If you can’t connect to certain web sites using your favorite web browser even though you have an Internet connection, there could be several reasons why. Here are a few things you can try to clear up the problem.
Symptom:
- In Google Chrome you may get an “Unable to connect to the Internet” message.
- In Firefox you get “Firefox can’t establish a connection to the server at website“
- In Microsoft Edge you get “You’re not connected” error.
This article assumes you have troubleshot the basics such as the URL is typed correctly, cache files have been cleared and you have a working internet connection.
1. Flush the DNS Cache
In some cases, flushing the DNS cache may help. You can flush the DNS by holding down the Windows key on your keyboard and pressing R to bring up the Run box. Then type the following, then press Enter:
ipconfig /flushdns
2. Reset TCP/IP
- Select “Start“, and type “CMD“
- Right-click “Command Prompt“, then choose “Run as Administrator“.
- Select “Yes” on the User Account Control box.
- From the command prompt, type the following, then press “Enter“:
netsh int ip reset
Restart your computer, then try to see if you can access the Internet from a browser now. Hopefully, you can.
3. Check if Spyware Has Modified Your HOSTS file
- To check it, go to “Start” > “Run“.
- Do one of the following depending on your operating system:
- Windows 2000 and above users type: C:\windows\system32\drivers\etc
- Windows 98 and Windows ME users type: %WINDIR%
- Open the file called HOSTS using NOTEPAD or WORDPAD.
- Each entry will look something like the following:
- 0 pagead.googlesyndication.com
- 0.0.0.0 ad.doubleclick.net
Entries like this will block access to the sites listed. Look for entries like this referring to any web site you may not be able to access and delete them. You may also have to run a spyware scan using an utility like MalwareBytes or Spybot.
Note: For most users this file is blank. Unless you have any type of special configuration for systems on your network, the HOSTS file isn’t normally used. It is most likely safe to remove all entries from this file.
You can find more information about HOSTS files here.
4. Firewall Software is Blocking Access
Disable your firewall. The following links may help.
- How to disable Norton Internet Security
- Disable McAfee Firewall Protection
- Enable/Disable Windows Firewall
If that doesn’t work, uninstall the firewall software.
Note: Firewall software can block your connections even if it is disabled.
5. Problems with Sites that Use SSL
If the problem is only with sites that require a secure or SSL connection, you might want to troubleshoot the browsers ability to connect using SSL. If you can’t view this website, SSL problems are likely to blame.
If you have a firewall, make sure that it allows communication over port 443. Consult your firewall documentation or system administrator if you do not know how to check for this.
6. Spyware or Malware
You may have acquired some unwanted spyware or malware on your system. If you can access the sites, try downloading either Spybot or Malwarebytes (I personally use both), then run a scan. If you cannot access these sites, use another computer or device to download the installation file, then install it.
A scan using these applications should find items of interest and offer to remove them.
Hopefully one of the above steps has provided you a successful solution to not being able to connect to certain websites on your Windows computer. Still have problems or questions? Deop us a comment below.
Douglas says
I am now getting a warning from my antivirus, about another device on my network, which is a threat. This is, I believe, is the problem I am having connecting to many websites. Should I contact my internet service provider?
Douglas says
I deleted the host file entries, and still I have the network website problem. I am afraid to use any more software applications to fix the difficulty, as some of these have caused major issues. I have tried all the command prompt network commands to see if this helps, but they do not. When I was resetting a particular network function in the command prompt, right at the end of the list was the message – access denied. This may mean that I have a got a big malware issue which I realise may have happened. Next time I have a network failure, I will copy this command to my saved files, so I can see if anyone knows what it means
Douglas says
It looks like the ‘Hosts’ file was the problem, but I will have to wait a bit longer to be sure. There were many hundreds of blocked sites, that actually came from Spybot. I believe I may have had a bad reaction from Spybot, and it went into overload mode
Iantonio says
Thank You… I was able to resolve my problem by removing entries posted in my HOSTS file as you described in section 3. Your help is very appreciated!
pablo says
thx :)
gerardo says
thank you
number 3 works for me
Mitch Bartlett says
Link works on this side. Sounds like a problem with your computer.
Greg Maxted says
same fo me.
Just started today when I was trying to rekindle my relationship with Itunes.
could not access the spybot link :(
https://www.safer-networking.org/
Certain apple related sites
very strange
Max says
I have the same issue. Many website cannot reached on my windows laptop + wifi.
Wifi + windows laptop = broken
Wifi + other devices = works
Hotspot from Cell phone + Windows laptop = works
What is the issue?
kayaa says
Hi, I have the same issue, but only at the Wifi connection at my place, and also with my laptop, the other device work fine. IDK why T-T
kevin says
hi,
thank you for this thorough article, but nothing worked! i even tried uninstalling all the updates from the last few days. nothing works. the worst is i can’t access my work email — outlook — which is another microsoft product!!! so, what now, buy a new computer? 😭
Jonnhy says
I spent days trying to fix this.
