"This site can't be reached": why your website will not load and how to fix it

Chrome shows this page when it cannot get any answer from your site. The words under the headline tell you why. Read them first. Each one points to a different fix.

Match the code under the message

1. DNS_PROBE_FINISHED_NXDOMAIN. The name does not point anywhere. The domain may have expired, or its DNS records were deleted. Log in to the registrar and check the expiry date and the nameservers.
2. ERR_CONNECTION_REFUSED. The server is there but nothing is listening. The web server is stopped, or a firewall blocks ports 80 and 443. On a VPS, sudo systemctl status nginx (or apache2) and sudo ufw status.
3. ERR_CONNECTION_TIMED_OUT. The address points to a server that does not answer at all. Often the DNS still points to an old host after a move. Compare the A record with the IP your new host gave you.
4. "took too long to respond". Same as a timeout. Also check your host's status page, and whether your account was suspended for an unpaid bill.
5. ERR_NAME_NOT_RESOLVED on one computer only. Your own network or cache. Try the site on mobile data. If it works there, the site is fine. Flush your DNS or wait for the change to spread.

Check it yourself

Run dig +short yourdomain.com. No answer means a DNS problem. An answer means DNS is fine, so run curl -sI https://yourdomain.com to see if the server replies.

Want the rest of your site checked after it is back? Run a free 40-point check at tinkeraudit.com.