How To Fix the “Webpage Not Available” Error in Your Browser

Are you frustrated by encountering the dreaded “Webpage not available” error while browsing? Rest assured, you’re not alone in facing this issue. Let’s unravel the complexities of this error and guide you back to smooth and uninterrupted internet surfing.

Understanding the Irritating “Webpage Not Accessible” Error: An Annoyance with Solutions

Coming across the “This webpage is not accessible” error can indeed be vexing. It prevents you from accessing the desired website and potentially others, depending on the underlying cause. The perplexing nature of the problem can be frustrating. However, fear not, as this is a common hiccup, and we’re here to assist you in resolving it.

Simplified Solutions: Tackling the “Webpage Not Available” Error

Have you ever wondered what triggers this error? There are multiple factors that can lead to it, including mistyped URLs, problematic cookies, DNS server glitches, or outdated proxies. Before delving into potential solutions, let’s briefly examine the potential culprits:

1. Router Issues: If your router is acting up, it could trigger the error.
2. ISP Problems: A glitch with your Internet Service Provider might be the root cause.
3. Wi-Fi Instability: Common Wi-Fi hotspot errors can contribute to the issue.
4. DNS Confusion: Incorrect DNS settings or faulty proxies can play a role.
5. Firewall Obstruction: Your Windows Firewall might be obstructing connections.
6. Website Instability: At times, the problem originates from the website itself.

Diagnosing the Source: Decoding the “Webpage Not Available” Error

If the webpage can’t be accessed on another device, it’s likely due to the website being temporarily or permanently down. In such cases, patience is the key. However, if the website loads fine on other devices but not on yours, your device might be the culprit.

Resolving the Issue: Fixing the “Webpage Not Available” Error in Chrome, Edge, and Firefox

After ruling out other potential causes, let’s address the core issue – your browser or device. We’ve curated swift solutions tailored to common web browsers:

Method 1: Ensure Correct Website URL

It’s possible that a simple typo in the website URL is causing the “Webpage not accessible” error. Before proceeding, ensure that the URL you’ve entered is accurate. For instance, if you intended to visit “google.com” but accidentally typed “gogle.com” with a letter missing, you’ll encounter the error. Make sure the domain is correctly entered to avoid this issue.

If you’re unsure of the correct website address, consider looking it up using a search engine. For example, by searching Cukeys you’ll find the accurate URL in the search results. Keep in mind that many websites can also be accessed from different domains.

Method 2: Power Cycle Your Computer and Router

Restarting both your computer and network can often resolve connectivity problems. Before attempting the techniques below, we recommend trying a simple restart. Here’s how to restart your Windows computer and router:

1. Click the Windows icon in the bottom-left corner of your screen to open the Start menu.
2. Select the Power option, then choose Restart. This will close all open applications and perform a complete restart of your computer.

If this doesn’t resolve the issue, a router restart might help. Follow these three easy steps:

1. Locate the power button on your router and turn it off.
2. Wait for a few minutes, ideally between three to five minutes, to ensure a proper shutdown of your router and network.
3. Turn your router back on.

If you’re still encountering the “This webpage is not available” error even after restarting your computer and router, don’t worry. We have additional fixes to explore. Keep reading for more solutions!

Method 3: Clear Your Browser Data

Clearing your browsing data can give your DNS settings a fresh start, reducing the chances of encountering the “Webpage not available” error due to faulty or outdated DNS requests. Follow the steps below based on your preferred web browser.

Clearing Browsing Data in Google Chrome

If you’re using Google Chrome, follow these steps to clear your browsing data:

1. Click on the More icon (three vertical dots) located next to your Chrome user icon.
2. Hover over “More tools” and select “Clear browsing data” from the dropdown menu.
   
3. Ensure the time range is set to “All time”.
4. Check the following options:
   • Browsing history
   • Cookies and other site data
   • Cached images and files
5. Click the “Clear data” button. Once the process is complete, restart Google Chrome and see if this resolves the issue.
   

Clearing Browsing Data in Firefox

If you’re using Mozilla Firefox, follow these steps to clear your browsing data:

1. Type “about:preferences#privacy” into the address bar and press Enter on your keyboard. You’ll be taken to Firefox’s settings page.
2. Scroll down to the “Cookies and Site Data” section. Click on the “Clear Data” button.
   
3. Select both “Cookies and Site Data” and “Cached Web Content”, then click the “Clear” button. Allow Firefox to process and delete the data.
   
4. Restart your browser after the task is complete. Try accessing the website that previously showed the “webpage not available” error.

