How to fix “ERR_ADDRESS_UNREACHABLE”. Step-by-Step Guide

/ troubleshooting / By




How to fix “ERR_ADDRESS_UNREACHABLE”. Step-by-Step Guide






How to Fix the “ERR_ADDRESS_UNREACHABLE” Error: A Step-by-Step Guide

Learn how to troubleshoot the “ERR_ADDRESS_UNREACHABLE” error in your browser. This error can result from network issues, DNS problems, proxy settings, or faulty browser extensions. Follow these 10 straightforward steps—from restarting your connection to changing DNS servers—and get detailed FAQs to solve the issue effectively.

Use our free chatbot, designed to assist with solving technical problems efficiently.

Key Takeaways

  • “ERR_ADDRESS_UNREACHABLE” is a common error in browsers like Chrome, indicating that your browser cannot access the address or website you’re trying to visit.
  • It can be caused by a network issue, DNS problems, incorrect proxy settings, or browser extensions.
  • This guide walks you through 10 troubleshooting steps, starting with common fixes like restarting your router/modem to more advanced solutions such as flushing the DNS cache or changing DNS settings.
  • Frequently Asked Questions are answered below to help you troubleshoot further, including why this error happens and what steps should be prioritized.

Step-by-Step Guide to Fixing the “ERR_ADDRESS_UNREACHABLE” Error

When encountering the “ERR_ADDRESS_UNREACHABLE” message, it means your browser (often Google Chrome) is unable to connect to the address or site you’re trying to visit. Below is a comprehensive, expert-level, step-by-step guide to fixing the issue and restoring your connection.

1. Restart Your Internet Connection

Why?
This is the simplest first action, as the issue might be temporary, related to your internet connection or the network setup.

Steps

  • Restart Your Router/Modem:

    1. Turn off your router or modem.
    2. Wait for at least 30 seconds before turning it back on.
    3. Pro Tip: If your connection issues persist, consider using NordVPN to bypass ISP-level blocks or throttling that might be affecting your browsing experience.

  • Verify Connection with Other Websites:
    Open a new browser tab and try loading known websites such as Google or YouTube to confirm whether the issue is local to one website or affects your entire connection.

2. Clear Browsing Data and Cache

Why?
Over time, cached data can cause connectivity issues, especially for sites that frequently update.

Steps

  • Clear Chrome Cache:
    1. Go to the Chrome menu (three dots on the upper-right corner).
    2. Choose More tools > Clear browsing data.
    3. Set the Time range to All time.
    4. Check “Cached images and files” and click Clear data.

Pro Tip: Clearing the cache can speed up future browsing, but make sure you only delete what’s needed to avoid logging out of important accounts.

3. Flush Your DNS Cache

Why?
Your system may retain outdated or corrupt DNS data that prevents proper site resolution.

Steps

  • Flush DNS Cache:
    1. Open the Command Prompt window.
      • Press Windows + R, type cmd, and hit Enter.
    2. Type ipconfig /flushdns and press Enter.

This prompts your system to flush and refresh its DNS cache, which might resolve connection issues.

4. Change DNS Servers

Why?
Internet service provider (ISP) DNS servers might experience outages or slowdowns. Switching to public servers like Google DNS can improve reliability.

Steps

Switch DNS Servers:

    1. Open your network settings (for Windows: Control Panel > Network and Sharing Center).
    2. Find your active connection, right-click, and choose Properties.
    3. Highlight Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4) and click Properties.
    4. Choose Use the following DNS server addresses:
      • Enter 8.8.8.8 and 8.8.4.4 for Google DNS or 208.67.222.222 and 208.67.220.220 for OpenDNS.
    5. Save and reboot your connection.
    6. Pro Tip: Tools like EaseUS DupFiles Cleaner can also help streamline your system by removing unnecessary files that could interfere with DNS settings.

5. Disable Proxy Server

Why?
Sometimes unexpected or misconfigured proxy settings in your browser could prevent access to websites.

Steps

  • Disable Proxy Settings:
    1. In Chrome, go to Settings > System > Open proxy settings.
    2. Check that both Automatically detect settings is ON, and Use a proxy server is OFF.

For more details on how to disable proxies, visit Google Support.

6. Disable Chrome Extensions

Why?
Extensions can sometimes block or interfere with your browsing, especially network-related ones (like VPNs or ad blockers).

Steps

  • Disable Extensions:
    1. Navigate to More tools > Extensions.
    2. Toggle off all extensions and then try reconnecting.
    3. Re-enable them one by one to isolate the problematic extension.

7. Temporarily Disable Anti-Malware Software

Why?
Some anti-malware software may block legitimate websites mistakenly, especially when they update their definitions.

Steps

  • Disable Your Anti-Malware:
    1. Open your anti-malware or antivirus software.
    2. Find “Real-time protection” and toggle it off temporarily.
    3. Try accessing the site with the error.

Make sure you enable the software again after completing the test.

8. Use Incognito Mode

Why?
Some issues can be isolated to your regular browsing mode due to cookies, extensions, or customized browsing configurations.

Steps

  • Go Incognito:
    1. Press Ctrl + Shift + N or select New Incognito Window from the menu.
    2. Check if you can access the website within Incognito Mode.

9. Try a Different Browser

Why?
Browser-specific network issues are not uncommon—switching to a different browser might show if the problem is limited to Chrome.

Steps

10. Use Windows Troubleshooter

Why?
Windows has built-in troubleshooting tools, which can specifically diagnose and fix common network issues.

Steps

  • Run Windows Troubleshooter:
    1. Go to Settings > Update & Security > Troubleshoot.
    2. Click on Additional troubleshooters and select Internet Connections.
    3. Follow the prompted steps to diagnose and resolve connection issues.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What causes the “ERR_ADDRESS_UNREACHABLE” error in Chrome?
This error typically happens due to network configuration issues, DNS address errors, or browser-specific problems like corrupted cache or faulty extensions.

2. Can anti-malware programs cause this error?
Yes, some security software may improperly block certain connections or websites, leading to the “ERR_ADDRESS_UNREACHABLE” error.

3. Why do DNS settings matter in fixing the error?
DNS servers translate domain names like “example.com” into IP addresses. If your DNS servers are slow or down, your browser won’t be able to resolve the site’s address, leading to this error.

4. How do I know if the problem is related to my ISP?
If none of the steps work, or you can’t access any websites, contact your internet provider to check for widespread outages. You can also try switching to public DNS servers to bypass potential ISP-related issues.

5. Should I disable Incognito Mode after fixing the issue?
Yes. While Incognito Mode helps isolate issues, normal browsing mode should still work properly. Ensure you fix any root problems (like faulty browser extensions) before reverting.

6. Why is only one website unreachable while others are fine?
This usually indicates a specific issue with the website itself, incompatible DNS entries, or a temporary outage on the server hosting the site.

By following the steps provided, you should be able to resolve most “ERR_ADDRESS_UNREACHABLE” errors easily!

Post Views: 99

Related Posts

Subscribe
Subscribe