How to Fix ‘This Site Can’t Be Reached’ Error in WordPress

Introduction

Few things are more frustrating than trying to open your WordPress website only to be greeted with the dreaded “This Site Can’t Be Reached” error. Whether you’re the site owner or just a visitor, seeing that message can feel like hitting a brick wall. The problem is, the error doesn’t explain much—it could mean a small network hiccup, a DNS issue, or something misconfigured on your WordPress hosting.

The good news? This error is usually fixable, and you don’t have to be a tech wizard to sort it out. In this guide, we’ll cover what causes the “This Site Can’t Be Reached” error in WordPress, and walk you through practical solutions to get your site back online. From quick fixes you can try on your browser to server-side adjustments, you’ll learn step by step how to diagnose and fix the issue.

Let’s get started.

---

What Does ‘This Site Can’t Be Reached’ Mean in WordPress?

This error typically shows up in browsers like Chrome when your site can’t establish a connection. In WordPress, it often points to one of these underlying issues:

• Network connection problems on your device.
• DNS misconfiguration, making your domain unreachable.
• Faulty plugins or themes causing server errors.
• Corrupt .htaccess file or misconfigured site settings.
• Hosting server downtime or firewall restrictions.

In short, it’s your browser telling you, “I can’t talk to the site right now.” The challenge is figuring out why.

---

How to Fix ‘This Site Can’t Be Reached’ Error in WordPress

Now let’s roll up our sleeves and go through the most effective fixes.

---

1. Check Your Internet Connection and Browser

Start simple before diving into server tweaks. Sometimes the issue is local.

• Restart your Wi-Fi or switch to mobile data.
• Clear your browser cache and cookies.
• Try accessing the site in Incognito Mode.
• Test from a different browser or device.

If the site works elsewhere, the problem is on your device—not the WordPress setup.

---

2. Flush DNS and Reset TCP/IP

If DNS is outdated or misconfigured, your site may appear unreachable.

On Windows:

1. Open Command Prompt and type: ipconfig /flushdns
2. Hit Enter, then restart your browser.

On Mac:

1. Open Terminal and type: sudo dscacheutil -flushcache; sudo killall -HUP mDNSResponder
2. Enter your password when prompted.

This clears old DNS records so your computer fetches a fresh connection.

---

3. Test DNS Server Settings

Sometimes, your ISP’s DNS server is slow or unresponsive. Switching to Google’s or Cloudflare’s often fixes the issue.

• Google DNS: 8.8.8.8 and 8.8.4.4
• Cloudflare DNS: 1.1.1.1 and 1.0.0.1

Update these in your network settings, then try reloading your WordPress site.

---

4. Deactivate Faulty WordPress Plugins or Themes

If the issue isn’t on your device, it may be within WordPress itself.

1. Access your site via FTP or File Manager.
2. Navigate to wp-content/plugins.
3. Rename the plugins folder to something like plugins_backup.
4. Try loading your site.

• If it works, one of your plugins caused the issue. Rename the folder back and reactivate plugins one by one to find the culprit.
• If not, repeat the process for your theme folder under wp-content/themes.

---

5. Fix a Corrupt .htaccess File

A broken .htaccess file can also cause the “This Site Can’t Be Reached” error.

1. Access your site files via FTP.
2. Locate .htaccess in the root directory.
3. Rename it to .htaccess_old.
4. Log in to WordPress → Settings → Permalinks and click Save Changes.

This generates a fresh .htaccess file with default rules.

---

6. Check WordPress Site URL Settings

If your site URL is misconfigured, WordPress may try to load from the wrong address.

• Log in to your WordPress dashboard.
• Go to Settings → General.
• Ensure both WordPress Address (URL) and Site Address (URL) are correct and start with https://.

If you can’t access the dashboard, edit these values directly in the wp-config.php file.

---

7. Contact Your Hosting Provider

If none of the above works, the issue may be server-side:

• Firewall blocking connections.
• Hosting downtime.
• Misconfigured server settings.

Reach out to your hosting support team with details of the error. They can check logs and restore access.

---

Preventing the Error in the Future

Once you fix the problem, take a few preventive steps to avoid running into it again:

• Keep WordPress core, themes, and plugins updated.
• Regularly back up your site.
• Monitor uptime with tools like UptimeRobot.
• Use a reliable DNS provider.
• Avoid installing unverified plugins.

A little maintenance goes a long way in keeping your site consistently reachable.

---

Quick Recap

To fix the “This Site Can’t Be Reached” error in WordPress, you can:

1. Check internet and browser issues.
2. Flush DNS and reset TCP/IP.
3. Switch DNS servers.
4. Disable plugins or themes.
5. Regenerate .htaccess.
6. Verify WordPress URL settings.
7. Contact hosting support if needed.

Most issues boil down to DNS, plugins, or misconfigured server settings—and all can be fixed with a few straightforward steps.

---

Final Thoughts

Seeing the “This Site Can’t Be Reached” error in WordPress can be stressful, but it doesn’t have to derail your site for long. By methodically checking your network, DNS, WordPress configuration, and server setup, you can identify the cause and bring your site back online quickly.

Remember, prevention is just as important as troubleshooting. Regular updates, backups, and monitoring will help you catch issues before they affect your visitors.

Want more WordPress troubleshooting tips? Check out our other guides to keep your site healthy, fast, and always online.