How to Fix ERR_NAME_NOT_RESOLVED on Google Chrome & Android

You may be experiencing ERR_NAME_NOT_RESOLVED on your Google Chrome. If so, you have to fix it because there must be something wrong. How to fix this error? There are a number of methods that you are able to use to fix this issue. But, before you try the methods, you can try to fix this issue by doing some checks as explained below.

Basic Checks To Fix the ERR_NAME_NOT_RESOLVED Error in Chrome

Before you fix it by using some methods that we explain below, it is better for you to do some checks on the things below. Who knows that these checks can fix the issue.

• • You are able to try to load the site in the other browsers such as Firefox, Safari or other browsers that you have on your device.
  • You have to make sure that your connection is active. You can make sure it by accessing another site or by pinging a site using the command prompt. You are able to run this command in your command prompt: ping www.google.com.
  • You are able to try to refresh the page by using the keyboard shortcut Ctrl + F5.
  • You are able to check whether the site is up and running by entering the URL in the Down app.
  • You have to make sure that the URL that you entered is correct.
  • You have to make sure that the cables are connected properly and also there are no faults in the modems and routers.
  • If you specified the DNS manually, you have to make sure that it is working properly by pinging it. Another way that you are able to do is to delete the service temporarily to check whether it can fix the issue.

Methods For Fixing ERR_NAME_NOT_RESOLVED on Google Chrome & Android

If you are experiencing ERR_NAME_NOT_RESOLVED error, there are some methods that you are able to use for fixing the error. You are able to use the methods below one by one. If one cannot work for you, you can try another one and so on. So, check the methods below for fixing the error.

1. Restarting Your Device

This method is the most simple method. Nevertheless, this method usually can fix any issues. So, when you are facing an ERR_NAME_NOT_RESOLVED error, you are able to try to fix it by restarting your device. If you use a PC, you can restart your PC, and if you use a mobile device, you are able to restart your mobile device.

It is important for you to know that if you want to restart your system, before you restart it, make sure that you close Google Chrome and then open it again. It is because sometimes by doing this, it is enough to fix the issue. However, if it does not work, you are able to continue to restart your PC.

If you face this error on your Android, you are able to close the Chrome app by swiping it away from recents screen. It may fix the error in your Android.

2. Running Network Connection Troubleshooter

How to run a network connection troubleshooter? You are able to follow the steps below.

• • First, you have to right click on Windows icon in the task bar and then select Settings. In the Settings, you have to go to Network and Internet.
  • Then, you have to scroll down and then click on Network Troubleshooter.
  • After that, you have to check the fixes that it suggests and then apply them.
  • Now, you are able to check whether the error is gone.

3. Deleting Your Browsing Data

By default, Google Chrome saves data on all websites that you have accessed in the past. It has  functions to help pages load faster when you reload them and also it will auto-complete addresses when you type the address of the site in the address bar. Even though cached data has functions, but it can be an issue and one of them is getting ‘ERR_NAME_NOT_RESOLVED’ error when you are using Android, Windows and so on. So, if you find this error, deleting all your browser data is one of the things that you are able to do to fix this error.

How to delete browsing data?

• The first thing that you have to do is to open Google Chrome.
• Then, use a three-dot icon and choose More Tools.
• There, you have to click on the Clear Browsing Data. If you are using Chrome on a mobile device such as iOS or Android, Clear Browsing Data cannot be found under More Tools. Instead, you will discover it under the History menu option.

• In this step, you have to choose the types of browser data Chrome that you should delete from the cache with Browser History and Cookies and Other Site Data.

• Also, you need to make sure that you have chosen the All Time option under Time Range. If not, it will only delete your most recent browser history.
• If you have made your selection, you have to click on Clear Data.

4. Restarting The Router

You have to check the router which connects your device to the internet. Even if you see that the internet connection is good, there is a possibility that it may be the case. So, you are able to try to restart the network device to fix this error.

How to restart the device? You are able to disconnect the power supply for about 30 seconds by unplugging the power cable. After 30 seconds, you are able to reconnect the router to the power supply. And then see whether the error is solved.

If you have disconnected the router for a while from the power supply, it needs time to resume operation fully after you reconnect it. So, you have to wait for the internet/ DSL light to turn green  before you test whether the DNS issue has been solved by restarting the router.

5. Resetting The Winsock Catalog

If you find this error on Windows, you are able to check the interface and system application Winsock or Windows Sockets. Windows Socket helps programs interact using TCP/ IP. To do it, it creates entries for every connection established. This data is also able to prevent a site from being accessed. So, resetting the Winsock catalog is a possible solution to fix connection problems in Chrome browser.

