The “Name Not Resolved” error in Chrome is a common message that appears when your browser cannot find the website you are trying to visit. This error usually indicates a problem with resolving the domain name into an IP address, which is essential for connecting to websites. When this error occurs, it means Chrome is unable to locate the server hosting the website, preventing you from accessing it.
This error can happen for many reasons, such as issues with your internet connection, DNS server problems, or incorrect website addresses. You might see a message like “This site can’t be reached” or “DNS_PROBE_FINISHED_NXDOMAIN” along with the “Name Not Resolved” text. Often, the symptoms include slow loading times or consistent failure to load specific websites.
Understanding the basics of this error can help you troubleshoot it effectively. Several common symptoms include the inability to access certain websites while others load normally, or the error appearing repeatedly on different sites. Sometimes, resetting your browser or restarting your device can resolve temporary glitches causing the error.
Initial troubleshooting steps are straightforward and can often fix the problem quickly. First, check if your internet connection is working properly. You can do this by opening another website or using a different device on the same network. If other sites load without issue, the problem is likely specific to DNS or your browser settings.
Next, try clearing your browser cache and cookies. Sometimes, outdated or corrupted data can interfere with DNS lookups. To do this in Chrome, go to Settings > Privacy and security > Clear browsing data, then select cookies and cached images. After clearing these, restart Chrome and try visiting the site again.
If the error persists, consider restarting your modem or router. Networking equipment can sometimes experience glitches that disrupt DNS resolution. Flushing your DNS cache is another effective method. This process clears stored DNS information, prompting your system to fetch fresh data. On Windows, open Command Prompt and type “ipconfig /flushdns,” then press Enter. On Mac, open Terminal and type “sudo killall -HUP mDNSResponder.”
Understanding what the “Name Not Resolved” error signifies and trying these initial steps can often resolve the issue without further technical assistance. If problems continue, more in-depth troubleshooting of DNS settings or contacting your internet provider might be required.
Common Causes Behind DNS Resolution Failures
When you try to visit a website and see a DNS resolution failure message, it means your computer cannot convert the website’s domain name into its IP address. This problem is often caused by various factors, including misconfigured settings, issues with your DNS server, or network problems. Understanding these common causes can help you troubleshoot and fix the issue more quickly.
Here are the typical reasons why DNS resolution fails:
- Incorrect DNS Settings. If your device has wrong DNS server addresses entered, it cannot find the correct server to resolve domain names. This may happen if you manually changed your network settings or if a recent update altered configurations without your knowledge.
- Problems with DNS Servers. Sometimes, the DNS servers provided by your Internet Service Provider (ISP) or third-party DNS services experience outages or overloads. When this occurs, your device can’t access the server to resolve domain names, leading to errors.
- Network Connectivity Issues. If your device isn’t properly connected to the internet, whether through Wi-Fi or Ethernet, DNS resolution cannot happen. Problems could include router malfunctions, weak Wi-Fi signals, or ISP outages.
- Firewall or Security Software Blocking DNS Traffic. Certain firewalls or security tools may block DNS requests, especially if configured too strictly. This prevents your device from communicating with DNS servers and causes resolution failures.
- Corrupted Cache and Hosts File. Sometimes, outdated or corrupted DNS cache or entries in your hosts file can lead to resolution errors. Clearing these caches often resolves such issues.
- Malware or Viruses. Malicious software can change DNS settings or block access to DNS servers altogether. Running a full security scan can help identify and eliminate such threats.
Each of these causes can manifest differently depending on your setup. For example, if you’re experiencing DNS issues only on one device, the problem might be local to that device. Conversely, if multiple devices face the same issue, the problem could be with your network or ISP.
By understanding these common causes, you can narrow down the source of DNS resolution failures. This knowledge enables you to follow targeted troubleshooting steps, such as resetting your network adapter, switching DNS servers, or checking for malware infections. In the next sections, we will walk through specific solutions to resolve DNS resolution errors effectively.
Checking Your Internet Connection and DNS Settings
If you’re experiencing issues with accessing websites or online services, the first step is to verify your internet connection and review your DNS settings. DNS, or Domain Name System, translates website names into IP addresses. Incorrect DNS settings can cause resolution failures, preventing you from reaching websites even when your internet connection is active.
- Ensure your device is connected to the internet. Check if you’re connected via Wi-Fi or wired Ethernet. Look for the network icon on your device. If you see a disconnected or limited connection warning, reconnect or troubleshoot your network hardware.
- Test your internet connection. Open a browser and visit a popular website like google.com. If the page loads, your internet connection is working. If not, proceed to troubleshoot your network connection, restart your router, or contact your service provider.
- Check your DNS settings. On Windows, go to Control Panel > Network and Internet > Network and Sharing Center. Click your active connection and then Properties. Highlight Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4) and click Properties. Here, you can see if DNS is set to automatic or a specific DNS server.
