Google Chrome is one of the most popular and widely used browsers. However, you can run into issues when using it, some of which will prevent you from accessing websites. One of these is the ERR_ADDRESS_UNREACHABLE error.
The good news is that you can troubleshoot this error quickly and easily. It could be as simple as restarting your router or clearing the browser cache. Alternatively, you may need to change your DNS settings.
This guide explains why you might be seeing the ERR_ADDRESS_UNREACHABLE error and walks you through a few different troubleshooting methods for this error message. Let’s jump in!
Check Out Our Video Guide To Fixing ERR_ADDRESS_UNREACHABLE:
An introduction to the ERR_ADDRESS_UNREACHABLE error
Google Chrome is one of the most popular browsers, and for good reason. It’s generally easy to navigate the internet with Chrome. You’re also able to enhance your browsing experience with Chrome extensions.
However, this browser isn’t immune to problems. While trying to load a website, you may encounter the “ERR_ADDRESS_UNREACHABLE” error message, which looks like this:
There are a couple of reasons you might be seeing this Chrome error message. Either the website’s address is unreachable because it doesn’t actually exist, or, there might be temporary issues that are preventing the browser from accessing the site. In the next section, we go into further detail about the common causes of this error message.
The common causes of the ERR_ADDRESS_UNREACHABLE error
Before we talk about the common causes of this Chrome error, let’s briefly cover how the Domain Name System (DNS) works. In simple terms, this system helps your browser “look up” website addresses by connecting with their servers. It converts a domain name, such as “www.kinsta.com” into an IP address that corresponds to a specific server:
This process happens almost instantly, so you can simply type in a domain name and see a website’s content within seconds. This is especially true if you’ve visited a site before because your browser stores its previous “lookups” in a DNS cache.
However, if there is corrupted data within the DNS or browser cache, it can trigger the ERR_ADDRESS_UNREACHABLE error. Alternatively, there might be Chrome extensions preventing your browser from connecting to the site.
Your router could also be in an error state, which can prevent your browser from loading the web page. Additionally, a proxy server could be interfering with the connection and triggering the Chrome error.
Later on in this post, we explain each of these causes in greater detail and walk you through how to fix the problem!
How to fix the ERR_ADDRESS_UNREACHABLE error (8 methods)
Fortunately, there are a few troubleshooting methods that can help you solve this Chrome error. Let’s begin with restarting your router.
1. Restart your router
Sometimes, your router might get stuck in an error state that triggers the ERR_ADDRESS_UNREACHABLE message. Therefore, it’s worth first restarting your router to see if it’s causing the problem or if you need to use browser troubleshooting methods.
Simply disconnect your router from the power source for at least 30 seconds. Then, switch it back on and wait for your computer to reconnect to the internet.
Finally, reload the page to see if it triggers the error message. If it does, you need to move on to the next troubleshooting step.
2. Try using another browser
You also want to determine if the error is specific to Google Chrome. You can do this by switching to a different browser, such as Mozilla Firefox. We recommend Firefox because it uses its own network stack, so it shouldn’t be affected by all of the same issues as Chrome.
Just open up a Firefox browser window and try to load the webpage. If it works, you’ll know that Chrome is the issue, and you can continue with the other troubleshooting steps to fix the problem in that browser. In the meantime, you can keep using Firefox.
3. Run the Windows Store Apps troubleshooter
If you’re using Google Chrome on a Windows device, it’s also worth running the Windows Store Apps troubleshooter. This tool can identify problems with applications, such as the Chrome browser, and tell you how to fix them.
To access the troubleshooter, head to Settings > System on your device. Next, navigate to Troubleshoot > Other troubleshooters and scroll down to Windows Store Apps:
Click Run and let the troubleshooting tool do its job for a few seconds. You then either see more information about the problem or a message saying that “Troubleshooting couldn’t identify the problem”:
If the troubleshooter doesn’t identify any issues with Google Chrome, it’s time to move on to the next method in our tutorial.
4. Clear the Chrome browser cache
The browser cache stores data about the websites you visit. Doing so enables the browser to load pages more quickly on subsequent visits and improve the user experience.
However, sometimes the data within the cache becomes outdated or corrupted. Then, it can trigger browser errors such as ERR_ADDRESS_UNREACHABLE. For this reason, it’s worth clearing the browser cache before moving on to more complex troubleshooting methods.
If you’re using Chrome on your desktop or laptop device, click on the three dots in the top-right corner, followed by More tools > Clear browsing data:
In the popup window, make sure to select Cached images and files. You’ll also have the option to delete your browsing history and saved cookies, but this isn’t necessary for this troubleshooting method. Finally, click on Clear data:
However, if you’re seeing ERR_ADDRESS_UNREACHABLE on Android devices, this method is slightly different. Firstly, you’ll need to launch the Google Chrome app on your smartphone.