Clearing Browsing Data in Microsoft Edge

If you use Microsoft Edge, follow these steps to clear your browsing data:

1. Click on the Edge menu button in the top-right corner of the browser, and then click on “Settings”.
2. Switch to the “Privacy, search, and services” tab on the left side. Scroll down to find the “Choose what to clear” button and click on it.
   
3. Make sure the time range is set to “All time”.
4. Select “Browsing history”, “Download history”, “Cookies and other site data”, and “Cached images and files”. Then press the “Clear now” button.
   
5. Wait for the process to finish, and then test if the same error occurs when browsing with Edge.

Method 4: Flush DNS

You can try manually clearing the DNS cache on your device to troubleshoot any issues it might be causing. This process only takes a few minutes and requires the Command Prompt.

1. Open the search bar in your taskbar by clicking on the magnifying glass icon. Alternatively, use the Windows + S keyboard shortcut.
2. Type “Command Prompt” in the search box. When you see it in the results, right-click on it and select “Run as Administrator”. If you’re using a local account without administrator permissions, click here first.
3. When prompted by the User Account Control (UAC), click “Yes” to allow the app to launch with administrative permissions.
4. Enter the following commands in order, pressing Enter after each line:
   • ipconfig /flushdns
   • ipconfig /registerdns
   • ipconfig /renew
   • ipconfig /release

1. Close the Command Prompt and open a web browser. Check if you can access a website without encountering the “webpage not available” error.

Method 5: Run the Network Troubleshooter

Built-in troubleshooters in Windows can help identify and resolve specific issues with your computer. The network troubleshooter is designed to pinpoint system problems or misconfigurations that might be causing the “webpage not available” error.

1. Click on the Windows icon in the bottom left of your screen to open the Start menu. Alternatively, use the Windows + I shortcut.
2. Click on the “Update & Security” tile to access your built-in troubleshooters.
3. Switch to the “Troubleshoot” tab using the left-side pane.
4. Look for a troubleshooter named “Network Adapter”. If you don’t share full diagnostic data with Microsoft, click on the “Additional troubleshooters” link to locate the Network Adapter troubleshooter.
5. Click on the “Run the troubleshooter” button. Allow the troubleshooter to scan your device and identify any issues.

Keep in mind that while the troubleshooter might not always find problems, it’s still worth trying as part of your troubleshooting process. If it doesn’t identify any issues, remember that there are other methods to restore network functionality that you can explore.

Method 6: Change to a Different DNS Server

If your network issues stem from DNS problems, changing your DNS address might provide a solution. There are various public DNS services available to choose from, or you can opt to have your device automatically obtain DNS information. Here’s how you can access the DNS settings on a Windows computer:

1. Press Ctrl + X on your keyboard, then click on “Network Connections” from the context menu.
2. In the left pane, select your current connection type (e.g., “Wi-Fi” or “Ethernet”), then click on “Change adapter options” in the right pane.
3. Right-click on your active connection and choose “Properties.”
4. Scroll down to find “Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4)”. If it’s not checked, click the box once to enable it. Then click “Properties” to open a popup window.
5. Choose “Use the following DNS Server addresses.” You have several options for DNS servers:
   • For Cloudflare’s server, enter 1.1.1.1 in the first row and 1.0.0.1 in the second.
   • Alternatively, use Google’s DNS server by entering 8.8.8.8 as Preferred DNS server and 8.8.4.4 as Alternate DNS server.
   • You can also opt for OpenDNS by entering 208.67.222.123 and 208.67.220.123.

Select the “Validate settings upon exit” option if you want to avoid restarting your computer. Then click “OK” and reboot. Check if these changes have resolved your access issues with the previously problematic website.

Method 7: Disable Proxy Server

If you’re utilizing a proxy server for your LAN, disabling it can help determine whether the issue is caused by the proxy configuration. Here’s how you can do it:

1. Open the search bar by clicking on the magnifying glass icon in your taskbar or using the Windows + S keyboard shortcut.
2. Type “Internet Options” and click on the first search result. Once the pop-up window appears, navigate to the “Connections” tab and click on “LAN Settings”.
3. In the “Local Area Network (LAN) Settings” window, ensure that the option “Use a proxy server for your LAN” is not enabled. If the checkbox is marked, turning off the proxy server might resolve your issue.
4. Click “OK”. After disabling the proxy server feature in Windows, check if the error persists.

Disabling the proxy server can help troubleshoot connectivity problems related to proxy settings.