The site can’t be reached, ERR_ADDRESS_INVALID error encountered while opening a particular website indicates that the browser cannot connect to the requested website as the address is invalid or incorrect. In this article, we look into the possible causes of the error and the steps we must follow to resolve the issue.
Possible Causes of the error ERR_ADDRESS_INVALID
Network Connectivity Issues: Problems like the Internet not working, network congestion, incorrect DNS settings, etc., may prevent the device from resolving the website address successfully and obstruct proper communication between the web server and the device, leading to the error. Even temporary website outages or restrictions from the ISP end may also restrict website traffic, making it difficult for the user to access the target website.
Server-side problems: Suppose the website’s server is undergoing maintenance, experiencing temporary downtime, or experiencing unusually high traffic. In that case, it may not be able to respond to the requests made from the client end. Also, whenever DNS records are being updated at the server end, it may take a while for the settings to be adequate or distributed across the entire network, resulting in an error message.
Browser issues: At times, corrupted cache or cookies and possible conflicts with browser extensions may be responsible for the inability to connect to websites successfully. Additionally, a few browser extensions may filter network data packets, preventing the browser from connecting to the target website.
Fix ERR_ADDRESS_INVALID in Chrome on Windows 11
To fix The site can’t be reached, ERR ADDRESS INVALID error in Chrome on Windows 11/10 which you might get while browsing the web, follow these suggestions:
- Check the network connectivity and reset the Network settings
- Delete browser cache and cookies
- Restore Browser to default settings
- Disable Third-party Firewall and Antivirus temporarily
- Disable Browser Extensions
- Check Hosts File.
1] Check network connectivity and Reset Network settings
The first step towards resolving the issue is to check whether the internet connection is active. We can start by checking the physical connection and then try to open other websites.
Additionally, the Internet Connection Troubleshooter can also be used to identify and fix any network problems.
Resetting the network components like TCP/IP or Winsock also helps us renew and re-establish the protocol settings for the network connection, thereby resetting incorrect configurations or any other temporary glitches. To do so:
- Open the Windows Terminal by typing cmd on the Desktop Search Bar, and click on Run as Administrator.
- Enter the below-mentioned commands one by one on the terminal prompt:
Netsh winsock reset Netsh int ip reset ipconfig /release ip/config /renew ipconfig /flushdns
Here:
- Netsh winsock reset: This resets the Windows Network Sockets database, which stores information about network protocols. It can help resolve issues arising from corrupt socket settings.
- Netsh int ip reset: Resets the TCP/IP settings, including the IP address, subnet mask, etc. If the error arises from network connection IP address problems, this could help us re-initialize the settings.
- ipconfig /release: This command releases the IP address currently assigned to the network adapter. Releasing the IP can be helpful if the address has been incorrectly assigned or if there is a conflict concerning the IP address with other devices.
- ipconfig /renew: After the IP address has been released, this command allows the network adapter to acquire a new address dynamically through the DHCP Server. This could help us avoid address conflicts with other devices or if an incorrect address was assigned.
- ipconfig /flushdns: This command clears the DNS cache, which maintains the record of the domain names and the corresponding IP addresses. If the error is arising from incorrect DNS settings or outdated DNS records, clearing the DNS cache can help restore the correct or default settings.
2] Delete browser cache and cookies
Cookies generally track preferences and history, while the browser cache stores temporary data and files. However, these details may get corrupted over time and interfere with website connections, leading to errors. Hence, clearing the cache can ensure that the browser works with the correct details, thereby preventing errors.
- Open the Chrome Browser and click on More (3 dots) at the top right corner.
- Click on Delete browsing data under the Privacy and Security tab and select the date range for deleting the said data.
- Select the cache and cookies options by clicking on the check box beside them and then clicking on Clear Data.
3] Restore Browser to default settings
- Click on the three dots at the top right corner after opening the Chrome browser and click on the Settings option
- Navigate to Reset settings > Restore settings to their original defaults, then click on Reset settings.
4] Disable Third-party Firewall and Antivirus temporarily
Even though antivirus and firewalls are meant to safeguard the system from virus or malware attacks, they may also block safe programs. If you use a Third-party Firewall and Antivirus, you should disable it and see if it helps.
Check if the issue gets resolved. If yes, you must configure the firewall to allow the app through it.
5] Disable browser extensions
Browser extensions may sometimes interfere with normal browsing functions due to conflicts, resulting in invalid address errors. To disable the Extensions:
- Open the Browser and click on the three dots at the top right.
- Click on Extensions and toggle OFF the extensions on the next page.
6] Check Hosts File
The Host file is a text file that maps the domain names to their corresponding IP address. It is present in the local system, and incorrect entries in this file may direct us to an invalid web page, leading to the error. To check the file:
- Navigate to C:\Windows\System32\drivers\etc folder
- Right-click on the hosts file and choose Notepad after clicking on Open with.
- Check for any irregular or suspicious entries
- You can use PowerToys to edit the HOST file directly.
If you wish, you can also reset the Hosts file to default.
Why my IP address cannot be reached?
The “Server IP Address Could Not Be Found” error usually indicates a network connectivity issue. This can happen due to incorrect network settings, a faulty network adapter, or problems with your router or modem.
Read: How to fix ERR_ADDRESS_UNREACHABLE Chrome error
How to find IP address of a website?
To find a website’s IP address, use the “ping” command in your terminal. Type “ping [website address]” (e.g., “ping bing.com”). The response will show the IP address.
