What does ERR_NAME_NOT_RESOLVED mean?
When a website refuses to load and your browser throws an ERR_NAME_NOT_RESOLVED message, it can instantly disrupt your workflow. Whether you’re managing a business website, developing an application, or simply browsing, DNS errors like this one are frustrating but usually easy to fix. The challenge, however, is understanding why they occur and how to correct them quickly without unnecessary downtime.
At VergeCloud, we routinely see users encounter this error due to DNS lookup failures, incomplete DNS propagation, misconfigurations at the domain level, or network-related issues. The good news is that this error is almost always fixable with the right troubleshooting steps, and in many cases, you can prevent it entirely by using modern DNS infrastructure such as a
cloud-based DNS service, an
anycast network, or a
DNS load balancer solution supported by real-time
server health checks.
This comprehensive guide breaks down what the error means, why it happens, and how to fix it quickly. You’ll also find advanced solutions for preventing it from occurring again especially when operating at scale or handling mission-critical systems.
The ERR_NAME_NOT_RESOLVED message appears when your browser cannot resolve the domain name you’re trying to access. In everyday terms:
Your browser asked DNS: “Where is this website located?”
DNS responded: “I don’t know.”
DNS(Domain Name System) is the mechanism that translates human-readable domain names (e.g., example.com) into machine-readable IP addresses. Without DNS resolution, your browser has no way of knowing which server it should connect to.
This error can originate from several points:
- Your device
- Your network
- The DNS provider
- Your domain settings
- Or the website’s hosting server
When any link in that chain fails, DNS resolution breaks and your browser displays ERR_NAME_NOT_RESOLVED.
How does this error affect your browsing?
When this error appears, the impact is immediate:
1. The website becomes completely inaccessible
Your browser cannot identify the server’s IP address, so it cannot make a connection or even begin loading content.
2. Apps and services relying on DNS also fail
APIs, CDN assets, web dashboards, and authentication services may stop working because they depend on DNS resolution.
3. Productivity is disrupted
Whether you’re debugging a website or accessing a SaaS application, DNS failures slow down workflows.
4. SEO and uptime are negatively impacted
Businesses operating online services may see:
- Increased bounce rates
- Lost conversions
- Uptime SLA violations
- Automated monitoring alerts
- Webpage availability may degrade over time
If DNS routing issues are intermittent, your site might work from some regions but fail in others a common symptom when DNS is running without an anycast network or without route optimization like VergeCloud’s route navigator.
What causes ERR_NAME_NOT_RESOLVED?
This error can have multiple underlying causes. Understanding them helps you fix the issue faster and avoid recurrence.
1. Incorrect DNS records
If A, AAAA, CNAME, or NS records are missing or misconfigured, DNS cannot return the correct IP.
2. DNS server outages
Your DNS provider may be experiencing disruptions, outages, or slow response times.
3. Misconfiguration at your registrar
If your nameservers don’t point to the correct DNS provider, DNS resolution breaks.
4. Corrupted local DNS cache
Your device or browser may be storing outdated or invalid DNS data.
5. Router or modem caching issues
Routers also cache DNS lookups and may serve old entries.
6. Network-level filtering or firewall restrictions
Some networks block DNS queries or rewrite them, causing inconsistent resolution.
7. VPN-related DNS mismatches
VPNs redirect DNS through different servers, which may fail to resolve certain domains.
8. Missing or failing server health checks
If you have multiple backend servers and one fails, DNS may still route users to the dead server unless you use a system that monitors and removes unhealthy origins.
9. Poor DNS routing
Without an anycast network, DNS requests may route inefficiently or through congested regions.
At VergeCloud, our DNS platform automatically performs real-time monitoring to reduce many of these failures but local device issues, ISP limitations, and expired domains remain common external causes.
How to fix ERR_NAME_NOT_RESOLVED?
Step-by-step troubleshooting guide
Follow these steps in order they progress from simplest to advanced, ensuring quick recovery.
Step 1: Verify your domain spelling
A surprising number of DNS errors come from typos. Double-check the domain name in your browser bar.
Step 2: Clear your browser DNS cache
Chrome and many modern browsers cache DNS entries. Corrupted cache = DNS lookup failures.
How to clear Chrome DNS cache:
- Open a new tab.
