How To Fix ERR_CONNECTION_TIMED_OUT Error

Have you ever tried to visit a website and got stuck waiting for it to load, only to see an ERR_CONNECTION_TIMED_OUT error? This common error is especially disappointing when you need to access important information or manage your WordPress website.

The ERR_CONNECTION_TIMED_OUT error means that your browser took too long to connect to the website’s server and gave up. This happens for several reasons including internet connectivity issues and problems with the website’s server.

Fixing this error is important because it directly affects your website’s accessibility. If visitors can’t reach your site, it can lead to lost traffic, decreased user engagement, and potential loss of revenue.

Moreover, frequent errors like this can negatively impact your site’s search engine ranking, making it harder for new visitors to find you. In this tutorial, we walk you through what the NET::ERR_CONNECTION_TIMED_OUT error means and what causes it. We also provide step-by-step solutions to fix it, ensuring your site stays up and running smoothly.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

1. The ERR_CONNECTION_TIMED_OUT error happens when your browser can’t connect to a website within a set time limit.
2. Common causes include network issues, server problems, browser issues, and incorrect DNS settings.
3. Check your internet connection and restart your router or modem to fix the error.
4. Temporarily disable your firewall and antivirus to see if they block the connection.
5. Check and disable any proxy settings that might be interfering with your connection.
6. Change your DNS servers to more reliable options like Google DNS or Cloudflare DNS.
7. Flush or renew your DNS to clear out outdated or corrupted data.
8. Check your hosts file to see if incorrect entries are stopping website access.
9. Verify your domain’s DNS settings and ensure they are correctly configured.
10. Clear your web browser cache to remove any outdated or corrupted files.
11. If necessary, check and modify your .htaccess file, and use a default version if unsure.
12. Increase the maximum execution time in your server settings to give scripts more time to complete.
13. Temporarily deactivate your WordPress plugins by renaming the plugins folder via FTP or cPanel’s File Manager.
14. Update your network drivers to ensure your computer can communicate effectively with your network hardware.
15. Revert to a default WordPress theme using phpMyAdmin to see if your current theme is causing the issue.

What Is the ERR_CONNECTION_TIMED_OUT Error?

The ERR_CONNECTION_TIMED_OUT error usually occurs when something is wrong with your local network. It also happens when you visit a website, and your browser can’t establish a connection within a set time limit (about 30 seconds).

Think of it like making a phone call that keeps ringing without anyone picking up – eventually, you hang up. This error indicates that the server is taking too long to respond, causing your browser to stop trying to connect.

According to the WordPress support documentation, you encounter a connection timeout error when your website tries to do more than your server can manage. This is usually common in shared hosting, where you have a certain memory limit.

This error can appear slightly differently depending on the browser you’re using. For example, Google Chrome gives a message that says, “This site can’t be reached. [website] took too long to respond.” It only shows the ERR_CONNECTION_TIMED_OUT error code and suggests a few possible fixes with additional details you can find by clicking the Detail button.

Mozilla Firefox doesn’t display the ERR_CONNECTION_TIMED_OUT error code; however, it shows a user-friendly message that says, “The connection has timed out. The server at [website] is taking too long to respond.” It also suggests a few things to fix this error, such as a Try again button to reload the page if it’s a temporary glitch.

Like Chrome and Firefox, Microsoft Edge shows a similar message: “Hmmm… can’t reach this page. [website] took too long to respond.” Press Diagnose issue to analyze the root cause or refresh the web page.

The representation of the error is affected by which browser you are using and influenced by the servers and operating systems. Below are a few of its variants:

• ERR_CONNECTION_TIMED_OUT
• Hmmm… can’t reach this page. [website] took too long to respond
• The connection has timed out. The server at [website] is taking too long to respond
• This site can’t be reached. [website] took too long to respond

Despite the variations in wording, the problem is the same across all browsers. Your browser cannot connect to the website’s server in a reasonable time. Understanding this can help you diagnose and fix the issue more effectively, ensuring a smoother browsing experience for you and your visitors.

Moreover, ERR_CONNECTION_REFUSED and ERR_NETWORK_CHANGED are two very closely connected errors that one can usually solve with the same troubleshooting measures below. Remember, if you get the message, “This site can’t be reached” with the DNS_PROBE_FINISHED_NXDOMAIN error code, then it’s a DNS error, which means the domain name you requested to access doesn’t exist.

