Are you trying to access the site from a smartphone, but instead of the page you see the inscription “The web page could not be opened”** (or ERR_NAME_NOT_RESOLVED, NET::ERR_INTERNET_DISCONNECTED)? This error occurs on all devices running Android —from budget Redmi to flagship Samsung Galaxy S23. The reasons can be either trivial (lack of Internet) or complex (a failure in the DNS settings or a conflict with the VPN).

Unlike errors on a PC, where diagnosis is easier, on smartphones the problem is often disguised as “no connection,” although in fact the Internet is working. We will analyze 10 proven methods —from elementary to advanced—that will help restore access to sites. Important: some methods require administrator rights or access to hidden settings Android, so read carefully.

If the error appears only on one site (for example, VKontakte or YouTube), most likely the problem is on the resource side. Try opening it from another device. If not a single page is loaded —we proceed to diagnostics.

1. Checking your Internet connection

Start with the obvious: make sure that the smartphone is actually connected to the network. The 4G/5G or Wi-Fi icon in the status bar does not always mean working Internet. Here's how to check the connection:

  • 📶 mobile data: Open Settings → SIM cards and mobile networks. Make sure the switch Mobile data is active. If the mode is enabled Traffic saving, some sites may be blocked.
  • 🌐 Wi-Fi: Go to Settings → Wi-Fi, tap on your network and check the status Connected. Try loading another site (for example google.com) - if it does not open, the problem is in the router.
  • 🔄 Airplane mode: Sometimes it is activated accidentally. Pull down the notification shade and turn off Airplane mode.

If there is Internet, but the pages do not load, try restart your smartphone. This will reset temporary network settings. On Samsung and Xiaomi hold the power button + volume up, on Google Pixel only the power button.

📊 What browser do you use on Android?
Google Chrome
Opera
Firefox
Samsung Internet
Other

2. Clearing the cache and browser data

A clogged cache is one of the most common causes of the error. Browsers (Chrome, Opera, Firefox) save temporary files, which over time can interfere with page loading. How to clean:

  1. Open Settings → Applications.
  2. Find your browser (for example, Google Chrome) and tap on it.
  3. Select Storage → Clear cache.
  4. If that doesn't help, click Clear data (this will delete all saved passwords and bookmarks!).

For Chrome there is an alternative way:

  1. Open the browser, tap on ⋮ (three dots) → History → Clear data.
  2. Select All the time, check Cookies and site data + Cached images.
  3. Click Delete data.

☑️ Checklist before cleaning cache

Completed: 0 / 4

Attention: if after clearing the data the browser asks you to log in to your account again Google, use the same email address as before. Otherwise, synchronization of bookmarks may be lost.

3. Changing DNS servers

If the error appears with the wording DNS_PROBE_FINISHED_NXDOMAIN or ERR_NAME_NOT_RESOLVED, the problem is DNS servers. By default, the smartphone uses your ISP's DNS, which may be overloaded or blocked. The solution is to switch to public DNS from Google or Cloudflare.

Instructions for Android 10+:

  1. Open Settings → Network and Internet → Wi-Fi.
  2. Tap on your network → Change network → Advanced.
  3. In the field IP settings select Static.
  4. In lines DNS 1 and DNS 2 enter: 
    8.8.8.8

    8.8.4.4

    (this is DNS from Google) or

    1.1.1.1

    1.0.0.1

    (DNS from Cloudflare).

  5. Save the settings and reconnect to Wi-Fi.

For mobile data (3G/4G/5G) you can change DNS only through applications like DNS Changer (requires root-rights on some devices).

Why does DNS affect the opening of sites?

DNS servers translate website addresses (for example, vk.com) into IP addresses that devices can understand. If DNS is not working or is blocked, the browser cannot find it. page, although there is Internet.

4. Checking for viruses and malware

Some viruses change network settings or change DNS, which is why sites do not open. This is especially common after installing pirated applications or games from unverified sources. You can check your smartphone using:

  • 🛡️ Built-in scanner: On Samsung This McAfee (in Settings → Biometrics and security), on Xiaomi — Security.
  • 🔍 Third-party antiviruses: Malwarebytes, Dr.Web Light or Kaspersky Mobile. Download only from Google Play!
  • 📱 Manual check: Open Settings → Applications and check the list for suspicious apps (for example, with names like System Update or Flash Player).

If the antivirus finds threats, remove them and restart the device. After that, check whether the sites open. If the problem persists, reset the network settings (more on this below).

⚠️ Attention: Some banking Trojans (for example, Faketoken) block access to bank websites. If you suspect such an infection, immediately disable mobile banking and contact bank support.

