How to remove the Frequently Visited section from your iPhone’s Safari browser

IMPORTANT NOTE: As of iOS 12, Apple has moved the Frequently Visited section to a new location. It is now located under the History tab in Safari.

The Frequently Visited section of Safari on your iPhone can be quite handy, as it shows you a list of websites that you have visited frequently. However, there may be times when you want to remove some or all of the websites from this list, and this is where this guide comes in. Follow the steps below to learn how to remove websites from the Frequently Visited section of Safari on your iPhone.

Also Read:

How to Fix Safari Can’t Establish a Secure Connection

How to Uninstall and Reinstall Safari for Mac

How to clear your Frequently Visited history in Safari on iPhone

In Safari, your Frequently Visited sites are based on your browsing history, the websites you visit most often. If you don’t want a website to appear in your Frequently Visited list, you can remove it.

Here’s how:

1. Open Safari and tap.
2. Tap Frequently Visited.

Tap Edit and then do any of the following:

• Tap next to a website to remove it from your Frequently Visited list.
• Tap Clear All to remove all websites from your Frequently Visited list.

How to disable the Frequently Visited section in Safari on iPhone

Launch the Settings app on your iPhone. Tap Safari. Toggle off Frequently Visited Sites. Tap Done to save your changes.

How to stop Safari from suggesting Frequently Visited sites on your iPhone

When you open a new tab in Safari on your iPhone, you may see some suggestions for frequently visited website domains. If you don’t want these domains to show up anymore, there’s a way to stop Safari from suggesting them.

In the Safari app, tap the bookmarks icon (the open book).

Tap History.

Tap Clear at the bottom of the screen.

Tap Clear History and Website Data.

You may also want to turn off Frequently Visited Sites in the Safari settings. To do this, go to Settings > Safari and toggle off Frequently Visited Sites.

How to make Safari stop automatically adding Frequently Visited sites on iPhone

If you don’t want Safari to automatically add Frequently Visited sites to your iPhone, there’s an easy way to turn it off. Just follow these steps:

1. Open the Settings app on your iPhone and tap Safari.
2. Scroll down to the Frequently Visited Sites section and tap the switch next to Add Frequently Visited Sites to Off.

How to keep Safari from automatically adding Frequently Visited sites on iPhone

If you don’t want Safari to add Frequently Visited sites to your history, you can turn off the feature in Settings. Here’s how:

1. Open Safari.
2. Tap the Bookmarks icon.
3. Tap History.
4. Tap Frequently Visited.
5. Turn off Frequently Visited sites.

How to stop Safari from automatically adding Frequently Visited sites to your iPhone’s home screen

When you open Safari on your iPhone, it automatically loads any Frequently Visited sites that you have set up. If you don’t want these sites to appear on your home screen anymore, here’s how to stop them from appearing:

1. Open the Settings app on your iPhone.
2. Scroll down and tap Safari.
3. Scroll down to the bottom of the page and tap Clear History and Website Data.
4. Tap Clear History and Data again to confirm.

Now when you open Safari, your Frequently Visited sites will no longer appear on your home screen.

How to make Safari stop suggesting Frequently Visited sites on your iPhone

Starting in iOS 11, Apple introduced a feature in Safari that suggests websites based on your browsing habits. This feature can be helpful if you want to quickly revisit a site you’ve been to before, but it can also be frustrating if Safari keeps suggesting sites that you don’t visit frequently.

If you want to stop Safari from suggesting Frequently Visited sites on your iPhone, there are a few different ways you can go about it. One way is to simply turn off the Frequently Visited feature in Safari’s settings. Another way is to clear your browsing history and data, which will reset Safari’s suggestions. And finally, you can use a different browser altogether if you don’t want Safari to keep track of your web activity.

We’ll go over all of these options below so you can choose the best method for stopping Safari from suggesting Frequently Visited sites on your iPhone.

The post How to Remove Frequently Visited on iPhone appeared first on Platform to Showcase Innovative Startups and Tech News.

In a world where everyone seems to be on Netflix and Hotstar, some people still prefer to stream their favorite digital media channels. Roku is a device that does exactly that. It allows a user to stream services like Netflix, Prime, et cetera. But it also allows streaming other channels such as Red Bull TV, BBC sports. With the Roku device, you can access free channels, subscription channels, Authenticated cable channels, and Rent-or-buy channels.

It has a fairly simple set-up. Plug the Roku device into your smart TV. Log into your Roku account. Start streaming free content. It’s that simple. Roku makes TV watching affordable and hassle-free. It can replace your expensive cable set equipment and be a home for all your entertainment needs. As long as those needs are watching digital media and content.

A little dive into the company’s history

Roku Pioneered the current phenomenon of streaming TV back in 2008. Back in 2007, Netflix was planning to launch its own set-top box. It was already in production, and almost everything was planned and ready. The then CEO of Netflix, Reed Hastings, started having second thoughts. He figured that this launch would make other companies not put Netflix on their devices.

Hastings and the company finally decided to launch a spin-off product. This product was finally named Roku and made its debut in 2008. Now Roku was free to put other services like Amazon Prime and other subscription platforms. In 2008, the first generation of Netflix streaming player was released as Roku.

