Full Diagnostic Tree & Step-by-Step Overview
Is this error happening on ALL web browsers (Chrome, Edge, Firefox), or just one?
- Just one browser (e.g., only Chrome)
- All browsers on this computer
Solution: Clear Browser Cache & Extensions
Solution:
Browser-Specific DNS Failure
If it's only happening on one browser, your system DNS is fine. The browser's internal cache is corrupted.
1. Open the affected browser.
2. Press Ctrl + Shift + Delete to open the clear browsing data menu.
3. Select All time and ensure Cached images and files is checked.
4. Clear the data and restart the browser.
5. *Optional:* Disable any VPN or Proxy extensions installed in that specific browser.
Are other devices on your Wi-Fi network (like your smartphone) loading websites normally?
- No, nothing on the Wi-Fi can load websites
- Yes, my phone works fine on the same Wi-Fi
Solution: Restart Router & Check ISP
Solution:
Network-Wide DNS Outage
If no devices can load websites, your router or Internet Service Provider (ISP) is having a DNS outage.
1. Unplug your router for 30 seconds, then plug it back in. Wait 3 minutes.
2. If the issue persists, your ISP's default DNS is likely down.
3. To bypass this, log into your router's admin panel (usually 192.168.1.1) and change the default WAN DNS to Google's public DNS: 8.8.8.8 and 8.8.4.4.
Solution: Switch to Google or Cloudflare DNS
Solution:
Override Windows DNS Settings
Your PC is struggling with the default DNS. Let's switch to a faster, more reliable public DNS.
1. Press Windows Key + R, type ncpa.cpl, and press Enter.
2. Right-click your active Wi-Fi or Ethernet connection and select Properties.
3. Double-click Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4).
4. Select Use the following DNS server addresses.
5. Enter 8.8.8.8 for Preferred and 8.8.4.4 for Alternate (Google DNS).
6. Click OK, then open Command Prompt and type ipconfig /flushdns to clear the old cache.