Why won't a
website open?

1. Run a website check

Start with our free website checker. If the site responds from our server, it suggests the website is accessible from at least one location. If it fails, the issue may involve the target server or the network path between our server and that website. Neither result is definitive worldwide.

2. Try mobile data instead of Wi-Fi

Opening the same website on a different network is a useful comparison. If it works through mobile data but not your home Wi-Fi, investigate your router, broadband service, local DNS configuration or network restrictions.

3. Open a private browsing window

A private window usually starts with a cleaner browser session. If the website works there, try turning off extensions or clearing the affected site's stored data in your usual browser.

4. Check the exact error message

A time-out may indicate a connection problem. A DNS error suggests the name could not be resolved. A 403 response means the server refused access, whereas a 503 generally indicates a server-side availability issue. See our HTTP status code guide.

5. Recheck the address

Small spelling errors and old bookmarks can lead to the wrong domain. Avoid entering account login details or private links into a public checking tool. This checker tests only the domain homepage.

6. Check official service updates

For large apps and services, look for the operator's official status page or service notices. These can be more authoritative than any one-off connectivity test, especially during regional or partial outages.

7. Retry later, then contact support

If the issue continues across multiple devices and networks, record the URL, time and error message before contacting the website owner or your internet provider. This helps narrow down the cause.