How to fix Google Chrome connection errors

This tutorial will show you step by step how to fix Google Chrome connection problems.

Can't open a website in Google Chrome?

Do you receive one of the following errors while trying to access a web page? ERR_CONNECTION_REFUSED, ERR_EMPTY_RESPONSE, ERR_TIMED_OUT or maybe another error?

Then you're on the right page because here you will find a few solutions that can help you fix your problem.

But first:

Google Chrome connection errors

Common error messages are:

The www.example.com page isn't working www.example.com didn't send any data ERR_EMPTY_RESPONSE
This webpage is not available ERR_CONNECTION_REFUSED
No data received ERR_EMPTY_RESPONSE
Error 324 (net::ERR_EMPTY_RESPONSE): The server closed the connection without sending any data.
ERR_TIMED_OUT

Causes of Google Chrome's connection problems

Common causes are:

Corrupt cache in your PC's Temporary Internet folder
Problem with your ISP internet connection
Corrupt or invalid Registry keys
Malware infection
Browsing history
Extension(s)
Router
VPN

And now:

How to solve Google Chrome connection errors

If you can't open a website or web page, and get a error message, then try the following methods to fix your problem.

Quick methods

If you need to open a web page quickly and don't have time to try out some of the methods on this page, then try these quick methods:

Press the [Ctrl] + [F5] keys on your keyboard to reload the page and bypass the local cache.
Press the [Ctrl] + [Shift] + [N] keys on your keyboard to open a private browsing window (Incognito).
Disable your VPN (if you are using one).

Method 1: Clear browsing history in Google Chrome

The first thing you should try is to clear your browsing history.

1. Open Google Chrome.

2. Press the [CTRL], [SHIFT] and [DELETE] keys on your keyboard.

Note: The [DELETE] key is on some keyboards shown as [DEL].

A Clear browsing data window will appear.

3. You will have the following two options:

Basic offers the following three categories: Browsing history, Cookies and other site data, and Cached images and files.
Advanced offers the following nine categories: Browsing history, Download history, Cookies and other site data, Cached images and files, Passwords, Autofill form data, Content settings, Hosted app data, and Media licenses.

4. At Time range, you select a time range (e.g., All time, Last hour, etc.).

5. Select everything you want to delete.

6. Click on the CLEAR DATA button.

clear web browser's cache, cookies, and history in google chrome

Google Chrome will now clear your internet history (cache, cookies, saved passwords, browsing history, etc.).

7. Restart Google Chrome.

Method 2: Windows network troubleshooter

1. If Google Chrome is open, then close it.

2. Right-click on the network (wifi or ethernet) icon located in the notifications area of the Windows taskbar and choose Troubleshoot problems.

solve connection problems using windows network troubleshooter

The troubleshooter will now scan for connection problems.

3. Click on I'm having a different problem.

4. Click on Use a specific network adapter (for example, Ethernet or wireless).

5. Select All network adapters.

6. Click on Next.

7. When the troubleshooter is finished, click Close.

8. Open Google Chrome.

Method 3: Restart modem, router, and computer

Turn off your modem and router, restart your computer, and turn your modem and router on again.

Method 4: Google Chrome extensions (add-ons)

Sometimes extensions (add-ons) can cause problems, so the best way to test this – is to disable all extensions and test which one is causing problems.

1. Go to Google Chrome extensions.

Two ways to open the extensions page:

Enter chrome://extensions/ in the address bar and hit Enter (keyboard).
Click on the menu button, go to More tools and click on Extensions.

2. Disable all extensions.

3. Try to open the website.

If that solved your problem, then enable the extensions one by one and test which one causes the problem.

Method 5: Clean the Windows Temp folder manually

1. Open the Windows Start menu.

2. Type %temp% into the search bar and press Enter.

3. Delete all the files and subfolders inside the Temp folder.

You can't delete the Temp files and folders that are currently in use by Windows or programs. But that's okay. You can delete the rest when you restart your PC.

Method 6: Clear the DNS cache in Google Chrome

Clearing Google Chrome's DNS cache can resolve host connection errors. This will erase any existing information regarding DNS names and IP addresses that are stored on your PC.

Quick way

1. Open Google Chrome.

2. Type chrome://net-internals/#dns in the address bar.

3. Press Enter.

4. Click on the ▼ icon located at the top right.

5. Click on Clear cache.

6. Click on Flush sockets.

Clear Cache & Flush Sockets in Google Chrome

7. Restart Google Chrome.

Alternative way

1. Open Google Chrome.

2. Type chrome://net-internals/#dns in the address bar.

3. Press Enter.

4. Click on the Clear host cache button.

5. In the left sidebar, you click on Sockets.

6. Click on the Close Idle Sockets button.

7. Click on the Flush Socket Pools button.

8. Restart Google Chrome.

Method 7: Remove unwanted programs

Google Chrome has a built-in malware scanner that can find harmful software on your computer and remove it.