- Try using Google’s public DNS. If your DNS settings are custom, you can switch to Google’s DNS to see if it resolves the issue. Set the preferred DNS server to 8.8.8.8 and the alternate to 8.8.4.4. Save your changes and restart your browser.
- Flush your DNS cache. Sometimes, outdated cache entries cause resolution problems. On Windows, open Command Prompt and type ipconfig /flushdns. Press Enter. On Mac, open Terminal and run sudo killall -HUP mDNSResponder. Restart your browser afterward.
- Test DNS resolution. Use tools like dnschecker.org to see if domain names resolve correctly. Also, try pinging a website from your command line: type ping google.com. If you get responses, your DNS works; if not, there may be an issue with your configuration.
- Identify common issues. Problems might stem from your router, modem, or ISP. Reboot your network devices, update firmware if needed, or switch to a different network to test if the issue persists.
| Troubleshooting Step | Expected Result | Possible Issue |
|---|---|---|
| Visit a website after connecting | Page loads successfully | Internet connection is working |
| Ping a domain from command line | Replies received | DNS resolution issue or network problem |
| Change DNS to Google’s public DNS | Websites resolve correctly | Original DNS configuration was faulty |
By following these steps, you can determine whether your internet connection and DNS settings are correctly configured. Resolving these common issues often restores access to websites and online services, helping you get back online quickly.
Clearing Browsing Data and Cache in Chrome
If you are experiencing problems with websites not loading properly or suspecting that your browser cache is causing issues, clearing your browsing data and cache in Chrome can help. Cached files store parts of websites to make loading faster in the future, but sometimes they become corrupted or outdated, leading to errors such as DNS resolution problems. Removing these files forces Chrome to fetch fresh data from the internet, often resolving common browsing issues.
- Open Google Chrome on your computer.
- Click the three vertical dots in the top right corner of the browser window to access the menu.
- From the dropdown menu, select Settings.
- In the Settings tab, scroll down and click on Privacy and security on the left sidebar.
- Next, click on Clear browsing data. A new window will appear with options to customize what data to delete.
- Choose the time range for which you want to delete data. To clear all cache and browsing data, select All time.
- Check the boxes next to Cookies and other site data and Cached images and files. These options ensure you remove cookies along with cache files.
- If you want to clear only browsing history or passwords, deselect those options to avoid deleting important information.
- Click the Clear data button to delete the selected files. Depending on how much data you have, this process can take a few seconds to a minute.
Once cleared, restart Chrome and revisit the problematic website. Clearing the cache can often fix issues caused by outdated or corrupted cache files, especially those affecting DNS resolution which prevents websites from loading correctly.
Some additional tips include regularly clearing your cache if you notice persistent issues, or using the shortcut in Chrome for quick access. Also, clearing cookies periodically can protect your privacy and free up storage space. If clearing cache doesn’t resolve your problem, consider restarting your device or checking your internet connection for further issues.
Flushing DNS Cache for a Fresh Start
If you’re experiencing issues accessing websites, such as loading outdated pages or encountering errors, it might be due to corrupted or outdated DNS cache. Flushing the DNS cache refreshes this stored data, helping your computer find the correct website addresses. This simple step can solve many connection problems and improve browsing speed.
Different operating systems have different methods to flush the DNS cache. Below, you’ll find easy-to-follow steps for Windows, Mac, and Linux systems.
- Flushing DNS Cache on Windows
- Open the Start menu and type Command Prompt or cmd.
- Right-click on Command Prompt and select Run as administrator. Confirm any prompts if asked.
- In the Command Prompt window, type the following command and press Enter:
- You should see a message confirming that the DNS Resolver Cache was successfully cleared.
ipconfig /flushdns
- Flushing DNS Cache on Mac
- Click on the Apple menu and open System Preferences.
- Select Network.
- Choose your active network connection (Wi-Fi or Ethernet) and click Advanced.
- Navigate to the TCP/IP tab and access the DNS section.
- Alternatively, you can use the Terminal app for a faster method:
sudo killall -HUP mDNSResponder
Type your administrator password if prompted. You won’t see the characters being typed. Press Enter to execute the command. This clears the DNS cache on Mac.
- Flushing DNS Cache on Linux
- Open your terminal (Ctrl+Alt+T is common on many distributions).
- Enter the following command based on your Linux distribution:
| Ubuntu/Debian |
sudo systemd-resolve --flush-caches |
| Older systems or different distributions |
sudo service nscd restart |
After running the command, your DNS cache is cleared. You may need to restart your browser for the changes to take full effect.
Remember, clearing your DNS cache is a quick way to fix browsing issues related to outdated DNS records. If problems persist, consider restarting your router or checking your DNS settings. Regularly flushing your cache can also help maintain a smoother browsing experience and prevent unexpected errors.
