ERR_ADDRESS_UNREACHABLE in Chrome: How to Fix

If you’re seeing ERR_ADDRESS_UNREACHABLE in Chrome, it means the browser can’t establish a connection to the IP address of the website you’re trying to visit. This guide walks you through the most common causes—from network glitches to DNS problems—and provides step-by-step fixes that work for Windows, Mac, and Android.

What You’ll Need

• Access to your router (admin credentials, usually printed on the device)
• Administrator rights on your computer (to flush DNS, reset network settings)
• Another device (phone or tablet) to test if the problem is device-specific

Step-by-Step

1. Check if the website is down for everyone. Use a service like downforeveryoneorjustme.com on another device. If the site is down globally, wait and try later.
2. Restart your router and modem. Unplug both, wait 30 seconds, plug the modem back in, wait for it to fully boot, then plug in the router. Once the lights stabilize, try the site again.
3. Disable VPN or proxy extensions. In Chrome, click the three-dot menu → More tools → Extensions. Toggle off any VPN or proxy extensions. Also check your system settings for a VPN client (like NordVPN or ExpressVPN) and disconnect it.
4. Clear Chrome’s DNS cache. Type chrome://net-internals/#dns in the address bar, click Clear host cache, then restart Chrome.
5. Flush the system DNS cache.
   • Windows: Open Command Prompt as Administrator and run ipconfig /flushdns.
   • Mac: Open Terminal and run sudo dscacheutil -flushcache; sudo killall -HUP mDNSResponder.
6. Change DNS servers to Google Public DNS.
   • Go to network settings (Control Panel → Network and Sharing Center → Change adapter settings on Windows; System Preferences → Network on Mac).
   • For your active connection (Wi-Fi or Ethernet), open IPv4 properties and set DNS to 8.8.8.8 and 8.8.4.4.
7. Reset Chrome flags. Type chrome://flags, click Reset all, then restart Chrome. Some experimental flags can break connectivity.
8. Try incognito mode. If the site loads in incognito, a problematic extension is the cause. Disable extensions one by one to find the culprit.
9. Disable IPv6 temporarily. In network adapter settings, uncheck Internet Protocol Version 6 (TCP/IPv6) and restart. Some routers have broken IPv6 configurations.
10. Reset TCP/IP stack (Windows only). Run as Administrator: netsh int ip reset, then restart your computer.
11. Check firewall/antivirus. Temporarily disable your firewall or antivirus to see if it’s blocking Chrome. If it is, add Chrome to the allowed list.
12. Use a different DNS-over-HTTPS setting. In Chrome settings → Privacy and security → Security, scroll to Use secure DNS. Toggle it on and choose a provider like Google or Cloudflare.

Common Mistakes

• Skipping the router restart. Many connectivity issues are fixed by a simple power cycle, yet people often jump to complex solutions.
• Not testing another device. If your phone loads the site fine, the problem is your computer, not your network.
• Forgetting to restart after DNS changes. DNS changes only take effect after a restart or flush.
• Disabling IPv6 permanently. This is a temporary workaround, not a fix. If it solves the issue, update your router firmware.

Tips

• Use Chrome’s built-in network diagnostics. Go to chrome://net-internals/#events to see detailed logs, which can help identify the exact failure point.
• Keep Chrome updated. Outdated versions may have bugs that cause connectivity errors.
• Use a wired connection if Wi-Fi is unreliable—this can eliminate signal interference as a cause.
• Check your hosts file. On Windows, it’s at C:\Windows\System32\drivers\etc\hosts; on Mac, /etc/hosts. Remove any entries for the site you’re trying to reach.

Troubleshooting

If the error persists after trying all steps:

• Try a different browser. If Firefox or Edge loads the site, the issue is Chrome-specific. Reinstall Chrome or reset its settings.
• Check the URL. Make sure you typed the correct address—a typo can lead to an unreachable IP.
• Run a network diagnostic. On Windows, use ping google.com and tracert to see where the connection fails. On Mac, use ping and traceroute.
• Contact your ISP. If the error occurs on all devices and all sites, your internet service provider may have an outage or a routing issue.
• Use a different network. Connect your computer to a mobile hotspot. If the site loads, your router or ISP is the problem.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does ERR_ADDRESS_UNREACHABLE mean?

It means Chrome couldn’t connect to the IP address of the website. This is often due to network issues, DNS problems, or a firewall blocking the connection.

Is ERR_ADDRESS_UNREACHABLE the same as ERR_CONNECTION_REFUSED?

No. ERR_CONNECTION_REFUSED means the server is reachable but actively rejecting the connection. ERR_ADDRESS_UNREACHABLE means the IP address itself can’t be reached, often due to routing issues.

Can a VPN cause this error?

Yes. VPNs can sometimes route traffic to an unreachable IP or interfere with DNS resolution. Disconnecting the VPN often resolves the issue.

Will clearing my browser cache help?

Clearing the cache can help if the error is caused by corrupted cached data, but it’s not the most common fix. DNS cache clearing is more effective.

Why does the error appear on only one website?

That usually points to a DNS issue specific to that domain, or the website itself is down. Try changing DNS servers or checking the site’s status.

Does this error affect my personal data?

No. It’s a network connectivity issue, not a security breach. Your data is not at risk.

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