When a website is down for you but not for others: why it happens and how to fix it

Updated October 2026

Quick answer: if a website won’t load for you but works for everyone else, the problem is almost always on your side: your browser cache, your computer’s DNS, your network or router, your internet provider, or a security block on your IP address. Check the site with an online “is it down” tool, then work through the steps below. Most people fix it within ten minutes.

As a business owner, a web developer or just someone trying to get something done, a site that won’t load can cause instant panic. Is the whole site offline? Are customers seeing an error page instead of your content?

Then a colleague or customer tells you it’s working perfectly for them. That’s a relief, but it’s also frustrating: why is it only broken for you, and how do you fix it?

Why is a website down for me but not for others?

When a website works for some people but not others, the website itself is rarely the problem. The cause is usually something closer to you. Here are the most common reasons:

1. Local DNS issues. DNS (the Domain Name System) translates names like example.com into the IP address of the server. If your internet provider’s DNS server, or your own computer, is holding old or broken information, your device can’t find the right server, even though people using other DNS servers can. Learn more about how DNS works.
2. Browser cache problems. Browsers keep copies of pages to load them faster. Sometimes your browser keeps showing an old or broken copy, so the site looks down for you while everyone else sees the current version. See our guide to clearing your browser cache.
3. Local network issues. A problem with your router, office network or Wi-Fi settings can stop you reaching a site that people outside your network can open without trouble.
4. Your IP address has been blocked. Many websites and hosting firewalls block IP addresses automatically to stop attacks and spam. Repeated failed logins, or sharing an IP address with someone who behaved badly, can get you blocked while everyone else gets in. You can check your public IP address here.
5. Internet service provider (ISP) issues. There may be a temporary routing problem between your provider and the web server. People on other providers won’t notice anything.
6. Geo-restrictions. Some sites block visitors from certain countries or regions. If you’re travelling, using a VPN, or your IP address is wrongly flagged as being overseas, you may be blocked.
7. Firewall or security software. Antivirus and firewall software sometimes blocks legitimate websites by mistake.

How to check if a website is really down

First, confirm whether the site is down for everyone or just for you. Two free tools we built for exactly this:

• Itomic uptime checker: enter the web address and it tells you whether the site is up.
• Itomic world view: shows how a site loads from several locations around the world, which helps spot regional blocks and DNS problems.

You can also try the site on your phone using mobile data (with Wi-Fi turned off). If it loads there, the problem is almost certainly your computer or your network.

How to fix a website that won’t load for you

Work through these steps in order. Test the site after each one.

1. Clear your browser cache, or open the site in a private or incognito window. This forces your browser to load a fresh copy.
2. Try a different browser or device. If the site works in one browser but not another, it’s a browser problem. If it fails on every device on your network, it’s more likely a network or IP address issue.
3. Restart your modem and router. Turn them off for 30 seconds, then back on.
4. Flush your DNS cache. On Windows, open Command Prompt and type ipconfig /flushdns. On a Mac, open Terminal and type sudo dscacheutil -flushcache; sudo killall -HUP mDNSResponder.
5. Use a different DNS server. Switching from your provider’s default DNS to a public one such as Cloudflare (1.1.1.1) or Google (8.8.8.8) often gets around DNS problems.
6. Temporarily turn off your VPN, firewall or security software to see if it’s blocking the site. Remember to turn it back on afterwards.
7. Check whether your IP address is blocked. Find your public IP address and send it to the website owner or their host, and ask them to check their firewall.

What if it’s your own website?

If the site that won’t load is yours, and customers or staff can reach it but you can’t, the most likely cause is your office IP address being blocked by the hosting firewall, often after a few failed login attempts. Your host can confirm this in minutes and unblock you.

If the site is down for everyone, contact your host straight away. Regular monitoring, patching and backups make both situations far less likely and much quicker to fix. Find out how our Australian website hosting and website security contracts keep sites online.

When to call in help

• Your IT team or IT provider can diagnose problems with your office network, firewall or devices.
• Your internet provider can check for routing or DNS problems on their network.
• The website owner or their host can check whether your IP address has been blocked.

Frequently asked questions

Why does a website work on my phone but not my computer?

If your phone is on mobile data, it uses a different network, DNS and IP address. That points to your computer, browser or office network. Clear your cache, flush your DNS and restart your router.

Can a website block just me?

Yes. Security firewalls block individual IP addresses, usually after repeated failed logins or suspicious activity. Everyone sharing your office internet connection may be blocked too.

How long do DNS problems last?

After a website moves to a new server, DNS changes can take anywhere from a few minutes to 48 hours to reach everyone. Flushing your DNS cache or switching DNS servers usually speeds it up for you.

Need help with a website that keeps going down?

Itomic has hosted, patched and supported websites for Australian organisations since 2000. If your website is unreliable, talk to our team about hosting and security that keeps it online.