ERR_ADDRESS_UNREACHABLE: The IP address cannot be reached

DNS returned an address and the network has no route to it. Common when a DNS record points at a private, retired, or IPv6 address the client cannot reach.

Short answer

DNS returned an address and the network has no route to it. Common when a DNS record points at a private, retired, or IPv6 address the client cannot reach.

What ERR_ADDRESS_UNREACHABLE means

The failure is at the routing layer, before any service is involved. The browser knows where to go and the network says it cannot get there.

Causes and fixes, most likely first

  1. The A record points at a private or stale IP address. Update the DNS record to the server's current public address. Private ranges are unreachable from the internet by design.
  2. An AAAA record exists but IPv6 is broken on the path. Verify IPv6 connectivity end to end, or remove the AAAA record until it works. A half-configured AAAA breaks only IPv6-capable visitors, which makes it easy to miss.

How to stop it happening again

Check your own domain

The DNS lookup shows every A and AAAA record returned, which is where a private or stale address becomes immediately obvious.

Frequently asked questions

Why does it work for some people and not others?

Usually a broken AAAA record: IPv6-capable clients try the unreachable address while IPv4-only clients succeed.