LightAtom

ERR_ADDRESS_UNREACHABLE: How to Fix It

Your device has no network path to the address. Common with local IPs (routers, NAS, printers) opened from another network, or with VPN and IPv6 routing problems.

ERR_ADDRESS_UNREACHABLE

Your computer doesn't know how to reach that IP address: no network route leads there, so the request never left your device.

Quick checks

  • Is it a local address (192.168.x.x, 10.x.x.x)? Then you must be on the same network as that device.
  • Disconnect or connect the VPN, depending on whether the address is on the VPN's network.
  • Check the device you're trying to reach is switched on.

Fixes on Mac

  1. Check you're on the right network

    1. Run ipconfig getifaddr en0 to see your address; the target should share the first parts (for a /24, the first three numbers).
    2. Run netstat -rn -f inet | head to see your default route and routes added by VPNs.

  2. Allow local network access

    1. macOS asks apps for permission to reach local devices. Check System Settings › Privacy & Security › Local Network and turn it on for your browser.

  3. Restart the network connection

    1. Turn Wi-Fi off and on, or renew the DHCP lease in System Settings › Network › Details › TCP/IP.

Fixes on Windows

  1. Check routes and adapters

    1. Run ipconfig and route print to compare your address and routes with the target.
    2. Disable unused virtual adapters (old VPNs, VMs) in Network Connections.

Other devices

  1. Phones

    1. Join the same Wi-Fi as the device you're trying to open.

Still not working?

If you're trying to reach a home device from outside, a local address won't work; you need port forwarding, a VPN into your home network or the device's cloud access.

For public addresses, traceroute shows whether packets leave your network at all.

See what’s happening

LightAtom's Map counts connections to local devices separately under Local network, and the connections view shows each one.

Frequently asked questions

Why can't I reach my router's IP address?

You may be on a different network, such as a VPN or mobile data, or the router uses a different address. Check the Router field in System Settings › Network › Details › TCP/IP.

What does Local Network permission do on a Mac?

Since macOS 15, apps need permission to connect to devices on your local network. If you denied it for your browser, local addresses fail. Turn it back on in Privacy & Security › Local Network.

Can a VPN cause ERR_ADDRESS_UNREACHABLE?

Yes. Full-tunnel VPNs often block or reroute local-network traffic, and some conflict with your home network's address range.

Related errors and tools

Related

LightAtom team

The people who build LightAtom, a network monitor for macOS.