Introduction
Have you ever tried visiting a website only to find it’s not loading? Before you assume the site is down, it’s important to determine whether the issue is on your end or the website’s server. In this guide, we’ll show you how to check if a website is down for everyone or just you—plus quick fixes to try.
Why Websites Go Down
Websites can become inaccessible due to:
Server outages (hosting issues)
DNS problems (domain name resolution failures)
Network issues (your ISP or local connection)
Maintenance or updates (temporary downtime)
How to Check if a Website is Down
1. Use a Website Status Checker Tool
Several free online tools can check a website’s status from different locations:
DownForEveryoneOrJustMe – Enter the URL to see if the site is down globally.
IsItDownRightNow – Provides historical uptime data.
UptimeRobot – Monitors websites continuously.
2. Check Social Media or Status Pages
Many companies announce outages on:
Twitter/X (Search “[Website Name] down”)
Official status pages (e.g.,
status.[website].com)
3. Try Accessing from a Different Device or Network
Switch from Wi-Fi to mobile data.
Use another device (phone, tablet, or PC).
Ask a friend in a different location to check.
4. Test Using a VPN
If the site works with a VPN, your ISP or local network might be blocking it.
5. Check DNS with Command Prompt or Terminal
Windows: Open CMD and type: ping example.com
Mac/Linux: Use Terminal with: ping -c 4 example.com
Use Traceroute to Identify Connection Issues
- tracert example.com (Windows)
- traceroute example.com (Mac/Linux)
Common Fixes if the Website is Only Down for You
Clear browser cache & cookies
Restart your router/modem
Change DNS servers (Try Google DNS:
8.8.8.8and8.8.4.4)Disable browser extensions (Some may block sites)
Conclusion
Before assuming a website is down, verify using status checkers, different networks, and troubleshooting steps. If the site is truly down, wait or check the owner’s social media for updates. If it’s just you, try the fixes above!