Step 3 did it for me.
Thank you. Really.
Go Win says
Thanks for your help. I can fix my problem.
Stephen Reynolds says
I will explain my full issue quickly just so it can save time for someone who happens to have the same symptoms.
Google Stopped Working on *2* Different Computers. One a desktop, the other a laptop. Both were connected via WIFI. I happen to have a 3rd Computer in my Bedroom which is connected via Ethernet but Google did in fact work on that 3rd system.
I figured it was a WIFI Network thing vs Ethernet.
Problem was resolved using #2. I spent a half day double checking all my network settings, permissions etc…just to resolve it with a 30 second fix. If your problem resembles mine, save yourself some time and try #2 first.
MOHAMMAD YUSUP BIN OMAR says
I WANT TO SAY THANK YOU TO THE PERSON THAT MENTION ABOUT TO UPDATE THE SOFTWARE THANKS A LOT
Ric DeVan says
Can’t log into certain websites on three different PCs. But none of the resolutions are applicable to my situation. Three PCs have Bitdefender; it did block one of the websites on one of the PCs. The fourth PC is Win 7 and doesn’t have Bitdefender but still wouldn’t log into one of the websites I use every day.
I’m thinking the MODEM is the common denominator. Also, something very strange: A TV channel that has old shows suddenly won’t come up. The message says it’s now pay. Cox says it’s still free.
WTF . . . over?
Dinesh says
Why are govt websites opening in office network and not opening at home network
daniel says
nothing happened after trying all the ways . any other better solutions?
Chris Stagg says
I went through the whole proceedure and it worked until I tried to log onto google again then the same problem again. i don’t know what to do next. this published proceedure is the most thorough I’ve come across, so thank you.
christopehr daccache says
Thank YOU.
Step 3 Solved my problem.
Vasilije Sepecan says
Thank you, this solved my problem!
Server problem says
It is a service provider problem and they can’t help in spite of this being a problem as old as from 2008 or earlier. Try another provider, especially one without a wall connection (wifi and not) that is anyway often in the hands of one provider only.
Purely a mobile connection works as it is a different provider; that tells that another provider with no wall connections, no box on the floor, will work w/o this problem that is in the wall connection or the server that once in a blue moon goes into this problem.
The issue: works only a couple of minutes and then stops loading like half the sites and no software connects to internet. If you can wait, it might fix itself in a day or more, and using a wall connection cord only, you can take it off and back to get another few minutes of net time on all sites, and take it off the wall with mobiles.
Why that wall connection does that, is unlikely in the wires as it works almost always, but is on the server itself, so need to change the provider if they can’t fix it. A mere wifi provider is likely to work perfect using another provider.
Like half of the sites still load, so a positive provider bug that they can’t fix, so the only solution is another provider or to live with this problem. I recommend a wifi only w/o a wall connection, as the pure mobile works perfectly.
Muhammad says
thanks for the guide. really appreciate!!
CJ says
Whew! It took an awful lot of Googling and back-and-forth with my webhosting service before I finally came upon this article. No. 3 with the hosts file finally fixed this problem. Thanks so much!
Terry Day says
#2 – resetting my TCP/IP did the trick. I’m still thinking it must have something to do with my provider but their support was never available. I would like to hear an explanation of how this helped.
P Osbo says
It appears resetting the IP address is the solution for very many commenters here.
I had the same, regular issue of some websites blocked. I was a BT customer and found that some of their customers’ allocated IP addresses were blacklisted and that blighted other IP addresses in the same “group/block”.
When you have a power cut that may mean you are re-allocated a new IP address and then your troubles occur as that IP address is “toxic”. I have now routinely reset my router to flip my IP address to another… hopefully not tarnished by being similar to a blacklisted one. Seems there are a lot in BT’s allocated groups of IP addresses.
Waqar says
#2 did the trick for me,. Thanks
Chris Robertson says
Also check your computer time. If the time or date is off, Many websites won’t let you connect.
zamros says
Thanks & appreciate this!!
Solution no 3 really helped me out! :DD
Sheila Russell says
Thanks, step 2 did it for me.
Nancy D says
Tried all of these but not working. I’m very frustrated and my son’s teacher offer no help! We’re behind two days of assignments in this remote learning!!
W.Y says
Thank you. Resetting ip did the trick. Being home this coronavirus and my son being home without getting online was driving me nuts…..
Jared M says
Step 2, Reset TCP/IP fixed it for me on a fairly new HP Pavilion with Win 10.
Thank you very much.
Michael Andersen says
Number 2 did the job for me on a brand new HP ENVY portable with WIN10.
Thanks a lot!
KR.