The Roku devices enjoy Roku OS. The Hardware runs on a heavily modified version of Linux. The operating system was meant to be as simple as possible for a smooth experience. But it also needed to be powerful enough to support all the streaming services. Hence, Linux was the best choice. For this reason, any other OS’s apps cannot be installed on Roku. Roku’s sole purpose was to replace the cable and present a compact, all-in-one streaming solution.

Roku was never meant to surf the internet, and that is why there is a lack of browsers that can run on Roku. One can do basic browsing and search but not the heavy stuff. Anything that requires complex JavaScript, flash player, shockwave, or cookies will fail.

Benefits of using a Roku Device

The lack of browsers is noticeable to those who want something that the Roku devices never offered. They offer a seamless streaming service, not internet surfing. Nothing can be taken away from what they promised. But there are many advantages to look at if we can sideline the Roku web browser for a while.

1. Free content

Roku comes with a long list of free channels. It includes the Roku channel, The CW, CBS News, PBS Kids, iHeartRadio, and more. Plus, all the new Roku devices come with free trials to subscription channels so that you can experience and decide which ones you want to continue.

2. Catch-up TV

With Roku, you also get access to the channels like BBC iPlayer, STV player, et cetera. You can catch up on TV whenever you like.

3. Access to music

With Roku, you get dedicated music channels. These music channels include Youtube Music, Vevo, Box plus, and tune in. Never miss out on awesome and new music.

4. More content and a lot of it

What could be better than being able to watch original material, new TV shows, and blockbuster movies on channels like NOW TV, Rakuten TV, Netflix, Amazon Video, Sky, and even Google Play? You may use Media Player Pro to play both audio and video at the same time, and it supports a wide range of media formats. There are a few channels that will demand you to pay for their material, such as Netflix, in addition to offering a plethora of free channels for you to watch the latest episodes. In addition, depending on where you live, some channels may vary their availability.

Does Roku have a web browser?

As mentioned above, Roku’s purpose was to provide a streamlined streaming service. In the past, there were Roku web browsers, but they were never not available. All those web browsers were third-party.  There are no native apps.

Recently all the third-party web browsers available on the Roku store have been taken down. They made the Roku experience laggy and irrational which was against Roku’s intention. But we live in an era of hacks and workarounds. There are many paths that lead to the Roku web browser and we will discuss it further.

Can you get a Web browser on Roku?

YES! Even though the company didn’t intend to have a browser on Roku. But many people like to get more out of one device and rightly so. Many people need browsers to mirror zoom calls, access unique forums, or look up something in between watch parties.

Casting is one of the most common and easiest ways to use internet browsers on Roku. The free Roku Web Browsers described in this post can be viewed by casting a perfectly functioning web browser app on Roku from a computer, smartphone, or tablet. This implies that the web browser, like any other internet-connected device, is presented with fluid browsing.

How to get a Roku Web Browser? Look at the following ways:

Via smartphone method

You can download apps like “Webcast video” to cast a web browser to your Roku device. This app works on IOS and Android. The app offers seamless navigation. You can cast an entire web browser using this. Just follow these steps:

1. Download “Webcast video” from the app store.
2. Launch and set up the app.
3. Make sure Roku and the smartphone are on the same network
4. Open the browser you want to cast on Roku.
5. Tap on the cast icon to cast the internet browser on Roku.
   There you go, now you have a web browser for Roku

Via computer method

Just like smartphones, you can use a computer to cast a web browser on your Roku device. The following method is described for the Chrome web browser but can be modified a bit for other browsers that support casting or mirroring.

1. Make sure that the Roku device and the computer are on the same WiFi network.
2. Open the Chrome web browser and click on the three vertical dots on the top right corner of the chrome window
3. Click on the cast and wait for Roku to appear.
4. Choose the Roku device and enjoy browsing on Roku

Via mirroring from Windows

This method works only on Windows OS. You can use mirroring on your computer. This is slower than the previous two methods.

1. Turn on the screen mirroring on Roku by locating “system” and selecting screen mirroring: “always-on”.
2. Make sure that the Roku device and the computer are connected to the same WiFi network
3. On your computer, click on the “notifications” icon at the bottom right of your taskbar.
4. Select “Connect to a wireless display”
5. Windows will scan for devices and then present a list of available devices
6. Click on Roku
7. Congratulations, you have successfully mirrored the internet browser on Roku.

The other hack to get a Roku web browser is to roll back to the previous version of Roku OS. The previous versions allowed hacked web browsers on Roku. But this is an extreme step. If you need the web browser of Roku this desperately, the best option is to opt for a different device that lets you install and use web browsers.

Best internet browsers for Roku TV

Since there aren’t any native web browsers here are some suggestions. These are some of the best web browsers that can be used with a Roku device.

