DNS web access issue on ONE website I own

This is my first post gang. I'm pretty tech savvy, but this has me beat. It's a long post. Please forgive.
I'm on Windows 10 10.0.19045 Build 19045 and this was done in a Brave browser. This work has been done successfully before without issue. I rent the server space and own both the domains involved.

This all started with a wordpress migration that went sideways when the plugin did something weird.
The site is GrantHolmes.com. Due to lots of customization I wanted to use another site I own to get it up/going. When the migration plug in finished, a TOTALLY DIFFERENT site came up. Nothing I own, etc. HUH?

Then a bunch of bad stuff happened. I deleted the WP install, but then I couldn't get access to the site.
I can reach every other site I browse to. Using Brave's "TOR" page, I can browse to the page, but not access WPress.
I have:
1-deleted the domain and reinstalled in my WHM
2-Added the SSL cert at the provider level.
3-Deleted cache in browsers, tried different browsers (edge, chrome, IE, FFox (which was a totally fresh install))
4-With Msoft help, flushed internet cache, and did a netsh int IP reset at the command prompt level.
5-forwarded the domain to another page and waited for servers to redirect.
6-Parked the domain.
7-Reset my domain servers (again) to my provider.
8-set my pc dns to google servers

9-my PC guy installed a new system image and poof the problem went away. I could access the domain! (So I got up what you see that way).
10-my PC guy re-installed this system image and yes, the problem returns.

PS. My laptop on my same home network can browse to the site just fine.

Because of all this I'm convinced something in this PC system (registry?) is locked.

But NO ONE can figure out what or how to flush this site so I can reach it.

Your help is greatly appreciated!!!

YOU sir, get the gold star. Replaced the host file. Fixed!!!

THANK YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Hearsepilot said:

Have you checked your HOSTS file for garbage?

Paul Black said:

Hello @TheWebinarGuy,
Welcome to TenForums.

For information, if you ever wanted to extract the Hosts file, Copy & Paste the following command as Administrator into a CMD Prompt and press Enter. It will create a Hosts_FILE.log file on your Desktop. If you have a relocated Desktop, then change the output Path accordingly.

Code:

PowerShell "Get-Content $Env:SystemRoot\System32\Drivers\etc\Hosts" > %UserProfile%\Desktop\Hosts_FILE.log

> How to Read Host Files with PowerShell both Local & Remote

I hope this helps.

Thank you. I did save the old file with a DOT OLD (host.old) extension.
--

Btw, currently there is one other issue. I use the Brave browser and this problem was "caused" in that browser. So the site is now coming up in Brave (ONLY- Chrome shows it okay) as a not secure site. There IS an SSL installed and as said, it shows correctly in Chrome. Any ideas?

Follow the steps under Brave here to clear out all the crap. Restart the browser and go to your site again.


Are you using Cloudflare by chance?

I've seen people have issues like this and oddly clearing the DNS cache in Windows resolved it too.

Never mind. I see what the issue is now. You DO have TLS ("SSL") enabled, but to get there add https:// to the front of the address. But! You want that on a permanent basis. There are a couple ways to do that, but lets try the htaccess way instead. Read here: How to Force HTTPS using .htaccess (Updated 2023)


And no, you're not using Cloudflare, I see that now... In Cloudflare you can setup a page rule...

You need to know right now that WP is the most sought after CMS on the Internet by hackers. And be very careful with plug-ins. Verify them and keep them updated. Even IF they come from WP's origin website. They could be laced with BS. If you know code, I'd go Grav and flat files...

Grav - A Modern Flat-File CMS | Grav CMS


7 open source alternatives to Dreamweaver | Opensource.com

I know a bit of code, but don't want to mess THAT much!! The .htaccess code add did it. Thanks again!!

F22 Simpilot said:

Never mind. I see what the issue is now. You DO have TLS ("SSL") enabled, but to get there add https:// to the front of the address. But! You want that on a permanent basis. There are a couple ways to do that, but lets try the htaccess way instead. Read here: How to Force HTTPS using .htaccess (Updated 2023)


And no, you're not using Cloudflare, I see that now... In Cloudflare you can setup a page rule...

You need to know right now that WP is the most sought after CMS on the Internet by hackers. And be very careful with plug-ins. Verify them and keep them updated. Even IF they come from WP's origin website. They could be laced with BS. If you know code, I'd go Grav and flat files...

Grav - A Modern Flat-File CMS | Grav CMS


7 open source alternatives to Dreamweaver | Opensource.com