1. Open Google Chrome.

2. At the top right, you click on the menu button.

3. Click on Settings.

4. Scroll down and click on Advanced.

5. Scroll down to Reset and clean up.

6. Click on Clean up computer.

7. Click on Find.

Google Chrome will now scan your computer for harmful software.

8. If you're asked to remove unwanted software, then you click on Remove.

Method 8: Scan for malware

Malware (computer viruses, spyware, adware, rootkits, trojan horse, worms, etc.) can also cause internet connection problems.

Run a malware scan with Malwarebytes, Kaspersky Virus Removal Tool, ESET Online Virus Scanner, Emsisoft Emergency Kit, and a full system scan with your antivirus program.

Method 9: Java control panel

1. Bookmark this page (add to favorites) and close all web browsers (Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, etc.).

I ask you to bookmark this page so that you can easily find this page again (in case this method doesn't work and you want to try the other methods on this page).

2. Open Windows Control Panel.

3. Open Programs.

4. Open Java.

5. Go to Temporary Internet Files and click on Settings.

6. Click on Restore Defaults.

7. Click on Delete Files.

8. Select everything and click on OK.

9. Click on OK.

10. Close the Java Control Panel.

Method 10: Windows Command Prompt

1. Open Windows Command Prompt as administrator (Admin).

Three ways to open the Windows Command Prompt as administrator:

In Windows 8 and 10, you right-click on the start menu button and choose Command Prompt (Admin)
In Windows 7, you click on the start menu button, type cmd in the search box en then press the [Ctrl] + [Shift] + [Enter] keys on your keyboard
In Windows 7, 8 and 10, you press the [Windows] + [R] keys on your keyboard, type cmd into the Run box and then press the [Ctrl] + [Shift] + [Enter] keys on your keyboard

2. Type the following command and press Enter:

ipconfig /release

3. Press the [Enter] key on your keyboard.

4. Type the following command:

ipconfig /all

5. Press [Enter].

6. Type the following command:

ipconfig /flushdns

7. Press [Enter].

8. Type the following command:

ipconfig /renew

9. Press [Enter].

10. Type the following command:

netsh int ip set dns

11. Press [Enter].

12. Type the following command:

netsh winsock reset

13. Press [Enter].

14. Close the Command Prompt.

15. Restart your PC.

Method 11: Change DNS

Switching your DNS to OpenDNS or Google's Public DNS might resolve some connection problems.

1. Open Network and Sharing Center.

Two ways to open Network and Sharing Center:

In Windows 7 and 8, you right-click on the wireless network icon in the system tray and choose Open Network and Sharing Center
In Windows 10, you right-click on the wireless network icon in the system tray, choose Open Network & Internet settings, then you scroll down and click on Network and Sharing Center

2. Click on Change adapter settings at the top left.

3. Right click on your network and choose Properties.

4. Select Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4) and click on Properties.

Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4) Properties

5. Select Use the following DNS server addresses.

6. Type the DNS server numbers.

If you want to use Google's public DNS, then enter 8.8.8.8 at Preferred DNS server and 8.8.4.4 at Alternate DNS server.

Change DNS Server Addresses to Google Public DNS

If you want to use OpenDNS, then enter 208.67.222.222 at Preferred DNS server and 208.67.220.220 at Alternate DNS server.

7. Select Validate settings upon exit.

8. Click on OK.

9. Click on Close.

Windows will now check for problems and if there are problems try to resolve it.

Now it's time to clear (flush) Google Chrome's DNS cache.

10. Open Google Chrome.

11. Type chrome://net-internals/#dns in the address bar and press Enter.

12. Click on the ▼ icon located at the top right.

13. Click on Clear cache.

14. Click on Flush sockets.

15. Restart Google Chrome.

Method 12: Reset Google Chrome

When you reset Google Chrome, it will reset your startup page, new tab page, search engine, and pinned tabs. It will also disable all extensions and clear temporary data like cookies. Your bookmarks, history, and saved passwords will not be cleared.

1. Open Google Chrome.

2. At the top right, you click on the menu button.

3. Click on Settings.

4. Scroll down and click on Advanced.

5. Scroll down to Reset and clean up.

6. Click on Restore settings to their original defaults.

A Reset settings window will appear.

7. Click on the RESET SETTINGS button.

Google Chrome will now reset your settings.

9. Restart Google Chrome.