Medium.com Blocked in India: What’s Happening, Why It Matters, and How to Fix It

Published by IndiaVision.com

In a surprising turn of events, Medium.com, the globally popular long-form blogging platform, has become inaccessible to many users across India. The disruption, which began in late October 2025, has sparked confusion, frustration, and a wave of DIY fixes as Indian netizens scramble to regain access to their favorite writing and reading hub.

What’s Going On?

According to Medium’s official statement, the issue is not due to a server outage or a platform-side technical failure. Instead, the block appears to be happening at the Internet Service Provider (ISP) level within India. Users on major networks like Jio, Airtel, and BSNL have reported that Medium.com fails to load, while others on smaller or alternate ISPs can access the site without issue.

This inconsistency suggests that the block is not government-mandated or nationwide, but rather a non-uniform DNS-level disruption—possibly due to misconfigured DNS records or ISP-level filtering.

Why It Matters

Medium is home to thousands of Indian writers, journalists, technologists, and thought leaders. From startup stories to political commentary, the platform plays a vital role in India’s digital discourse. Blocking access—whether intentional or accidental—silences voices and limits access to global knowledge.

How to Fix It: DNS Workarounds for Indian Users

The good news? This block can often be bypassed by changing your DNS settings. Here’s a comprehensive guide for users on Windows, macOS, Android, and iOS.

Recommended DNS Providers

Windows 10/11

1. Go to Control Panel → Network and Internet → Network and Sharing Center
2. Click on Change adapter settings
3. Right-click your active connection → Properties
4. Select Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4) → Properties
5. Choose Use the following DNS server addresses:
   • Preferred: 8.8.8.8
   • Alternate: 1.1.1.1
6. Click OK and restart your browser.

macOS

1. Go to System Settings → Network
2. Select your active connection → Details
3. Navigate to DNS
4. Add:
   • 8.8.8.8
   • 1.1.1.1
5. Apply changes and restart your browser.

Android

1. Go to Settings → Network & Internet → Wi-Fi
2. Tap your connected network → Advanced → IP settings: Static
3. Set DNS 1: 8.8.8.8, DNS 2: 1.1.1.1
4. Save and reconnect.

iOS

1. Go to Settings → Wi-Fi
2. Tap the i icon next to your network
3. Scroll to Configure DNS → Set to Manual
4. Add:
   • 8.8.8.8
   • 1.1.1.1
5. Save and exit.

Advanced Fix: Hosts File Override (For Developers)

For users comfortable with system-level changes, manually editing the hosts file can force DNS resolution:

On Windows (Run as Administrator):

notepad C:\Windows\System32\drivers\etc\hosts

Add:

162.159.153.4 medium.com

On macOS/Linux:

sudo nano /etc/hosts

Add:

162.159.153.4 medium.com

Then flush DNS:

sudo dscacheutil -flushcache; sudo killall -HUP mDNSResponder

Alternative Access Methods

• VPN Services: Use a trusted VPN to route traffic through another country.
• Tor Browser: Offers anonymity and circumvents ISP-level blocks.
• Proxy Sites: Temporary workaround, but not ideal for login-based access.

What Medium Says

Medium has acknowledged the issue and clarified that it is not under their control. They’ve urged users to report the problem to their ISPs and continue to monitor the situation.

Final Thoughts

This incident underscores the fragility of open internet access in India. Whether accidental or deliberate, ISP-level blocks on platforms like Medium threaten the free flow of information. Until a permanent resolution is reached, users can rely on DNS tweaks and privacy tools to reclaim access.

For more updates, follow IndiaVision.com and stay informed on digital rights and access issues across the subcontinent.

Sources: Medium.com, user reports, and community fixes