First, find out whether it's only you. If your website opens on your phone using mobile data but not on your computer, the problem is on your side, most often a blocked connection or an old saved copy. If it won't open anywhere, the cause is usually your domain or your hosting plan.
Step 1: Is it only you?
Try one or more of these:
- Turn off Wi-Fi on your phone so it uses mobile data, then open your website in a private browser window. (Your phone on the same Wi-Fi as your computer isn't a fair test.)
- Search the web for "is it down or just me", and enter your website address in one of the checker sites.
- Ask someone in another place to try it.
| What you find | Most likely cause | Go to |
|---|---|---|
| It loads on mobile data, but not on your Wi-Fi | Your network is blocked, or your browser or network has an old copy | Step 2 |
| It doesn't load anywhere | Your domain or hosting plan | Step 3 |
| You see "Bandwidth Limit Exceeded" | Your plan's monthly data allowance is used up | Bandwidth Limit Exceeded: why my site is offline and what to do |
| It loads, but says "Not Secure" or "not private" | The security certificate | I am getting a Not Secure Website or Not Private warning when visiting my HTTPS website |
Step 2: It fails only for you
Has your email or publishing also stopped working on this network? Then your IP address (your network's address on the internet) has probably been blocked. This happens after too many failed logins, usually from an old password saved in a mail app on a phone or computer, or from FTP. Signing in to your Client Area from the affected computer, on the same network, clears it. For the full steps, and how to stop it coming back, see My IP address is blocked: email, publishing or my site won't connect. Your visitors aren't affected by this.
Is only your website affected? Your browser or your network may still be holding an old copy. This often happens after nameservers change or a domain is renewed.
- Open your website in a private window.
- Clear your browser's saved copy of your website: see How to clear browser cache.
- Restart your computer and your internet router.
- Turn off any VPN or iCloud Private Relay for a moment and try again.
Only failing at work, school, a hotel or a bank? Some networks block websites with their own security filters. We can't change that from our end. Ask that network's IT staff, or check from another network.
Step 3: It doesn't load for anyone
Messages like "This site can't be reached", "Safari can't find the server" or "DNS_PROBE_FINISHED_NXDOMAIN" mean the internet can't find your domain. Check these in order:
- Has your domain expired? If you bought it from us, sign in to the Client Area and go to Domains > My Domains to see its status and expiry date. If it's with another company, check with them. Once a domain is renewed, it can take a few hours to work again.
- Is the domain new, or did its contact email change? Domain owners must confirm their email address within about two weeks, or the domain is suspended. Look for the verification email in your inbox and your spam or junk folder, and click the link. If you can't find it, contact us and we can send it again.
- Did your nameservers change? For example, a web designer, your domain company or a domain transfer may have changed them. They must be the two EverWeb nameservers from your Welcome to EverWeb email. See Point your domain to EverWeb Hosting (update nameservers / DNS). A change can take up to 48 hours, but usually finishes within 6, depending on your internet provider (ISP).
- Is your hosting plan paid? If a hosting invoice is overdue, the plan is suspended and your website goes offline until it's paid. Check Billing > My Invoices in the Client Area.
Still not loading?
Contact us and include:
- your website address
- a screenshot of the full browser window, with the message
- whether it loads on your phone using mobile data
- your IP address: search "what is my IP" on the computer that can't connect
Now and then a server has a short problem that we're already fixing. Your message helps us confirm it and tell you when it's back.