FIX: The requested URL could not be retrieved on Windows 10/11

The requested URL could not be retrieved message can sometimes appear and cause problems while trying to visit certain websites.

The issue can be encountered no matter the browser you’re using and sometimes, the access denied notification adds to the error.

A few variations of the same issue are the following:

• The requested URL could not be retrieved while trying to retrieve the URL/ connection reset by peer – The cause might be network glitches.
• The requested URL could not be retrieved proxy/ VPN – It indicates that your proxy or VPN is causing the problem.

How do I fix The requested URL could not be retrieved error?

1. Check your antivirus
2. Disable your proxy
3. Disable Windows Firewall
4. Restart your router/modem
5. Use Command Prompt
6. Perform a Clean boot
7. Install the latest updates

1. Check your antivirus

Usually, the mentioned error occurs due to your antivirus, as it might interfere with your Internet connection. 

Therefore, it’s advised that you check your antivirus settings as well as the firewall.

The simplest way is to temporarily disable the firewall. In case the issue is still there, you might have to completely disable your antivirus or remove it.

If removing the antivirus solves the problem, you should consider switching to a different antivirus solution.

So there are plenty of antivirus programs that can provide security for online browsing, including sensitive information like banking and online payments.

Thus you should act consciously and try out new best antivirus software for your Windows 10 computer.

2. Disable your proxy

1. Click the Menu icon in the top-right corner.
2. Choose Options from the menu.
   
3. Scroll all the way down to the Network Proxy and click the Settings button.
   
4. Set Configure Proxy Access to the Internet to No proxy or to Use system proxy settings.
5. Click OK to save changes.
   

Keep in mind that these instructions are for Firefox, but if you’re using a different browser, the process should be relatively the same.

After disabling the proxy, you just need to disable it on your system, as shown below:

1. Press Windows Key + I to open the Settings app.
2. Now navigate to the Network & Internet section.
   
3. Choose Proxy from the left pane. (In the right pane, disable all options.)
   

After doing that, the proxy should be completely disabled on your PC and the problem will be resolved.

3. Disable Windows Firewall

1. In the Search bar type firewall.
2. Choose Windows Defender Firewall from the list.
   
3. Pick Turn Windows Defender Firewall on or off from the menu on the left.
   
4. Now you need to select Turn off Windows Defender Firewall (not recommended) for both Private and Public networks.
5. Lastly, click OK button to save changes.
   

Now Windows Firewall should be disabled. If everything works properly afterward, enable the firewall once again and try to find which setting is causing the issue.

4. Restart your router/modem

In some cases The requested URL could not be retrieved message can appear due to certain glitches with your router/modem.

If that’s the case, we advise you to turn these off by pressing the Power button on each device.

Wait for about 30 seconds and power them back on. Wait for the devices to boot completely. After both devices boot, check if the problem is still there.

Several users reported that this method worked for them, so feel free to try it out.

5.  Use Command Prompt

1. Right-click the Start button to open Win + X menu.
2. Now choose Command Prompt (Admin) (or PowerShell (Admin) for older OS).
   
3. Run the following commands:

• ipconfig /release
• ipconfig /renew

After doing that, you should have a new IP address and the issue should be resolved. For the best results, be sure to use this solution after restarting your router.

6. Perform a Clean boot

1. Press Windows Key + R. Now enter msconfig in the input field and click OK or press Enter.
   
2. Head over to the Services tab and check Hide all Microsoft services option.
3. Now click the Disable all button.
   
4. Go to the Startup tab and click Open Task Manager.
   
5. Right-click the first application on the list and choose Disable from the menu. (Do this for all startup applications.)
   
6. Next, go back to the System Configuration window.
7. Click Apply and OK to save changes and restart your PC.
   

Once your PC restarts, check if the problem is still there. If the issue doesn’t appear, then it’s certainly caused by one of your applications or services.

To pinpoint it, you need to enable services and applications one by one or in groups until you manage to recreate the problem.

Once you find the problematic application, it’s advised to remove it from your PC.

There are several ways to do that, but if you want to remove the application completely along with all of its files and registry entries we recommend using uninstaller software.

To download a proficient uninstaller solution, you might want to inform about the fittest uninstaller software for Windows 10 PCs.

7. Install the latest updates

1. Open the Settings app and navigate to the Update & Security section.
   
2. In the right pane, click Check for updates button.
3. If any updates are available, Windows will download them automatically and install them once you restart your PC.
   

Once your system is up to date, check if the problem is still there.

As mentioned, The requested URL could not be retrieved message can prevent you from accessing certain websites. We truly hope that you solved the problem after reading this article.

If you used another way that we didn’t mention here, please share it with us in the comments and we will certainly update the solutions list.

[wl_navigator]