You are able to do this reset from the command prompt window. However, you have to run the command as an administrator. You are able to follow the steps below to run your PC as an administrator.

• • The first thing that you have to do is to open the Start menu. You can do that by clicking the Windows icon.
  • After that, you have to look for the Command Prompt icon which can be found under Accessories or Windows System depending on the version of your OS.
  • Now, you have to right click on the Command Prompt and then choose Run as Administrator.
  • If you have opened the Windows command prompt window, you have to enter this command to reset the Winsock catalog:

netsh winsock reset

Now, you need to press the Enter key to run the command. You have to restart the system to finish it.

6. Clearing DNS Cache of Your Operating System

DNS cache also can be the cause of ‘ERR_NAME_NOT_RESOLVED’ error in Chrome when the stored entry for an address is incorrect or out of date. If it happens, the thing that you have to do is to clear the cache which is referred to as a DNS flush.

If you are using Windows 10, you are able to run a DNS flush by typing a single command into the command prompt window. How to do that?

• First, you have to open the Start menu.
• After that, you need to click the Command Prompt option. Or, you are able to use the search function to find it.
• If you have opened the command prompt window, you need to enter the command below to clear the DNS cache.

ipconfig /flushdns

After a few seconds, there will be a message which states that the cache has been emptied. It means that you have successfully done it.

Note that you do not need administrator rights to run a DNS flush on Windows.

7. Changing The DNS Server

‘ERR_NAME_NOT_RESOLVED’ error can happen because the responsible DNS server is not working. If the reason for the error is this, there is not much that you can do to fix it. An effort that you are able to do is to switch to a different DNS server by configuring your DNS address settings to use the IPv4 or IPv6 protocol.

Cloudflare’s public DNS servers are a good option and these are available at the IPv4 addresses 1.1.1.1 and 1.0.0.1 and also the IPv6 addresses 2606:4700:4700::1111 and 2606:4700:4700::1001.

If you use Windows, you are able to enter these DNS servers by following the guide below.

• First, you need to open the Control Panel by clicking the Start menu.
• After that, you have to click on Network and Sharing Center.
• Now, you must click on the Change Adapter Settings.
• You have to right click on the network adapter which connects you to the internet and then choose Properties.
• Then, you have to double click on Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4) or Internet Protocol Version 6 (TCP/IPv6).
• In this step, you have to enter the address which have been mentioned above under Use the Following DNS server address for the preferred and the alternate server.
• Now, you have to click on OK to confirm the changes.

8. Checking for Malware

Malicious software can be the cause of a lot of issues. ‘ERR_NAME_NOT_RESOLVED’ error can also happen because of this. Your DNS server configurations can be changed by malware. It can also change your browser history or prevent the domain name from being resolved. So, it is important for you to check your system for a possible malware infection.

You are able to use your security software or Microsoft’s Malicious Software Removal Tool (MSRT) to run a scan. Note that MSRT is not only available for Windows users and it can only be used with administrator rights.

9. Disabling Chrome Predictions

To provide faster loading times over the long term, Google Chrome applied the prediction function. To do this, the function automatically gathers information related to any links on the currently open site in order to speed up the load times for the linked pages if you happen to click on one of them. Even though it can help to speed up the load times, this prediction service can lead to errors such as ERR_NAME_NOT_RESOLVED error. So, when you experience this error, disabling this function in Chrome can be one of the efforts that you have to do to fix your DNS issue.

How to turn off the prediction function? You are able to follow these steps.

• The first thing that you have to do to turn off the prediction function is to open the Chrome menu by clicking the three-dot icon.
• After that, you have to choose Settings.
• On the following menu, you have to scroll all the way down the page and then you have to click on the Show advanced settings.
• Under Privacy and security, you have to move the slider to the left for the option Preload pages for faster browsing and searching.

For your information, if you enable preloading in Google Chrome, the browser will automatically consume more system resources.

10. Disabling Security Software Temporarily

On your device, there may be any security software. It can cause the ERR_NAME_NOT_RESOLVED error on your Windows or Android. If you have antivirus software or a firewall, it can prevent access to certain websites which will lead to the browser responding with the error message.

You are able to check if the software that you are using causes issues or not. You are able to do that by disabling them temporarily. In case the domain name can be fixed, you will know that it was the source of the error. If this is the case, the thing that you are able to do is to contact the faulty software’s publisher. Or, you are able to replace it with a suitable alternative.