Then, to fix ERR_ADDRESS_UNREACHABLE on your phone, tap on More > Settings:
Next, select Privacy and security > Clear browsing data:
Finally, choose Cached images and files, followed by Clear data. If you’re still seeing the ERR_ADDRESS_UNREACHABLE message, you need to try the next method.
5. Disable Chrome extensions
Installing Chrome extensions is a great way to add new functionality to the browser, such as a grammar checker or an ad blocker. However, this third-party software can come with bugs that cause conflicts or error messages.
Therefore, we recommend disabling all of your Chrome extensions to see if one of them is triggering the ERR_ADDRESS_UNREACHABLE error. You can do this by clicking on the three dots in the top-right corner of your browser window and selecting More tools > Extensions:
You should now see a list of all your Chrome extensions. Disable each one by clicking on the toggle next to it. Alternatively, hit Delete to remove a tool completely:
We recommend disabling and reactivating extensions until you find the one causing the ERR_ADDRESS_UNREACHABLE error. Then, you can look for an alternative that won’t cause problems in the browser.
6. Clear the DNS cache and change DNS settings
As we mentioned before, the DNS cache stores information about all the DNS “lookups” your device has performed. By doing so, the browser can connect with a website more quickly.
However, if the DNS cache contains corrupted data, it can trigger the ERR_ADDRESS_UNREACHABLE error. In this case, it’s worth flushing the DNS cache on your device. Then, your browser will be forced to look up the website again when you next load it.
Since this is a browser issue, we recommend clearing the DNS cache in Google Chrome. You can do this by typing the following address into your search bar:
chrome://net-internals/#dns
Now, select Clear host cache:
If that doesn’t solve the problem, it’s also worth changing your DNS settings. For example, you can use the Google Public DNS IP address since its servers are reliable and also offer speedy performance.
To change the DNS settings on a Windows device, head to Control Panel > Network and Internet > Network and Sharing Center. Then, select Change adapter settings from the left-hand menu:
Next, right-click on your network and select Properties from the dropdown menu:
Choose Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4), followed by Properties:
Select the button next to Use the following DNS server addresses. Then, enter 8.8.8.8 into the Preferred DNS server box to choose the Google Public DNS. Next to Alternate DNS server, enter 8.8.4.4:
Finally, click OK.
You can also change DNS settings in macOS by clicking on the apple icon and heading to System preferences > Network. Select your network, followed by Advanced > DNS. Choose the + icon, and enter the DNS addresses into the corresponding boxes. Finally, click OK to save your changes.
7. Disable the proxy server
A proxy server acts as a middleman between a server and a user (that’s you!). It receives and processes browser requests while protecting data contained on the server. On your end, using a proxy can hide your IP address and shield your online activities from prying eyes.
In some cases, a proxy server may be preventing you from connecting to a website. It can even trigger the ERR_ADDRESS_UNREACHABLE error. Therefore, it’s worth disabling the proxy server and seeing if this fixes the problem.
You can do this by clicking on the three dots in the Chrome browser window, followed by Settings > System > Open your computer’s proxy settings:
In Windows, make sure that the toggle is switched off next to Automatically detect settings and that Use a proxy server is also set to Off:
If you’re using a Mac, following the steps in Google Chrome will take you to the Proxies tab. Make sure that all of the boxes are unchecked next to the protocols in the list, then click OK.
8. Contact your hosting provider
Finally, if you’re seeing the ERR_ADDRESS_UNREACHABLE error on your own website and none of the other troubleshooting methods have worked, we recommend reaching out to your hosting provider. They should have a ticketing system, live chat support, or even a phone number where you can get in touch with them:
This kind of situation highlights the importance of choosing a hosting provider with high-quality technical support. Ideally, you should be able to reach your host 24/7, and they should have a dedicated team that replies to you within a few hours.
It might also be worth switching to a managed WordPress hosting provider if you’re not using one already. At Kinsta, we offer live support around the clock, directly from your MyKinsta dashboard. Additionally, you’ll be able to access troubleshooting guides from our documentation and knowledge base.
Summary
Browsing the internet is usually a painless experience. However, even when you’re using a reliable browser like Google Chrome, you might trigger errors like ERR_ADDRESS_UNREACHABLE.
If this happens to you, we recommend restarting your router and trying a different browser. When these simple troubleshooting steps don’t work, you’ll want to disable your Chrome extensions and clear the browser cache. Finally, it’s also worth clearing your DNS cache, changing your DNS settings, and disabling the proxy server.
If you’re running into constant errors while using your own website, it might be time to switch to a new web host. At Kinsta, our managed hosting plans are designed to keep your site running quickly and smoothly. Plus, we offer dedicated technical support if you run into any issues. Check out Kinsta hosting plans today!
