Imagine this: you’re all set to write the next great American novel, but when you sit down to your computer, the screen is just blank. You try again and again, but no matter what you do, that pesky message pops up – “SITE CAN’T BE REACHED.”
Don’t worry, your computer isn’t broken – at least not yet. This error can be caused by a number of different factors, ranging from a simple typo in your web address to a more serious issue with your network connection.
In this blog post, we’ll explore five ways to fix the “site can’t be reached” error on Mac computers. Stay tuned!
DNS cache poisoning:
One of the most common causes of the ‘site can’t be reached’ error is DNS cache poisoning. This happens when someone maliciously alters the DNS records for a particular website, redirecting users to a different (and usually malicious) site.
To fix this problem, you can clear your DNS cache by following these steps:
- Open the Terminal application.
- Type in the following command and press Enter: sudo dscacheutil -flushcache
- Type your password when prompted and press Enter again.
- Close the Terminal window.
Your DNS cache should now be cleared and you should be able to access the website in question without any problem. If you’re still having trouble, you can try changing your DNS server to a public DNS server like 8.8.8.8 (Google), 4.2.2.4 (Level 3), or 9.9.9.9 (Quad9). To do this, follow these steps:
- Open System Preferences and click on the Network icon.
- Select the network connection you’re using (e.g. Ethernet or Wi-Fi) and click on the Advanced button at the bottom-right of the window.
- Click on the DNS tab and remove any existing DNS servers by clicking on the minus (-) button.
- Click on the plus (+) button and add one of the following DNS servers: 8.8.8.8, 4.2.2.4, or 9.9.9.9.
- Click on the Apply button to save your changes and then close the window.
Check for a misconfigured firewall
If you’re using a firewall, make sure that it’s configured correctly. If you’re not sure how to do this, contact your network administrator or the manufacturer of your firewall software. This is often the cause of the error message ‘site can’t be reached’.
And this is especially common if you’re trying to access a website from behind a corporate firewall. So, check with your network administrator to see if this is the case.
Restart your router
One of the first things you should try when you see the error message ‘site can’t be reached’ is to restart your router. This will reset your connection to the internet and might fix the problem.
To do this, simply unplug your router from the power outlet, wait a few seconds, and then plug it back in.
Disable IPv6 on your computer:
On Mac, you can turn off IPv6 by going to System Preferences > Network. Select your active network interface (Wi-Fi or Ethernet), then click the “Advanced” button in the lower-right corner.
Under the “IPv6” heading, select “Off”. And finally, click “OK” to save your changes.
If you’re still seeing the “site can’t be reached” error after disabling IPv6, try flushing your DNS cache. This will clear any outdated DNS entries that might be causing problems.
To flush your DNS cache on Mac, open the Terminal and enter the following command: dscacheutil -flushcache
If you’re still having trouble, the next step is to reset your network settings. This will remove any custom DNS entries or other tweaks that might be causing problems.
To reset your network settings on Mac, go to System Preferences > Network. Select your active network interface (Wi-Fi or Ethernet), then click the “Advanced” button in the lower-right corner. Click the “TCP/IP” tab, then click the “Renew DHCP Lease” button. Finally, click “Apply” to save your changes.
Use a different browser
If you are having trouble opening a particular website in Safari, try accessing it using another browser like Google Chrome or Mozilla Firefox.
Clear the cache: Clearing the cache can help resolve many issues related to loading webpages. To clear the cache in Safari, go to Preferences > Advanced and click on the “Show Develop menu” tab. Now, select “Empty Cache” from the Develop menu.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you fix this site can’t be reached on Mac?
You can do the below mentioned steps.
1. Check Safari’s settings
2. Delete the website’s history and cookies
3. Reset Safari
4. Use a different browser
5. Contact the website’s owner or hosting company
How can I fix this site can’t be reached?
A device running Windows 8, Windows 10, Linux, Chrome OS or Android could give the This site can’t be reached error message. You can follow the above mentioned gudielines to resolve this issue.
Why does Google keep saying this site can’t be reached?
It may be that your cached files are causing the “This site cannot be reached” error in some cases. Clear your browser cache in order to resolve that issue. You can clear Chrome’s cache by following these steps. Simply click on Clear Data.
Why some websites are not opening in Chrome on Mac?
You can try checking your Internet connectivity, updating Chrome, restarting your Mac, or removing Chrome extensions if you receive this frustrating message. Can’t figure it out? Try resetting or reinstalling Chrome.
Why does my Mac say Safari Cannot open page?
An Safari Can’t Open the Page error could be caused by a number of factors, such as a slow internet connection, damaged cookies, an invalid URL, or a server problem.
Final Words
While we can’t guarantee that these methods will work for everyone or every device, they are a starting point and have worked for many people in the past. We hope you are able to find a fix for your ‘site can’t be reached’ error on Mac using one of these methods.
If not, please reach out to us in the comments below and we would be happy to help further. Did any of these solutions work for you? Let us know in the comments!
