Replies

1. 
   gary_vaiskauckas | Feb 18, 2022 11:26am | #1

   Try logging in with a different browser than the one you normally use (Chrome, Edge, Safari or Mozilla) to make sure it is not a specific browser issue on your computer.

   If that doesn't work:

   FWW CUSTOMER SUPPORT
   866-325-2495
   M-F: 7am - 8pm CST
   S: 8am - 6pm CST
   Closed Sunday

   or

   Try Ben Strano [email protected]

1. 
   grbmds | Feb 18, 2022 11:38am | #2

   I have tried all of the things I know about. I can log in on my iMac with either Safari or Chrome. It is just on Chrome on my PC (and, today, it is just fine, but it's been fine for a few days before also). I have been in touch with Ben and will forward what he needs. I've emptied the browser cache several times, reinstalled Chrome, but it just persists periodically (not constantly). I have recently been in touch with Netgear (manufacturer of my wifi router). The router is new and excellent across the board except with this one site. They want me to change DNS settings to static which they gave me, but I'm cautious since I don't know the effects and, since it's one site, question why that is needed.

1. 
   gary_vaiskauckas | Feb 18, 2022 11:59am | #3

   Hi grbmds, DNS is the Domain Name Server. It is sort of a phonebook for the internet. It maps URLs or website addresses (www.finewoodworking.com) to phyical IP (Internet Protocol) addresses.

   DNS resolution of https://www.finewoodworking.com points to IP address 172.67.71.145

   If you haven't previously changed the setting, your router default probably picks up the default DNS of your Internet provider (Comcast, Spectrum, AT&T, etc.).

   Alternatively you can change the DNS host in your router to one of a number of trusted DNS hosts and you may speed lookup in the process.

   Here are a few of the top DNS servers:

   1.1.1.1 Cloudflare

   8.8.8.8 Google

   9.9.9.9 Quad9 An industry group with a "service works like any other public DNS server, except that it won't resolve websites that are marked as malicious."

   Note the DNS address or setting currently in your router and you can always change it back if you prefer.

   It does appear as though the finewoodworking host / IP address changed in Nov 2021. All DNS servers should have picked up the change.

2. 
   gary_vaiskauckas | Feb 18, 2022 12:14pm | #4

   Since it only intermittantly occurs on your Windows PC you can check to see your network settings:

   Windows Start > Settings > Network & Internet > Properties

   and look at network IP Settings. If your network is configured the same way as most home networks the IPv4 DNS Server should point to your router or IPv4 Gateway in Windows nomenclature.

   If it points directly at another DNS server that might be your problem.

   Example these should match on your Windows PC:

   IPv4 DNS Server 192.168.0.1

   IPv4 Gateway 192.168.0.1

   The 192.168.0.1 matches whatever the Ethernet (home network) IP address of your router.

1. 
   grbmds | Feb 18, 2022 03:58pm | #5

   I don't see exactly what you are describing (nothing called IPv4 Gateway) but:
   IPv4 address: 192.168.12
   IPv4 DNS servers: 192.168.1.1

   Should these match? If so, should the address be changed to match the server?

   As for your other suggestion, Netgear did suggest that I make these changes on the router:

   Select Use These DNS Servers.
   5. Next to Primary DNS, put 8.8.8.8
   6. While to Secondary DNS, 8.8.4.4

   Will either of these work? Is one a better choice?

1. 
   gary_vaiskauckas | Feb 18, 2022 06:55pm | #6

   From my perspective your Windows PC settings looks fine with the assumption that you just made a typo in your note as I describe in my note below.

   I separated these into two sections - Windows PC and Router to keep things straight.

   **** Windows PC Info Start *******

   The IP Addresses in your home network (Domain) is 192.168.1.x. Where x is assigned numbers 1 through 254.

   Your IPv4 DNS server is 192.168.1.1 which should match your IPv4 Gateway (Windows terminology). This is as it should be.

   Note: From your note above "IPv4 address: 192.168.12" must be a typo as it is missing a number. Did you mean 192.168.1.12 or 192.168.1.2? Either is fine.

   I attached a screen capture of the network settings on my Windows PC FOR YOUR REFERENCE ONLY - DO NOT CHANGE you Windows PC to these settings.

   Note: My Domain is 10.10.0.x vs yours is 192.168.1.x. That part doesn't matter it just needs to be consistent within the Domain (home network).

   IPv4 address 10.10.0.9 is my Windows Computer
   IPv4 gateway 10.10.0.1 is my Router
   IPv4 DNS Servers 10.10.0.1 means my Router is acting as my internal DNS Server.

   ****** Windows PC Info End **********

   ******* Router Info Start **********

   Text from your note above:

   "Select Use These DNS Servers.
   5. Next to Primary DNS, put 8.8.8.8
   6. While to Secondary DNS, 8.8.4.4

   Will either of these work? Is one a better choice?"

   Yes this is how I have my router set. I would set both the primary and secondary DNS Servers as Netgear technical support has recommended.

   8.8.8.8 is the primary Google DNS Server and
   8.8.4.4 is the secondary Google DNS Server.

   Write down or take a picture of the screen setting before you change your router so that you can easily go back if you desire.

   Note: Your Netgear Router might require a restart for the DNS Server change to take place.

   ****** Router Info End *******