How to unblock blocked websites (9 easy ways)

Learn how to unblock blocked websites in a few different ways using tricks, free software, online services, and apps.

Blocked websites

When you're bored at your office, school, or at home, and have some spare time, then you might want to go online and visit your favorite site, like Facebook, YouTube, Twitter, Vimeo, Yahoo, Gmail, VK, Reddit, Pinterest, Google, LinkedIn, or another website to check your email, check what your friends are sharing, watch videos, play video games, chat with someone, or do other things online.

So you open your web browser and visit your favorite website but then you find out that the site is blocked.

And:

You might get one of the following messages in your web browser: DENIED, ACCESS DENIED, This site can't be reached, Hmm. We're having trouble finding that site. We can't connect to the server at vimeo.com. or Hmmm...can't reach this page.

There are schools, companies, and even countries that block certain websites like social media, video sharing, political, news, and adult sites.

When it happens only at work or at your school, then it's probably blocked by the network administrator of the company or school.

But:

There are also countries where governments (authorities) block certain websites.

Countries may block websites for the following areas of activity:

  • Political: Views and information in opposition to those of the current government or related to human rights, freedom of expression, minority rights, and religious movements.
  • Social: Views and information perceived as offensive or as socially sensitive, often related to sexuality, gambling, or illegal drugs and alcohol.
  • Conflict/Security: Views and information related to armed conflicts, border disputes, separatist movements, and militant groups.
  • Internet Services:
    • Email services (e.g., Gmail, Yahoo Mail, Outlook.com, and AOL Mail)
    • Search engines (e.g., Google, Bing, Yahoo, and Baidu)
    • Translation (e.g., Google Translate, WorldLingo, SDL FreeTranslation, and Bing Translator)
    • Voice-over Internet Protocol (VoIP) services (e.g., Skype, Google Hangouts, and Vonage)
    • Censorship or filtering circumvention methods
    • Web hosting

In most cases, you can try a few different methods to unblock websites that are blocked.

Many people use a proxy site, but you can also unblock websites without proxy sites.

On this page, I will show you how to bypass and access blocked websites in a few different ways.

How to unblock a blocked website using DNS over HTTPS (DoH)

DNS over HTTPS is a protocol for performing remote Domain Name System resolution via the HTTPS protocol.

You can also use this to try to unblock blocked websites.

Below you will find steps to enable DNS over HTTPS in Windows 11, Google Chrome, Microsoft Edge, and Firefox

How to enable DNS over HTTPS in Windows 11

1. Right-click on the Start menu button and click on Settings. You can also press the Windows Windows key + I keys on your keyboard to open settings.

Open Windows 11 settings

2. Click on Network & Internet in the left menu.

Open Windows 11 Network and Internet settings

3. Click on Wi-Fi or Ethernet. If your PC is connected to the Internet through Wi-Fi, then you click on Wi-Fi. If your PC is connected to the Internet through an Internet (LAN) cable, then you click on Ethernet.

Open Windows 11 Internet connection settings

4. Click on Hardware properties.

Open Windows 11 internet connection hardware properties

5. Find the DNS server assignment option and click on the Edit button next to it.

Windows 11 DNS server assignment settings

6. Click on the drop-down menu button and select Manual.

Manual DNS settings

7. Click on the Ipv4 button to turn it to On.

8. In the Preferred DNS field, you enter the primary DNS server address of your choice (e.g., 8.8.8.8 or 1.1.1.1).

9. Click on the drop-down menu button below Preferred DNS encryption and select Encrypted only (DNS over HTTPS).

10. In the Alternative DNS field, you enter the secondary DNS server address of your choice (e.g., 8.8.4.4 or 1.0.0.1).

11. Click on the drop-down menu button below Preferred DNS encryption and select Encrypted only (DNS over HTTPS).

IPv4 DNS settings

12. Click on the Ipv6 button to turn it to On.

13. In the Preferred DNS field, you enter the primary DNS server address of your choice (e.g., 2001:4860:4860::8888 or 2606:4700:4700::1111).

14. Click on the drop-down menu button below Preferred DNS encryption and select Encrypted only (DNS over HTTPS).

15. In the Alternative DNS field, you enter the secondary DNS server address of your choice (e.g., 2001:4860:4860::8844 or 2606:4700:4700::1001).

16. Click on the drop-down menu button below Preferred DNS encryption and select Encrypted only (DNS over HTTPS).

IPv6 DNS settings

17. Click on the Save button.

All of your DNS requests will be private and secure.

Encrypted DNS

18. You can close the settings window now.

How to enable DNS over HTTPS in Google Chrome

Google Chrome may already have DNS over HTTPS enabled by default, but it's better to double-check and maybe make some changes in the settings, like changing the DNS service provider.

1. Open Google Chrome.

2. Click on the menu button in the top right corner.

Google Chrome menu button

3. Click on Settings.

Google Chrome open settings

4. Click on Privacy and security located in the left menu.

Google Chrome Privacy and security settings

5. Click on Security.

Google Chrome security settings

6. Click on the Use secure DNS option to turn it on.

Google Chrome secure DNS option

7. Select the With option.

8. Select a DNS service provider.

Select a DNS service provider in Google Chrome

DNS over HTTPS is now enabled.

