome, select it from the list and then click Uninstall.
Step 5: Now, reinstall Google Chrome in your computer. Visit the official website of Google Chrome and install the latest version in your device.
Now, open the newly installed browser and try to open the web page with the This Site Can’t be Reached error ‘This site can’t be reached’ and check if the error persists or not.
Conclusion
The error ‘this site cannot be reached’ can be annoying and hamper the smooth functioning of the user. However, point to note is that the functionalities of Google Chrome are barely at fault here. The problem arises out of certain inconceivable human or technical errors. Hopefully, the above-described solutions help resolve the This Site Can’t Be Reached issue and restore the Google Chrome browser to normalcy.