Causes and solutions when the website you want to see does not open
Most of us use the internet for granted.
So when something goes wrong (e.g. Twitter stops working, or your boss bans you from using Reddit at work), you can be too shocked to do anything about it.
But if your favorite website won't open, or you keep getting an error message every time you visit it, don't despair.
Try the following methods (inspired by gHacks, a blog that provides useful information about browsers and Windows) to find the cause and find a solution.
Think about the Causes
There are a number of possible reasons why a website won't open, and in some cases it can be resolved without too much trouble.
The site you are trying to access may be down due to too much traffic or a coding error.
There is also the possibility of a cyber attack. If that's the cause, waiting a few minutes and trying again might fix the problem.
On the other hand, the cause may be on your side.
The site may be blacklisted by your security software, or the browser extension you are using may be the problem.
In that case, you may need to check your computer and temporarily disable your security software.
Another possibility is that the site is blocked by your Internet provider, Wi-Fi network, or government censorship.
If they're the cause, there are a few ways to get around it by hiding your identity, no matter what's blocking you.
With that in mind, let's take a closer look.
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Diagnose the Problem
First and foremost, determine if the site in question is not opening to anyone, or just you. There are many sites to look it up.
Try Down For Everyone Or Just Me. You can also search the site name on Twitter or Reddit to find out what's going on.
If the site really doesn't work, there are probably a lot of people complaining online.
If the problem is unique to you, there are several ways to find out what's causing it. First, try using a different browser or visiting the site in incognito mode (a mode that doesn't record your communications or related data).
If it still won't open, try temporarily disabling your security software.
Still not opening? Now, check the Hosts file on your computer.
The Hosts file is like your computer's address book, remembering which sites you visit.
Look there and you may find out why certain websites won't open.
This page explains how to check the Hosts file on Mac and non-Mac computers.
Solution
Finally, I will show you how to use the Wayback Machine.
The Wayback Machine is an Internet archive that lets you view older versions of the site you're looking for.
Useful if your website is really down or if you want to see old articles or pages that have been deleted.
In any case, nothing on the Internet will ever disappear completely.
Image: 360wise News via Lifehacker US
Source: gHacks (1, 2), imore, Wayback Machine
Jacob Kleinman - Lifehacker US [original]
