Software⏱️ 4 min read📅 2026-06-11

How to Fix: Edge browser error 'Hmm, we can't reach this page' loading localhost address

Microsoft Edge error 'Hmm, we can't reach this page' loading localhost address on Windows 10.

Quick Answer: Check the proxy exceptions and ensure the loopback flag is enabled.

The 'Edge browser error 'Hmm, we can't reach this page' loading localhost address' issue affects Microsoft Edge users who are trying to access local web pages using the localhost address. This error occurs when the edge browser is unable to establish a connection with the local server running on the same machine.

This error can be particularly frustrating for developers and IT professionals who rely on their local servers for testing and development purposes. The good news is that this issue has a solution, and we will guide you through the steps to resolve it.

⚠️ Common Causes

  • The primary reason for this error is that the edge browser is unable to resolve the localhost address due to its inability to access the DNS (Domain Name System). This can be caused by various factors such as incorrect host file entries, DNS resolution issues, or corrupted system files.
  • Another possible cause of this error is related to the proxy settings. Even though you mentioned that browsing without a proxy works fine, using the proxy exception may not resolve the issue due to potential conflicts with the edge browser's proxy settings.

✅ Best Solutions to Fix It

Check and update host file entries

  1. Step 1: Open Notepad or any other text editor as administrator on your Windows machine.
  2. Step 2: Navigate to the host file located at C:\Windows\System32\drivers\etc\hosts (you can search for this path using the Windows Search feature).
  3. Step 3: Look for the localhost address entry and update it to match the actual IP address of your local server. For example, if your local server is running on port 8080, you would update the entry to read 127.0.0.1 www.desenv:8080.
  4. Step 4: Save the changes to the host file by pressing Ctrl + S and then clicking File > Save As.
  5. Step 5: Restart Microsoft Edge and try accessing the localhost address again.

Reset proxy settings

  1. Step 1: Open Microsoft Edge and navigate to the Settings page (you can do this by typing edge://settings/ in the address bar).
  2. Step 2: Scroll down to the 'Proxy' section and click on the 'Manage proxy settings' button.
  3. Step 3: Select 'Do not use a proxy server' as your network location.
  4. Step 4: Click Apply and then OK to save the changes.
  5. Step 5: Restart Microsoft Edge and try accessing the localhost address again.

🎯 Final Words

By following these steps, you should be able to resolve the 'Edge browser error 'Hmm, we can't reach this page' loading localhost address' issue. If you are still experiencing issues after trying both methods, it may be worth checking for any other potential causes and seeking further assistance from Microsoft Edge support or a qualified IT professional.

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