Connection Timed Out error for one website - all browsers, solutions have all failed

Question

Connection Timed Out error for one website - all browsers, solutions have all failed

Anonymous

Hello,

I am at my wits end with this problem. I attempted to correct this with a multitude of steps, none of which have worked.

In trying to access one website: www.christianbook.com, I am repeatedly receiving the following error:

The connection has timed out

The server at christianbook.com is taking too long to respond.

The site could be temporarily unavailable or too busy. Try again in a few moments.

If you are unable to load any pages, check your computer's network connection.

If your computer or network is protected by a firewall or proxy, make sure that Firefox is permitted to access the Web.

Please note that I have already tried the following:

Reset modem and router (cannot plug and play modem directly to PC)

Restarted - and shut down/rebooted PC

Cleared browser cache

Tried the site on multiple browsers

Tried the site on multiple devices - PC, laptop, iPod, etc.

Checked to make sure the site itself is up - used Down For Everyone Or Just Me site, as well as had friends log in to the site

Performed CMD Prompt for flush DNS cache

Performed CMD Prompt for winsock reset

Performed CMD Prompt to ping the site

Attempted to access the site using the IP address (in numbers)

Set PC back to an earlier restore point

Added site to Trusted Sites in IE

Disabled my internet security program to re-try site

Ran the "Fix It" tool here: https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/kb/299357?wa=wsignin1.0

Called my ISP - they were useless

And finally resorted to changing adapter settings from Obtain DNS Server automatically to Google's DNS 8888 and alternate 8844 - and I STILL cannot access this site.

As a side note, I did have this site open for a very long time in the same tab on Firefox. It was at the very least several days, but I believe it may have actually been over a week or longer. (I began looking into Packet loss, but someone in IT told me this would affect all sites, not just one. Unsure on that point)

Nothing had changed on my PC. The only action I performed was within the site itself, when I attempted to move an item out of my shopping cart. Usually the page will reset with the new shopping cart total, but this time the connection timed out. Later that evening I began having issues with other sites and called my ISP. They did confirm issues on their end. However, by the next day, all other sites were back up and running except this one, the one that initially started giving me trouble.

I've been at this for over 6 hours now and am at a loss. If even open DNS doesn't solve this issue, I don't know what to do. I thought since the problem is spread across all my devices, it had to be an ISP issue, but they tell me they don't block any sites. It makes sense as I was able to access the site with the same ISP before this problem began. I think I've just been at it too long and am getting confused.

There may be other steps I've taken that I'm forgetting at this point, but I'm certainly open to helpful suggestions.

Thanks in advance.

Locked Question. This question was migrated from the Microsoft Support Community. You can vote on whether it's helpful, but you can't add comments or replies or follow the question.

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3 answers

Answer 1

To troubleshoot most computer problems it helps to look at available clues in the System Information file and the Event Viewer logs. An experienced eye can pick out the needles in the haystack and see more clearly the precise nature of the problem or problems.

Please provide a copy of your System Information file. Type System Information in the Search Box above the start Button and press the ENTER key (alternative is Select Start, All Programs, Accessories, System Tools, System Information). Select File, Export and give the file a name noting where it is located. Do not place the cursor within the body of the report before exporting the file. The system creates a new System Information file each time system information is accessed. You need to allow a minute or two for the file to be fully populated before exporting a copy. Please upload the file to your OneDrive, share with everyone and post a link here. Reports in normal mode preferred. Please say if the report has been obtained in safe mode.

Please upload and share with everyone copies of your System and Application logs from your Event Viewer to your OneDrive and post a link here.

To access the System log select Start, Control Panel, Administrative Tools, Event Viewer, from the list in the left side of the window expand Windows Logs and select System. Place the cursor on System, select Action from the Menu and Save All Events as (the default evtx file type) and give the file a name. Do the same for the Applications log. Do not provide filtered files. Do not place the cursor in the list of reports before selecting Action from the menu. Do not clear logs whilst you have a continuing problem.

For help with OneDrive see paragraph 9.3:

http://www.gerryscomputertips.co.uk/MicrosoftCommunity1.htm

General notes on Event Viewer

http://www.gerryscomputertips.co.uk/syserrors5.htm

Answer 2

Anonymous

It would help if you were to upload your System Information file and two Event Viewer log files as shared files to your One Drive and post a link here.

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Answer 3

Update:

I shut down the PC, unplugged the modem and router and left everything off for several hours overnight. The next day, I was able to get the site back up.

Though I had tried to reset the modem and router before, apparently the 1 or 2 minute timeframe wasn't enough. The longer time span seemed to do the trick in resetting the connection to the server.

I am still baffled at what caused this, however, and would still like to understand so that if it should happen to a more urgently needed site, I would be able to troubleshoot and know what course of action to take.

Per Gerry's instructions above, I did look at the System logs (though I never ended up having to export them). I'm wondering if the answer lies within the logs, but the only "events" I see with an exclamation point are either not at the same point in time that I lost the site, or I'm not sure what it means.

I lost the site at approximately 10:00 p.m. The only System Log error close in time is 10:05 and that reads:

The client was unable to validate the following as active DNS server(s) that can service this client. The servers may be temporarily unavailable, or may be incorrectly configured. (insert my router IP)

This doesn't seem to be the problem to me primarily because my router was working and directing to every other site - just not one in particular.

The Application Log shows nothing at all during the 10:00 hour.

Any ideas what could have caused this error?

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Connection Timed Out error for one website - all browsers, solutions have all failed

3 answers