How To Fix Server Ip Address Could Not Be Found In Windows 11

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Experiencing the frustrating "Server IP Address Could Not Be Found" error in Windows 11 can bring your online activities to a screeching halt. But don't worry, you're not alone, and often, the fix is simpler than you might think! Let's dive into a systematic approach to get you back online.

Step 1: Are You Sure It's Not Just a Temporary Glitch?

Before we delve into more technical solutions, let's try the quickest and easiest fixes first.

  • The Refresh Button is Your Friend: Seriously, sometimes the browser just hiccups. Click the refresh button (usually a circular arrow icon) or press the F5 key. You'd be surprised how often this resolves the issue.
  • Try a Different Browser: Is the problem isolated to one browser (like Chrome, Edge, Firefox)? If other browsers are working fine, the issue might be with the specific browser's settings or extensions.

Step 2: Checking Your Internet Connection

A stable internet connection is the foundation of all online activity. Let's ensure yours is working correctly.

  • Step 2.1: The Router and Modem Reboot: This is the classic "turn it off and on again" for your network.
    • Unplug the power cables from your modem and your router.
    • Wait for at least 30 seconds to a minute. This allows the devices to fully discharge.
    • Plug the modem back in and wait for its indicator lights to stabilize (this might take a minute or two).
    • Once the modem is stable, plug the router back in and again, wait for its lights to settle.
    • Now, try accessing the website again.
  • Step 2.2: Check Your Wi-Fi Connection: If you're using Wi-Fi, ensure you're connected to the correct network and that the signal strength is good. Try moving closer to your router if the signal is weak.
  • Step 2.3: Ethernet Connection Check: If you're using a wired (Ethernet) connection, make sure the Ethernet cable is securely plugged into both your computer and the router/modem. Try a different Ethernet cable to rule out a faulty cable.

Step 3: Investigating DNS Issues

The "Server IP Address Could Not Be Found" error often points to problems with the Domain Name System (DNS). DNS servers translate website names (like https://www.google.com/search?q=google.com) into IP addresses that computers understand. If your DNS settings are incorrect or the DNS server is unresponsive, you'll encounter this error.  

  • Step 3.1: Flushing the DNS Cache: Your computer stores previously looked-up DNS information in a cache to speed up browsing. Sometimes, this cache can become corrupted or outdated. Flushing it can resolve the issue.
    • Open Command Prompt as an administrator. You can do this by searching for "cmd" in the Start Menu, right-clicking on "Command Prompt," and selecting "Run as administrator."  
    • In the Command Prompt window, type the following commands one by one, pressing Enter after each: 
      ipconfig /flushdns
      ipconfig /registerdns
      ipconfig /release
      ipconfig /renew
      netsh winsock reset
    • After running all these commands, restart your computer and try accessing the website again.
  • Step 3.2: Changing DNS Servers: Your Internet Service Provider (ISP) automatically assigns DNS servers to your computer. Sometimes, these servers can be slow or unreliable. Switching to public DNS servers like Google Public DNS or Cloudflare DNS can often improve browsing speed and resolve DNS-related errors.
    • Open Control Panel. You can search for it in the Start Menu.
    • Click on Network and Internet.
    • Click on Network and Sharing Center.
    • Click on your active network connection (either Wi-Fi or Ethernet).
    • In the status window that appears, click on Properties.
    • Scroll down and find Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4) and select it.
    • Click on the Properties button.
    • In the "Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4) Properties" window, select the option "Use the following DNS server addresses".
    • Enter the following DNS server addresses:
      • For Google Public DNS:
        • Preferred DNS server: 8.8.8.8
        • Alternate DNS server: 8.8.4.4
         
      • For Cloudflare DNS:
        • Preferred DNS server: 1.1.1.1
        • Alternate DNS server: 1.0.0.1
    • Click OK on all open windows and then try accessing the website.
    • You can also repeat these steps for Internet Protocol Version 6 (TCP/IPv6) and enter the corresponding IPv6 addresses for Google or Cloudflare if your network supports IPv6.

Step 4: Checking Your Firewall and Antivirus Software

Sometimes, your firewall or antivirus software might mistakenly block access to certain websites or interfere with network connections.

  • Step 4.1: Temporarily Disabling Firewall/Antivirus: As a troubleshooting step, temporarily disable your firewall and antivirus software. Then, try accessing the website again.
    • Caution: Only disable your security software temporarily for testing purposes. Remember to re-enable it immediately afterward to protect your system.
    • If disabling the software resolves the issue, you'll need to investigate the settings of your firewall or antivirus to see if the website or its associated IP address is being blocked. You might need to add the website to the "allowlist" or "exceptions" list.

Step 5: Network Adapter Issues

Problems with your network adapter can also lead to connectivity issues.

