Home - How To - Comprehensive Guide to Fixing “This Site Can’t Be Reached” Error in Google Chrome
📅 March 22, 2025
How To
Alex Ruben

Comprehensive Guide to Fixing “This Site Can’t Be Reached” Error in Google Chrome

The “This site can’t be reached” error in Google Chrome can be frustrating, preventing you from accessing important websites. This guide provides a step-by-step approach to troubleshoot and resolve this error effectively. By following these methods, you will ensure a stable internet connection and optimize your browser settings, ultimately restoring your browsing experience.

Before starting, ensure you have administrative access to your computer and that you are using a Windows operating system, as the steps outlined are specific to Windows 10 and Windows 11 environments. Make sure your Chrome browser is up to date to avoid compatibility issues.

Step 1: Check Your Internet Connection

The first step in troubleshooting this error is to ensure that your internet connection is stable. Begin by opening the Command Prompt:

  1. Press Windows + R to open the Run dialog box.
  2. Type cmd and press Enter.

In the Command Prompt, type the following command and hit Enter:

ping google.com

If you see “Request timed out,” it indicates a connectivity issue. Try switching to a stronger network or resetting your router before proceeding.

Step 2: Clear SSL State

Next, clear the SSL state in your internet options to remove any outdated certificates that might be causing the issue:

  1. Search for Internet Options in the Windows search bar and open it.
  2. Navigate to the Content tab.
  3. Click on Clear SSL State and confirm by clicking OK.

Step 3: Adjust Proxy Settings

Incorrect proxy settings can also lead to connectivity issues. Follow these steps to ensure your proxy settings are correctly configured:

  1. In the same Internet Options window, go to the Connections tab.
  2. Click on LAN settings.
  3. Ensure that the box for Automatically detect settings is checked and that the Use a proxy server option is unchecked.
  4. Click OK to save changes.

Step 4: Disable IPv6

Disabling IPv6 can sometimes resolve connectivity issues:

  1. Search for Network Connections in the Windows search bar.
  2. Right-click on the active network connection and select Properties.
  3. Find Internet Protocol Version 6 (TCP/IPv6) in the list and uncheck it.
  4. Click OK to apply the changes.

Step 5: Reset Network Adapter

Resetting your network adapter can refresh your connection settings:

  1. Right-click on your active network connection and select Disable.
  2. Wait a few seconds, then right-click again and select Enable.

Step 6: Change DNS Settings

Setting a different DNS server can help with connectivity:

  1. Return to the properties of your active connection.
  2. Select Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4) and click Properties.
  3. Select Use the following DNS server addresses and enter:
  • Click OK to save the changes.

    • Step 7: Perform a Network Reset

    A network reset will restore all network settings to their default values:

    1. Open the Windows search bar and type Network Reset.
    2. Select Network Reset from the results.
    3. Click on Reset now and confirm your action.
    4. Restart your computer when prompted.

    Step 8: Execute Commands in Command Prompt

    Running specific commands can help resolve underlying issues:

    1. Open Command Prompt as an administrator.
    2. Execute the following commands one by one, pressing Enter after each:

    After running these commands, restart your computer for the changes to take effect.

    Step 9: Clear Browsing Data in Chrome

    Lastly, clearing your browsing data may resolve the issue:

    1. Open Chrome and go to the menu (three dots in the upper right corner).
    2. Select History and then Clear browsing data.
    3. In the dialog, choose a time range and select All time.
    4. Make sure to check all relevant options and click on Clear data.

    Step 10: Reset Chrome Settings

    If the problem persists, consider resetting Chrome to its default settings:

    1. Go to Chrome settings.
    2. Scroll down and click on Advanced.
    3. Scroll down to the Reset and clean up section and click on Restore settings to their original defaults.
    4. Confirm by clicking Reset settings.

    Extra Tips & Common Issues

    Here are some additional tips that may help you troubleshoot the “This site can’t be reached” error:

    Conclusion

    By following the steps outlined in this guide, you should be able to resolve the “This site can’t be reached” error in Google Chrome. Remember to check your internet connection, adjust settings, and clear data as necessary. If problems persist, consider reaching out to your internet service provider for further assistance.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    Why does the “This site can’t be reached” error occur?

    This error typically occurs due to network connectivity issues, incorrect DNS settings, or misconfigured browser settings.

    How can I know if the issue is with my internet or the website?

    You can use online services to check website status or try accessing the website from a different network or device.

    Will resetting my Chrome settings delete my saved passwords?

    Resetting Chrome settings will not delete your saved passwords, but it will reset your homepage, new tab page, and other settings to default.

    Related posts:

    Alex Ruben

    2025