11. Booting Your Android Device in The Safe Mode

If you get this error on your Android’s Chrome, you are able to boot your Android device in the Safe Mode to fix this error. If the error will vanish when you are running this mode, it can mean that the most likely issue is in the recently installed application. Some internet boosters, cleaners, or anti-malware apps can cause this error.

12. Restoring Your Chrome App to Factory Version

Restoring your Chrome app to the factory version is another method that you are able to apply when you are experiencing an ERR_NAME_NOT_RESOLVED error. How to restore your Chrome app to the factory version? You are able to follow the steps below.

• • The first thing that you have to do is to go to the Setting and then go to Apps.
  • After that, you have to find Chrome icon in the app list and then you need to tap on it.
  • When you are in the Chrome application window, you have to tap on the Disable button. Then, your device will ask for confirmation Replace This App With The Factory Version. You have to confirm the action and then wait for uninstalling. It is important for you to know that if you do this, all the data will be removed.
  • At last, you have to enable your Chrome again and then see whether the error happens again or not.

13. Using A VPN

The ERR_NAME_NOT_RESOLVED error may happen because your internet connection is interrupted. If the reason is this, you are able to try fixing it by using a VPN to bypass the interruption. How to do that? Actually, there are two methods to set up a VPN on your PC. The first method is doing it manually and the second one is doing it automatically. You are able to choose any methods that you want to use for using a VPN.

1). Setting Up a VPN on Your Computer Manually

If you choose to set up a VPN on your computer manually, you will need some computer skills and patience. It is because you must have a VPN server to connect to and change your connection settings step by step.

If you want to connect to a VPN with a Windows system, you are able to follow the steps  below.

• • On Windows 10, the first thing that you have to do is to press the Windows logo key on your keyboard. Then, you must type this: vpn.
  • After that, you have to click on Change Virtual Private Networks (VPN).
  • Then, you have to click on Add a VPN Connection.
  • In this step, you have to enter the information needed to configure the new VPN connection. And then, click on Save.
  • Here, you have to click the VPN connection you have added and then click on the Connect.
  • Then, wait for the connection process to finish.

If you want to connect to a VPN with an Android device, you are able to follow the steps below.

• • First, you must access Settings on your Android.
  • Then, you have to tap More… under Wireless & Network.
  • In this step, you have to tap on VPN.
  • And then, tap on the + button.
  • Here, the thing that you have to do is to edit the VPN profile and then tap on Save.
  • You have to tap the VPN profile that you created.
  • Now, you must enter the username and password and then tap Connect.

2). Setting Up A VPN on Your Computer Automatically

If you choose this method to set up a VPN on your computer, it is the quickest and easiest option. With this method, the thing that you have to do is to click and this method is easy to do even if you are new in using computer.

If you decide to use this method, you are able to set up a VPN connection by using a VPN service. NordVPN is a recommended service that you are able to use. It can help you to be able to set up a fast and stable internet connection anywhere. In addition, you are able to use it to bypass internet interruptions easily.

How to use NordVPN? You are able to follow the steps below.

• • The first thing that you have to do is to download and install NordVPN.
  • After you download and install it, the next thing that you have to do is to run NordVPN and then you have to select a location that you want to connect to.
  • Now, you have to try accessing the site with Chrome and then check whether the error is fixed.

The Meaning Of ERR_NAME_NOT_RESOLVED Error Message

If you get the error message ERR_NAME_NOT_RESOLVED, Chrome is stating that it cannot find the IP address which can match the site domain name that you entered. If you get this error, you will not be able to access the page because the IP address is needed to establish a connection with the web server.

This error can be experienced regardless of whether you are using Chrome on a desktop PC such as on Windows, macOS or Linux or even on mobile devices such as iOS or Android. Is this error only found in Chrome browser? No, this error can also be found on other browsers such as Safari and Firefox. However, they may show a different error message than Google Chrome if the DNS fails to resolve the domain name when trying to access a site.

What Are The Causes for The ERR_NAME_NOT_RESOLVED Error?

If you wonder why this error can appear, there are some reasons. One of the reasons is that the DNS server is unavailable temporarily. This situation happens because there are no entries for the site that you are trying to access in your browser cache or in the DNS cache of your Operating System. So, the DNS will not be able to resolve the domain name.

The address entries can also be the cause of why ERR_NAME_NOT_RESOLVED error can happen. This error can happen in case the browser tries to answer a DNS query using a cached address when the IP address has been changed.

Besides the reasons above, the other reasons can also cause this error to appear such as incorrectly configured internet settings, router issues, prediction service for faster page loading of Chrome, faulty security software and malware.