ERR CONNECTION REFUSED

The “ERR\_CONNECTION\_REFUSED” message is an especially common and usually non-WordPress site related error message you’ll sometimes see in Chrome. Fortunately, it’s relatively easy to pinpoint the cause of this problem. In this post, we’ll explain what the message means and how to fix it. Typically this involves the following steps:

1. Check to see whether the page itself has gone down.
2. Restart your router.
3. Clear your browser’s cache.
4. Assess your proxy settings and adjust them as needed.
5. Temporarily disable antivirus and firewall software.
6. Flush your DNS cache.
7. Change your DNS address.
8. Disable any outdated Chrome extensions.
9. Reinstall your Chrome browser.

## What’s causing the ERR\_CONNECTION\_REFUSED error?

As it turns out, the reason that you are stumbling upon the error code mentioned above is due to your request not reaching the target server and timing out. In some cases, this behaviour can be triggered by the third-party add-ons that are installed on your browser as well. Before we begin with the different methods available, let us go through the various causes of the issue in more detail first so that you can establish a better understanding of the problem.

* **LAN Settings —** One of the reasons that the problem may occur is due to your local area network settings. This can happen when your network is set to automatically configure itself.
* **DNS Server —** Another reason that the error code can arise is due to the DNS server that you are using. In some cases, the DNS server may be running into some issues due to which it isn’t able to resolve your request and so your request never reaches the target server.
* **Browser extensions —** The extensions that are installed on your browser can also conjure up the error code. Such occurrences are pretty common and can happen every now and then due to a problematic add-on.
* **Windows Cryptographic Service —** The Cryptographic service provides three important management services. When the service is not allowed to interact with the desktop, the issue can sometimes arise.

## Solution 1: Check the Status of the Website

Your first port of call should be to check the status of the website you’re trying to access. As we’ve already mentioned, the ERR\_CONNECTION\_REFUSED error can sometimes be caused by the site’s server, rather than your own internet connection.

A simple way to check whether this is the case is to visit another web page. If the error message occurs again, the problem most likely originates with your connection. If the second page loads correctly, however, the first site was probably at fault.

Enter the address of the non-functioning page, and click on *Or just me?*. This site will then assess whether the page is offline (down), or online (up). Unfortunately, when a page is down, the only thing you can do is wait for it to be fixed. However, if the page *is* up and is still not loading for you, it’s time to do some further troubleshooting.

## Solution 2: Restart Your Router

As a tried-and-tested method for fixing many internet-related issues, your next step will be to try ‘turning it off and back on again’. Restarting your home or office router doesn’t come with a 100% success guarantee. However, the process takes just a few minutes, so it’s more than worth a try when you’re dealing with a potential connection issue.

To do this, disconnect the power supply to your router. You’ll then need to wait for about 30 seconds, before plugging it back in. Once the router has booted up again, try to access the page that returned an error. If it loads, then you’re good to go. If not, there’s likely another cause at play.

## Solution 3: Clear Your Browser’s Cache

Like any good internet browser, Chrome will store information in its cache on your computer or device. This includes your browsing history, saved login data, and cookies – all of which are recorded in order to load the relevant pages more quickly the next time they’re visited.

Although they’re useful, caches can cause numerous issues when they become outdated. This is because the cached version of a page is likely to no longer match the current, live version. Fortunately, this problem is easily solved by clearing your cache.

But before you do that, you can easily check to see if it’s a browser cache issue by first opening up your browser in incognito mode. Or you can try a different browser. If you’re still seeing the error, then you will want to proceed with clearing your cache.

To do so, begin by opening up Chrome’s primary menu (in the top-right corner of your browser window). From there, select *More Tools*: You can then click on *Clear browser data*.

## Solution 4: Assess Your Proxy Settings and Adjust Them as Needed

With security threats consistently on the rise, it’s no wonder that many people are now using individual solutions to protect their sensitive data. A popular way of doing this is through the use of proxy servers.

A proxy lets you go online under a different IP address, and acts as an intermediary between your browser and the websites you visit. As well as keeping your IP address private, it can also help to filter cache data and server communications.

Just as with caching, a proxy server can be useful, but it can also cause the ERR\_CONNECTION\_REFUSED message. For example, a web server might reject the IP address attached to a proxy server, and then reject the actual connection as a result.

It’s also possible that the proxy is offline, or incorrectly configured. In short, if the error message in question occurs, it’s worth checking out your proxy settings.

Chrome actually has its own proxy section, which can make this step a particularly simple process. After all, you won’t need to spend any time searching for the correct tools in your browser.

To get started, access the *Settings* menu in your Chrome browser. This will open up the complete menu of options. Under the *System* section (you’ll need to click Advanced at the bottom to see this), you should find an entry titled *Open proxy settings*. By selecting it, you’ll be taken to the corresponding menu:

## Solution 5: Disable Firewall and Antivirus Software Temporarily

Firewalls and antivirus software are intended to protect users and their systems. They scan your device regularly, and automatically block any suspicious activity. You may start to notice a recurring theme here, however, since (much like with caching and proxy servers) this type of advanced security can at times lead to connection issues.

