Website Not Loading on Office Network – Troubleshooting Guide

You’ve recently launched your website (e.g., your-domain.org), and while it loads correctly on all networks outside your office, it fails to load when accessed from within your office network.

This guide will walk you through potential causes and how to resolve them.

Step-by-Step Troubleshooting

1. Check DNS Resolution

The Domain Name System (DNS) translates your domain into an IP address. If your office network isn’t resolving your domain properly, the site won't load.

• Run a DNS Lookup:

  nslookup your-domain.org
  

• What to look for:

  • If it fails or shows an incorrect IP, your DNS settings may be misconfigured.

• Fix:

  • Update DNS settings on your office router or individual machines to use a public DNS service such as:

    • Google DNS: 8.8.8.8 and 8.8.4.4

    • Cloudflare DNS: 1.1.1.1 and 1.0.0.1

2. Check Firewall or Content Filter

Office firewalls or content filtering systems (e.g., SonicWall, Barracuda) can block newly registered or unknown domains.

• Test the IP Directly:

  • Run:

    ping your-domain.org
    

• Fix:

  • If the IP works but the domain does not, your domain may be blocked.

  • Add your domain to the firewall or filter's allowlist.

3. Check for Proxy or Gateway Interference

Office networks may use a proxy or security gateway that intercepts and filters traffic.

• Fix:

  • Check if your browser or system is using a proxy.

  • If so, temporarily disable it and test access to the website.

  • Consult your IT administrator if you're unsure.

4. Flush DNS Cache

Sometimes, the office network or individual devices may be caching outdated DNS data.

• Clear the DNS Cache:

  • Windows:

    
    ipconfig /flushdns
    

  • macOS:

    sudo dscacheutil -flushcache; sudo killall -HUP mDNSResponder
    

5. Check Router-Level Settings

Your office router may be blocking the domain or using custom DNS overrides.

• Fix:

  • Log into your office router and inspect DNS, blocklists, or custom routing settings.

  • Remove or correct any entries related to your domain.

  • Restart the router to apply changes.

6. Run a Traceroute

Use traceroute to identify where the connection is failing.

• Run:

  • Windows:

    tracert your-domain.org
    

  • macOS/Linux:

    traceroute your-domain.org
    

• Review:

  • If the trace fails early, it’s likely a local network issue.

Final Recommendation

If none of the above steps resolve the issue, contact your office network administrator or IT support. Provide them with:

• A successful test result from an external connection

• The DNS and traceroute output from the office network