My Website Doesn’t Open: How Do I Fix an NXDOMAIN Error?

Encountering an error message like Error dns_probe_finished_nxdomain or This site can't be reached - Server IP address could not be found when trying to open your website? These types of errors occur when DNS isn't resolving correctly to the domain name or the hosting server's IP address. Depending on your operating system and browser, you may see a different error message such as:

• Chrome: This site can't be reached. Server IP address could not be found. DNS_PROBE_FINISHED_NXDOMAIN
• Firefox: Hmm. We're having trouble finding that site. We can't connect to the server.
• Edge: Hmmm… can't reach this page. Make sure you've got the right web address.
• Safari: Safari can't find the server. Safari can't open the page because Safari can't find the server.

This is often due to:

• Incorrect DNS records
• A connection issue with your device or network
• Misspelling the domain name in the browser address bar
• A firewall, antivirus, or VPN interfering with access to the website
• The domain is unregistered or expired

Generally, to resolve these types of DNS errors:

• If you have recently pointed a domain, or made changes to DNS records, confirm the new records are entered correctly.
• Clear the browser cache
• Flush your computer's DNS cache

To troubleshoot these types of errors after pointing your domain, first check to see if the DNS records were entered correctly.

How to verify DNS records were added properly

When you point a domain, you usually enter your web host’s nameservers or an A record in the domain’s DNS records. You can use tools like What'sMyDNS to verify that the A record or nameservers were added properly.

If you have used an A record to point a domain to 10Web

1. Enter your domain and select A from the drop down menu.
2. The domain’s A record should match the IPv4 address found in your 10Web dashboard's Datacenter & IP section located under Hosting Services > Credentials.
3. If the A record isn't showing up right, you should correctly point your domain to 10Web.

If you have used nameservers to point a domain to 10Web

1. Enter your domain and select NS from the drop down menu.
2. The nameservers shown in What'sMyDNS should match your 10Web nameservers. Go to Domains and click Details to view the Nameservers section and confirm they are correct.
3. If the nameservers aren't showing up right, you should correctly point your domain to 10Web.

What to do if DNS records are configured properly 

Different caching layers can retain data that may affect your ability to access or view a website. If you recently changed the domain’s DNS records, and you confirmed that the new records are entered correctly, but you’re still getting errors, here are some things you can do to troubleshoot the issue.

Browser cache

Clear the cache in Chrome:

1. Click the 3 vertical dot menu in the upper right corner
2. Hover over More tools
3. Click Clear browsing data
4. Select the time range to delete data from the cache
5. Make sure the Cookies and other site data and Cached images and files options are both checked.
6. Click Clear data

Instead of clearing the browser cache, you can bypass it by checking the site on another device, with a different browser, or in an incognito window.

Chrome DNS cache

Clear Chrome’s DNS cache:

1. Enter chrome://net-internals/dns address in the address bar
2. Click DNS
3. Click Clear host cache
4. Close the tab to exit

Flush the network cache and renew the computer’s IP address

In some cases, you may not see the changes to DNS because of a network cache. To confirm everything is working correctly, please use a different internet connection or see our article for step-by-step instructions on flushing the network cache.

Temporarily disable any antivirus or VPN

Antivirus software and VPNs can both affect network settings. If you are using any of these types of software or services try temporarily disabling them to see if it gets rid of the nxdomain error.