ERR_NAME_NOT_RESOLVED: 6 proven methods to fix it

To understand the ERR_NAME_NOT_RESOLVED error fully, you have to know how DNS works. When you type a website address such as hostinger.com, your computer sends a DNS request to get the IP address of the web server that hosts the website.

The lookup process can be quick if the browser or internet service provider has already stored the IP address in its cached files. If it can’t find the matching address in the DNS entries, it will go through the DNS domain name resolution process to get the IP address.

Sometimes, the website may have moved to another IP address, but the system is still storing the old cached address. The browser will get the outdated address from the cache, so the domain name cannot be resolved, and the error message will be triggered.

However, there are other possible causes for this error too. This includes network configuration, browser or internet settings, and DNSSEC application.

Error code	ERR_NAME_NOT_RESOLVED
Error type	DNS
Error variations	NET::ERR_NAME_NOT_RESOLVED The webpage is not available The site can’t be reached
Error causes	Cached data Network settings Enabled DNSSEC Firewall or antivirus software misconfiguration Browser settings

How to fix ERR_NAME_NOT_RESOLVED – video guide

If you prefer a visual tutorial to guide you through the process, follow our video tutorial on how to fix ERR_NANE_NOT_RESOLVED.

6 ways to fix ERR_NAME_NOT_RESOLVED on Windows, Mac, and Linux

Since there are several possible causes for the ERR_NAME_NOT_RESOLVED error, we will discuss six different methods to fix it. These include simple fixes, such as clearing browser cache and data, and more technical ones, like modifying the hosts file and disabling DNSSEC.

1. Flush DNS cache on your device

One of the most common causes of the ERR_NAME_NOT_RESOLVED error is outdated cache. Therefore, it’s best to start by flushing the DNS cache on your operating system.

The DNS flush method differs depending on the operating system – we have a complete DNS flush tutorial for Microsoft Windows, macOS, and Linux. In essence, it’s as simple as using the Windows command prompt window or the terminal on Linux and macOS to execute a command.

We recommend periodically clearing and renewing the DNS cache to prevent security vulnerabilities such as DNS spoofing and behavior tracking.

2. Check Google Chrome browser settings

The Google Chrome browser also stores DNS data to boost page load speed on revisits. However, an outdated entry in the DNS cache could trigger the ERR_NAME_NOT_RESOLVED error message if the website has moved to a different IP address.

Clear the host cache on Google Chrome by following these steps:

1. Open Google Chrome and type chrome://net-internals/#dns in the browser’s address bar and press Enter.
2. Click Clear host cache.

We also recommend periodically clearing browser cookies from Google Chrome. Browser cookies can block your internet DNS, triggering the ERR_NAME_NOT_RESOLVED error message.

Another Google Chrome setting that’s worth checking is the page preloading service. This feature prefetches the resources of web pages related to sites you have already visited, including DNS preloading.

The main goal is to improve user experience as the prefetched page will load faster. However, this feature is also known to cause the ERR_NAME_NOT_RESOLVED error.

Thus, it’s best to disable the prediction service to prevent the error from happening. Moreover, prefetching the pages uses your internet bandwidth and takes up local resources.

Follow these steps to do so:

1. Click on the three dots at the top-right corner of the Google Chrome window and select Settings.

2. Click Privacy and security.

3. Select Cookies and other site data.

4. Scroll down and find Preload pages for faster browsing and searching. Switch the toggle off.

3. Reset your firewall and DNS server addresses

A firewall or security software can block the internet connection and cause the ERR_NAME_NOT_RESOLVED DNS error, especially if you accidentally misconfigured it. Resetting your firewall settings is a possible quick fix.

Follow these steps to do so on a Windows computer:

1. Right-click on the Windows icon, then select Search.
2. Type Control Panel and click the result to open it.

3. Select System and Security.

4. Click on Windows Defender Firewall.

5. Select Restore defaults.

6. Click on the Restore defaults button.

Another possible cause of this error is that the DNS server is not working properly. Therefore, when you try to access the website, the DNS query can’t be resolved.

In this case, using one of the following DNS server addresses from Google and Cloudflare public servers should solve the problem.

DNS Server	IPv4	IPv6
Google	8.8.8.8	2001:4860:4860::8888
Google	8.8.4.4	2001:4860:4860::8844
Cloudflare	1.1.1.1	2606:4700:4700::1111
Cloudflare	1.0.0.1	2606:4700:4700::1001

To do so, you need to configure the DNS server on your computer. Here are the steps to change the DNS address on a Windows computer:

1. Open the Control Panel.
2. Go to Network and Internet -> Network and Sharing Center.
3. Click on Change Adapter Settings.

