How To Fix ERR_CONNECTION_REFUSED In Chrome

Have you ever tried to visit a website only to be greeted with a frustrating ERR_CONNECTION_REFUSED message in your Chrome browser? This error can be a real headache, blocking you from accessing a site you need. It typically happens when the browser can’t connect to the website’s server, often due to network issues, security software, or incorrect settings.

In this tutorial, we’ll explore the common causes of the ERR_CONNECTION_REFUSED error and guide you through simple steps to fix it as a visitor and a WordPress website owner or admin. Whether you’re dealing with issues like a down website, cache problems, or misconfigured proxy settings, we’ve got you covered. By the end of this guide, you’ll know how to troubleshoot and resolve this error, ensuring smoother browsing in Chrome.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

1. The ERR_CONNECTION_REFUSED error occurs when a browser can’t connect to a website.
2. Causes include internet connection issues, cache and cookies, firewall or antivirus blocking, and DNS problems.
3. Solutions involve checking website status, restarting your router, clearing cache and cookies, adjusting proxy settings, disabling extensions, reinstalling Chrome, and fixing DNS server settings.
4. Disabling plugins, changing themes, and increasing the PHP max_execution_time variable can also help if you use WordPress.
5. Contact your web hosting provider if the issue persists.

What Is The ERR_CONNECTION_REFUSED Error?

The “website refused to connect error” appears when your web browser tries to connect to a website, but the connection is blocked or refused. In technical terms, this means that the server isn’t accepting the connection request from your browser. It can happen for various reasons, like network issues, firewall or antivirus settings, or even problems with the website itself.

In simpler terms, you can think of it as knocking at a door that won’t open. The “door” could be locked for several reasons—maybe the website is down, your internet connection has issues, or your computer’s settings are blocking the connection.

Different browsers may show this error in slightly different ways. For example, in Chrome, you’ll see an ERR_CONNECTION_REFUSED error code with a message that reads, “The site can’t be reached” because the domain name you’re trying to access refused to connect.

However, in Firefox, it might say “Unable to Connect”. The message essentially means the same thing: something is stopping your browser from reaching the website, whether this is a static or dynamic website. Therefore, understanding the error code, type, variations, and common causes can help you quickly troubleshoot and fix the problem so you can return to browsing without interruptions.

Error Code	ERR_CONNECTION_REFUSED
Error Type	Connection
Common Causes	Internet connection issues Cache problems Antivirus, firewall, proxy, or VPN interference Defective Chrome extensions
Error Variations Depending on Browsers	This site can’t be reached Unable to connect Hmmm…can’t reach this page

A similar error message you may encounter here is the DNS_PROBE_FINISHED_NXDOMAIN; this is a DNS error that signals that the requested domain name does not exist.

Experiencing errors like these is an inevitable part of using the Internet. There are numerous potential issues, ranging from the white screen of death to the 404 error, the ERR_CONNECTION_TIMED_OUT error, or the ERR_CACHE_MISS. Our support team deals with various errors regularly, so it’s not a new thing for us.

Causes Of ERR_CONNECTION_REFUSED

The ERR CONNECTION REFUSED error can be caused by several issues, each affecting how your browser connects to the internet. Let’s break down the common causes:

• Internet Connection Issues: Sometimes, the problem is as simple as a weak or disrupted internet connection. This could be due to a faulty router, network congestion, or ISP issues.
• Cache and Cookies Problems: Your browser stores data like cache and cookies to speed up browsing. However, if these files get corrupted or outdated, they can cause connection errors.
• Firewall and Antivirus Interference: Security software is designed to protect your computer, but sometimes it can be overly cautious. Firewalls and antivirus programs might block certain websites, thinking they’re harmful, which can trigger the ERR_CONNECTION_REFUSED error.
• Proxy Settings Misconfigurations: A proxy server is a gateway between your browser and the internet. If the proxy settings are incorrect, your browser might be unable to connect to websites.
• DNS Cache Issues: The DNS cache stores information about the IP addresses of websites. If this cache becomes outdated or corrupt, your browser might struggle to find the website you’re trying to visit.
• Outdated or Faulty Browser Extensions: Extensions can enhance your browsing experience, but outdated or poorly coded ones can cause problems. They might interfere with the connection process, leading to the ERR_CONNECTION_REFUSED error.