Opera

Opera provides seamless web browsing on Roku devices. As with any traditional web browser, Opera requires a streaming device connected to a Windows computer and can be browsed using a regular keyboard. What makes it one of the best browsers for Roku is its lightness and faster mechanism to respond immediately to user requests. A great VPN integration that helps users instantly unblock unlimited entertainment content while protecting their digital identity.
Pros: Simple user interface, VPN functionality, Video pop out, Fast browsing experience.
Cons: Setting up takes time

Web Browser X

Without a doubt one of the best web browsers for Roku, X web browser has a simple and easy-to-use interface. Although, if you’re looking to browse through multimedia or YouTube content, it won’t handle it too well. When it comes to websites, you can easily access websites, bookmark your favorite sites, and do more with basic navigation. To navigate web pages, you can simply use the left and right, up and down buttons located on the Roku remote.
Pros: Fully rendered pages and ways to make web surfing effortless
Con: Fully rendered pages but the formatting are off and the user interface is old fashioned

POPRISM Web browser

POPRISM is another popular Roku web browser that enables you to surf the Internet. But yes, I’d like to say don’t expect too much before you decide to use it. In terms of interfaces, POPRISM offers a simple and standard look. It has a more text-based look and nothing can easily grab your attention. Even if you visit the webpage, it is slightly unformatted for websites with different text wrapping in fonts. Few websites are compatible with the POPRISM browser, so if you are viewing a webpage other than this one, you may have difficulty reading the text. Web pages can be quickly navigated using the up, down, left and right keys on the Roku remote. Press the “Return” button to return to the main screen.
Pros: Text-based and free Roku Web Browser
Cons: No images, GUIs, CSS, and javascript

Web Video Caster

This is already mentioned above. It is one of the best work-around for Roku web browsers. Web Video Caster allows you to browse websites, watch TV shows, shows, live broadcasts, and more. This is a paid service that will get you back about $4.99 per subscription per month, but it’s well worth it. Web Video Caster provides full Roku TV support to enhance your viewing experience. Photos and audio files are supported and subtitles are detected on web pages accordingly.
Pros: Besides Roku, it supports Chromecast, Amazon Fire TV, DLNA receivers & more. Lets you cast videos stored on your phone
Cons: Do not support tab casting like chrome cast

Media Browser for Roku

The media browser is supported by Roku and allows you to surf the Internet smoothly even on content-heavy websites. To use it, you must ensure that the Media Browser Server is installed and running on your local network. You can install the server on your device by clicking here. Keep your web browser updated with small updates like live TV, photo slideshows, remote control of other media browser apps, and more.
Pros: Browse, control and play all your favorite videos. Intuitive UI. Brings a suite of apps to stream media from PC to Roku-connected TV.
Cons: Just an internet video browser

Xfinity

Mostly focuses on the entertainment industry. It is great for looking up videos to watch across streaming platforms and services and genres. You can even create a custom collection of your favorite channels. But it is a media streaming service first and then a browser. So, don’t get your hopes up a lot.

The Roku Channel

Named after the device itself, the Roku channel is currently the best web browser available, allowing you to stream a  variety of content from the platform. Not only can you easily browse the web, but you can also watch the latest news, play music, and stream your favorite content. Unlike most web browsers for Roku, Yahoo downloads most of its content and provides users with the latest updates.
Pros: Stream varied content on the platform itself, updated content. A blend of internet surfing and streaming service.
Cons: Must pay for premium service

Youtube

YouTube is not exactly a browser but one can use it to search videos on any topic. One can search content on any domain they desire but it’ll all be in a video format. You can search video essays, analyses, reviews, news, and entertainment. You can even search for scholarly videos. The only downside is that it’ll be an incomplete experience for those who like to read as well.

FAQs

Which is the best browser for Roku?

There isn’t any native web browser. For a user to use a web browser, they’ll have to make use of other methods elaborated earlier in the article.

Is it possible to install a Roku web browser?

The short answer is NO. But there are ways and workarounds to get the same functionality. One can mirror the screen or cast a web browser. Both the methods have been elaborated above.

How can I get google services on my Roku?

Google is synonymous with the internet itself these days. Any device seems incomplete without google services. There are plenty of google services that you might want on your Roku device. Such as Google Play Movies, Google Photos, Google TV, and of course, Google Search. Yes, most of them are possible to get on a Roku device. Please, read on.

How can I get Google Play Movie and TV on Roku?

Roku is designed to support all streaming services, so it’s no surprise that there are Roku channels available for download and use on Google Play Movies & TV. After installing the Google Play Movies app on your
For the Roku device, you will need to go to play.google.com/roku and link it to your Google Account.
When you sign up, you must provide a payment method. Do not worry. You are not actually charged unless you place an order. According to the
Google official man page, there are some limitations. You can only use this app if you live in Canada, Germany, Ireland, USA, or UK.
However, I cannot say with certainty how accurate this statement is. Access may be a problem in some unsupported countries, but this is the strongest evidence we have.

How to set up Play Movies and TV on Roku?

1. Go to channel store on your Roku Device
2. Search for Google play movies and TV
3. Click on go to channel
4. Sign in
5. Now you need to set up. For that, you will have to go to play.google.com/roku on your PC or mobile device.
6. There will appear a code on the screen on your Roku. Enter this code and continue
7. Review the permissions
8. Add a payment method and then follow the instructions
9. Set up a PIN by following the instructions
10. Return to your Roku and you are done!

