1. Home
  2. Computing & Technology
  3. PC Support

How To Troubleshoot an Error in a URL

By , About.com Guide

Few things are more frustrating than when you click a link or type in a lengthy web site address and the page doesn't load. While there are a number of reasons this might happen, often times the URL is simply incorrect.

If there's a problem with a URL, these easy to follow steps will help you find it.

Difficulty: Easy
Time Required: Less than 15 minutes
Here's How:
  1. If you're using the http: portion of the URL, did you include the forward slashes after the colon?

  2. Did you remember the www? Some websites require this to load properly.

  3. Did you remember the .com, .net, or other top level domain?

  4. Did you type the actual page name if necessary? For example, most web pages have specific names that end in .htm or .html, among others.

  5. Are you using back slashes \\ instead of the correct forward slashes // after the http: portion of the URL?

  6. Check the www. Did you forget a w or add an extra by mistake - wwww?

  7. Did you type the correct file extension for the page? For example, there's a world of difference in .html and .htm.

  8. If the website is a common one that you're familiar with then double check the spelling. For example, www.googgle.com is very close to www.google.com, but it won't get you to the popular search engine.

  9. If you copied the URL from outside the broswer and pasted it in the address bar, check to see that the entire URL was copied properly. For example, often times the URL in an email message will span two or more lines but only the first line will be pasted in the browser.

Explore PC Support
About.com Special Features

Holiday Central

What to eat, where to go, fun things to do and how to save money on the perfect gifts. More >

Family Tech Center

Stay connected and entertained with reviews on tips on the latest HDTVs, cellphones and more. More >

  1. Home
  2. Computing & Technology
  3. PC Support
  4. Find the Problem
  5. Wrong URL - How to Troubleshoot an Error in a URL>

©2009 About.com, a part of The New York Times Company.

All rights reserved.