In addition to the reasons given above, the ERR_CONNECTION_REFUSED error can sometimes occur due to server-side problems. So, you need to carefully identify the cause before you take specific steps to resolve it and enjoy uninterrupted browsing.

How To Fix ERR_CONNECTION_REFUSED Error As A Visitor

If you’re not the website’s owner and are accessing it as a user or visitor, you can use the following methods to fix this error.

Check Website Status

As we already said, the ERR_CONNECTION_REFUSED error can also originate from the server side. So, before exploring other methods, check if the website is down or if there are issues on your side. For this, search for alternate sites and see if they load successfully. If they do, the problem can be on the server side.

You can also use a tool like Down For Everyone Or Just Me that can help you determine whether the website is accessible. You need to provide your website’s domain or URL and click Search.

This tool tells you if the website is down for all or only you. It does so as follows:

Furthermore, you can use Is It Down Right Now? if you want to know the status history and response time of the site you’re trying to visit.

If the site is down for everyone, it’s likely an issue on the website’s end, and there’s not much you can do except wait for it to come back online. If it’s only down for you, try other solutions (given below) to resolve the issue.

Restart Your Router

If you find that the issue is on your end while checking the website status, restart your router as soon as possible. It’s a tried-and-tested method and often resolves any issues related to internet connectivity. This process refreshes your internet connection and can clear up temporary glitches. Here’s how to do it:

1. Turn Off The Router: Locate the power button on your router and switch it off. If there’s no button, unplug the power cord.
2. Hold On For 30 Seconds: This gives the router time to cool down and reset.
3. Turn It Back On: Press the power button again or plug the cord back in.

After the router restarts, try to re-access the website to see if the issue is resolved. If it is, you’re good to go. Otherwise, something else is causing the error; for this you need to move to the next solution.

Troubleshoot Internet Connection

If restarting the router didn’t fix the problem, then most probably your internet connection might be causing the ERR_CONNECTION_REFUSED error. Make sure all cables and devices are properly connected.

To troubleshoot this on Windows, go to Settings → Network & Internet → Status. Page down and click on Network troubleshooter.

Windows will try to identify and fix any issues. Once it’s done, you need to restart your network adapter. To do this, open Control Panel → Network and Internet → Network and Sharing Center and click Change adapter settings.

Next, right-click your network connection and select Disable.

Wait a moment, then right-click and select Enable.

If the issue persists, reach out to your Internet Service Provider (ISP) to determine if there are any outages or issues on their end.

Turn Off Synchronization To Google

Sometimes, synchronization issues with your Google account can cause the ERR_CONNECTION_REFUSED error. Turning off sync temporarily can help identify if this is the culprit.

To do this, go to ⋮ → Settings → You and Google, and click on Turn off. This will stop Chrome from syncing your data.

After turning off sync, try to access the website again to see if the issue is resolved. Don’t forget to switch on the synchronization again after browsing your website.

Clear Browser Cache & Cookies

Browser cache is a temporary storage room in your browser that saves copies of web pages, images, and other content. This storage helps speed up page loading times for frequently visited websites by storing files locally on your device. When you revisit a website, the web browser can load the content from the cache rather than downloading it again from the server.

Cookies, on the other hand, are small files stored on your computer by websites you visit. They retain data such as login information, user preferences, and tracking details. Cookies help websites remember your information and provide a more personalized browsing experience.

Although browser cache and cookies are designed to enhance your browsing experience, they can sometimes lead to errors like ERR_CONNECTION_REFUSED. Here are some common scenarios where this might occur:

Outdated Cache Data: If the cached version of a website’s files is outdated or corrupted, the browser may attempt to load these faulty files, causing a connection issue. The server might refuse the connection because the request does not match the current content or configuration.

Corrupted Cookies: Corrupted or outdated cookies can cause authentication issues or disrupt the communication between your browser and the website’s server. For example, if a cookie contains outdated login credentials or session data, the server might refuse the connection.

Security Mismatches: Changes in a website’s security certificates or settings can cause issues if your browser uses old, cached data or cookies. This can lead to mismatches in SSL/TLS certificates or other security protocols, resulting in the server refusing the connection.