How to Connect Roku to Google Home?

1. This is an easy process.
2. Launch the Google Home application
3. Tap on the “Add” button
4. Then Tap on “Set up device”
5. Select “ Have something already set up?”. Following that, a list will appear
6. Click on you’re your Roku device in the list
7. A prompt to sign in to your Roku Account will appear
8. Enter your Roku account credentials and you are good to go

How to Connect Roku to Google Home?

1. This is an easy process.
2. Launch the Google Home application
3. Tap on the “Add” button
4. Then Tap on “Set up device”Select “ Have something already set up?”. Following that, a list will appear
5. Click on you’re your Roku device in the list
6. A prompt to sign in to your Roku Account will appear
7. Enter your Roku account credentials and you are good to go

How can I use google play music on Roku?

It’s quite unfortunate that there is no official Google Play Music for Roku devices.
However, there are a few ways you can listen to music from Google Play on your Roku device, with options such as using your personal Roku Nowhere Music channel or using third-party plugins for Plex.

However, since both projects have stopped development, there is only one option now.
This option is for streaming Google Play Music from Android or Windows devices to Roku. You can do this using Miracast technology, but Apple iOS devices don’t support it.

For Android:

1. Make sure that your Roku device and Android device are connected to the same WiFi network
2. Swipe down your notification bar and click on the cast
3. Choose your Roku device from the list and start casting. Enjoy!

For Windows:

1. Make sure that your Roku device and computer are connected to the same WiFi network
2. Open settings.
3. Go to “Display”
4. Scroll down to “Multiple displays”
5. Click on “Connect to a wireless display”
6. Select your Roku device from the list

Google chrome on Roku?

Unfortunately, Google Chrome is not available on Roku. But you can cast or mirror the screen to use chrome on your Roku device. The ways to achieve this has been explained above.

How can I get google photos on Roku?

There is no alternative for this to be on Roku. But you can get similar apps on Roku, such as Photoview. You can find it on the Roku store and use it for screensavers.

To Conclude

To some, it’s a shame that there aren’t such as “Roku web browsers”. At least not explicitly. Especially when almost all the competitors have been providing some form of functionality. But to those who don’t want any hassle of extra features and only want to watch and chill, Roku proves to be the best in streaming devices. It was never the company’s intention for Roku to be anything more than a video streaming device—they had a good reason for that. This one decisions allowed Roku devices to offer the most seamless watching experience.

Roku has been in the market for more than a decade now. Word out there is that the company is focusing on bringing internet Browsers on Roku soon. Nobody knows how soon. And there aren’t really any hacks to get a web browser on Roku apart from screencasting or mirroring. And since it is a Linux-based operating system, it doesn’t support any Android apps.

If you really need to browse on a big screen with Roku then your best bet is to screencast. However, this option is best for Android and Windows. But if your prime focus is internet browsing and streaming videos is secondary, then upgrade the device. Either choose a different device such as firestick, Apple TV, Google Chromecast, raspberry pi or simply plug in a small computer.

The post Best Roku Web Browser and How to Use It appeared first on Platform to Showcase Innovative Startups and Tech News.

So, what exactly is “dns_probe_finished_nxdomain”, and why are you seeing it? Are there some quick fixes to resolve the issue? 

Firstly, what is DNS?

DNS or Domain Name Server is akin to a phonebook. It lets users connect to the right website using specific domains rather than IP addresses. The basic purpose of a DNS is to translate the name of the host (www.randomdomain.com, for instance) into a lot more advanced IP address (198.3.128.12) that your computer can easily process. When you type in a query into the search bar, DNS gets to work and goes through its extensive collection of nameservers to determine the right fit. 

The process of DNS looking for the appropriate file among the thousands in the nameserver is a laborious process, but in real-time only takes a couple of seconds at best. 

So, when you type in something in the search bar of your browser, it makes its way through the Internet only to reach another DNS recursive resolver. This information travels to the DNS root nameserver and then to the Top Level Domain (i.e .in or .org). 

Now, the TLD server shoots back a response in the form of the IP address of the domain’s nameserver. Finally, the recursive resolver comes into play, and the IP address that was initially requested before starts to appear. 

So, what is the dns_probe_finished_nxdomain error?

Reiterating that the process of resolution and DNS lookup is a highly complex process with a large number of moving parts. So, a lapse in any of these parts can result in an error that manifests as dns_probe_finished_nxdomain. In fact, the nxdomain in “dns_probe_finished_nxdomain” stands for a non-existent domain.

You can see a warming message in different ways depending on the browser you often use. In the case of Google Chrome, the error shows up as “dns_probe_finished_nxdomain”, along with a message saying that the server IP address could not be found or this site can’t be reached.

If you’re a Mozilla Firefox user, then you might be seeing something along the lines of ‘Hmm, we’re having trouble finding that site’. Microsoft Edge more or less follows the same pattern with a notification indicating Hmmm…can’t reach the page. Safari, the default browsing app on all Apple devices, simply displays Safari can’t find the server.

