Browser not loading pages

Summary

This guide helps you troubleshoot and resolve: Browser not loading pages. Follow the steps below to fix the issue.

Common Causes

This guide helps 220.com.au clients troubleshoot when their browser won’t load web pages. Work through the steps in order, starting with the quick fixes before moving to detailed troubleshooting.

Quick Fixes to Try First

1. Check your internet connection – try loading a website on your phone.
2. Try a different website – is it just one page or all websites?
3. Check if it’s just one browser – try Chrome if you’re using Edge, or vice‑versa.

Detailed Troubleshooting

Step 1: Basic Checks

• Make sure Wi‑Fi is connected (look at the taskbar icon). If you’re having trouble connecting, see How to connect to Wi‑Fi.
• Check if other devices can load websites.
• Try loading the page again.
• Verify that your computer’s date and time are correct – incorrect settings can cause SSL/TLS certificate errors that prevent pages from loading.
• Ensure your browser is up to date, as outdated browsers may fail to load modern websites.

Step 2: Clear Browser Cache (Quick Method)

Microsoft Edge

1. Press Ctrl + Shift + Delete.
2. Set the time range to “All time”.
3. Check “Cached images and files”.
4. Click Clear now.
5. Refresh the page (F5).

Google Chrome

1. Press Ctrl + Shift + Delete.
2. Select “All time”.
3. Check “Cached images and files”.
4. Click Clear data.
5. Refresh the page.

Mozilla Firefox

1. Press Ctrl + Shift + Delete.
2. Choose “Everything” for the time range.
3. Check “Cache”.
4. Click Clear now.
5. Refresh the page.

Safari (macOS/iOS)

1. Open Safari’s Preferences.
2. Go to the “Privacy” tab.
3. Click “Manage Website Data…”.
4. Select “Remove All”.
5. Close the window and reload the page.

Step 3: Try Incognito/Private Mode

• Edge: Press Ctrl + Shift + N.
• Chrome: Press Ctrl + Shift + N.
• Firefox: Press Ctrl + Shift + P.
• Load the page in this mode. If it works, a browser extension is likely causing the issue – disable extensions one at a time to identify the culprit.

Step 4: Check Internet Settings

1. Legacy method: Press Win + R, type inetcpl.cpl, press Enter.
2. Modern method (Windows 10/11): Settings → Network & Internet → Proxy.
3. In either view, go to the Connections tab and click LAN settings.
4. Make sure “Automatically detect settings” is checked.
5. Uncheck “Use a proxy server” unless you genuinely need one.

Step 5: Restart Your Router

1. Unplug the power from your router.
2. Wait 30 seconds.
3. Plug it back in.
4. Wait for it to fully restart (2–3 minutes).
5. Try loading the page again.

Step 6: Flush DNS (Advanced)

1. Press Win + S, type cmd.
2. Right‑click Command Prompt and select Run as administrator.
3. Type ipconfig /flushdns and press Enter.
4. (Optional) If problems persist, you may run ipconfig /release followed by ipconfig /renew to obtain a new IP address.
5. Close the window and try again.

Step 7: Disable VPN (if applicable)

• If you are using a corporate or personal VPN, temporarily disconnect it and test the website again. Some VPN split‑tunnel configurations can interfere with DNS or proxy settings.
• For guidance on corporate VPN connections, see Connecting to company VPN from home.

Step 8: Check Security Software and Hosts File

• Temporarily disable your antivirus or firewall to see if it’s blocking the connection. If this resolves the issue, add your browser as an exception in the security software. See Antivirus alerts – what to do for detailed steps.
• Check the Windows hosts file (C:\Windows\System32\drivers\etc\hosts) for any unauthorised entries that may be redirecting websites.

Step 9: Update Windows

Outdated Windows components can cause networking issues. Make sure your operating system is fully updated. See How to update Windows for instructions.

Additional Guidance for macOS, iOS and Android

• Clear the browser cache via the browser’s settings (Safari, Chrome, Firefox, Edge).
• Restart the device.
• Check that Wi‑Fi is connected and that you have a stable signal.
• If you use a VPN app, disconnect it and test connectivity.
• Ensure the device’s date and time are set to automatic.

When to Get Help

Contact our support team if:

• You can load some websites but not others (specific site issue).
• Multiple browsers and devices can’t load any websites (network issue).
• You receive specific error codes – write them down to share with support.
• Your computer is running slowly in addition to browser issues – see Computer running slow.

Our team is ready to help: Open a Ticket.

Still Having Issues?