This is because firewalls can often block pages they don’t need to, or reject content that is completely safe. To check whether this is the case for you, try disabling your firewall and antivirus programs. Of course, this is only advised if you know for sure that the site you’re intending to visit is safe.

Additionally, you should only disable this kind of software temporarily. Switch it back on after you’ve finished checking to see whether the error has been resolved, so you don’t become vulnerable to attacks. If you repeatedly encounter errors because of your firewall or antivirus software, you may want to consider changing what you’re using.

## Solution 6: Clear Your DNS Cache

As somewhat of an extension to an earlier troubleshooting step, your next task will be to clear your DNS cache. Although most people are aware that their browser creates a cache, not as many know that their operating system does the same thing.

For example, your DNS cache contains all of the temporary entries for pages you’ve accessed with your browser. These entries store key information related to the domain names and addresses of the pages you’ve visited.

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The purpose of this feature is similar to that of other types of caches. It accelerates the loading process, as it eliminates the need to contact a site’s DNS server repeatedly. This will save you time in the long run. However, you may occasionally see some short-term issues.

If a stored entry no longer matches the current version of the website it refers to, technical errors like the ERR\_CONNECTION\_REFUSED message are not unusual. Fortunately, clearing your DNS cache is a quick and easy solution.

Again, how you’ll do this will depend on your operating system.

#### Windows

Launch the start menu by pressing the Windows key and search for “CMD.” This should return the command prompt.

In the command prompt run the following commands:

```
ipconfig /flushdns
ipconfig /release
ipconfig /renew
netsh winsock reset

```

You will then see a confirmation that it has successfully flushed the DNS resolver cache.

For the purposes of this article, we’ll talk you through the process when you’re using a Mac – although you’ll be able to find numerous helpful resources online if you’re a Windows fan.

#### Mac

On a Mac, you’ll need to do the following:

Click “Go” up in the toolbar and then “Utilities.” (Shift-Command-U)

Open the Terminal.

Run the following command. You will need administrator access to do this.

```
sudo killall -HUP mDNSResponder && echo macOS DNS Cache Reset

```

When you’ve done that, try accessing the problem site again. Hopefully, if you’ve followed all of our advice, it should be working by now. If not, your DNS may require some more attention.

## Solution 7: Change Your DNS Address

As we discussed above, an outdated DNS cache entry is a potential source of issues like the ERR\_CONNECTION\_REFUSED message. However, the DNS address itself can also be responsible for these kinds of problems. This is because it can often become overloaded, or even go completely offline.

In the majority of cases, your DNS server address is automatically obtained from your internet provider. However, you can also change it if required. How you’ll do this will again depend on the operating system you’re using.

You can try temporarily changing these to a public DNS server, such as Google or Cloudflare.

* Some prefer to use Google’s public DNS (8.8.8.8 and 8.8.4.4) long-term due to them sometimes being more reliable.
* Cloudflare also offers its secure and blazing fast free DNS (1.1.1.1 and 1.0.0.1).

Tip: If you’re already using a free DNS server and having issues, removing it and defaulting back to your ISP’s DNS servers also sometimes fix things. Google and Cloudflare aren’t perfect 100% of the time and there have been a few instances where we’ve noticed switching back has resolved the issue.

You can then attempt to access the site again – and cross your fingers.

## Solution 8: Disable Any Chrome Extensions

There’s no denying that installing extensions often contributes to a more well-rounded Google Chrome experience. The many extensions on offer can add key features, and even help to automate complex processes.

However, a large number of the extensions available for Google Chrome are not developed by the browser’s developers. Instead, they’re usually created by third parties. This can mean there’s no real guarantee they’ll work as you intended, or that they will be correctly updated over time.

Incorrect or outdated extensions are likely to cause numerous issues – including the ERR\_CONNECTION\_REFUSED error message. For this reason, it’s important to regularly audit the extensions that are attached to your browser.

To do that, first open the *Extensions* menu in your Chrome browser. You can then begin to assess each of your installed extensions in turn. Start by questioning whether you actually need each one. If an extension is no longer necessary, you can simply remove it.

Next, find out when each extension that you want to keep was last updated. Ideally, it should have been updated within the last three months. Anything longer than that could be a sign that the extension is being neglected by its developers. If possible, you’ll want to remove those extensions and replace them with newer alternatives.

Of course, new (and fully updated) extensions can still sometimes cause problems. If you suspect that this is the case, begin by disabling all of your attached extensions. If the site you’ve been trying to access loads after doing this, you’ll know that at least one of them is at fault. You can then reactivate one extension at a time, until you’ve honed in on the problem software.

## Solution 9: Reinstall the Chrome Browser

Finally, if none of the above-mentioned solutions bode well for you, you are going to have to reinstall your Google Chrome. The issue can also be due to corrupted Chrome files which will be resolved once you remove Chrome and then install it afterwards. Make sure the installation process isn’t interfered with so that the browser can install safely.

## See also

* ERR CONNECTION RESET
* ERR CONNECTION TIMED OUT
* ERR CONNECTION CLOSED
* ERR CONNECTION ABORTED