How to troubleshoot exactly one site not loading?

[ikjadoon]

Device: Evenroute IQRouter Pro ('Generic x86/64')
OpenWRT version: 22.03.3

Three quick notes:

1. May not be an OpenWRT problem. I'm mainly curious if OpenWRT as an OS has troubleshooting tests I could try.
2. I understand my OpenWRT is quite out of date (due to point #3 below). I'm learning the OpenWRT update process.
3. I would contact Evenroute, but they shut down last year.

If you're still interested, here is the problem:

Earlier this month, this domain (techpowerup.com) refuses to load on every device: laptops, desktops, phones, all browsers, etc. Windows, macOS, ChromeOS, Android, iPads, iPhones, etc.

On each device, that domain leads to ERR_CONNECTION_TIMED_OUT

The only workarounds:

1. I use a device-based VPN (Windscribe)
2. I activate Apple's Private Relay (similar to VPN, I believe)
3. I switch to another network (e.g., AT&T 5G mobile data)

What I've already tried

1. Ping techpowerup.com from OpenWRT. Works great.
2. Traceroute techpowerup.com from OpenWRT. Works great.
3. Reboot the OpenWRT router. No change.
4. Restart each client device. No change.
5. Browsing in Private Mode. No change.

What else might you try to troubleshoot this? My only hint is that the final traceroute line has !C, which may indicate some problem? Working domains do not show that !C.

[psherman]

it's unlikely that it is your router. more than likely it is an issue with the ISP.

But let's look at your config:

Please connect to your OpenWrt device using ssh and copy the output of the following commands and post it here using the "Preformatted text </> " button:

Remember to redact passwords, MAC addresses and any public IP addresses you may have:

ubus call system board
cat /etc/config/network
cat /etc/config/wireless
cat /etc/config/dhcp
cat /etc/config/firewall

[brada4]

So techpowerup blocks tyour IP address.

[flygarn12]

In the ping test you have their IP address, what happens if you put that IP address in the browser instead of the DNS name?

Or try using google dns servers instead?

Both these tests would indicate the problem is with the ISP DNS servers.

@ikjadoon

Evenroute IQRouter Pro ('Generic x86/64')

If you have a x86 device you should be able to use genuine OpenWrt as long as the drivers are commonly supported.

[ikjadoon]

@psherman

it's unlikely that it is your router. more than likely it is an issue with the ISP.

You were right. I had been rebooting the OpenWRT router this whole time, but after rebooting the Spectrum ISP cable mode → all devices are now able to browse techpowerup.com without issue.

Thank you for the very helpful hint.

I will bookmark your future troubleshooting steps and include them in my future posts; thank you so much for sharing those.

@brada4

So techpowerup blocks tyour IP address.

Ha, that'd be very unexpected! Luckily no.

@flygarn12

In the ping test you have their IP address, what happens if you put that IP address in the browser instead of the DNS name?

It also failed to load / connect.

@flygarn12

If you have a x86 device you should be able to use genuine OpenWrt as long as the drivers are commonly supported.

Yes, that is my plan! A good time as ever to take the plunge; the Qotom box seems to be pretty good; I'm chronicling the experience here for other Evenroute owners.

Thank you everyone for your replies; I should've rebooted the modem far earlier!

[flygarn12]

@ikjadoon

I should've rebooted the modem far earlier!

A total power cycle of the entire network is the network technicians best friend…