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The “This page has been blocked by Chrome” error is a common issue for Chrome users. Thankfully, there are various simple ways to resolve it. 

Google can prevent you from visiting a website because of privacy concerns, regional restrictions, or network policies. 

Sometimes, you can’t visit a website because Google thinks it’s dangerous, like potentially infecting your PC with malware. 

In this guide, we’ll show you how to unblock websites on Chrome without any issues. 

Let’s begin. 

Which Websites Does Google Chrome Usually Block?

For several reasons, Google Chrome could limit the access to or block some websites.

Here are some reasons why there are blocked sites in Google Chrome:

1. Restrictions set by the government

Governments in certain countries block certain websites for social, political, or cultural reasons.

These restrictions can take many forms, from blocking social media platforms to news website censorship or removing sensitive or inappropriate content.

2. Organizational or network policies

Workplaces, schools, and other institutions usually implement network policies to limit access to specific websites to maintain security, boost productivity, and avoid distractions.

These restrictions may include gaming, social media, or streaming websites at work or school hours.

3. Phishing or malware websites

Google Chrome has built-in security features that alert you to dangerous websites. For example, it may prevent you from visiting a website if it’s hosting malware or phishing scams. 

Related: How to Prevent Malware: Lock Down Your Online Safety 

In the following sections, we’ll discuss how to view blocked sites in Chrome. 

How to Unblock Websites on Google Chrome: Desktop

If you want to know how to unblock sites on Chrome, follow the methods below.

Method 1: Unblock websites from Chrome’s restricted sites list

Google has a list of restricted websites. That means you can’t access those sites no matter what you do.

However, these sites are not blocked in your location. So, you can remove them from the restricted sites list to gain access again.

Here’s how to do it:

  • Type “control panel” in the search bar and click to open.
  • Then, click “Large icons” beside “View by.” 
  • Click “Internet Options.” 
Internet Options
  • Go to the “Security” tab, select “Restricted sites” and click “Sites.” 
Restricted sites
  • If you find the website you want to visit, select it and click “Remove.” 
Restricted sites remove
  • Click “OK” to apply the changes. 

Relaunch Chrome and check if the problem has been resolved. 

Related: How to Unblock Websites on a School Chromebook? 

Method 2: Use a VPN to view blocked sites in Chrome

Another reason why you can’t access a website is because your school, company, or country has blocked it.

You can use virtual private networks (VPNs) to learn how to bypass blocked sites.

“ A VPN is a service that helps you access blocked websites by hiding your location and IP address. It encrypts your internet connection and routes it via a remote server. ”

You can use free VPNs to bypass restricted access, but they tend to be unreliable or slow and may share your information with authorities. 

So, we recommend using reliable VPNs like NordVPN, ExpressVPN, or Surfshark. 

In the next methods, we’ll show you how to unblock websites on Chrome without a VPN. 

Related: How to Choose VPN: Best Free VPN for Windows 10

Method 3: Reset your Hosts file

Like a DNS server, a Hosts file is a text file that links domain names to IP addresses. When your Hosts file gets modified, it can block you from accessing a specific site. 

Here’s how to unblock a website on Chrome by resetting your Hosts file: Click on your local drive (C:) and open the “Windows” folder.

Windows folder
  • Search for “System32” and double-click to open. 
  • Click on “drivers” and select “etc.”
  • Right-click on “hosts” and select “Open with” > “Notepad.” 
open hosts with Notepad
  • If the website has the numerals 127.0.0.1, it means the Hosts file has been modified. This may be preventing you from accessing the site. Just click the entire URL and delete it. 
  • Save the changes before closing the Notepad. 

Restart Chrome and see if you can now access the website. 

“ If your Hosts file is hidden, you won’t see it in the folder. To make it visible, go to Control Panel, set the “View by” to “Large icons,” and select “File Explorer Options.”Then, click “Show hidden files, folders, and drives” under “View.” This will display the Hosts file. ”

Method 4: Use Chrome extensions

Most users ask, “How to unblock websites on a computer?” One way to answer this question is to use Google Chrome extensions.

You can use good VPN extensions on the Chrome Web Store to unblock restricted sites.

Here’s how to unblock websites using Chrome extensions:

  • Open Chrome. 
  • Click on the three dots at the top right corner. 
  • Click on “Extensions” and select “Visit Chrome Web Store.” 
Visit Chrome web store
  • Search for your preferred VPN extension and click “Add to Chrome.” 
Add VPN extension to Chrome

How to Access Blocked Websites on Mobile Devices

Here’s how to access blocked websites on mobile devices:

Method 1: Use Orbot to unblock websites

Orbot is a free proxy app that encrypts your internet data and helps you access blocked sites on Android and iOS smartphones.

Here’s how to unblock blocked websites using Orbot:

  • Download Orbot from the Google Play Store.
  • Open the app and turn on the VPN Mode. 
Orbot VPN

You can also download Orweb, a browser that supports Tor. This can help you browse blocked sites without any restrictions. 

“ The Onion Router (Tor) browser is software that allows users to browse the Internet with high privacy. It offers more privacy than Chrome’s Incognito Mode. Tor routes your online activity through numerous routers (or nodes), making tracking and identifying you difficult. That’s a major reason Tor is closely linked to the dark web, even though that’s not the intended purpose. Some countries don’t allow citizens to access the network. So, check to see if it’s allowed in your country before using it. ”

Method 2: Use a VPN app

You can download and install VPN apps on your iOS or Android devices. This can help you access blocked sites on your smartphone.

If you already have a VPN, download its app, log in, and turn it on.

Related: “Do I Need a VPN?” Main Benefits of Using a VPN 

Method 3: Use DNS changer apps

You can change your mobile device’s domain name system (DNS) settings by using DNS changer apps.

Changing your DNS server can help you visit previously blocked sites and bypass the restrictions your ISP or network administrator has set.

“ Exercise caution when using DNS changer apps. Make sure the source is reliable when using DNS changer software since it can compromise your security and privacy.”

Conclusion

Throughout this article, we’ve shown you how to unblock websites on Chrome. Go through the methods and find the one that works best for you.

If none of the methods discussed in this guide doesn’t work for you, consider using a different browser. 

We recommend using Brave because it has built-in Tor and VPN, which can help you access blocked sites. 

If you have any additional tips to share, please leave a comment below. 

Also, share this article with your friends if this guide was helpful.

FAQ

Yes. You can legally unblock a website on Chrome, but it’ll depend on why the website was blocked. For example, if a website is blocked for copyright violations, it’ll be illegal to unblock such sites. So, before unblocking a web page, find out why it shows the “This page has been blocked by Chrome” error. 
Yes. Several Chrome extensions help unblock websites by rerouting your internet traffic via several servers or networks to bypass any restrictions. Always choose reliable extensions from the Google Chrome Web Store, like Shield VPN and be careful of privacy concerns and security risks. 
Proxy servers allow you to access websites prohibited by masking your IP address and rerouting your internet traffic through their servers. However, they do offer little protection.VPNs hide your IP address and provide a private and encrypted connection, making them more dependable and secure. Also, they encrypt your data to protect your security and privacy.
Not directly. Incognito mode doesn’t hide your IP address or encrypt your internet traffic. So it can’t bypass restricted sites. It only prevents cookies and browsing history from storing on your computer. However, if you can’t access a website because of cookies and browsing history, you may be able to use Incognito Mode to bypass it. And that’s a maybe. It’s not foolproof.