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How to Fix “Page Requested Cannot Be Found” Error on Windows 11: Step-by-Step Solutions

Encountering the “Page Requested Cannot Be Found” error on Windows 11 can be frustrating. This message usually means the webpage you are trying to access is unavailable or there is an issue with your system or browser settings. Fortunately, there are several straightforward ways to resolve this problem.

This guide will walk you through simple, step-by-step solutions to help fix this error. Whether you are a beginner or have some technical experience, these instructions are designed to be easy to follow.

By understanding the common causes and fixes, you can get back to browsing without interruptions. Let’s start by covering some quick checks before diving into detailed solutions.

Follow along carefully, and you’ll be able to troubleshoot this issue effectively on your Windows 11 PC.

Quick Note: Before You Start

Before trying advanced fixes, make sure to check these basic things first:

  • Check your internet connection: Ensure your PC is connected to the internet and the connection is stable.
  • Verify the URL: Make sure the web address you entered is correct, without typos or extra spaces.
  • Try a different browser: Sometimes, switching from one browser to another (e.g., Edge to Chrome) can help determine if the issue is browser-specific.
  • Clear browser cache: Cached data can cause loading issues, so clearing it might fix the error.

Step 1: Clear Browser Cache and Cookies

Web browsers store temporary data called cache and cookies to speed up browsing. However, outdated or corrupted cache can lead to errors like “Page Requested Cannot Be Found”. Clearing this data refreshes your browser’s stored information.

How to clear cache in Microsoft Edge:

  1. Open Microsoft Edge.
  2. Click on the three dots (⋯) in the top-right corner.
  3. Select Settings from the dropdown menu.
  4. Go to Privacy, search, and services.
  5. Under Clear browsing data, click Choose what to clear.
  6. Select Cached images and files and Cookies and other site data.
  7. Click Clear now.

After clearing, restart the browser and try loading the webpage again.

Step 2: Check Your DNS Settings

DNS (Domain Name System) translates website names into IP addresses. Incorrect DNS settings can cause pages not to load properly. Resetting or changing your DNS to a public DNS server can often fix this.

How to change DNS to Google DNS on Windows 11:

  1. Press Windows + I to open Settings.
  2. Go to Network & Internet > Advanced network settings.
  3. Click on More network adapter options.
  4. Right-click your active network adapter and select Properties.
  5. Select Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4) and click Properties.
  6. Choose Use the following DNS server addresses.
  7. Enter these addresses:
    Preferred DNS server: 8.8.8.8
    Alternate DNS server: 8.8.4.4
  8. Click OK to save changes.
  9. Restart your browser and try accessing the page again.

This switches your DNS to Google’s reliable servers, which can help resolve lookup issues.

Step 3: Reset the Hosts File

The hosts file on your computer maps domain names to IP addresses locally. Sometimes, entries in this file can block websites or cause errors.

How to reset the hosts file on Windows 11:

  1. Open Notepad as Administrator: Search for “Notepad”, right-click it and select Run as administrator.
  2. In Notepad, open the hosts file located at: C:WindowsSystem32driversetchosts.
  3. Select all the text in the file and delete it (make sure to keep any essential entries if you know them, but usually the hosts file is mostly blank).
  4. Copy and paste the default hosts file content below:
# Copyright (c) Microsoft Corporation.
#
# This is a sample HOSTS file used by Microsoft TCP/IP for Windows.
#
# localhost name resolution is handled within DNS itself.
#	127.0.0.1       localhost
#	::1             localhost
  1. Save the file and close Notepad.
  2. Restart your computer.
  3. Try accessing the webpage again.

Resetting the hosts file removes any incorrect mappings that might cause errors.

Step 4: Flush DNS Cache

Sometimes, your computer stores outdated DNS information that can cause pages to not load. Flushing the DNS cache clears this stored data.

How to flush DNS cache:

  1. Press Windows + S and type Command Prompt.
  2. Right-click Command Prompt and select Run as administrator.
  3. In the Command Prompt window, type the following command and press Enter:
ipconfig /flushdns
  1. You should see a confirmation message that the DNS Resolver Cache was successfully flushed.
  2. Close the Command Prompt and try reloading the webpage.

This step ensures your PC requests fresh DNS information from the internet.

Step 5: Disable Proxy Settings

Proxy servers route internet requests through another server. Incorrect proxy settings can block or prevent webpages from loading.

How to disable proxy on Windows 11:

  1. Press Windows + I to open Settings.
  2. Go to Network & Internet > Proxy.
  3. Under Manual proxy setup, make sure Use a proxy server is turned off.
  4. Also, under Automatic proxy setup, turn off Automatically detect settings if you suspect proxy issues (you can try toggling this on or off to test).
  5. Restart your browser and check if the page loads.

If you are on a corporate or school network, check with your administrator before changing proxy settings.

Alternative Method: Use a Different Network

If you still see the error after trying the above steps, try connecting to a different Wi-Fi network or use a mobile hotspot. This helps determine if the issue is with your current network.

Sometimes network restrictions or DNS blocks cause pages to be unreachable. Testing on another network can confirm this.

FAQs

Why does the “Page Requested Cannot Be Found” error occur?

This error usually means the webpage URL is incorrect, the page has been removed, or there are network or browser issues preventing access.

Is this error related to Windows 11 or my browser?

It can be caused by both. Sometimes Windows network settings cause it, other times browser cache or settings are at fault.

Can antivirus or firewall software cause this error?

Yes, some security software might block certain websites. Temporarily disabling them can help identify if they are the cause.

Will resetting my network settings help?

Yes, resetting network settings can fix many connectivity problems, including this error.

How do I reset network settings in Windows 11?

Go to Settings > Network & Internet > Advanced network settings > Network reset. This will remove and reinstall network adapters and reset settings.

When Nothing Works

If you have tried all the above steps and still encounter the error, consider these final options:

  • Contact your internet service provider (ISP): There might be network-level restrictions or issues.
  • Visit the website later: The website might be temporarily down or removed.
  • Use Windows Troubleshooter: Go to Settings > System > Troubleshoot > Other troubleshooters, then run the Internet Connections troubleshooter.
  • Check official Microsoft support: https://support.microsoft.com

Conclusion

The “Page Requested Cannot Be Found” error on Windows 11 can be caused by various issues, from browser cache problems to incorrect network settings. Starting with simple steps like clearing your browser cache and verifying your internet connection can often resolve the problem quickly.

More involved fixes, such as changing DNS settings, resetting the hosts file, or flushing the DNS cache, address deeper network-related causes. If basic solutions don’t work, trying alternative networks or resetting network configurations can help isolate the issue.

By following this step-by-step guide, you can systematically troubleshoot and fix the error, ensuring smoother web browsing on your Windows 11 device.

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