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ERR_ADDRESS_UNREACHABLE is one of the many errors that Chrome uses to tell us that a website or web page is currently out of reach. It is one of a handful referred to as an HTTP error. And while there are scores and scores of detailed steps online on how to fix this Err_address_unreachable, very few are often needed.

In this article, we will touch on why you get ERR_ADDRESS_UNREACHABLE and how to fix HTTP error on Chrome.

Why Some Sites Are Not Opening in Google Chrome

Internet Connection

The usual culprit for the err_address_unreachable error which Chrome returns when it cannot access some websites is your internet connection. In such cases, web pages are unreachable because something is wrong with your internet-enabling device, thereby cutting off your connection to the internet and website. So, most of the time, your router is responsible for your inability to open web pages in Chrome.

You may also be attempting to connect to the internet via a public Wi-Fi that is restricting your browsing. If this is the case, the Wi-Fi may have been configured to block access to certain websites. So, if you want to know where the problem is, try connecting to a different website, maybe Google Drive. If the problem persists, then it is most likely your internet connection.

Meanwhile, it is possible that your PC is just slow from over-use. In that case, you can download and use the Auslogics BoostSpeed 12 software to enhance PC efficiency.

Chrome is Outdated

Where your internet connection is not to blame for the err_address_unreachable error, you may have to check your Google Chrome version. Most times, Chrome develops operating problems due to being outdated or having data that gets in the way of its smooth operation. So, when Chrome is the issue, it’s because it is outdated or overwhelmed by data (history data, cookies, cached images and files, etc.).

If you are not sure which is the problem, you can simply use a different browser to check. If you can connect to the web page via a different browser, then Chrome is the problem. In such cases, you only need to update Chrome or clear the data to have it running smoothly once again.

Interfering Browser Extensions

Another reason for a web page not opening in Chrome is that extensions and add-ons are running in the background and interfering with the browser’s operations. Ordinarily, these extensions add features and functions to Google Chrome, effectively enhancing its operations and usability. But they can also become hindrances especially if certain extensions were configured to block access to sites with specific web features.

To know whether Chrome extensions are responsible for the err_address_unreachable error, simply enter chrome://extensions into your address bar and tap enter. From the list of extensions that pop up, check the details to find exactly what they do and whether they run on all sites. This will give you a good idea of how they interface with web pages and if any is restricting your browsing via Chrome.

Third-Party Software is Interfering

The last reasonable factor responsible for Chrome returning the err_address_unreachable error is the interference of third-party programs. These programs may be running on your Windows actively or in the background, thus they have considerable influence on other programs running at the same time as them. The most common example of these applications that interfere with successful browsing is anti-malware software.

To determine if a third-party program is preventing you from connecting to websites via Chrome, use the ctrl+shift+esc combination on your keyboard to launch Task Manager. From there, you can see all the programs running. Even better, you can temporarily disable your anti-virus software and see if the problem persists.

How to Fix this Err_address_unreachable

Having looked at some of the most common reasons for the err_address_unreachable error on Chrome, here are straightforward methods of fixing it.

Refresh and Restart Google Chrome on Your Device

We noted earlier that Google Chrome itself may be responsible for the HTTP error. Whether or not this is the case, the first thing you should do in the face of an error in Windows is restart your PC. This terminates every program and process, so software problems usually go away once the system starts.

If restarting your PC does not work and Chrome continues to return the err_address_unreachable error, restart Chrome. In other words, close every open page (and tab) and shut down Google Chrome completely. To be thorough, use the ctrl+shift+esc combination to launch Task Manager. Subsequently, find every running Chrome process and end them.

Clear Your Browsing Data

Browsing data includes everything from browsing history to cache files and images. History data are records of past browsing, while cache files shorten the time you have to wait before Chrome loads up a web page. However, despite the usefulness of these data files, they are easily corrupted and cause browsing lags. So, to get rid of them and have Chrome in top shape, follow the steps below:

  1. Get to Chrome settings by pasting chrome://settings/ into your address bar and tap enter on your keyboard.
  2. Select the Security and Privacy tab on the left pane of the Settings page.
  3. Choose the Clear browsing data option and the Time range bar to select All time.
  4. Check the Cookies and other site data option, as well as the Cached images and files

Now, you can select Clear data and restart Chrome.

Remove Chrome DNS Cache Via Chrome and CMD

Domain Name Server (DNS) information is another thing that Chrome stores that might affect your browsing. However, once you flush DNS cache data, you should be able to operationalize Chrome. To do so,

  1. Enter chrome://net-internals/#dns in your address bar and tap enter.
  2. Select Clear host cache and restart Chrome.

To be thorough, you can also run Command Prompt (as administrator) and enter the command, ipconfig /flushdns. This should solve the err_address_unreachable error.

Update the Google Chrome Software

Updating Google Chrome is another reliable method for fixing the err_address_unreachable error. All you need to do in this case is

  1. Copy and paste chrome://settings/help into your address bar and tap enter.
  2. Toggle the Download Updates over metered connections

Make sure that you are connected to the internet before selecting the update option. Once Google Chrome has been updated, try connecting to the websites to see if the error persists.

The last option to get rid of the err_address_unreachable error from within Google Chrome is to disable every interfering Chrome extension. As earlier mentioned, you can investigate what the enabled extensions are supposed to do by pasting chrome://extensions into your address bar and tapping enter. Then you can use the details option under every extension to explore their functions. You can then disable any extension that limits access to particular websites.

Reboot Your Router or Any Other Internet-Connecting Device

Assuming Chrome is not the source of the err_address_unreachable error, you may want to check your router. It is possible you have been using it for too long and simply need to turn it off and let it rest for a while to get it functioning smoothly. So, do just that. Turn off your router and leave it turned off for 7 to 10 minutes. Then restart it and connect your PC to the internet. If you are using your phone’s hotspot connection, you can also turn it off, restart your phone, and subsequently connect the PC to it.

Disable Firewall for Microsoft Defender or Windows Security

In the spirit of third-party interference, you should consider turning off the operations of the anti-virus program installed on your PC. Usually, network firewalls from default anti-virus programs like Microsoft Defender and Windows Security are responsible for the err_address_unreachable error in Chrome and other browsers. Thus, as long as you can disable the anti-virus programs themselves, the connection error should go away.

To temporarily disable Windows Security,

  1. Launch Windows Security in Windows 10 or 11.
  2. Select the Virus and threat protection tab on the left pane.
  3. Scroll down to the Virus and threat protection settings and select Manage settings.
  4. Toggle off Real-time protection, Cloud-delivered protection, Automatic sample submission, and Tamper Protection.

Try connecting to the internet via Google Chrome to see if the error has been resolved.

Deactivate Customized Proxy

If none of the above solutions worked, it may be that your PC is using a proxy address that disallows access to certain websites. Thus, you may need to use a different proxy server, one approved by your Internet Service Provider (ISP). To use this address,

  1. Use the Windows key + I combination to access the Settings page.
  2. Select Network & Internet and Proxy on the left pane.
  3. Move your cursor to the Use setup script option and toggle it off.
  4. Move your cursor down to Manual proxy setup and also toggle off Use a proxy server.

Now, launch Google Chrome and try to access the website(s) to see if the err_address_unreachable error is still around.