7 Ways to Fix if You Can’t Access Certain Websites on Any Browser

Quick Tips

• Ensure your network is stable and not experiencing any interruptions.
• Removing outdated cache and cookies can resolve many browsing issues.
• Security software might block certain sites, so disabling them briefly could help.

Preliminary Fixes

• Your IP Address is Blocked: Websites sometimes block specific IP addresses for suspicious activity, security reasons, or geographic restrictions. If your IP address has been blocked, you won’t be able to access the website from any browser.
• Check Website Status: Sometimes, the website you’re trying to visit may be down for everyone due to server issues, maintenance, or other technical problems. Websites like DownDetector or IsItDownRightNow can tell you if the site is experiencing widespread issues.
• Try Private Mode: Browsing data such as cookies, cache, and saved login information can sometimes cause issues when accessing certain websites. Using private or incognito mode bypasses this stored data.
• You are Shadowbanned: A shadowban is a situation where a user is blocked or partially blocked. While the user can still access the website, their actions (such as posts or comments) may not be visible to others, or they may be unable to interact with specific features.

Fix 1: Flush the DNS Cache

Step 1: Press the Windows + R key to open the Run command box.

Step 2: Type the below command and hit Enter.

ipconfig /flushdns

Fix 2: Reset TCP/IP

Step 1: Select Start and type CMD.

Step 2: Type Command Prompt, then choose Run as Administrator.

Step 3: From the command prompt, type the following, then press Enter.

netsh int ip reset

Restart your computer, then try to see if you can access the Internet from a browser now.

Fix 3: Clear Website Cache

You can clear website cache and try again. Follow the steps below.

Step 1: Visit the troubling website in Google Chrome.

Step 2: Click the lock icon in the address bar and open Site settings.

Step 3: Click Delete data.

Restart the browser and try again.

Fix 4: Run Windows Security Scan

Step 1: Open Windows Security and go to Virus & Threat Protection from the sidebar.

Step 2: Select Scan options.

Step 3: Run a full scan from the following menu.

If Windows Security is not opening, check our dedicated guide to fix the problem.

Fix 5: Disable Firewall

Step 1: Launch Windows Security and select Firewall & network protection.

Step 2: Select your network profile and disable the Microsoft Defender Firewall option.

Fix 6: Disable Extensions

Step 1: Launch Chrome, click the three-dot menu, and expand Extensions.

Step 2: Choose Manage Extensions.

Step 3: Turn off or uninstall irrelevant extensions.

Fix 7: Run a Netsh Command

Step 1: Launch the Command Prompt app as an admin.

Step 2: Run the following command and hit Enter.

netsh wlan show network mode=bssid

You can check Microsoft’s official website to learn about popular netsh commands.

Hopefully, one of the above steps has provided you with a successful solution to not being able to connect to certain websites on your Windows computer.