Adjusting Hosts File and DNS Server Settings
If you’re experiencing name resolution problems, such as websites not loading or resolving to the wrong IP address, adjusting your system’s hosts file and DNS server settings can help. These steps allow you to control how your computer translates domain names into IP addresses, making troubleshooting more effective. Here’s a simple guide to modify these settings safely and correctly.
- Understanding the hosts file: The hosts file is a plain text file that maps domain names to IP addresses. When your computer looks up a website, it first checks this file before querying DNS servers. If entries are incorrect or outdated, websites may not load correctly.
- Locating the hosts file: The location varies by operating system:
- Windows: C:\Windows\System32\drivers\etc\hosts
- Mac: /etc/hosts
- Linux: /etc/hosts
- Editing the hosts file: To make changes safely:
- Open your text editor as an administrator or root. On Windows, right-click Notepad and select “Run as administrator.” On Mac or Linux, open the Terminal and use sudo nano /etc/hosts.
- Make your modifications. For example, to block a problematic site, add a line like
127.0.0.1 example.com. To redirect a website, specify a different IP address. - Save your file. On Windows, ensure it saves without formatting. On Mac/Linux, press Ctrl+O then Enter in nano, followed by Ctrl+X to exit.
- Changing DNS server settings: Sometimes, DNS issues are caused by your DNS provider. Switching to a public DNS can improve reliability and speed. Popular options include Google DNS (8.8.8.8 and 8.8.4.4) and Cloudflare DNS (1.1.1.1).
- Updating DNS settings: The steps depend on your operating system:
- Windows:
- Open Control Panel > Network and Internet > Network and Sharing Center.
- Click on your active network connection, then choose Properties.
- Select Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4), then click Properties.
- Choose “Use the following DNS server addresses” and enter the preferred and alternate DNS servers.
- Click OK to save changes.
- Mac:
- Go to System Preferences > Network.
- Select your active connection and click Advanced.
- Go to the DNS tab.
- Click the + button to add new DNS server addresses, then click OK.
- Linux:
- Depending on your distribution, you may edit /etc/resolv.conf or use network manager tools.
- Add or modify lines like
nameserver 8.8.8.8.
- Windows:
Remember to restart your network connection or flush the DNS cache after making changes. On Windows, open Command Prompt and type ipconfig /flushdns. On Mac, use sudo killall -HUP mDNSResponder. These steps ensure your system recognizes the new settings and can resolve domain names correctly.
Modifying the hosts file and DNS server settings is a powerful way to troubleshoot name resolution issues. Always back up original files before editing, and use trusted DNS providers to improve browsing stability and security. With these steps, you’ll have better control over how your system accesses the internet and resolve common problems efficiently.
When to Contact Support or Reinstall Chrome
If you experience persistent errors with Google Chrome that cannot be fixed through basic troubleshooting, it may be time to seek professional support or consider reinstalling the browser. Knowing the signs can help you decide the best course of action to restore smooth browsing. Common issues include frequent crashes, unresponsive pages, or Chrome failing to open altogether.
Before jumping to reinstall, consider whether the problem affects all websites or only specific ones. If only certain pages cause issues, clearing your browsing data or disabling extensions might help. However, if the problems persist even after these steps, professional support or reinstallation could be necessary.
Here are key indicators that you should contact support or reinstall Chrome:
- The browser frequently crashes or freezes, even after updates and troubleshooting.
- You encounter error messages that persist despite restarting the browser or your computer.
- Chrome refuses to open or loads very slowly, blocking your ability to browse effectively.
- Extensions or plugins are causing conflicts, and disabling them does not resolve the issue.
- You notice unusual behavior, such as unexpected pop-ups, redirects, or signs of malware infection.
- Resetting Chrome settings does not fix the problem, and the issue seems linked to browser corruption.
- After attempting updates, Chrome remains unstable or displays errors related to the installation.
If you identify with any of these situations, consider the following steps before contacting support or reinstalling:
- Backup your bookmarks and saved passwords to avoid data loss.
- Try running Chrome in Incognito Mode to see if extensions or cached data are causing issues.
- Use Chrome’s built-in troubleshooting tools like the ‘Clean up computer’ feature to detect malware.
If these steps do not improve the situation, it’s advisable to consult Google’s support resources or reinstall Chrome. Reinstalling can fix deeply ingrained errors related to corrupted files or settings, which are difficult to resolve otherwise. To do this effectively, uninstall Chrome from your system, then download and install the latest version from the official website.
Always ensure you download software from official sources to avoid security risks. Reinstalling is a straightforward process but might require re-adding extensions or importing bookmarks afterward. If you’re unsure or uncomfortable performing these steps, reaching out to technical support is a safe choice to get professional help tailored to your specific issue.
