How To Fix the ‘inet_e_resource_not_found’ Error in Windows 10

Of all the Windows errors I see on a daily basis, this error message has to be one of the strangest. You would usually see ‘inet_e_resource_not_found’ errors in Microsoft Edge which came with Windows 10. It will often appear when you type a URL into Edge or selected a favorite. It could be a site you have accessed dozens of times before or a new URL you type in, it seems random.

If you see ‘inet_e_resource_not_found’ errors when you use Edge, there are a couple of ways to fix it.

The error is actually a known issue and Microsoft tried to address it with a bug fix in the Fall Creator’s Update in 2017. It worked for many users but not for everyone. As a PC tech, I see this occasionally even now and even on computers running the latest version of Windows 10.

Fix ‘inet_e_resource_not_found’ errors in Windows 10

The error page refers to DNS but I’m not sure if it is related to that or not. It is a bug that was introduced sometime in 2017 by a Windows update but exactly how it affects the browser I am not sure. I do know how to fix it though.

First off, it is worth mentioning that a few other tech websites recommend downloading regfix files. There is no need to do this and it could be dangerous to do so. The Windows registry is a complex database that underpins how your whole computer works. Downloading random registry keys is not a good idea at the best of times. It is much better to follow this guide and make any changes manually. That way you always know what’s going on.

There are a couple of things to try if you are seeing this error. Try one and if it works stop there. If it doesn’t, move on to the next.

Winsock reset

Winsock is short for Windows Sockets API which is how Windows interfaces with network protocols. Sometimes this needs resetting. Under normal circumstances, having to do this is extremely rare but I have fixed this error a few times just by resetting Winsock.

Type ‘cmd’ into the Windows search box.
When the Command Prompt appears in the Windows menu, right click and select Run as administrator.
Type ‘netsh winsock reset’ and hit Enter.
Reboot your computer.

You need to reboot your computer to allow Winsock to reestablish itself. Once rebooted, retry Edge and see if it works. If not, move on to the next solution.

Manually set DNS servers

If you let your ISP set your DNS servers, first off, why? Second, let’s get that changed right away. Reconfiguring DNS is another way I have fixed ‘inet_e_resource_not_found’ errors. We can do that via the command line too.

Type ‘cmd’ into the Windows search box.
When the Command Prompt appears in the Windows menu, right click and select Run as administrator.
Type ‘netsh interface ip set dns name=”Local Area Connection” static 8.8.8.8’ and hit Enter. (Google DNS).
Type ‘netsh interface ip add dns name=”Local Area Connection” 8.8.4.4 index=2’ and hit Enter. (Google DNS).

Retry Edge and see if this works. This is a dynamic change so you should not need to reboot your computer for this to work. You don’t have to use Google DNS, you could use OpenDNS or other provider if you prefer.

Reset Edge

You can perform an in-place repair of Microsoft Edge that can alleviate this error. Quite how repairing the browser works I do not know. My theory is that it looks online for copies of files much like how DISM works and overwrites any it finds different. However it works, it can work.

Right click the Windows Start button and select Settings.
Select Apps and select Microsoft Edge from the list on the right.
Select Advanced options. You will be taken to a different screen.
Select Repair. This will cause Windows Store to attempt to repair any broken or different files.
Open and retry Edge once the process completes.

Again, you don’t need a reboot to see if this method works. As soon as you open Edge, it will use any new files downloaded or replaced. If it was a file issue, it should begin working right away.

Use a different browser

My final solution to fixing ‘inet_e_resource_not_found’ errors is a little tongue in cheek but does have method in its madness. Microsoft Edge is still behind other browsers in terms of features and capability. While it has come a long way since IE11 or since Edge itself launched, it still lags behind other browsers.

The only reason to use Microsoft Edge is if you’re on a work or school computer and cannot change it. In every other circumstance, you should use a different browser. Life is just easier that way.

Know of any other ways to fix ‘inet_e_resource_not_found’ errors in Windows 10? Tell us about them below if you do!