To resolve issues caused by browser cache or cookies, you need to clear your browser cache and delete cookies. However, before you do this, we recommend you visit the website showing you the error in Incognito Mode or a different browser.  If the website loads successfully, the browser cache and cookies aren’t the culprits, so you should try the next solution.

In contrast, if the website doesn’t load, go through the steps below to clear cache and cookies. To do this, press the Ctrl + Shift + Del key combination. This will open the Delete browsing data pop-up. Check-mark the Cookies and other site data and Cached images and files. Optionally, you can also select Browsing history, and then click Delete data.

If you’re a Firefox or Edge user, you can use the same key combination (Ctrl + Shift + Del) to clear cache and cookies. Here are the links that you can use to learn about how to clear cache and cookies in Firefox and Edge:

How can I clear cache and cookies in Firefox Browser

How can I clear cache and cookies in Microsoft Edge Browser

Disable Chrome Extensions

Chrome extensions are handy tools that you can add to your Google Chrome browser to extend its functionality. Compare them to apps for your smartphone; these are for your browser. They can do a variety of things, such as:

• Block ads on websites you visit.
• Save passwords and automatically fill them in for you.
• Check grammar and spelling while you write.
• Translate web pages into different languages.
• Manage your bookmarks more effectively.

You can find and install Chrome extensions from the Chrome Web Store. Once installed, these extensions run in the background or add buttons to your browser toolbar, making it easier for you to use the web how you want.

However, these extensions in Chrome can sometimes cause the ERR_CONNECTION_REFUSED error, especially if they are outdated or malfunctioning. To identify and disable problematic extensions, follow these steps:

Open Chrome and go to ⋮ → Extensions → Manage Extensions. Toggle off all extensions by clicking the switch next to each one.

After disabling extensions, go back to the web page where you were facing the error, and refresh it. If it works, re-enable extensions one by one to find the culprit. This process helps pinpoint any extensions causing issues, allowing you to update or remove them for a smoother browsing experience.

Reinstall Chrome Browser

If you’ve tried all the previous methods and none have worked, you may need to continue with this last browser-related solution, which is to reinstall your Chrome browser. But before you do this, we recommend you reset Chrome settings to their default. Here’s how to do this:

Open Chrome. Go to the; ⋮ (at top-right corner) → Settings. Click on Reset settings from the left-side menu, then Restore settings to their original defaults in the right pane.

Confirm the move by clicking on Reset settings.

Important: Resetting Chrome to its original settings will disable extensions, delete cache and temporary site data, and reset Chrome settings & Chrome shortcuts. However, this doesn’t affect bookmarks, history, or saved passwords.

If the ERR_CONNECTION_REFUSED error still appears, you can now uninstall and reinstall Chrome. Here’s how:

Go to your computer’s Settings → Apps → Apps & features. Select Google Chrome and click the Uninstall button to remove/uninstall it from your PC.

Then visit the official Google Chrome website to download the latest version. Double-click on the file you downloaded to initiate the installation process. Then, pursue the on-screen instructions to install Chrome. After reinstalling, your Chrome browser will be the most recent version and will reset to its default settings, which can resolve persistent issues and improve browsing performance.

Disable Firewall & Antivirus Temporarily

If the browser-related methods didn’t resolve the error, you might have issues with the firewall or antivirus program. A firewall protects your computer/PC by blocking unauthorized access, while antivirus software scans for and removes malicious software.

Now, you may wonder how these can cause the ERR_CONNECTION_REFUSED error. Sometimes, these programs can mistakenly block safe websites, leading to the ERR_CONNECTION_REFUSED error. If this is the case, you need to disable the firewall and antivirus temporarily.

To disable the firewall in Windows, proceed to Control Panel → System and Security → Windows Defender Firewall. Click on Turn Windows Defender Firewall on or off.

Now, select Turn off Windows Defender Firewall (not recommended) for private and public network settings and click OK.

Next, to disable antivirus software, open your antivirus program. Find the option to disable or turn off the protection temporarily. This may vary depending on your antivirus; however, you can always refer to your antivirus program’s documentation for assistance.

After disabling, try to revisit the website. Remember to re-enable these protections after testing to keep your system secure.