Before we go on to the actual fixes of the “dns_probe_finished_nxdomain” problem, it’s pertinent to identify where the issue lies. An easy way to do this is by checking if you’re seeing the “dns_probe_finished_nxdomain” error only on a single website or across multiple web pages. 

In case the error is localized to a single site, then it could be an error on their side, and you have nothing to worry about. Just wait for some time and try accessing the website again. But, on the other hand, if you’re seeing the “dns_probe_finished_nxdomain” message across different pages, then it’s time to intervene and test out the methods listed below. 

How to fix the “dns_probe_finished_nxdomain” error?

While there are multiple ways to resolve the issue under consideration, here’s a list of methods that most IT professionals would stand by to fix the “dns_probe_finished_nxdomain error”. We’ll discuss each one of them in the further sections.

• Releasing and renewing IP addresses 
• Restarting DNS Client Servies 
• Changing to a different DNS server 
• Resetting Chrome Flags 
• Shutting down VPN’s and other antiviruses temporarily 
• Checking your Local Hosts files again 
• Restarting your computer/ laptop

1) Releasing and renewing IP addresses 

In “Dns_probe_finished_nxdomain” error there isn’t exactly an error from your side, so it does make sense to take a second look at the IP address on your device. Releasing and renewing your IP address isn’t as complicated as it sounds. Follow these series of steps to successfully accomplish the task. 

On devices running on Windows OS 

• Step 1: Navigate to the Command Prompt by pressing on the Windows and R key simultaneously. Once you’ve found the Command Prompt tool, type in “cmd” on press Enter. 
• Step 2: Now, enter in ipconfig /release and press Enter. This should ideally release your existing present IP address.
• Step 3: Next up, type ipconfig /flushdns and tap on Enter. This ensures flushing your DNS cache. You should now be able to see a message “Successfully flushed the DNS resolver cache”, in case the process was successful.
• Step 4: After this, you’ll need to type in ipconfig /renew and press Enter. This renews your IP address.
• Step 5: If you want to reset your IP settings, then type in the following commands netsh int set dns and netsh winsock reset.

In case Step 5 seems hard to follow, you can always manually disable your network connections and re-enable them again. To perform this, go to Control Panel on your Windows computer from the Start menu. Now, click on Network and Internet Settings and navigate all the way down to Network and Sharing Center. 

You’ll see an option called Change Adapter Settings in the left-hand column, click on it. This should open up a new portal with a whole list of active network connections. Click on Local Area Connection or Wireless Connections and choose to Disable. You can reactivate them later in the same manner. 

For Macs

• Step 1: Find System Preferences by clicking on the Apple logo at the top right corner of your laptop/ computer.
• Step 2: Now, click on the Network icon and go to Advanced Settings.
• Step 3: Navigate to the TCP/IP tab and choose to “renew DHCP lease button”. This ensures that your IP addresses’ renewel.
• Step 4: You can also flush your DNS cache by going to the Utilities tab and clicking on Terminal.
• Step 5: Type in the command dscacheutil -flushcache and press Enter. Unlike in a Windows device, you might not get the confirmatory message in case the DNS cache has been emptied successfully.

2) Restarting DNS Client Service

This method is exclusively for Windows devices. You can try restarting the DNS client services, which supposedly clears up redundant caches and obsolete DNS domain names. Follow the steps to successfully restart your DNS client services.

• Step 1: Open Command Prompt by pressing the Windows key and R key simultaneously.
• Step 2: Once Command Prompt opens, enter in “services.msc” and press Enter.
• Step 3: Go down to the bottom where you’ll see “DNS Client”. Right-click on it and choose “Restart”.

If the Restart button is greyed out and you’re unable to click on it, then consider this alternate method.

Step 1: Go to Command Center by pressing on the Windows key and the R key simultaneously.

Step 2: Now, enter in “cmd” and press Enter.

Step 3: Enter in these series of commands: net stop dnscache ; net start dnscache

You could run into an error in some versions of the Windows OS. You might be seeing a message saying “The requested pause, continue, or stop is not valid for this service”. This is an indication of the fact that you’re better off picking an alternative method altogether. 

3) Changing DNS servers 

You can always try changing your existing DNS servers from the default ones to public DNS servers like Google or Cloudflare. DNS servers typically make use of the IP addresses assigned by the ISP, so switching to a public server could effectively correct the persisting “dns_probe_finished_nxdomain” error. 

If Google servers are your pick, then the 8.8.8.8 and 8.8.4.4 are easily your best bet. Word in the community is: they’re more dependable in the longer run. But, Cloudfare’s newest offering, the 1.1.1.1 is a worthy alternative as well. It’s popular to achieve faster speeds consistently. 

But, on the off chance that you’re already using a free server and still seem to be encountering the same issues, going back to your default server can correct the issue. Google and Cloudfare, despite their claims, can run into roadblocks sometimes. 

