How Do I Solve INET_E_RESOURCE_NOT_FOUND Error on Windows 10?

Written by Valdis Koks

Reasons why INET_E_RESOURCE_NOT_FOUND Error takes place

INET_E_RESOURCE_NOT_FOUND stands for a common error that does not let users reach the Internet pages online. It often occurs after the users install Windows 10 operating system updates. Microsoft Edge users face the error most often, even though Google Chrome or Firefox users experience it as well. The error also notifies that there was a temporary DNS error and that the user needs to refresh the webpage. Nevertheless, this may not be sufficient enough to fix the issue.

According to the information on various Internet forums and websites like Reddit, the error message normally pops up, for example, when attempting to open PDF documents, browsing web pages through IE or Microsoft Edge, or even any other browser whatsoever. The people complain that all they encounter is a frustrating alert indicating:

Hmm… cannot reach this page. Make sure that you’ve got the right address. Details: There was a temporary DNS error. Error Code: INET_E_RESOURCE_NOT_FOUND

It may be definitely a very distracting factor for you to find out that you cannot load your favorite websites anymore due to the problem in Internet Explorer 11 or Microsoft Edge. In reality, this trouble takes place almost as often as DNS_PROBE_FINISHED_NXDOMAIN issue.

It should be mentioned that in some instances the error takes place and simply gets resolved by itself. Regretfully, if you can’t wait until it is fixed or if it simply keeps annoying you, attempt to undertake the solution set forth below. Our lab has elaborated several solutions to resolve the INET E RESOURCE NOT FOUND DNS error without the need to install any third-party application. Make sure to pay attention to every single step.

Solve INET E RESOURCE NOT FOUND error manually

Solution 1. Give some other name to the “Connections” folder in Windows Registry
This is a 100% effective solution to resolve the INET_E_RESOURCE_NOT_FOUND issue. It was thoroughly described by our visitor Alex R. and it is an approved solution by Microsoft. The trouble may happen after installing Microsoft Windows Creators update, but can be fixed simply. Make sure you log-in to the Administrator’s account, and undertake the below-mentioned milestones.

  1. Go to Windows Registry – keep holding the Windows key + R and then type regedit into the Run prompt, afterwards click OK. At this point, expand folders in the following order – HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE > Software > Microsoft > Windows > CurrentVersion > Internet Settings > Connections.
  2. Afterwards, right-click on the Connections folder and change its name to ConnectionsX. Click Enter to apply the changes and save them.

INET_E_RESOURCE_NOT_FOUND Error - other name to the “Connections” folder

Solution 2. Opening the Private Browsing session
Another solution to eliminate the INET_E_RESOURCE_NOT_FOUND Edge error is opening a private browsing session. This tip could be effective only as a temporary solution if you must load certain page quickly.

  1. Start Microsoft Edge. Then, click on the three dots in the right-upper section of the screen. Select New InPrivate window feature.

INET_E_RESOURCE_NOT_FOUND Error - Opening the Private Browsing session

Solution 3. Amending the User Account Control Settings
User Account Control parameter, or, in short, UAC settings, should be set in a certain manner in order for Microsoft Edge to function in a trouble-free manner. Hence, you need to check if UAC isn’t set to “Never Notify.” This may be the reason for the INET_E_RESOURCE_NOT_FOUND 2019 issue.

  1. Launch Run.. window by hitting down Windows key + R simultaneously.
  2. At this point, type control and hit Enter (or OK).
  3. Select User Accounts, afterwards in the next window, select User Accounts once again. INET_E_RESOURCE_NOT_FOUND error - control User Accounts
  4. Here, you need to be convinced that the option you select is the second one when counting from the top. Choose OK to Save. Don’t forget to select Yes to confirm the changes.INET_E_RESOURCE_NOT_FOUND error - Change User Account Control settings
Solution 4. Flush DNS
Flushing DNS is yet another approved solution that was effective to resolve the INET_E_RESOURCE_NOT_FOUND issue in Chrome, Edge or another browser issue. A simple solution to do it is set forth below. We also suggest checking our in-depth guide how to clear DNS cache on various operating systems.