Common Causes of ERR_CONNECTION_TIMED_OUT Error

When you see the NET::ERR_CONNECTION_TIMED_OUT error, it usually points to a communication breakdown between your browser and the website’s server. Here are some common reasons:

1. Network Issues: Your internet connection might be the culprit. If your network is lagging or unstable, it can cause this ‘err connection timed out’ message.
2. Server-Related Problems: Sometimes, the problem is on the website’s end. The server hosting the website might be down or experiencing heavy traffic, making it unable to respond quickly. In such cases, there’s little you can do except wait for the server to become available again.
3. Browser-Related Issues: Your browser might also be causing the error. An outdated browser or accumulated cache and cookies can interfere with your connection. Clearing your browser’s cache and cookies or updating to the latest version can often fix the issue.
4. Incorrect DNS Settings: DNS settings translate domain names into IP addresses. If these settings are not correct or outdated, your browser might struggle to find the website. Changing to a public DNS server like Google DNS can often help.
5. Large .htaccess File: The .htaccess file controls many aspects of your website. If this file is too large or has incorrect settings, it can slow down server responses. Checking and optimizing this file can improve connection speeds.
6. Outdated or Conflicting Plugins/Themes: In WordPress, dated or incorrectly coded plugins and themes can cause conflicts that slow down your site. Regularly updating your plugins and themes and deactivating any that are not essential can help prevent this issue.

By understanding these common causes, you can be proactive. This will help you fix and troubleshoot the ERR_CONNECTION_TIMED_OUT error to ensure a smoother browsing experience for your visitors.

How to Fix Connection Timed Out Error

Let’s start with the step-by-step solutions to delete the ERR_CONNECTION_TIMED_OUT error.

Check Your Internet Connection

The first step in fixing the ERR_CONNECTION_TIMED_OUT error is to ensure your internet connection is stable. If your network is slow or unstable, it can prevent your browser from connecting to the server on time. To fix it:

• Ensure Stable Internet Connectivity: Check if your internet connection works properly. Try opening a few other websites to see if they load correctly. If other websites are also slow or not loading, the problem might be with your internet connection.
• Restart Router/Modem: Restarting your router or modem can solve connectivity issues. Unplug your router/modem, wait about 30 seconds, and then plug it back in. This can reset your connection and often fixes temporary network glitches.
• Check Wi-Fi Connection Quality: If you use Wi-Fi, check the signal strength. A weak signal can cause ‘err connection timed out’ errors. Try moving closer to your router to see if the connection improves. Also, ensure no obstacles or electronic devices interfere with the Wi-Fi signal.

Ensuring your internet connection is steady and strong, you can often resolve the ERR_CONNECTION_TIMED_OUT error. If the error persists, there might be other issues, which we’ll address in the following steps.

Disable Firewall and Antivirus Temporarily

Firewalls and antivirus are essential for protecting your computer from malicious attacks. They monitor your internet traffic to block potentially harmful connections. Occasionally, they could mistakenly block safe websites, leading to ‘err connection timed out’.

This happens when the software incorrectly identifies a website as a threat. We’ve experienced it while accessing famous sites like Facebook. If you are certain the site with a connection timeout error is safe, try temporarily disabling the firewall and antivirus to determine if they’re the source of the problem.

Remember, each antivirus program is different, but you can usually find the ‘disable’ option by going through the following steps:

1. Right-click the antivirus icon in the system tray (near the clock).

2. Locate an option like Disable, Pause protection, or Turn off.
3. Confirm your choice if prompted.

To temporarily disable your Windows firewall, navigate to Windows Control Panel → System and Security → Windows Defender Firewall. Select Turn Windows Defender Firewall on or off from the left menu.

Choose Turn off Windows Defender Firewall (not recommended) for private and public networks. Then, click OK.

After you’ve disabled your firewall and antivirus, try revisiting the website. If the ERR_CONNECTION_TIMED_OUT error is resolved, the issue was caused by these security programs.

Don’t forget to re-enable your firewall and antivirus after testing so your computer is protected. To do this, follow the same steps above but select Turn on or Enable instead. Keeping your security software active is crucial for maintaining your system’s safety.

Furthermore, if you notice that you’re repeatedly encountering the NET::ERR_CONNECTION_TIMED_OUT error, you should consider changing what you’re already using.

Important: How would you know about the site’s security when you visit for the first time? For example, you tried to access xyz.com for the first time to research something, but you were welcomed with the connection timeout error. In that case, you can use the AVG false positive form. Fill in the details and submit. This may take 48 business hours. If you’re 100% positive, that means the site you’re visiting is blocked and shouldn’t be. So, inform the software developer to get your issue fixed.