Important: If deactivating the firewall and antivirus didn’t work in your case, then check if you’re using a VPN. If so, try disconnecting your VPN to see if it resolves the error.

Disable Proxy Server

Proxy settings can sometimes cause the ERR_CONNECTION_REFUSED error in Chrome. Here’s how to check and modify them:

To open Chrome settings, click on the three dots menu in the top-right corner and select Settings. Scroll down and click on System, then on Open your computer’s proxy settings.

In the proxy settings window, make sure no proxies are selected or in use. You can do this by disabling Use a proxy server option.

Additionally, ensure the Automatically detect settings option is also turned off under the Automatic proxy setup section.

By adjusting these settings, you can resolve connection issues related to proxy servers.

Clear DNS Cache

If your router is working fine and you don’t have browser-related or proxy server issues, then the DNS cache may be causing the ERR_CONNECTION_REFUSED error.

The DNS cache is like a little notebook your computer or phone uses to remember the addresses of websites you’ve visited recently. Just like you use a friend’s name to find their phone number, your device uses website names to connect to special numbers, called IP addresses; this is what computers use on the internet.

When you type a website’s name, like example.com, your device looks up its IP address. To make this faster the next time, your device writes this information down in the DNS cache. So, when you revisit the same website, it can quickly find the IP address without asking the DNS server again.

So, how can the DNS cache be the source of the ERR_CONNECTION_REFUSED error? Here are a few ways this can happen:

1. Outdated Cache Entries: If the IP address of a website changes (which can happen if the website changes hosting providers), and your DNS cache still has the old IP address stored, your browser might try to connect to the wrong server. The server could refuse the connection because it’s not the correct destination.
2. Corrupted Cache Entries: Sometimes, the DNS cache can become corrupted, leading to incorrect or incomplete IP address information. This corruption can cause your device not to establish a connection to the correct server, resulting in the ERR_CONNECTION_REFUSED error.
3. DNS Changes or Issues: If there are recent changes to the DNS settings or issues with the DNS server, your cached DNS information might be outdated or incorrect. This can lead to connection errors when the server does not recognize or accept a request that has not been updated.

To resolve issues related to the DNS cache, you can clear or flush it. This forces your device to discard the old, cached information and obtain fresh data from the DNS servers. Here’s how you can do this on Windows:

Open the Command Prompt. You can do it by pressing Win + R, type cmd, and hit Enter. Now, write the following line and click Enter.

ipconfig /flushdns

You should see a message that says “Successfully flushed the DNS Resolver Cache”.

Next, go back to your browser and try to re-access the website. See if the error is fixed; otherwise, you may need to change the DNS address. For this, follow the details covered below.

Change DNS Settings

As discussed above, a corrupted and outdated DNS entry may cause issues like the ERR_CONNECTION_REFUSED error. However, the DNS address can also be accountable for this error, because it can often become overloaded or even go offline completely.

Usually, your internet provider will automatically assign you a DNS server address. However, you can also change this if needed. The process of changing your DNS server address can vary depending on your operating system. Additionally, you may need to change your default DNS server address if the error is caused by any of these reasons:

• If your device or network is set up to use the wrong DNS address, it might not be able to resolve domain names correctly. This means your device won’t be able to find the right IP address for the website you’re trying to visit, leading to the refused to connect error.
• You may also want to change the DNS server address if the one you’re using is down or experiencing issues; it might fail to respond to your device’s DNS requests.
• Sometimes, DNS servers might block certain IP addresses or domains, preventing your device from accessing specific websites. This can also lead to changing DNS settings.

Once you decide to modify your DNS server, you have two options to switch to:

1. Google’s Public DNS Server
2. Cloudflare’s DNS Server

Both are good, and you can continue with either of them. For this tutorial, we change our default DNS server to Google’s Public DNS Server. Here’s how:

Head over to the Start menu → Settings → Network and Internet → Status → Network and Sharing Center.

Click on Change adapter settings.