4. Right-click the network adapter that you use to connect to the Internet, then select Properties.

5. Double-click Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4) or Internet Protocol Version 6 (TCP/IPv6).
6. Enter the public DNS server address for the preferred DNS server and alternate DNS server. Use IPv4 and IPv6 accordingly.

If you’re using macOS, here are the steps:

1. Open System Preferences and select Network.
2. Click Advanced and open the DNS tab.

3. Click the + button to add a new DNS server.
4. Type in one of the public DNS servers.
5. Click OK. A prompt message will appear – click Apply.

If you’re using the Linux operating system, you’ll have to use the terminal to change the DNS address.

1. Press CTRL+T to open the terminal.
2. The DNS server configuration is stored in the /etc/resolv.conf file. Use the following command to open it with the Nano text editor:
   sudo nano /etc/resolv.conf

3. Type the following command to define the DNS server. Replace the IP addresses with the servers you want to use:
   nameserver 8.8.8.8
nameserver 8.8.4.4

4. Save and close the file by pressing CTRL+X and then Y.
5. Type the following command to make the file unchangeable:
   sudo chattr +i /etc/resolv.conf

6. Reboot the computer.

4. Try amending your hosts file

There’s a hosts file in your computer that contains domain names and their IP addresses. When you visit a website, the computer will first look at the hosts file to find a matching domain name and IP address. The system will only send a DNS request if it doesn’t find any matches.

Adding the website’s IP address to the hosts file can fix browsing problems caused by the DNS. It’s also useful for finding out the error source. If you can access the website after adding the domain name and its IP address to the host file, the problem was coming from your side.

In summary, find the hosts file in the Windows system folder and open it using Notepad. As for Linux and macOS, use the terminal and a text editor to open and edit the file.

5. Test using a different internet connection

Problems with your internet connection and WiFi router can be another reason why the ERR_NAME_NOT_RESOLVED error occurs.

There are two tests you can do to confirm this. The first one is reaccessing the website using a different, stable internet connection.

For example, create a mobile hotspot from your mobile phone and use that to connect your computer to the network. Revisit the website and see if it loads normally. If that is the case, there’s a chance that the previous internet connection is the root cause of the ERR_NAME_NOT_RESOLVED error.

Another option is adding various devices to the same internet connection and using them to open the same website. If all devices show the same error, then the internet connection must be the main issue.

Turn off the router and disconnect the power supply. Wait for at least 30 seconds before reconnecting the power and turning on the router again.

Keep in mind that the router takes a while to become fully functional. Wait until the internet light turns green before connecting your computer to the network and testing it again.

6. Disable DNSSEC for your domain

If you have tried all methods above and the error persists, check the domain on WHOIS to see if DNSSEC is enabled.

It’s an additional layer of protection that uses cryptographic signatures. While it protects the access to the DNS records from unauthorized users, it can also prevent the domain from propagating properly, and thus triggering the error.

If that’s the case and it’s not your domain or website, there’s not much you can do other than inform the website owner about the ERR_NAME_NOT_RESOLVED DNS error. However, if it’s your domain or website, disable DNSSEC from your domain account.

If you use Hostinger, disable DNSSEC by accessing your domain configuration panel.

1. Log in to your Hostinger account.
2. Click Domains at the top of the page, and select the domain you want to configure.
3. Select DNS/Nameservers.

4. Open the DNSSEC tab. If there’s a DNSSEC record on the list, remove it.

Conclusion

The ERR_NAME_NOT_RESOLVED error happens because the system can’t find the correct IP address or the computer is storing old and outdated information.

Clearing cached data from your system is the primary method to fix the ERR_NAME_NOT_RESOLVED error.

However, there are other ways to solve this problem as there can be other contributing factors. Here is a recap:

1. Clear DNS cache on the operating system.
2. Inspect the Google Chrome browser settings and clear browser history, cookies, and cache.
3. Reset the firewall and use public DNS servers.
4. Add the website’s IP address to the hosts file.
5. Use a different internet connection.
6. Disable DNSSEC for your domain.

If none of these methods fixed the ERR_NAME_NOT_RESOLVED error on your website, contact your hosting provider’s customer support team for further assistance.

ERR_NAME_NOT_RESOLVED FAQs

Take a look at the following frequently asked questions about the error.