  • Step 5.1: Updating Network Adapter Drivers: Outdated or corrupted network adapter drivers can cause various network problems.
    • Right-click on the Start Menu and select Device Manager.
    • Expand the Network adapters category.
    • Right-click on your network adapter (it will likely have names like "Wireless Network Adapter" or "Ethernet Controller").
    • Select Update driver.
    • Choose "Search automatically for updated driver software" and follow the on-screen instructions.  
    • If Windows doesn't find a newer driver, you can also visit the website of your computer manufacturer or the network adapter manufacturer to download and install the latest drivers manually.  
  • Step 5.2: Resetting Network Adapter: Sometimes, resetting your network adapter can resolve configuration issues.
    • Open Settings (Windows key + I).
    • Click on Network & internet.
    • Click on Advanced network settings.
    • Click on Network reset.
    • Read the warning carefully and then click on the Reset now button.
    • Your computer will restart. After restarting, you might need to re-enter your Wi-Fi password.

Step 6: Checking the Hosts File

The hosts file is a system file that maps hostnames to IP addresses. If this file has been incorrectly modified, it can prevent you from accessing certain websites.

  • Open File Explorer.
  • Navigate to C:\Windows\System32\drivers\etc.
  • Locate the file named hosts.
  • Open it with a text editor like Notepad.
  • Examine the contents of the file. You should typically only see lines starting with # (comments) or 127.0.0.1 localhost. If you see any other entries that look like website addresses, they might be causing the issue.
  • If you find any suspicious entries, you can comment them out by adding a # at the beginning of the line or delete them.
  • Save the changes to the hosts file and try accessing the website again.

Step 7: Running the Network Troubleshooter

Windows 11 has a built-in network troubleshooter that can automatically diagnose and fix common network problems.

  • Open Settings (Windows key + I).
  • Click on Network & internet.
  • Click on Advanced network settings.
  • Click on Network troubleshooter.
  • Follow the on-screen instructions and let the troubleshooter attempt to identify and fix the problem.

Step 8: Checking Date and Time Settings

Believe it or not, incorrect date and time settings on your computer can sometimes interfere with secure website connections and lead to errors.

  • Right-click on the date and time displayed in the taskbar.
  • Select Adjust date/time.
  • Ensure that the "Set time automatically" and "Set time zone automatically" options are turned on. If not, turn them on.
  • If these options are already on, you can try turning them off and then back on.

Step 9: Considering Your ISP

If you've tried all the steps above and are still facing the issue, the problem might be with your Internet Service Provider (ISP). There could be a temporary outage or a problem with their DNS servers. Contact your ISP to inquire about any known issues in your area.

Step 10: When All Else Fails: System Restore

If you recently made significant changes to your system (installed new software, updated drivers, etc.) and the problem started occurring afterward, you might consider performing a System Restore to revert your system to a previous working state.

  • Search for "Create a restore point" in the Start Menu and open it.
  • Click on the System Restore... button.
  • Follow the on-screen instructions to choose a restore point before the issue started.
  • Caution: System Restore might remove recently installed programs and drivers, so back up any important data before proceeding.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

How to flush the DNS cache in Windows 11?

Open Command Prompt as administrator and run the command ipconfig /flushdns.

How to change DNS servers in Windows 11?

Go to Control Panel > Network and Internet > Network and Sharing Center > click on your connection > Properties > Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4) > Properties > Use the following DNS server addresses. Enter your preferred and alternate DNS servers.  

How to reset my router and modem?

Unplug the power cables from both devices, wait for 30-60 seconds, plug the modem back in, wait for it to stabilize, and then plug the router back in.

How to update network adapter drivers in Windows 11?

Open Device Manager > expand Network adapters > right-click on your adapter > Update driver > Search automatically for updated driver software.

How to reset the network adapter in Windows 11?

Open Settings > Network & internet > Advanced network settings > Network reset > Reset now.

How to check the hosts file in Windows 11?

Open File Explorer and navigate to C:\Windows\System32\drivers\etc. Open the 'hosts' file with a text editor and check for any unusual entries.

How to run the network troubleshooter in Windows 11?

Open Settings > Network & internet > Advanced network settings > Network troubleshooter.

How to temporarily disable the Windows 11 firewall?

Search for "Windows Defender Firewall" in the Start Menu > Turn Windows Defender Firewall on or off > select "Turn off Windows Defender Firewall (not recommended)" for both private and public networks (remember to turn it back on!).  

How to check my Wi-Fi connection strength in Windows 11?

Look at the Wi-Fi icon in the system tray. The number of bars indicates the signal strength. You can also go to Settings > Network & internet > Wi-Fi and see the connection details.

How to perform a system restore in Windows 11?

Search for "Create a restore point" in the Start Menu > click System Restore... > choose a restore point before the issue occurred and follow the prompts.

Hopefully, by following these steps, you'll be able to resolve the "Server IP Address Could Not Be Found" error and get back to seamless browsing in Windows 11! Remember to be patient and try each step systematically. Good luck!

 
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How To Fix Server Ip Address Could Not Be Found In Windows 11

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