Double-click on your active connection. Click on Properties on the Wi-Fi Status window. Then, on the Wi-Fi Properties window, double-click on Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4).On the Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4) Properties screen, choose Use the following DNS server addresses and enter the new DNS as shown in the screenshot:

• Preferred DNS server = 8.8.8.8
• Alternate DNS server = 8.8.4.4

If you want to use Cloudflare DNS, use the below address:

• Preferred DNS server = 1.1.1.1
• Alternate DNS server = 1.0.0.1

Lastly, click OK and close all windows.

Now, you should be able to access your desired website without issues.

Important: The public DNS servers are not 100% perfect. If you’re already using any of them, try switching back to the default DNS server provided by your ISP; sometimes, switching from public DNS servers to default also resolves the error.

How To Fix ERR_CONNECTION_REFUSED On A WordPress Website

The solutions we covered above can be used if you’re a website visitor. However, if you own a WordPress website and the previous general methods didn’t work for you, you can use the following methods to delete ERR_CONNECTION_REFUSED.

Deactivate Plugins

WordPress plugins are add-ons that enhance your site’s functionality. However, sometimes they can cause issues, including the ERR_CONNECTION_REFUSED error, especially if they’re outdated or conflicting with each other or with your site’s theme.

To disable plugins, log in to your WordPress dashboard. Go to Plugins → Installed Plugins. On the Installed Plugins area, you’ll see a list of all the plugins you installed on your WordPress site.

At the top of the list, there’s a checkbox next to the Plugin heading. Click this checkbox to select all the plugins.

After selecting all the plugins, you’ll see a dropdown menu labeled Bulk Actions at the top. Click this dropdown menu and select Deactivate. Then, click the Apply button next to the dropdown menu to deactivate all plugins.

After disabling, check if the error is settled. If it is, reactivate each plugin one at a time to identify the problematic one. To reactivate a plugin, go back to Plugins → Installed Plugins and click Activate under the name of the plugin you want to activate. This process helps isolate the issue and restore your site’s functionality.

Important: There are some instances where people don’t have access to the WordPress dashboard. In that case, you can do it by renaming the plugins folder from your web hosting server. If you’re a Hosted client, you can do it by navigating to cPanel → Files → Files Manager → public_html → wp-content folder; here, you’ll find the plugins folder to rename.

Change WordPress Theme

If all plugins work fine, then the theme you’re using on your WordPress website can cause the ERR_CONNECTION_REFUSED error, particularly if it’s poorly coded or incompatible with other plugins. In this case, changing to a default theme can help identify if the theme is the issue.

Here’s how to change the theme:

1. Log in to your WordPress admin panel.
2. Navigate to Appearance → Themes.
3. Click Activate to activate a default theme like Twenty Twenty-One. If you want to change to another theme, click the Add New Theme button.

After changing the theme, check if the error persists. If the problem is resolved, it likely lies with the original theme. In this case, you should look for an alternate theme for your WordPress site.

Increase PHP max_execution_time Variable

The max_execution_time variable in PHP sets the maximum time a script can run before it is terminated. If this time is too short, it can cause the ERR_CONNECTION_REFUSED error by preventing scripts from completing their tasks.

To increase max_execution_time:

Locate the php.ini file on your server. You may need to contact your hosting provider for access. However, if you’re hosting your WordPress website at Hosted, you can find the max_execution_time error by going to cPanel → Software → MultiPHP INI Editor.

Switch to the Basic Mode tab (you can also use Editor Mode if you know how to code). Select your website’s domain and set the value for the max_execution_time variable. At Hosted, we provide 30 as the default value; however, you can maximize it up to 300.

Now, restart your web server to apply the changes. After making these adjustments, check if the error is resolved. If the issue prevails, contact your hosting provider.

Contact Your Hosting Provider

If you’ve tried all the troubleshooting steps and are still encountering the ERR_CONNECTION_REFUSED error, it might be time to contact your hosting provider. There could be server-side issues like misconfigurations, server downtime, or restrictions that only they can resolve.

FAQs

Other Related Tutorials & Blogs:

– How To Fix DNS_PROBE_STARTED Error

– How To Fix DNS_PROBE_FINISHED_NXDOMAIN Error

– How To Fix ERR_ADDRESS_UNREACHABLE in Google Chrome

– How To Fix ERR_NETWORK_CHANGED in Google Chrome

– How To Fix ERR_QUIC_PROTOCOL_ERROR In Chrome