- Visit: chrome://net-internals/#dns
- Click “Clear host cache.”
Step 3: Flush your OS DNS cache
If your operating system is holding stale DNS entries, your browser won't reach the correct server.
Windows Command:
ipconfig /flushdns
macOS Command:
sudo dscacheutil -flushcache; sudo killall -HUP mDNSResponder
Step 4: Restart your router or modem
Routers also cache DNS entries. Restarting forces fresh lookups.
Steps:
- Turn off your router.
- Wait 10 seconds.
- Turn it back on.
Step 5: Switch to a public DNS server
If your ISP DNS is slow or down, switching to public DNS solves it quickly.
Recommended DNS:
| Provider | Primary | Secondary |
| Google DNS | 8.8.8.8 | 8.8.4.4 |
Step 6: Check your domain’s DNS records
If you manage DNS manually or via VergeCloud, verify:
- A / AAAA records point to the correct server
- CNAME entries are correct
- NS records match your DNS provider
- No invalid or expired records
VergeCloud’s cloud-based DNS service also alerts you to misconfigurations and provides instant propagation updates.
Step 7: Disable VPN or Proxy temporarily
VPNs may route DNS queries through unfamiliar servers, causing lookup failures. Disable the VPN to test.
Step 8: Check firewall or antivirus DNS filtering
Security tools sometimes block DNS requests. Disable DNS filtering to confirm.
Step 9: Test DNS resolution from another device or network
If the site loads elsewhere, the issue is local to your device or network.
- Try with mobile data
- Use another Wi-Fi network
- Attempt on a second device
Step 10: Check if the domain is expired or suspended
If your domain expired, DNS will stop resolving.
- Log in to your registrar
- Ensure domain is active and paid
Advanced fixes for persistent issues
If the above steps don’t resolve your issue, the problem may be rooted in infrastructure-level DNS reliability or global routing. This is where VergeCloud’s DNS stack significantly improves outcomes.
1. Use a cloud-based DNS service
A high-availability, globally distributed DNS platform ensures:
- Faster DNS resolution
- Lower latency
- No single points of failure
VergeCloud’s DNS operates on a modern globally-distributed architecture that eliminates the delays and instability of outdated registrar DNS.
2. Deploy a DNS load balancer solution
If you operate multiple servers or run a global application:
- DNS load balancing directs users to the best server automatically.
- It helps avoid downtime when one server fails.
- It works seamlessly with server health checks to remove unhealthy endpoints.
This prevents DNS errors caused by bad or unreachable backends.
3. Switch to an anycast network DNS
Anycast allows multiple DNS servers worldwide to share the same IP address.
Benefits:
- The request always hits the nearest DNS server
- Faster responses
- Higher resilience during outages or attacks
VergeCloud’s DNS uses an anycast network to maintain consistent near-instant DNS resolution globally.
4. Enable real-time server health checks
If one of your backend servers fails, traditional DNS may still route users to the dead server.
VergeCloud health checks:
- Continuously monitor your infrastructure
- Automatically remove failing origins
- Ensure the highest webpage availability
This removes DNS lookup failures caused by unreachable or offline servers.
5. Use VergeCloud’s Route Navigator
The built-in route navigator optimizes routes based on real-time latency, network congestion, and upstream DNS conditions. It eliminates routing anomalies that can cause intermittent DNS resolution failures across different ISPs.
1. Is ERR_NAME_NOT_RESOLVED a DNS error?
Yes. This is a DNS resolution error indicating the browser cannot find the IP address associated with the domain name.
2. Can a VPN cause ERR_NAME_NOT_RESOLVED?
Yes. VPNs often use their own DNS servers, which may fail to resolve certain domains. Disabling the VPN usually resolves it.
3. Is this error caused by my internet provider?
Sometimes. If your ISP DNS is slow, misconfigured, or undergoing maintenance, DNS queries might fail temporarily.
4. How long does it usually take to fix this error?
Anywhere from 10 seconds (clear cache) to 48 hours (DNS propagation) depending on the cause. Most fixes take under 5 minutes.
5. Can clearing the browser cache permanently prevent this error?
No. It helps resolve temporary issues, but long-term reliability requires stable DNS infrastructure ideally through a cloud-based DNS service, an anycast network, and smart routing like VergeCloud’s route navigator.