can't acces some websites
All of a sudden users cannot access websites. examples are: aztaxes.gov and arcoro.com
I have added these to the allowed domains on our Sonicwall and I also tried turning unchecking "enable content filtering service" but that did not help. Not that familiar with all of the settings on my Sonicwall so any help would be appreciated. Maybe it is not a firewall issue.
I have added these to the allowed domains on our Sonicwall and I also tried turning unchecking "enable content filtering service" but that did not help. Not that familiar with all of the settings on my Sonicwall so any help would be appreciated. Maybe it is not a firewall issue.
ASKER
I did this and got the same info. Could this be a DNS server issue?
No, then it's not a DNS issue. Try a traceroute next. (Though I'm still suspecting your firewall, look through the logs for those IP nrs)
ASKER
Can I disable firewall for a time to test? How would I do this? Like I said above, I have unchecked enable content filtering.
ASKER
FYI: The DHCP/DNS server CAN access these websites.
I also have a MACBOOK from home that is receiving a ip from DHCP and is using the same DNS servers as the Windows computers in the office and it CAN get to the websites no one else can
I also have a MACBOOK from home that is receiving a ip from DHCP and is using the same DNS servers as the Windows computers in the office and it CAN get to the websites no one else can
If you have a spare simple router with the same routing info as the firewall, I'd quickly put this in place of the firewall to test.
Usually, fully disabling the firewall take much more time, and if you didn't backup the settings, restoring it will take even more time.
Usually, fully disabling the firewall take much more time, and if you didn't backup the settings, restoring it will take even more time.
ASKER
I don't have that available. Guess that is something I will prepare if this happens in the future
So traceroute is next.While doing that, check the firewall logs.
ASKER
Looks like it is a different problem. I can access these websites with internet explorer (old version) and Firefox. I can't access the websites with Chrome and Edge. Any ideas on this problem or do I need to make a different question that refers to browsers?
- Did you check your log files as Kimputer stated? Do you see anything there?
- I added the topic tag Web Browsers & Networking to this post since you're not sure if it's truly a firewall problem.
- Internet Explorer should be moved away from as its being retired by Microsoft, I was just looking at a post not too long ago pertaining to IE, you may want to look at this:
- What version is the OS, are they fully patched? W10? Any outstanding updates?
- Are the browsers updated?
- Instead of the firewall, what about security or filters in place, anti-virus-related apps?
- Did you try clearing the cache and history or resetting one of the browser's settings back to defaults?
- You may be able to lodge a support case with SonicWall as well as a last resort.
ASKER
I cleaned cache and disabled anti-virus for a time but that did not help. These are win 10 pro computers. I will check for any updates.
ASKER
Chrome is up to date
Did you also dig into the SonicWall KB library they may have some tips too for troubleshooting this, just some examples:
- https://www.sonicwall.com/support/knowledge-base/unable-to-access-certain-websites-either-slow-or-completely-failing/170505518651695/
- https://www.sonicwall.com/support/knowledge-base/problem-accessing-some-websites-even-with-them-added-to-cfs-allowed-domains/170503455836458/
ASKER
Curious. Why do you think this is a SonicWall issue if only Chrome cannot access these websites? I downloaded a couple other browsers and they have no trouble. Only Chrome.
Only Chrome? Sorry, above you mentioned: "I can't access the websites with Chrome and Edge" and initially had mentioned SonicWall so trying to rule that out:
- Do they have any extensions in their web browser to disable?
- Does it work when you launch Chrome in Incognito mode?
ASKER
Sorry. Too busy today! Edge and Chrome will not work, you are right. Safari, internet explorer, Brave, Opera, Firefox, all work.
I reset Chrome back to default settings with no add on's or extensions and it still does not work.
Incognito mode does not help
I reset Chrome back to default settings with no add on's or extensions and it still does not work.
Incognito mode does not help
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ASKER
I disabled the policy on the SonicWall and also uchecked content filtering but it did not help. Is there somewhere else I would look on the firewall?
ASKER
Must have been a cached website I was looking at. Brave does not work either. You are right, Chrome based web browsers are the problem
Disable the local firewall on the PC to check if some rule in there causes the issue.
Btw you say users can’t access those sites. What message or error do they get?
ASKER
ASKER
Firewall is off on the computer I am testing. No change. Can't access site.
Hmm, any plugins in Chrome that you can disable? Resetting Chome settings - have you tried that?
Maybe it’s easier to get a fresh copy of Chrome and see if that works. Quick way to do that is by downloading a portable version, you just install it in a local folder and start it from there.
https://portableapps.com/apps/internet/google_chrome_portable
Maybe it’s easier to get a fresh copy of Chrome and see if that works. Quick way to do that is by downloading a portable version, you just install it in a local folder and start it from there.
https://portableapps.com/apps/internet/google_chrome_portable
- Can you try disabling hardware or graphics acceleration under Chrome settings?
- Try updating their network driver for their computer model from the manufacturer's site or reinstall the driver they have.
- What about antivirus software or AV extensions etc? None
- How many are impacted by this all or some?
- From an elevated prompt run:
ipconfig /flushdns
ASKER
I will try this. All in network are affected
Currently:
> aztaxes.gov
Server: dns.google
Address: 8.8.8.8
Non-authoritative answer:
Name: aztaxes.gov
Addresses: 104.18.148.232
104.18.149.232
> arcoro.com
Server: dns.google
Address: 8.8.8.8
Non-authoritative answer:
Name: arcoro.com
Address: 104.196.4.83
Both working here right now.