Fix ERR_NAME_NOT_RESOLVED on Chrome
Quick Answer: The ERR_NAME_NOT_RESOLVED error in Chrome indicates that the browser cannot translate a domain name into an IP address, primarily due to a DNS resolution failure. The most likely cause is an issue with your local DNS cache or network DNS configuration. First, try flushing your local DNS cache. Open Command Prompt as administrator and execute "ipconfig /flushdns". Expect the website to load successfully after this action if the cache was the culprit.
What Causes This Error
- Corrupted or outdated local DNS cache on the client machine, preventing correct domain-to-IP mapping.
- Incorrect DNS server configuration in the operating system or router, leading to failed lookups for specific domains or all domains.
- Firewall or antivirus software blocking Chrome's access to DNS services or specific network ports (e.g., UDP port 53).
- Issues with the ISP's DNS servers, causing widespread resolution failures for users connected to that provider.
- Misconfigured VPN or proxy settings that are routing DNS queries through an unresponsive or incorrect server.
- DNSSEC validation failures or problems with the authoritative DNS server for the target domain.
Step-by-Step Fixes
Fix 1: Flush DNS Cache and Renew IP
Open Command Prompt (Windows) or Terminal (macOS/Linux) as an administrator.,Execute 'ipconfig /flushdns' (Windows) or 'sudo dscacheutil -flushcache; sudo killall -HUP mDNSResponder' (macOS) or 'sudo systemd-resolve --flush-caches' (Linux).,For Windows, also run 'ipconfig /release' followed by 'ipconfig /renew' to obtain a fresh IP address and DNS configuration.,Restart your Chrome browser and attempt to access the website.
Fix 2: Change DNS Servers to Public DNS
Navigate to your operating system's network adapter settings (e.g., 'Network and Internet Settings' > 'Change adapter options' on Windows).,Right-click on your active network connection (Wi-Fi or Ethernet) and select 'Properties'.,Select 'Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4)' and click 'Properties'.,Choose 'Use the following DNS server addresses' and enter '8.8.8.8' for Preferred DNS server and '8.8.4.4' for Alternate DNS server (Google Public DNS). Alternatively, use Cloudflare's '1.1.1.1' and '1.0.0.1'.,Click 'OK' to apply changes, then restart Chrome.
Fix 3: Disable VPN/Proxy and Check Firewall
Temporarily disable any active VPN client or proxy server configured on your system or within Chrome's settings (Settings > System > Open your computer's proxy settings).,Check your firewall or antivirus software settings to ensure Chrome is not blocked from accessing the internet or UDP port 53.,If unsure, temporarily disable the firewall/antivirus (with caution) to test if it resolves the issue, then re-enable and configure exceptions.,Restart Chrome and retest the website.
Fix 4: Reset Chrome Network Settings
Open Chrome and navigate to 'chrome://settings/reset'.,Click on 'Restore settings to their original defaults' and confirm the action.,This will reset your startup page, new tab page, search engine, and pinned tabs, disable extensions, and clear temporary data like cookies.,Restart Chrome and try loading the problematic website again.
Fix 5: Check Router DNS Configuration
Access your router's administration page by typing its IP address (e.g., 192.168.1.1 or 192.168.0.1) into your browser.,Log in with your router's credentials (often found on a sticker on the router).,Locate the 'WAN' or 'Internet' settings section and check the DNS server configuration. Ensure it's set to 'Automatic' (from ISP) or explicitly set to reliable public DNS servers (e.g., 8.8.8.8, 1.1.1.1).,Save any changes and reboot your router. Then, reboot your computer and retest.
Advanced Fixes
Advanced Fix 1: Check DNS Client Service Status (Windows)
Press Win + R, type 'services.msc', and press Enter.,Locate the 'DNS Client' service in the list.,Ensure its 'Startup type' is set to 'Automatic' and its 'Status' is 'Running'. If not, right-click, select 'Properties', change startup type, and click 'Start'.,Apply changes and restart your computer.
Advanced Fix 2: Verify Host File Entries
Navigate to 'C:\Windows\System32\drivers\etc' (Windows) or '/etc/hosts' (macOS/Linux).,Open the 'hosts' file with a plain text editor (like Notepad on Windows, TextEdit on macOS, or Nano/Vim on Linux).,Check for any suspicious or incorrect entries that might be redirecting the problematic domain to an incorrect IP address (e.g., '127.0.0.1 example.com').,Remove or comment out any such entries by adding a '#' at the beginning of the line, then save the file.
FAQs
Q: What exactly does ERR_NAME_NOT_RESOLVED mean?
A: This error means that your browser, specifically Chrome, failed to resolve the domain name (e.g., 'google.com') into its corresponding IP address (e.g., '172.217.160.142'). This process is handled by the Domain Name System (DNS), and the error indicates a breakdown in this translation.
Q: Is this error always related to my internet connection?
A: While it's often related to network or DNS configuration, it doesn't necessarily mean your internet connection is down. You might be connected to the internet, but your device can't find the correct DNS server or the DNS server can't find the website's IP. Other factors like local cache corruption or firewall blocks can also cause it.
Q: Why does flushing DNS cache help?
A: Your operating system maintains a local cache of recently resolved domain names and their IP addresses to speed up future lookups. If an entry in this cache becomes corrupted, outdated, or points to an incorrect IP, flushing it forces your system to perform a fresh DNS lookup, often resolving the issue.
Q: Could my ISP be causing this problem?
A: Yes, absolutely. If your ISP's DNS servers are experiencing issues (e.g., downtime, misconfiguration, or heavy load), you may encounter ERR_NAME_NOT_RESOLVED. Switching to a public DNS server like Google DNS (8.8.8.8) or Cloudflare DNS (1.1.1.1) can bypass your ISP's potentially problematic DNS servers.