Here’s how you change your existing DNS addresses:

On Windows devices

• Step 1: Open the Command Prompt by pressing on the Windows key and R key simultaneously.
• Step 2: Type in Control Panel and press Enter.
• Step 3: Now, go to Network and Internet Settings and click on Network and Sharing Center.
• Step 4: You should be able to see an option to Change Adapter Settings, click on it, and find your currently active network connection.
• Step 5:  Pick either the Local Area Connection or Wireless Network and go to Properties.
• Step 6: Select Internet Protocol Version 4 or 6 depending on your preference and click on “Use the following DNS server addresses”.
• Step 7: Change the addresses to the following: 1.1.1.1 and 1.0.0.1 (for IPv4), 2606:4700::1111 and 2606:4700::4700:1001 (for IPv6).
• Step 8: Press on OK once you’re done and restart your browser to complete the process.

For Macs

• Step 1: Navigate to System Preferences from the drop-down menu that appears when you click on the Apple logo at the left-hand upper corner of the screen.
• Step 2: Click on the Network icon and then on Advanced.
• Step 3: Now, find the DNS tab and click on it.
• Step 4: You’ll now need to enter in the new server addresses powered by either Google or Cloudflare. For Cloudflare servers, use the following DNS server addresses as mentioned above in the previous section.

 4) Resetting Chrome Flags

If your default browser is Chrome, then pay close attention to this method. In some exceptional cases, the settings on your Chrome account may experience altering accidentally, consequently going a little haywire. To go back to the default settings, type in chrome://flags into the browser. In the portal that opens, pick on Reset all to default. Remember to restart Chrome once you’re done resetting the Flags or other similar experimental features.

You can also try cleaning the browser. This method stays the same across all devices. Follow the steps given below to clean Google Chrome.

• Step 1: Open the Google Chrome application on your phone or computer and navigate to the Menu.
• Step 2: Click on Settings and scroll down to Privacy and Security Settings.
• Step 3: Pick the option that says Clear Browsing Data.
• Step 4: Click on All time where it mentions Time Range and choose to delete Browsing History, Cookies, and Cached files including Images.

5) Shutting down VPNs and other antiviruses temporarily

Most users end up overlooking VPNs and antivirus software when it comes to a “dns_probe_finished_nxdomain error”. But, these third-party applications can sometimes come into conflict and modify the all-important Network Settings. So, it might be worthwhile to disable the VPNs and all the antivirus software installed on your computer. 

To shut down VPN, type in Network Connections in the search bar and click on View Network Connections. You’ll be seeing a VPN icon, so click on that and choose to Disable. 

6) Checking your Local Hosts files again  

The Local Hosts file on your computer houses all the manual DNS entries, which are linked to unique IP addresses. This treasure trove of data may sometimes get altered or, in worse cases, get corrupted. 

So, it might be worthwhile to cross-check if the domain of your interest is in this collection or not. Usually, these local files are accessed during a preview of the DNS settings before switching domains from one host. 

Here’s how to check your Local Hosts files across different platforms :

On Windows devices

• Step 1: Go to the Start Menu and look out for the text editor. Right-click on it and pick the option that says Run as Administrator. These text editors could be anything from Notepad to Atom or even Sublime.
• Step 2: Now, in the text editor that you’ve chosen, click on File and open this specific location- C: \Windows\System32\drivers\etc. 
• Step 3: Next up, click on hosts files and verify if the webpage that you’re looking for isn’t mentioned there. In case it is, always remove it from the list.

On Macs

• Step 1: Navigate to Utilities and click on Terminal.
• Step 2: Now, type in the following command sudo nano \private\etc\hosts and press Enter. You might need the administrator password to get access.         
• Step 3: Verify if the website you’re interested in viewing is not a part of the list of addresses mentioned in the host files. Delete it in case if you happen to find it.

7) Restarting your computer/ laptop

As much as it sounds like a cheap hack, restarting your personal computer or laptop can clear out a lot of unnecessary temporary cache. This could sometimes end up effectively correcting the  dns_probe_finished_nxdomain error. So, restarting your device is a handy last resort in case all the other methods mentioned above fail. 

How to fix “dns_probe_finished_nxdomain” on Android phones?

The steps to fixing the “dns_probe_finished_nxdomain” error vary slightly from one Android version to another. Here’s a handy guide for you to go by.

For Android 9 Pie and later versions 

This edition is different from its predecessors by the fact that it actually does support system-wide DNS settings. This means that you don’t need to modify network settings for each individual network. So, here’s how to resolve the issue at hand:

• Step 1: Go to the Settings app on your Android phone.
• Step 2: Tap on Wireless and Networks.
• Step 3: Now, press Private DNS and tap on Private DNS provider hostname.
• Step 4: Type in the hostname dns.google and press Save.

For Android 8.1 Oreo and older versions 

Since Android 8.1 Oreo doesn’t support system-wide DNS settings, you’ll need to manually enter the DNS addresses for each individual active network connection. Follow these steps to correct the error in connectivity.