Disable Proxy Settings

Proxies can enhance privacy and security by hiding your IP address. But they can also lead to connectivity issues. If the proxy server is down or misconfigured, your browser may not be able to reach the website, resulting in an ERR_CONNECTION_TIMED_OUT error.

In this case, disabling proxy settings can help determine if they are the origin of the problem. To do this on the Windows operating system, press Windows key + I hotkey combination to open the Settings window. Next, go to Network & Internet.

On the next screen, select Proxy from the left-hand menu. Under Manual proxy setup, turn off the switch for the Use a proxy server option.

Ensure the settings under Automatic proxy setup are also turned off if enabled.

Then, close the settings window and try to re-access your site.

Important: Alternatively, you can reach the Proxy window as follows:
1. For Chrome: Go to chrome://settings/system and click Open your computer’s proxy settings.
2. For Edge: Go to edge://settings/system and click Open your computer’s proxy settings.
3. For Firefox: Go to about:preferences#network/proxy. It will take you to the next step for proxy settings.

Change DNS Servers

If the previous methods didn’t resolve the error in your case, you might have Domain Name Server (DNS) related issues. When you type a website address (domain name) into your browser, the DNS server translates that name into an IP address, allowing your browser to locate and connect to the site’s server. If the DNS server is slow, misconfigured, or down, this process can fail, resulting in an ‘err connection timed out’.

Switch the default DNS server assigned by your ISP to a more reliable DNS server, such as Google DNS or Cloudflare DNS. This can often resolve this issue. The process of switching to any of these (Google DNS or Cloudflare DNS) is the same; you should replace the DNS server addresses (given at the end of this solution). For this tutorial, we’ll be using Google DNS.

To do this, press the Windows key + R to open the Run window. Type ncpa.cpl and hit OK. This will take you to the Control Panel → Network and Internet → Network Connections location.

Right-click on your active network connection (Wi-Fi or Ethernet) and select Properties.

Go to the Networking tab. Click on Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4) to choose it, and make sure this option is checked. After that, click on Properties.

Now, select Use the following DNS server addresses. Enter the following addresses for Google DNS:

• Preferred DNS server: 8.8.8.8
• Alternate DNS server: 8.8.4.4

Then, hit OK to save your changes. Close all windows

After changing your DNS settings, restart your browser and access the website. If the ERR_CONNECTION_TIMED_OUT error is resolved, the issue was likely due to your previous DNS server.

Remember, if you’re already using Google or Cloudflare DNS, you must switch to your default DNS server. Why? Switching back has fixed the connection timeout error in a few scenarios, particularly if you’re using public Wi-Fi, like at the airport.

Important: Before making changes, note the current settings you may require in case you need to go back. Moreover, here are the DNS addresses for IPv4 and IPv6 that you can use:
→ IPv4: Google DNS (8.8.8.8 and 8.8.4.4 )
→ IPv4: Cloudflare DNS (1.1.1.1 and 1.0.0.1 )
→ IPv6: Google DNS (2001:4860:4860:0:0:0:0:8888 and 2001:4860:4860:0:0:0:0:8844 )
→ IPv6: Cloudflare DNS (2606:4700:4700::1111 and 2606:4700:4700::1001)

Flush/Renew DNS

Over time, your computer stores DNS information in a cache to quickly access websites you visit frequently. However, this cached information can become obsolete or corrupted, leading to errors like ERR_CONNECTION_TIMED_OUT.

Flushing the DNS cache removes this old data, ensuring that your computer fetches current and correct DNS information, which can resolve the error.

If you recently migrated your WordPress website to a different host, wait 24-48 hours for things to propagate fully. This will depend on the DNS provider you use, plus the TTL value of DNS records.

Otherwise, you can use the following steps to flush the DNS cache on Windows.

Open Command Prompt, type the following command, and press Enter:

ipconfig /flushdns

You should see a note confirming that the DNS Resolver Cache has been flushed.

Once you do this, check if the website loads; otherwise, you may need to investigate the issue further.

Check Your hosts File

Every computer has a hosts file, a simple text file that can override DNS settings and redirect URLs to specific IP addresses. If this file has incorrect or malicious entries, it can block your browser from accessing certain websites, leading to an ERR_CONNECTION_TIMED_OUT error.

You might wonder how it can have faulty or malicious entries. There are various possibilities for this. For example, you may have edited this file to preview your DNS before switching over domains to another new host. Or you might have a local development site running using Docker.

