Easy Fix for ERR_NAME_NOT_RESOLVED Error in Chrome

Err_Name_Not_Resolved

The browser error and the lack of access to a webpage are the most frustrating things about trying to open a website. Several reasons may cause this. If you want to open a website, you usually enter the domain name into your browser’s address bar, and then the DNS servers (domain names system) do the rest. This process is called domain name resolution. If the browser cannot resolve the domain name, you get a DNS domain name resolution error. When it happens in Google Chrome, you see the ERR_NAME_NOT_RESOLVED message displayed on the screen. If you encounter this error, we will tell you how to fix it.

The first steps

There is a chance that there is nothing wrong with your computer, and there is no need to fix anything. So, first of all, pay attention to the following methods and try to use them if you encounter this error:

  1. Make sure you entered the site address correctly. If you enter a URL of a site that doesn’t exist, Chrome will show the ERR_NAME_NOT_RESOLVED error.
  2. Check if the ERR_NAME_NOT_RESOLVED Error in Chrome appears when you access one or all sites. If you access one site, it is possible that something is being changed on it or that your web hosting provider is having temporary problems. You can wait for some time and try to clear the DNS cache using the ipconfig /flushdns command in the Command Prompt as an administrator.
  3. If possible, check if the error appears on all devices (smartphones, laptops) or only one computer. If it does, the problem may be related to your ISP. It would be best if you waited or tried Google Public DNS.
  4. The same “This webpage is not available” error can occur if the site no longer exists.
  5. If the connection is through a WiFi router, unplug it and plug it in again, then try to access the site. Perhaps the error will disappear.
  6. If the connection is not through a WiFi router, try to open the list of connections on your computer, disable the Ethernet (Local Area Network) connection, and enable it again.

Changing DNS and resetting network settings

Your Internet Service Provider’s default DNS servers may be malfunctioning. Therefore, you should change them to global and more reliable ones, such as those from Google. After that, you must reset the network settings. To do this, follow these steps:

  1. Press the Win + R key combination, type ncpa.cpl, and click OK.
  2. Find the active connection and right-click on it. Then go to “Properties.”
  3. Make sure the IPV4 and IPV6 protocols are enabled. Highlight the version 4 protocol and open “Properties.”
  4. See what DNS servers are listed. If the auto-retrieve option is activated, type other DNS, e.g., 8.8.8.8 and 8.8.4.4. If this is already done, do the opposite and activate the auto-retrieve option.
  5. After saving the actions, reset the network settings. To do this, run the Command Prompt as an administrator. You can find it through the Start menu.
  6. Type ipconfig /flushdns and press Enter.
  7. Next, run netsh winsock reset.
  8. Then run netsh int ip reset c:\resetlog.txt and netsh winhttp reset proxy.

Now reboot the system and the router and check the result. The NET_ERR_NAME_NOT_RESOLVED error should be eliminated after all these actions.

Starting the DNS client service 

You should also check whether the service responsible for Windows to work with DNS servers is running. To do this, follow these steps:

  1. Open the “Control Panel” through “Start” or “Search.”
  2. Switch to the “Small icons” and open the “Administration” section.
  3. Open “Services.”
  4. Find “DNS client” and select “Properties.”
  5. Make sure that the startup box is set to “Automatic.” Start the service if it is stopped. Restarting the system also helps sometimes.

After that, the problem should be fixed. 

Malicious programs

Malicious programs can block the operation of your computer and change the system settings. So if the methods mentioned earlier didn’t help you to fix the NET ERR NAME NOT RESOLVED error, it’s worth performing a threat scan.

Antivirus cannot detect all existing threats, so it is better to perform a scan using various utilities. Dr. Web CureIt, AdwCleaner, and Emsisoft Scanner are the most popular and effective. We will use AdwCleaner as an example to explain to you how to fix the error:

  1. Download the application from the official website. It does not require installation.
  2. Go to “Settings” and check all the items except for “Delete IFEO keys,” “Delete Prefetch files,” “Clean up BITS jobs,” and “Reset Chrome policies.”
  3. Go to “Control Panel,” then scan and clean your computer.
  4. Restart your device.

Conflicting applications

Try to remember what programs have been installed recently and remove them. In most cases, the ERR_NAME_NOT_RESOLVED error is caused by antiviruses, VPNs, or proxy servers. It would be best if you did not uninstall an antivirus, but you can change its settings. You can exclude this option using Safe Mode when only the necessary components are loaded.

  1. Enter Safe Mode. There are several types, but you need one that supports the network.
  2. Start the browser and check if the error remains. If it does not, the problem was related to one of the installed programs.

Deactivating preloading in Chrome

Try deactivating page preloading mode in Google Chrome. 