• Step 1: Go to Settings and tap on Wi-fi.
• Step 2: Hold on to the current Network name and tap on Modify Network.
• Step 3: Now, press on Show Advanced Options.
• Step 4: Navigate to IP Settings and change the value from DHCP to Static.
• Step 5: Modify the DNS Settings to the following: 

                               DNS 1- 8.8.8.8, DNS 2- 8.8.4.4

It’s been found that using a VPN does prevent you from encountering this lapse in connectivity. So, it might be worthwhile to use a VPN on your Android phone. There are multiple options to choose from, so do your research before picking one. 

How to fix the “dns_probe_finished_nxdomain” error on a Chromebook?

1) Switching to a different server 

Chromebook is relatively a new device, but the methods don’t really change around much. You can get the issue resolved by switching to Google’s public server. Follow these steps to do so.

• Step 1: Connect your Chromebook to an existing Wi-fi or cellular network.
• Step 2: Tap on the Time toolbar at the bottom right corner of your Chromebook.
• Step 3: You’ll now find your network in the list of available networks.
• Step 4: Press on the option that says Google name servers option.

2) Temporarily disabling antivirus applications 

Alternatively, like in the case of Windows devices, you can always try disabling conflicting antivirus applications. But, remember that switching off antivirus applications temporarily does mean that you’re prone to malicious malware and viruses when you try to access certain web pages. So, consider this method only if you’re sure that the website you’re trying to open is definitely safe to access. 

3) Resetting your access point 

In some cases, turning your access point off and turning it back on has been found to resolve the “dns_probe_finished_nxdomain error.” So, try to restart the Access Point and notice if there are any signs of the connectivity getting better. 

4) Checking the system for any malicious malware 

The “dns_probe_finished_nxdomain” error could be because of a virus corrupting your system. Like, for instance, the STOP\DJVU malware is seen to specifically afflict the Windows HOSTS files and modifies the list of domains. So, there’s a chance that you could be experiencing trouble in connecting. 

The method for checking the HOSTS files on a Chromebook doesn’t vary much from a Windows device. The steps or more or less identical. But, in cases where you think that the device’s been subjected to a lethal ransomware attack, then try running RESTORO or INTEGO. It should ideally fix any sort of impending damage to your system and thus keeping your precious images and videos safe and secure.

Conclusion 

The “dns_probe_finished_nxdomain” error is a fairly common problem that users across multiple platforms and different devices face. There are a large number of solutions to choose from which vary in complexity. 

These range from something as simple as restarting your computer or phone and resetting Google Chrome to something relatively harder like flushing the DNS server addresses and reconfiguring your Network Settings. 

One of these methods should ideally correct this error, but in case it continues to persist, it might be a good idea to contact a qualified IT technician.

The post What is the dns_probe_finished_nxdomain error and how to fix it? appeared first on Platform to Showcase Innovative Startups and Tech News.

Generally, this error arises due to failing on DNS lookup. In simple terms, DNS is that address that converts the website name to the internet address.  But sometimes, even chrome has no clue what to do and thus offers you this error.

Here are more reasons why the site can’t be reached error may arise and how you can fix it. 

What causes the “this site can’t be reached” error

As we have already said, there are multiple reasons why Chrome might give you this error. Sometimes even Chrome is clueless about what the issue is. However, some of the most apparent causes of the “site can’t be reached” error could be:

• Domain name system or DNS error
• Connection time out
• Your internet connection problems
• A misconfiguration in your network, firewall, or internet settings
• Cookie corruption or outdated settings
• The anti-virus is blocking the website from opening
• Outdated wireless adapters

Fixing the error

Next, we will talk about how you can fix this error. 

The most straightforward trick you can use here is to clear your browser cache and remove all the cookies. Doing that will remove even the corrupted cookies as Google chrome often serves up cached error pages. Here is what you have to do:

1. Clear the browser cache

• Open Google Chrome browser and press CTRL+SHIFT+DEL.
• The settings menu will open up
• In the time range drop menu, select “All time.” 
• Clear all the cookies, browsing history by check-marking the ones that you wish to remove

2. Reset your Google Chrome Browser

If you are still getting the “this site can’t be reached” error, then try resetting the browser. Your error could be coming because of problems with the browser settings. Resetting the browser should take care of these issues.

• Open up the Google Chrome browser and go to ‘settings.’
• Scroll down and go to the “advanced tab.”
• In the end, you will find the “reset and clean up” section
• Choose to restore the settings to original settings and now click on reset

3. Restarting the DNS client

You can resolve your DNS client by restarting it

• Press “Start+R” on the keyboard to open the Run module
• Once the module is opened, type “services. msc” in it
• Now a list of services will open up for you. Find DNS, right-click on it, and select restart
• Reopen the Google Chrome browser and check if you are still getting the “this site can’t be reached” error

4. Flushing the DNS cache

An invalid DNS cache could also lead to a “this site cannot be reached error. “

• Type ‘cmd’ in your laptop’s search in the start menu and then right-click on it 
• Once it has opened, enter the command  “ipconfig /flushdns.”
• You will get a “flushed the DNS resolver cache” message
• Now restart your computer and check again if the error is gone

5 Changing the DNS servers

It is possible that you are still getting the “this site can’t be reached” error. You may try changing your DNS servers to take care of that. 