  1. Click on the magnifying glass icon located in the taskbar, and afterwards type cmd in the search bar. Once in the results area, locate Command Prompt. Don’t click on it with the left mouse button – click on it only with the RIGHT button. Then, select the option Run as Administrator. When asked, provide admin’s password.
  2. In the CMD area, type: ipconfig /flushdns and hit Enter. Note that there is a space before the forward slash (/). INET_E_RESOURCE_NOT_FOUND error - Flush DNS
  3. Once the above-said steps are completed, you will notice “Windows IP Configuration. Successfully flushed the DNS Resolver Cache.” At this point, you can close the Command Prompt window.
Solution 5. Reinstalling Microsoft Edge from scratch
Milestones 1-4 are not required if you do not need to back up your Favorites in Microsoft Edge. Nevertheless, if you require this data, please make sure to follow each single milestone of this tutorial carefully to reinstall Microsoft Edge in a proper manner.

  1. Start by making a backup of your Favorites. To do so, first start the Run window (press Windows Key and R simultaneously on your keyboard).
  2. Then, once in the Run window, paste the following bolded information: %LocalAppData%\Packages\Microsoft.MicrosoftEdge_8wekyb3d8bbwe\AC\MicrosoftEdge\User\Default
  3. Afterwards, press Enter or choose OK.
  4. Eventually, folder with some other folders comes up. Locate the one named DataStorethen right-click on it and choose Copy from the menu.
  5. Then, open any folder you prefer (select one where you can easily locate the file later, for example, Desktop) and then right-click with your mouse > Paste it. INET_E_RESOURCE_NOT_FOUND error - %LocalAppData%\Packages\Microsoft.MicrosoftEdge_8wekyb3d8bbwe\AC\MicrosoftEdge\User\Default
  6. Then, close Microsoft Edge fully. Make sure there are no any Microsoft Edge windows open.
  7. Afterwards, click on File Explorer (in the taskbar) and choose the View tab. At this point, place a tick in the checkbox of the Hidden items by making a click on it.
  8. Then, copy the following information – C:\Users\YourUserNameHere\AppData\Local\Packages and provide it in the File Explorer’s Quick Access bar, but before you press Enter to access the path, replace the YourUserNameHere section with your computer’s username.
  9. Then, locate a folder named Microsoft.MicrosoftEdge_8wekyb3d8bbweRight-click on it and choose Delete from the menu. Confirm your selection by clicking on Yes. If the system refuses to get rid of some files, simply click on Skip several times. Windows Packages - C:\Users\YourUserNameHere\AppData\Local\Packages
  10. As soon as the files are removed, reboot your PC. Wait until it fully loads before implementing the next milestone.
  11. Afterwards, look for the magnifying glass icon, then click on it to open search, and type powershell. As soon as the WindowsPowershell comes up in the search results, hover the computer mouse over it, right-click on it, then choose Run as Administrator.
  12. As soon as the Powershell launches, type in: cd C:\ and press Enter. Then, type cd C:\users\YourUserNameHere (again, provide your real computer username in this section) and hit Enter. Then, copy the following lines and provide them in the Powershell window:
    Get-AppXPackage -AllUsers -Name Microsoft.MicrosoftEdge | Foreach {Add-AppxPackage -DisableDevelopmentMode -Register “$($_.InstallLocation)\\AppXManifest.xml” -Verbose} Get-AppXPackage -AllUsers -Name Microsoft.MicrosoftEdge | Foreach {Add-AppxPackage -DisableDevelopmentMode -Register “$($_.InstallLocation)\\AppXManifest.xml” -Verbose}
  13.  Hit Enter and wait until the process is over. Once completed, reboot your device. The INET_E_RESOURCE_NOT_FOUND trouble should be now resolved.
Solution 6. The last tip – resetting the Netsh
The method set forth below resets IP settings, thus in case you have a static IP, note that the values will be refreshed. If you want save your IP settings, make sure to implement the milestones provided below.

  1. Right-click on Windows icon in the taskbar and select Windows PowerShell (Admin). Select Yes to apply the changes.
  2. In the Powershell, provide the below-said command: ipconfig /all > C:\ipconfiguration.txt . This will save your present IP settings.
  3. Then, copy and paste the below-mentioned command: netsh int ip reset c:\resetlog.txt and hit Enter;
  4. Afterwards, copy and paste this information: netsh winsock reset and hit Enter; INET_E_RESOURCE_NOT_FOUND Error - resetting the Netsh
  5. Reboot your computer.

About the author

Valdis Koks

Security engineer, reverse engineering and memory forensics

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