5. Resetting network settings

If the previous methods did not help, try Reset network settings. This will return to factory settings:

  • Settings Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, Mobile data.
  • Saved network passwords.
  • VPN settings (if were used).

Instructions:

  1. Open Settings → System → Reset (on some devices the path may differ: Settings → Advanced → Reset settings).
  2. Select Reset network settings (or Reset Wi-Fi, mobile network and Bluetooth).
  3. Confirm the action. Smartphone will reboot.

After the reset, you will have to reconnect to all Wi-Finetworks and configure VPN (if used). This method helps in 70% of cases when the error is associated with a conflict of network parameters.

💡

Before resetting the network settings, save your passwords. Wi-Fi in notepad or take a screenshot of the list of networks in the settings.

6. Disabling VPN and proxies

VPN services (for example, NordVPN, ProtonVPN) and proxies may block access to some sites due to geo-restrictions or server failures. try:

  • 🔌 Disable VPN: Pull down the notification shade and tap on the VPN icon (or open the application and click Disconnect).
  • 🚫 Delete VPN application: If disabling does not help, uninstall the app via Settings → Applications.
  • ⚙️ Check proxy: Open Settings → Wi-Fi, tap on your network → Change network → Advanced. Make sure that the field Proxy is set to No.

Some applications (for example, Orbot for Tor) create local proxiesthat may conflict with the browser. If you installed them, remove or disable them.

⚠️ Attention: On some firmware (for example, MIUI from Xiaomi) the built-in Private DNS can work as a proxy. Disable it in Settings → Network and Internet → Private DNS.

7. Updating the browser and Android

Outdated versions of browsers or Android may contain errors due to which pages do not open. For example, Chrome 100+ fixed bugs with processing HTTP/3, and Android 12 improved support DNS-over-HTTPS.

How to update:

  • 🌐 Browser: Open Google Play, find your browser (for example, Chrome) and click Refresh.
  • 🤖 Android: Go to Settings → System → System update. If an update is available, install it.

If the update Android is not available, check whether the manufacturer is blocking it (relevant for devices older than 3-4 years). In this case, only manual firmware (risky without experience!) will help.

Android version Supported browsers Recommendation
Android 9 and below Chrome 80–99, Firefox ESR Update to Android 10+ or use Firefox Focus
Android 10–11 Chrome 100+, Opera, Samsung Internet Update your browser to the latest version
Android 12+ All modern browsers The problem is most likely in the network or DNS

8. Checking the hosts file and rooting

If you have ever obtained rootrights or installed custom firmware, the problem may lie in a modified file hosts. This file blocks access to certain sites at the system level. To check it:

  1. Install a file manager with access to the root folder (for example, Root Explorer or FX File Explorer).
  2. Go to the path /system/etc/hosts.
  3. Open the file with a text editor. If there are lines like 127.0.0.1 vk.com, delete them (leaving only 127.0.0.1 localhost).
  4. Save the file and reboot your smartphone.

If you did not root or install custom firmware, you can skip this section - the standard hosts file does not cause errors.

⚠️ Attention: Editing system files without root-rights or through unverified applications can lead to brick (breakage) of the device. If you are not sure, contact a specialist.

FAQ: Frequently asked questions

Why does the error appear on only one site?

Most likely, the problem is on the site’s side (for example, the SSL certificate has expired) or your provider/VPN is blocking it. Try opening the site through Tor Browser or from another device. If it does not open everywhere, wait until the site administrators fix the error.

After resetting the settings, Wi-Fi stopped working. What to do?

The IP settings may have gone wrong. Go to the Wi-Fi settings, tap on your network → Change network → Advanced and select DHCP (automatically obtain IP). If this does not help, manually enter the IP address (for example, 192.168.1.100), where the first three digits must match the router address.

Can I fix the error without resetting the settings?

Yes, in most cases In some cases, clearing the browser cache, changing DNS, or disabling the VPN helps. Resetting the network is a last resort if other methods have not worked.

The error appears only in Chrome, but everything works in Firefox. What's the matter?

Probably the problem is in the settings Chrome. Try:

  1. Disable extensions (enter in the address bar chrome://extensions).
  2. Reset browser settings: Settings → System → Reset settings.
  3. Reinstall Chrome.
There is no button on the phone “Resetting network settings.” What to do?

On some firmware (for example, ColorOS from Oppo) this option is hidden. Try:

  1. Enter the query “reset” in the settings search.
  2. Use code ##7378423## (for Sony) or *#9900# (for Samsung).
  3. Reset all settings to factory settings (will delete all data!).