| Method | Difficulty | Time Estimate |
|---|---|---|
| Restart Router/Modem | Easy | 2 Minutes |
| Clear Chrome DNS Cache | Easy | 1 Minute |
| Flush System DNS | Moderate | 3 Minutes |
| Disable Proxy Settings | Moderate | 2 Minutes |
What is ERR_ADDRESS_UNREACHABLE?
The ERR_ADDRESS_UNREACHABLE error is a common network-related issue in Google Chrome. It occurs when the browser is unable to establish a connection with the destination server or IP address.
This error typically points to a failure in the local network configuration or a problem with the DNS (Domain Name System). Unlike a “404 Not Found” error, this indicates the request never reached the server at all.
Common causes include router glitches, incorrect proxy settings, corrupted DNS cache, or issues with the website’s specific IP address routing.
[wp_shortcode_ad]
Step-by-Step Solutions
1. Restart Your Router and Modem
Often, this error is caused by a temporary communication hitch between your device and your ISP. Power cycling your hardware can reset the connection path.
Unplug your router and modem from the power source. Wait at least 30 seconds before plugging them back in. Wait for all lights to stabilize before retrying Chrome.
2. Clear Chrome’s Internal DNS Cache
Chrome maintains its own internal DNS cache that can sometimes become outdated or corrupted, leading to reachability errors.
Open a new tab in Chrome and enter the following address in the URL bar:
chrome://net-internals/#dnsClick the “Clear host cache” button. Once done, restart the browser and try accessing the website again.
3. Flush Windows DNS Cache
If clearing the browser cache doesn’t work, you should clear the operating system’s DNS resolver cache using the Command Prompt.
Search for “cmd” in the Start menu, right-click it, and select Run as Administrator. Enter the following commands one by one:
ipconfig /release
ipconfig /flushdns
ipconfig /renewThis forces your computer to request fresh routing information from your DNS provider.
4. Disable Proxy Settings
Active proxy servers or VPNs can interfere with the direct routing of web traffic, causing the ERR_ADDRESS_UNREACHABLE code.
Go to your computer’s Settings > Network & Internet > Proxy. Ensure that the “Use a proxy server” toggle is turned Off. Additionally, toggle on “Automatically detect settings.”
5. Change DNS to Google Public DNS
If your ISP’s DNS servers are struggling, switching to a more reliable provider like Google can resolve the issue immediately.
Navigate to your Network Connections, right-click your active connection, and select Properties. Select “Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4)” and click Properties. Enter these values:
- Preferred DNS server: 8.8.8.8
- Alternate DNS server: 8.8.4.4