• Go to your Task management tray. Find the network icon there and right-click on it. 
• Select the “open network and sharing center” icon. Now click on the “properties” of the internet network.
• Now find the TCP/IPv4 properties section and change the DNS server to Google or Open DNS. You can search and find the details of these DNS servers. Once you have modified, hit on edit, and hopefully, your problem is resolved.

6. Resetting the TCP/IP address

Another technique that you could use is to reset the TCP/IP address.

• Again type ‘cmd’ in your computer’s search menu. 
• Now type and execute the command ipconfig /release -> ipconfig /all -> ipconfig /flushdns -> ipconfig /renew -> netsh int ip set dns -> netsh winsock reset. 

• Restart your computer

7. Run Windows Network troubleshooter

Sometimes the issue is hard to track. You keep getting a “This site can’t be reached” message again and again.

• Type out ‘Run’ into your computer’s search bar. 
• Now type ncpa.cpl into the Run program, which will open the network connections box
• Look for your Wi-Fi connection and right-click it, and then click on diagnose.
• It will take the network troubleshooter some time to find out the issue
• Supposing the error it gives is “DHCP is not enabled for wireless network connection,” you could fix it like an administrator.
• Now click “try these repairs as an administrator” and then apply the change. Reboot your computer once you are done.

8. Remove browser extensions from Chrome

It is possible that any of the browser extensions are responsible for this error to come up. To check that, just follow the below methods.

• Open your Chrome browser and on the top right, click on the More icon.
• Now select the More tools from the menu and then choose Extensions
• You will have to disable every extension to see which one of them is causing a problem.
• Drag the blue slider to do so
• Find out which of the extension is a problem and then disable it completely

9. Scan your computer for the presence of any virus

You could have a virus in your computer that is causing the error to pop up. 

• Go to your control panel and click on uninstall a program. Use this to uninstall Google Chrome from your laptop or computer.
• Now go to the folder C:\Users\%your_name%\AppData\Local\Google\ and delete all its contents
• Again download the newest version of Google Chrome
• Restart the PC and try opening Chrome to see if the “this site can’t be reached” message is coming.

10. Reinstall the network adapter drivers

You can always check the network adapter drivers and reinstall them to see if there is any difference.

• Find ‘My computer’ on your computer and right-click on the icon
• Click on the ‘Device Manager,’ and it will show you all the hardware installed
• Find the network adapters and expand its section. There would be a section of your internet connection. 
• Right-click on the same and select uninstall
• Restart the PC, the drivers get reinstalled on their own, and you can check if you are still getting the error.

11. Confirm if the website is online

It is always possible that the website you are trying to book is offline. It is not working for anybody, and therefore, you are not the only person getting the message this site can’t be reached.  Double-check the URL that you’re typing. You may be making an error in typing it.

• Open the site downforeveryoneorjustme.com
• Now type out the URL that you wish to visit
• Click “just me.”
• You will get the message “It’s not just you” or “ “It’s just you.” 
• If the website is not opening for everyone, you can relax and wait for things to get fixed

12. Disable the QUIC protocol in Chrome

Chrome has a QUIC protocol which is a transport layer protocol coming from Google. It helps in the quick and better loading of the websites. If this is facing a problem, you could get the error message.

• Open Google Chrome, and in its address bar, you have to type chrome://flags
• Next search for Quic
• Change your settings. If the value of the flag is already set as default then you have to change it to disabled

• Now restart Google Chrome and see if you are still receiving this site can’t be reached message.

13.  Check automatically detect settings

Maybe the automatically detect settings option is not checked on your computer. Fix this problem using the below methods.

• Open Run by pressing Windows Key with R
• Write inetcpl. cpl and click on OK
• Click on Connections and then on LAN Settings
• Now see that the “Automatically Detect Settings” is checked for you. If yes, then you have nothing to do. If it is not checked, check on it
• Click on OK, restart Chrome to see if the “chrome site can’t be reached” error message is still there

14. Allow the DNS prefetching to solve the problem

You can easily do this from your Chrome browser. If there is any kind of problem, it will be resolved.

• Open Chrome
• Now go to chrome://settings/cookies
• You will find the option “Preload pages for faster browsing and searching.”
• Turn it on
• If you are unable to find this option, it means you have an older version of Chrome
• Update Google Chrome and then check for the error again

15. Reset the Wi-Fi modem

Sometimes the problem is as basic as an issue with the Wi-Fi modem.

• Remove the power cord from your modem
• Now keep pressing and holding its power button for around 10-15 seconds
• Release this button once you see that the lights have stopped flickering
• Wait for the internet light to again turn green
• Try to reconnect to internet connection once again
• They may ask for your account information after the modem is reset

Conclusion

You can get a “site cannot be reached” error because of any of the above issues. This means that you will have to try using all the tricks before finally figuring out what is wrong. Mainly once you have applied the correct fix, the error will vanish away on its own. If that does not happen, you might have to take some professional assistance. They will know the exact cause of this problem and gladly fix it up for you. 

The post This Site Can’t be Reached- What it Means and How to Fix it appeared first on Platform to Showcase Innovative Startups and Tech News.