You may need to restart your web browser before visiting the blocked website. And if the website is still blocked, try another DNS service provider.

How to enable DNS over HTTPS in Microsoft Edge

Microsoft Edge may already have DNS over HTTPS enabled by default, but it's better to double-check and maybe make some changes in the settings, like changing the DNS service provider.

1. Open Microsoft Edge.

2. Click on the menu button in the top right corner.

Edge menu button

3. Click on Settings.

Open settings in Edge

4. Click on Privacy, search, and services in the left menu.

Open privacy, search, and services settings in Microsoft Edge

5. Scroll down to the Security section.

6. Click on the Use secure DNS to specify how to lookup the network address for websites option to turn it on.

Microsoft Edge secure DNS option

7. Select the Choose a service provider option.

8. Select a DNS service provider.

Select a DNS service provider in Microsoft Edge

DNS over HTTPS is now enabled.

You may need to restart your web browser before visiting the blocked website. And if the website is still blocked, try another DNS service provider.

How to enable DNS over HTTPS in Firefox

Firefox may already have DNS over HTTPS enabled by default, but it's better to double-check and maybe make some changes in the settings, like changing the DNS service provider.

1. Open Firefox.

2. Click on the ☰ menu button in the top-right corner.

Firefox menu button

3. Click on Settings.

Firefox settings

4. Click on Privacy & Security in the left menu.

Firefox privacy and security settings

5. Scroll down to the DNS over HTTPS section.

6. Select the Max Protection option.

7. Select a DNS service provider.

Select a DNS service provider in Firefox

DNS over HTTPS is now enabled.

You may need to restart your web browser before visiting the blocked website. And if the website is still blocked, try another DNS service provider.

How to unblock a blocked website using different DNS service

DNS (Domain Name System) is what lets users connect to websites using domain names instead of IP addresses. It's the phonebook of the Internet.

You can use Google Public DNS or Cloudflare's 1.1.1.1 public DNS resolver to try to unblock blocked websites.

Below you will find steps to enable DNS over HTTPS in Windows 10, Windows 11, and Android.

Change DNS settings on Windows 10

1. Open settings.

2. Click on Network & Internet.

3. Click on Network and Sharing Center located at the bottom.

4. Click on your network.

Network in Windows

5. Click on Properties.

Network properties in Windows

6. Select (highlight) Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4).

7. Click on the Properties button.

Internet Protocol Version 4 properties in Windows 10

8. Select the Use the following DNS server addresses option.

9. Enter the IP addresses in the Preferred DNS server and Alternate DNS server fields.

For Google, you enter 8.8.8.8 and 8.8.4.4. For Cloudflare, you enter 1.1.1.1 and 1.0.0.1.

Change DNS in Windows 10

10. Click on the OK button.

11. Click on the Close button.

Your DNS settings are now changed.

Change DNS settings on Windows 11

1. Right-click on the Start menu button and click on Settings. You can also press the Windows Windows key + I keys on your keyboard to open settings.

Open Windows 11 settings

2. Click on Network & Internet in the left menu.

Open Windows 11 Network and Internet settings

3. Click on Wi-Fi or Ethernet. If your PC is connected to the Internet through Wi-Fi, then you click on Wi-Fi. If your PC is connected to the Internet through an Internet (LAN) cable, then you click on Ethernet.

Open Windows 11 Internet connection settings

4. Click on Hardware properties.

Open Windows 11 internet connection hardware properties

5. Find the DNS server assignment option and click on the Edit button next to it.

Windows 11 DNS server assignment settings

6. Click on the drop-down menu button and select Manual.

Manual DNS settings

7. Click on the Ipv4 button to turn it to On.

8. In the Preferred DNS field, you enter the primary DNS server address of your choice (e.g., 8.8.8.8 or 1.1.1.1).

9. Click on the drop-down menu button below Preferred DNS encryption and select Encrypted only (DNS over HTTPS).

10. In the Alternative DNS field, you enter the secondary DNS server address of your choice (e.g., 8.8.4.4 or 1.0.0.1).

11. Click on the drop-down menu button below Preferred DNS encryption and select Encrypted only (DNS over HTTPS).

IPv4 DNS settings

12. Click on the Ipv6 button to turn it to On.

13. In the Preferred DNS field, you enter the primary DNS server address of your choice (e.g., 2001:4860:4860::8888 or 2606:4700:4700::1111).

14. Click on the drop-down menu button below Preferred DNS encryption and select Encrypted only (DNS over HTTPS).

15. In the Alternative DNS field, you enter the secondary DNS server address of your choice (e.g., 2001:4860:4860::8844 or 2606:4700:4700::1001).

16. Click on the drop-down menu button below Preferred DNS encryption and select Encrypted only (DNS over HTTPS).

IPv6 DNS settings

17. Click on the Save button.

All of your DNS requests will be private and secure.

