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A couple days ago all of a sudden my laptop stopped connecting to the Internet. For instance, if I open the Chrome browser (64-bit version 78.0.3904.97) and enter in the url textbox: apple.stackexchange.com, then after a long wait the following message appears:

This site can't be reached
apple.stackexchangecom's server IP address could not be found.
Try:
Checking the proxy, firewall, and DNS configuration
DNS_PROBE_FINISHED_BAD_CONFIG

This happens whether I connect with Ethernet or WiFi.

However, strangely, my VPN app (TorGuard v. 3.96.1) still manages to connect when turned on, and if I repeat the above scenario while the VPN app is on, Chrome downloads the apple.stackexchange.com front page.

Given the above error message, I should probably add that, as far as I know, I use no proxy or firewall, however if someone could explain to me how to check this definitively, I'll be grateful.

Computer: MacBook Pro (mid 2012)
OS: macOS Catalina, v. 10.15

It has been suggested that this question is a duplicate of this question. I don't think it is, becaused the other question says: "I just tried at a friend's house to check, with no problems." In my case I don't think trying to connect elsewhere would have solved the problem, because the problem was with the DNS settings, which, to the best of my understanding, are configured manually, and don't simply change by moving the device to another location (but I'm not sure).

Evan Aad
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    Check your DNS and point it to 8.8.8.8 and alternate DNS server field, enter 8.8.4.4. And try to connect the internet without a VPN. – Udhy Nov 20 '19 at 09:20
  • @Udhy: Could you please explain how to check my DNS and point it to these numbers? – Evan Aad Nov 20 '19 at 09:22
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    Take the reference from here: https://support.apple.com/guide/mac-help/enter-dns-and-search-domain-settings-on-mac-mh14127/mac ,remove with - if you have any DNS added already in the system. – Udhy Nov 20 '19 at 09:24
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    @Udhy: Your solution works. Thanks! My guess is a couple days ago I didn't shut down the VPN app properly, so the DNS entries didn't revert to their original values as they should. – Evan Aad Nov 20 '19 at 09:38
  • @Udhy: I'd like to add a variation of your solution, for future reference. Instead of using the DNS numbers you suggested, I looked up the DNS numbers used by my desktop computer (an iMac), and copied them. – Evan Aad Nov 20 '19 at 10:05
  • @ankii: I'm not sure this is a duplicate, becaused the question you linked to says: "I just tried at a friend's house to check, with no problems." In my case I don't think trying to connect elsewhere would have solved the problem, but I'm not sure. – Evan Aad Nov 20 '19 at 10:42
  • @EvanAad But you can see excellent troubleshooting there and Udhy's recommendation is present there too, in multiple answers. – anki Nov 20 '19 at 10:51
  • @ankii: Maybe so. Isn't it possible for two distinct problems to have the same solution? – Evan Aad Nov 20 '19 at 10:52
  • It is definitely possible, but paraphrasing our mod bmike's comment: people can observe the same problem in different ways. Also, posting an answer instead of putting it up there as an edit, would be helpful, as you have a catchy title in case someone searches it. I have neither any personal gain in voting for duplicates, nor any shame in having my question closed. – anki Nov 20 '19 at 10:55

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