Michael
Season Ponce says
Number 1 with spaces worked for me – thank you!
r0b says
I recently updated to the newer Windows 10 build 1909 version and I was afraid that had caused issues because only a few days after I was having issues with resolving certain DNS’s (I suppose) e.g. I could only visit about half the websites that I tried. I couldn’t go to youtube/google/bing, but I could go to duckduckgo/github/twitch. Super weird, I tried step #2 and #3 and it seems to have worked. THANKS!
Hans Huisson says
Solution #3 worked, My sitename was there in a line. After removing the line and restarting the PC I was able to open my site.
Thank you!
JLE says
I tried all the options listed and it did not restore my ability to access certain web pages. I ran malware and spyware software and had a technician diagnostics guy take a look and nothing. Can you please see if there is something that I may have overlooked ? I’ve gotten a new wifi router, tried new cords, and nothing is working.
Christopher Hatton says
None of them worked, is there anything else I can try?
Robirge says
Number 1 worked for me, but I did have to put a space after ipconfig and before the /. I am not very good at fixes on my computer but am grateful for the help that I can find on the internet. Thank you.
Kris says
One and Two did the trick for me. Thanks so much!
The Mark says
Thanks. Worked fine
Melanie O says
Thank you, resetting the IP did help!!!
Thank you very much!!!
Anonymous says
2. Reset TCP/IP did work for me. thanks
MikeL says
Thanks to the author Mitch, I will try his sugesstions and report back if they resolve this issue.
The only point I would like to add is this.
Tonight I used my wifes laptop (very rarely gets used) and guess what same issues arose, server not found ad.doubleclick.net etc. never used to be an issue .
So if this issue is browser/malware related how come it applies to a different PC, could it therefore be router or ISP related?
I also noticed that it is prevalent with all browsers Firefox, MS Edge, and Google.
Sara says
This works like a charm. Thanks!!
bng says
reset TCP/IP really help! thanks!
Martin S says
I resolved this issue by reverting back to a previous version of windows
Dinesh says
A Big Thanks!!!
Cheryl says
You Sir, are a legend. Thank you SO much. I had the same problem with select websites after installing a new SSD, but I tried the reset TCP/IP trick you highlighted and I’m now connected to the world again :).
PETER LOCKWOOD says
I can t access my own website server nor any sites on it nor email log in.
I can access using tor browser or mobile phone ,not using my wifi.
Liam says
This issue is really difficult. I’ve tried everything advised on the web. My problem is this; I can use my phone as a wi fi hotspot and access all the web as normal. If I revert to my wi fi modem I am getting either ‘time out’ or unable to access server on lots of different sites. I’ve also found some webpage parking ads on sites that I have accessed via the phone hotspot and I know to be ok. I have been talking to my internet providers and they did some tests on their end, resulting in the modem being given the all clear. I can’t see how it could be a network problem as the phone hotspot is just replacing the modem. This all started about 4 days ago. I was transferring some files (FTP Filezilla) to a website via my laptop when the connection suddenly went down. I have a few more laptops and a desktop throwing up the same problem. Can anyone figure it?
Marius says
Thank you!
The “Reset TCP/IP” solved my problem.
I had a problem with almost all sites except youtube.
So i vould see videos on youtube, but gmail or any other sites did not loaded. Skype and dropbox ware down as well. All started when i tried to take down a file from a WeTransfer link and after a few Mb donw the transfer stopped. Then the services stopped.
But i managed to solve the problem with the “Reset TCP/IP” solution.
Thank you again.
Sb says
Thank You for this.
This issue has been driving me mad and I have tried everything I could to fix it.
The suggestion to reset TCP/IP finally worked.
Daniel Yordanov says
Thanks a lot, Mitch!!!
Step 1 and 2 solved my 2-days problem to reach on-line bank https, which crashes on 3 of my computers in one and the same time.
Steve K says
Thank you, the DNS flush fixed it for me and the instructions were easy to follow
Dionisio Coda says
Thanks very much, Sir!
Issue connection was solved flushing DNS cache and Reset TCP / IP under windows 10
Marc says
So I had this problem on a few sites, not all sites. One such site was vanguard.com. It didn’t matter which browser I used, same sites were affected. I have two windows 10 PC’s, and one had the issue, one didn’t. That appeared to me to be a certificate issue.
I ran certmgr.msc on both PC’s, and exported all certificates from the working PC to the bad PC (via files onto my dropbox directories) out of the Trusted Root Certification Authorities/Certificates folder AND the Intermediate Certification Authorities/Certificates folders and then imported the two exported files into the same folders on my bad PC. I rebooted and tried again, but no success.
I then went to the Third Party Root Certification/Certificates folder and compared one by one on the working PC vs the bad PC. I found seven certificates on the Working PC that were not on the bad PC. I exported them one by one from the working PC and imported them in the bad PC. I then tried going to vanguard.com and voila, it worked.
AJ says
What do you do if you get this message in both Edge and Chrome “Access To Website Blocked’ ? Never had a problem before but now I get this message and I haven’t blocked any sites.
me says
Thank you!
j says
Thank you!!!