Regardless of the reason, it’s always good to check this file and confirm the site you’re trying to visit isn’t listed here. To do this on the Windows operating system, press Windows + S to open the search bar. Type “Notepad”. Then, right-click on “Notepad” and select Run as administrator.

Click Yes when prompted. In Notepad, click on File → Open.

Navigate to C:\Windows\System32\drivers\etc. Select All Files option from the dropdown menu to see the hosts file. Click on the hosts file and then click Open.

Now, look for any entries that could be causing issues. Typically, you will see lines starting with an IP address followed by a domain name. If you see any suspicious or incorrect entries, you can delete them or add “#” at the beginning of the line to comment them out. Here is an example of a correct entry:

127.0.0.1             localhost

Ensure no entries are redirecting the domain you are trying to access.

Once fixed, click File → Save to save your changes. Close Notepad and revisit your website.

Check the DNS of Your Domain

Ensuring your domain’s DNS settings are correct is crucial for maintaining a reliable connection to your website. Incorrect DNS settings or delays in DNS propagation can lead to the ERR_CONNECTION_TIMED_OUT error, preventing visitors from reaching your site. To resolve it, you need to verify DNS settings.

Verify DNS Settings

DNS settings are like the address book of the internet, which translates domain names into IP addresses that browsers can understand. Here’s how to verify that your DNS settings are correct:

Log in to the domain registrar, the account where you registered your domain. Navigate to the DNS settings or DNS management section. If you’re a Hosted client, you should go to Manage Services → Domains. Then, click the Manage dropdown menu next to your domain name and select Manage DNS.

Now, check DNS Records. Confirm that your domain has the correct DNS records. The most important records to check are:

• A Record: Points your domain to the IP address of your hosting server.
• CNAME Record: Used for subdomains and should point to your main domain.
• MX Record: Directs email to your email server.

Ensure that these records point to the correct IP addresses provided by your hosting provider. If any records are incorrect, update them with the right information from your hosting provider. Lastly, save any changes you make to fix the connection timeout error.

Check DNS Propagation Status

DNS propagation is the process where updated DNS information spreads across the internet. This process can take anywhere from a few minutes to 48 hours. Here’s how to check the propagation status:

Visit a DNS propagation checker website like ‘WhatsMyDNS’]. Enter your domain name and select the DNS record type you want to check (e.g., A, CNAME, MX).

The tool will show you a map with the status of your DNS records across different locations worldwide. Ensure that the correct DNS information is showing up consistently across multiple locations.

If your DNS changes are not yet visible everywhere, you might need to wait a bit longer for the propagation to complete.

Verifying your DNS settings and checking the propagation status help you ensure that your domain is correctly configured and accessible. It also helps to resolve the ERR_CONNECTION_TIMED_OUT error and maintain a seamless browsing experience for your visitors.

Clear Browser Cache

If you’ve reached here after exploring previous methods, your browser cache, also called ‘client-side cache’, might be the culprit. Web browser’s cached data can sometimes become corrupted or outdated, causing issues when you try to access websites.

Clearing your browser cache is an effective way to resolve the ERR_CONNECTION_TIMED_OUT error. However, we recommend visiting your site in the browser’s private mode (Incognito Mode) first. If you cannot access it, follow the steps below to clear your browser cache. Otherwise, you may need to switch to another solution.

Let’s see how one can clear the cache in different browsers.

In Google Chrome, press Ctrl + Shift + Del then switch to the Basic tab. Choose the time range for which you want to clear the cache. To clear everything, select All time. Ensure that the box next to the Cached images and files is checked. You can also check two other options: Browsing history and Cookies and other site data. Lastly, click Delete data.

Similarly, you can press Ctrl + Shift + Del for Microsoft Edge and Mozilla Firefox to clear cache. Below are the screenshots for both.

Important: You must launch your web browser before you press the Ctrl + Shift + Del hotkey combination.

Check Maximum Execution Time

When you run complex scripts or have many plugins and themes, your server might need more time to process everything. If the server’s execution time limit is too low, it can terminate the script before it finishes, leading to a timeout error. This is especially common in WordPress when performing heavy tasks like backups, imports, or running large queries.

So, what is the default limit? On most web hosting servers, the default maximum execution time is 30 seconds. If the page doesn’t load within 30 seconds, you get the ERR_CONNECTION_TIMED_OUT error. Remember, this time limit will be further reduced if your site is hosted on a shared server.

