Being unable to access a website (or websites) on your preferred browser can be disruptive, as most of us rely on our computers to achieve daily tasks.
Unfortunately, this can happen from time to time, even on a top-notch browser such as Chrome.
This guide will focus on a well-known error that Chrome users report regularly. The error is accompanied by a familiar message: “Server IP Address Could Not Be Found On Google Chrome.”
Without further ado, let’s look at what you need to know.
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The Problem Explained
The internet and everything related to it can feel very complicated at times, but it shouldn’t be the average user’s responsibility to attempt to fix errors on their own.
That is why this guide will help you solve the “Server IP Address Could Not Be Found” problem, which can occur at seemingly random times when you try to access a website using the Chrome browser.
Here’s what you need to know about this problem right off the bat:
- It occurs on the Chrome browser.
- It is often accompanied by the “DNS_PROBE_FINISHED_NXDOMAIN” error message.
- It can even happen when opening Google.com.
- Depending on the problem’s cause, you may not be able to open other sites.
In this well-liked thread addressing the problem, the creator of the post shares their concern, with hundreds of users confirming the issue in the comment section.
It’s easy to see how frustrating this problem is, but it shouldn’t be something that impacts your opinion about using Chrome and enjoying its many benefits.
Like anything else, this problem is also fixable. We will show you how to do it using a few proven methods.
Let’s take a look.
Fix 1: Flush Your DNS Cache
Simply put, having dangerous IP addresses or corrupted results stored in your DNS Cache files can affect your ability to connect to the internet and load websites.
Your DNS Cache will never flush on its own unless you force it to, which is what we will be doing in the following steps.
- Click on the search button located in the bottom-left corner of your taskbar, next to the Windows logo. In the search bar, type in Command Prompt and right-click the first result, then choose Run as administrator.
- Once the Command Prompt window opens, type in the following command: ipconfig /flushdns, then press Enter on your keyboard to initiate it. You should see a return message saying your DNS Resolver Cache is successfully flushed, as shown in the image below.
Now you can try opening the websites you had trouble loading before and see if it works. Many users confirmed that flushing their DNS cache fixed the issue, but it might not work for everyone.
If it doesn’t work for you, take a look at the other methods listed below.
Fix 2: Use Google’s Public DNS
There are several advantages to using Google’s Public DNS, such as improved speed and enhanced security, as mentioned in the authorized article discussing this matter. However, we won’t go into great detail since that’s not the purpose of your visit.
Instead, let’s explore how you can transition to utilizing Google’s Public DNS, as it has been shown to resolve the issue of “Server IP Address Could Not Be Found” on Google Chrome.
Here’s what you need to do:
- Click the search icon on Windows, which is located in the bottom-left corner of your taskbar.
- In the search field, type “Settings” and press “Enter” on your keyboard. In the panel that appears, click on the “Network & Internet” category, as shown in the image below.
- Click on the first setting under the “Advanced network settings” category, which says “Change adapter options.”
- You will now see a list of network connections. Right-click the one you’re currently using and select “Properties” in the menu that appears.
- Select “Internet Protocol Version 4” from the list of options, then click “Properties” in the bottom-right corner.
- Select the “Use the following DNS server addresses” option in the panel that’s currently on your screen. Type the numbers in the field as shown in the image below.
Note: If you are unable to see the image, here are the values in text form:
- Preferred DNS Server: 8*8*8*8
- Alternate DNS Server 8*8*4*4
Complete the process by clicking the OK button at the bottom.
Now, try loading the websites you previously couldn’t and see if the problem persists. Many users reported that this helped them solve the issue permanently.
Fix 3: Clear Your Browser’s Cache And Cookies
Just as clearing your DNS Cache is important, the same applies to clearing your Browser’s Cache and Cookies, as having corrupted data can cause problems when you’re browsing the internet.
Doing this on Chrome is very easy, but if you don’t know how take a look at the steps below:
- Open Chrome on your PC and click on the three vertical dots located in the top-right corner of the screen.
- In the dropdown menu, choose Settings to open the configuration panel.
- Scroll down until you see the Privacy and Security section. Choose Clear Browsing Data to access the final window where you will initiate the cleanup.
- Tick the boxes next to the three available options, as shown in the image below. Then, finish by clicking Clear Data in the bottom-right corner. Make sure to select All time in the time range field.
Close your browser and reopen it. Try visiting the websites you previously couldn’t load and see if it makes any difference. The problem should be gone.
Fix 4: Disable Programs That May Interfere With Your Browsing
People take online security very seriously, and this should be appreciated in the modern era. Nevertheless, a few excessively intrusive applications may restrict your ability to visit particular websites. Their aim is to keep you safe, but unfortunately, they end up causing more damage than benefit.
Some are third-party antivirus programs with “cloud protection” and “real-time surfing” protection services, which we recommend disabling if you are experiencing this problem.
If you’re concerned about safety and security, visit only trusted sites after disabling your antivirus’ real-time website protection feature, such as Google.
If you have a VPN enabled, we suggest turning it off, at least until you make sure that it isn’t causing the problem.
Fix 5: Contact Your Internet Service Provider (ISP)
If there are any disruptions on your ISP’s end, it could be the reason why you can’t access certain websites.
You can’t know this until you contact them, which we recommend doing if nothing else listed in this guide helps you solve the problem.
If you are confident that the problem is on your ISP’s end (a common sign is being able to access the same websites from other devices in your home connected to the same network), it’s best to skip the other fixes and call immediately, as this will save you a lot of time.
Conclusion
The “Server IP Address Could Not Be Found” problem can be very frustrating, but it is not particularly difficult to solve.
By using the methods listed in our guide, you can restore your ability to browse the internet without any further interruptions.