  1. To do this, go to settings, open the “Privacy” section, and go to “Cookies.”
  2. Find and disable the preloading feature.

Clearing the cache

Sometimes cached data, such as images, videos, audio, and other files, automatically downloaded and saved by your browser when you visit a site may cause the error. To clear the cache, follow these steps:

  1. In the web browser window, press the Ctrl+Shift+Delete key combination.
  2. Select “All time,” check the additional options, and perform a cleanup.

Disabling a proxy 

Make sure that no external proxy servers are used.

  1. Use the Win + R key combination to open a console, type inetcpl.cpl, and press Enter.
  2. Click on “Network settings” in the “Connections” tab.
  3. Activate the automatic detection item.

After the process is complete, restart your device.

Disabling extensions 

Some extensions, including ad blockers and malware protectors, can interfere with your web browser and cause the ERR_NAME_NOT_RESOLVED error. You should disable them and delete unnecessary ones.

  1. Click on the puzzle icon and go to “Manage extensions.”
  2. Deactivate unnecessary plugins.
  3. Restart the browser.

Resetting, updating, and reinstalling

The browser, like any other program, starts malfunctioning over time. You can solve this problem in several ways:

  1. Go into your browser’s configuration panel, find the reset function, and use it.
  2. Update your browser by downloading the current version from the official website.
  3. Reinstall your web browser. But before that, you need to uninstall the existing version properly. It is better to use an uninstaller.

If you have 64-bit Windows, you should install the 64-bit version of the browser. But if it is malfunctioning, install the 32-bit version.

Updating Windows and drivers

The network driver on your device may be damaged or outdated. Try to update or reinstall it. There are two ways to do this.

  • Use automatic update programs;
  • Do this manually by downloading the driver from the motherboard or laptop website.

Let’s consider the manual update procedure.

  1. Download the driver for your network card.
  2. Run the Device Manager, go to the “Network adapters” section, right-click on the needed component, and select “Remove device.”
  3. Confirm the action.
  4. Restart your computer and install the downloaded driver.
  5. Restart the system and check if the ERR_NAME_NOT_RESOLVED error is fixed.

Reprogramming your router

Like any other device, the router has software that stops working due to failures. There are two solutions: return the original settings or update the software.

Let’s consider the second way, using the TP-Link router as an example (the updating process is similar for all manufacturers).

  1. Go to the official website of your router and find the needed model through the search.
  2. Select a revision and go to “Support.”
  3. Click on “Firmware” and download the current version.
  4. Go to the panel using the “192.168.0.1” address and enter your login and password.
  5. Click on “System Tools” in the left menu — “Update.”
  6. Choose the downloaded file and click “Update.”

As a rule, the update is followed by a reset. Therefore, it is recommended to save the configuration by uploading it into a separate file. You will only need to export it if necessary.

Resetting router settings

To fix the ERR_NAME_NOT_RESOLVED error, use the reset function. This is done by using the “Reset” button on the back panel of your device. The button is usually inside the device, and you may need a thin object, such as a needle or a pen, to open it.

You can also perform a reset via the control panel, available at “192.168.0.1” or another address. The exact address is written in the documentation or on the underside of your device.

A solution for smartphones and tablets

The NET_ERR_NAME_NOT_RESOLVED error may occur on a smartphone or tablet. Go back to the beginning of this article to the “First steps” paragraph and perform them. Then do the following:

  1. Go to the router settings. You can do this using the 192.168.0.1 address. Study your router’s documentation for the exact address. Find the section where the DNS addresses are usually written. This is usually “Network” — “WAN.” Type 8.8.8.8 and 8.8.4.4, save the changes, and reboot your router. Another effective option is to specify your Internet Service Provider’s server as your first DNS that you can get from customer support.
  2. You can select DNS separately for each device. To do this, enter the “Connections” section, press the active connection, and hold it until the configuration window appears. Then open the advanced options and activate static IP instead of DHCP. Set the first server to 8.8.8.8 and the second to 8.8.4.4, then save the changes.
  3. Uninstall unnecessary programs, especially antiviruses, optimizers, trash cleaners, and VPNs.

Additional ways to fix the error

  • If only specific programs or websites don’t work, they may be blocked by your Internet Service Provider. VPN applications and proxies can help you to bypass the blocking;
  • Check the quality of your Internet connection. Internet packages may be lost, and the Internet does not work well. This is most often seen in the evening when the Internet channel is loaded to its maximum;
  • Check the “hosts” file. It is in the “Windows/System32/Drivers/Etc” folder. Delete all entries after the “#” marking. Be careful because the activation may be incorrect, mainly if you use pirated applications.

One of the methods described above should help you solve the ERR_NAME_NOT_RESOLVED problem and make websites in the Chrome browser work correctly.