The Complete Guide to Fixing Chrome's "Err_name_not_resolved" Error
The dreaded "Err_name_not_resolved" error in Google Chrome can be incredibly frustrating. It essentially means your browser can't find the website you're trying to access. This isn't necessarily a problem with the website itself; it often stems from issues on your computer or network. Let's dive into the solutions, starting with the simplest and working our way up.
1. Check Your Internet Connection
This might seem obvious, but the first thing to do is ensure your internet connection is working correctly. Try accessing other websites. If you can't reach any website, the problem lies with your internet connection itself. Check your cables, router, and modem. Restarting your router and modem can often solve temporary glitches.
2. Clear Your Browser Cache and Cookies
Sometimes, corrupted cached data or cookies can interfere with your browser's ability to resolve website names. Clearing them is a simple fix that often works wonders. Here's how to do it in Chrome:
- Open Chrome settings: Click the three vertical dots in the top right corner.
- Go to "More tools" -> "Clear browsing data."
- Select "Cookies and other site data" and "Cached images and files." You can also choose a specific time range, or clear everything.
- Click "Clear data."
3. Check Your DNS Settings
Your DNS (Domain Name System) server translates website addresses (like www.example.com) into IP addresses that your computer understands. If your DNS server is malfunctioning, you'll get the "Err_name_not_resolved" error. Try the following:
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Use Google's Public DNS: This is a reliable and fast DNS server. You'll need to change your computer's DNS settings. The instructions vary slightly depending on your operating system, but generally involve finding your network settings and manually entering the following addresses:
- Preferred DNS server: 8.8.8.8
- Alternate DNS server: 8.8.4.4
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Flush your DNS cache: This removes any outdated DNS information stored on your computer. The commands vary slightly depending on your operating system (search online for "flush DNS cache [your operating system]").
4. Check Your Hosts File
The hosts file on your computer can block access to certain websites. A misconfigured hosts file might be preventing you from accessing the website you're trying to reach. You can find your hosts file by searching your computer for hosts (it's usually located in C:\Windows\System32\drivers\etc on Windows). Open the file with a text editor (like Notepad), and ensure there's nothing blocking the website you're trying to access. If you find anything suspicious, remove it.
5. Disable Proxy Settings
If you're using a proxy server, it might be interfering with the name resolution process. Temporarily disable your proxy settings to see if that resolves the issue. You'll find proxy settings within your browser's settings or your operating system's network settings.
6. Restart Your Computer
A simple restart can often resolve temporary software glitches. Try restarting your computer and see if the error persists.
7. Check for Malware
In rare cases, malware can interfere with your network settings and cause this error. Run a full scan with your antivirus software to ensure your computer is clean.
8. Contact Your ISP
If none of the above solutions work, the problem might lie with your Internet Service Provider (ISP). Contact your ISP's technical support and explain the issue. They might be experiencing outages or have other network problems.
By following these steps, you should be able to troubleshoot and resolve the "Err_name_not_resolved" error in Chrome. Remember to check the simplest solutions first before moving on to more advanced troubleshooting techniques. Good luck!