To identify if this is the source of the error, it’s good to check the php.ini or .htaccess file (whichever you find on your server). It’s not easy to edit these files from WordPress because the files are located on the server.

Therefore, we recommend you contact your hosting provider to modify the execution time. Hosted sets the default minimum and maximum execution time to 30 and 300 seconds, respectively.

If you want to fix this yourself, there are two ways to explore. Remember, both approaches depend on how your web hosting provider configures its servers.

Modify php.ini File

If you can locate the php.ini file in your home directory, use an FTP client or your web hosting provider’s file manager to open it. Look for the line that says max_execution_time. If you find it, increase the value (e.g., from 30 to 300):

max_execution_time = 300

If the line doesn’t exist, you can add it. Save the changes and upload the file back to the server.

Modify .htaccess File:

Similarly, open the .htaccess file to modify. If you’re hosting your site on Hosted, you can edit this file in a web browser. Add the following line to the .htaccess file to increase the maximum execution time:

php_value max_execution_time 300

This line tells the server to allow scripts to run for up to 300 seconds. Lastly, save the file to apply changes.

Important: The php.ini file’s configuration is used for the entire server, whereas the .htaccess file’s configuration is only used when a request goes to a directory or subdirectory in which the .htaccess is located. So, you can have specific configurations for individual directories in the .htaccess file and global or default configurations in the php.ini file. Furthermore, hosting providers often don’t allow access to php.ini; they only allow .htaccess files. Therefore, in this case, contacting your hosting provider is beneficial.

Temporarily Disable Plugins

When you have too many plugins, or if a plugin is poorly coded, it strains your server. This can slow down your site and sometimes lead to an ERR_CONNECTION_TIMED_OUT error. Plugins can also conflict with each other, especially after updates, causing your website to become unresponsive.

So, if you suspect a plugin is causing the ERR_CONNECTION_TIMED_OUT error, you can temporarily deactivate all plugins by renaming the plugins folder via FTP client or File Manager.

If you’re a Hosted client, you can do it by navigating to cPanel → File Manager → public_html → wp-content. Inside the wp-content folder, you will find the plugins folder. Right-click on it and select Rename.

Change the folder’s name to something like plugins_disabled. This will deactivate all your plugins because WordPress won’t be able to find them in the renamed folder.

Now, try to access your website. If it loads without the ERR_CONNECTION_TIMED_OUT error, one of your plugins is likely the cause.

To identify the specific incompatible plugin causing the issue, rename the plugins_disabled folder back to plugins. Then, one by one, rename each separate plugin folder inside the plugins folder, adding _disabled to the name.

Check your website after renaming each plugin folder to see when the error reoccurs. This will help you pinpoint the problematic plugin. Once you’ve identified and deleted or updated the faulty plugin, you can rename the other plugin folders back to their original names to reactivate them.

Increase Memory Limit

WordPress and its plugins require a certain amount of memory to function. If your site exceeds the available memory limit, it can cause slowdowns and lead to connection timeouts. If you increase the memory limit, you ensure your site has the resources to handle all its operations smoothly.

Here’s how you can increase the memory limit by editing the wp-config.php file:

Use an FTP client or your web hosting provider’s File Manager to access your website’s files. For this tutorial, we’re using Hosted’s File Manager.

Navigate to the root directory of your WordPress installation; you can find it by navigating to cPanel → File Manager → public_html.

Click Edit when prompted. Add the following line of code above the line that says /* That’s all, stop editing! Happy publishing. */:

define(‘WP_MEMORY_LIMIT’, ‘256M’);

This code snippet sets the memory limit to 256 megabytes. However, you can adjust the value to a higher number if needed, but 256M is usually sufficient for most sites.

Finally, save the changes to the wp-config.php file. Next, navigate your website again to see if the ERR_CONNECTION_TIMED_OUT error is resolved.

If All Fails

So, you’ve tried all the previous solutions, but they didn’t work. Then, try switching to your default WordPress theme and updating network drivers. Otherwise, you need to contact your hosting provider for detailed assistance to remove the ERR_CONNECTION_TIMED_OUT error.

FAQs

Other Blogs of Interest:

– How to Fix ERR_TOO_MANY_REDIRECTS Error

– How To Fix ERR_CONNECTION_RESET

– How To Fix DNS_PROBE_FINISHED_NXDOMAIN Error

– How To Fix ERR_SSL_PROTOCOL_ERROR

– How to Fix 502 Bad Gateway Error in WordPress