Encrypted DNS

18. You can close the settings window now.

Change DNS settings on Android

1. Open settings.

2. Tap on Connections or Network & internet.

3. Tap on More connection settings or Advanced.

4. Tap on Private DNS.

5. Select the Private DNS provider hostname option.

6. Enter the DNS provider hostname in the field below.

For Google, you enter dns.google. For Cloudflare (1.1.1.1), you enter one.one.one.one or 1dot1dot1dot1.cloudflare-dns.com.

Change DNS in Android 9

7. Tap on Save.

Your DNS settings are now changed.

Note: If you have a smartphone with an older version of Android, you can use an app, like Cloudflare's 1.1.1.1 app.

How to unblock a blocked website using a VPN (Virtual Private Network)

A VPN (Virtual Private Network) is a network technology that allows you to create a secure connection to another network over the Internet.

A VPN can be used to access region-restricted websites, shield your web browsing activities on public Wi-Fi networks, and more.

There are many paid and free VPN services and applications for Microsoft Windows, Mac OS X, Linux, Android, and iPhone (iOs).

Four examples of well-known VPN services are:

Most VPNs are very easy to use.

Some VPNs (like Windscribe) also offer a browser extension for Google Chrome, Microsoft Edge, and Firefox.

How to unblock a blocked website using the built-in proxy in Epic web browser

Epic Privacy Browser has a built-in encrypted proxy.

You can download Epic Privacy Browser here.

1. Open Epic Privacy Browser.

2. Click on the red plugs icon located at the top right of the browser.

Proxy button in Epic Privacy Browser

3. Click on the On button.

4. Select a location.

Turn on the proxy in Epic Privacy Browser and select a location

How to unblock a blocked website using Tor Browser

Tor Browser is a web browser that protects you by bouncing your communications around a distributed network of relays run by volunteers all around the world.

Tor Browser allows you to access blocked sites.

You can use this browser on Microsoft Windows, Mac OS, and Linux computers without installing it.

And:

This browser can also run off a USB flash drive.

You can download the Tor Browser here.

Just open Tor Browser and visit the blocked website.

How to unblock a blocked website using Tails

Tails is a live operating system that you can start on almost any computer from a USB stick or a DVD.

It allows you to use the Internet anonymously and circumvent censorship.

Tails forces all Internet connections to go through the Tor network.

You can download Tails here.

You can install Tails on a USB flash drive, then boot a computer from the USB flash drive, open the web browser and visit the blocked website.

How to unblock a blocked website using proxy sites

A proxy site is a website hosted on a server that redirects your web browsing activity. A proxy site acts as an intermediary between you and the website you want to visit.

You can use proxy sites to access blocked websites.

1. Visit any of the proxy sites listed below.

  • https://www.hidemyass.com/proxy
  • https://www.proxysite.com
  • https://proxysite.site
  • https://hide.me/en/proxy
  • https://hidester.com/proxy/
  • https://whoer.net/webproxy

2. Enter the URL (web address) of the website you want to unblock (e.g., www.reddit.com, www.spotify.com, etc.).

3. Press Enter.

Note: Some companies, schools, or countries block proxy sites, and they might update their list of proxy sites regularly, so you might want to make a list of proxy sites.

How to unblock a blocked website using an IP address

Sometimes only the URL of a website is blocked (e.g., www.facebook.com, www.twitter.com, etc.).

But:

You might still be able to visit the website by its IP address (e.g., 206.189.189.27).

Note: There are websites that cannot be accessed by their IP address.

How to find a website's IP address using an online service

1. Visit any of the online services listed below.

2. Enter the URL (web address) or domain name of the website (e.g., reddit.com, www.spotify.com, etc.).

3. Press Enter.

The group of numbers is the IP address of the website (e.g., 185.60.218.35).

How to find a website's IP address using Windows Command Prompt

In this example, I'll be using Facebook.

1. Open the Windows Command Prompt.

2. Type the following command:

ping facebook.com

3. Press Enter.

The group of numbers is the IP address of the website (e.g., 185.60.218.35).

How to find a website's IP address using the Mac OS X Terminal

1. Open the Mac OS X Terminal.

2. Type the following command:

ping facebook.com

3. Press Return (Enter).

The group of numbers is the IP address of the website (e.g., 185.60.218.35).

How to find a website's IP address using the Mac OS X Network Utility

1. Open the Mac Network Utility.

2. Open the Ping tab.

3. Type the site's domain name (e.g., facebook.com, twitter.com, yahoo.com, etc.).

4. Press Return (Enter).

5. Set the number of pings to 1.

6. Click on the Ping button.

The group of numbers is the IP address of the website (e.g., 185.60.218.35).

How to unblock a blocked website using a URL shortener

Maybe the URL (web address) of the website you want to visit is blocked, but converting the URL to another shorter URL with the help of a URL shortener might help you access the blocked site.

1. Visit any of the URL shorteners listed below.

2. Enter the URL (web address) of the website you want to unblock (e.g., www.reddit.com, www.spotify.com, etc.).

3. Press Enter.

The URL shortener will now create a custom short URL, and this URL can be used to visit the blocked website.