System.Net.WebException: The remote name could not be resolved:

Question

I am testing an endpoint that I am experiencing some issues with.

I am simply using HttpClient in a loop that performs a request each hour.

Answer 1

I had a similar issue when trying to access a service (old ASMX service). The call would work when accessing via an IP however when calling with an alias I would get the remote name could not be resolved.

Added the following to the config and it resolved the issue:

<system.net>
    <defaultProxy enabled="true">
    </defaultProxy>
</system.net>

Answer 2

Open the hosts file located at : **C:\windows\system32\drivers\etc**.

Hosts file is for what?

Add the following at end of this file :

YourServerIP YourDNS

Example:

198.168.1.1 maps.google.com

Answer 3

It's probably caused by a local network connectivity issue (but also a DNS error is possible). Unfortunately HResult is generic, however you can determine the exact issue catching HttpRequestException and then inspecting InnerException: if it's a WebException then you can check the WebException.Status property, for example WebExceptionStatus.NameResolutionFailure should indicate a DNS resolution problem.

---

It may happen, there isn't much you can do.

What I'd suggest to always wrap that (network related) code in a loop with a try/catch block (as also suggested here for other fallible operations). Handle known exceptions, wait a little (say 1000 msec) and try again (for say 3 times). Only if failed all times then you can quit/report an error to your users. Very raw example like this:

private const int NumberOfRetries = 3;
private const int DelayOnRetry = 1000;

public static async Task<HttpResponseMessage> GetFromUrlAsync(string url) {
    using (var client = new HttpClient()) {
        for (int i=1; i <= NumberOfRetries; ++i) {
            try {
                return await client.GetAsync(url); 
            }
            catch (Exception e) when (i < NumberOfRetries) {
                await Task.Delay(DelayOnRetry);
            }
        }
    }
}