We live in the digital era, and instant gratification largely influences this era. When browsing the web, an error message like ERR_CONNECTION_REFUSED is one of the last things you want to see.
This error message spoils netizens’ fun and indicates something has gone wrong. Therefore, you should not take this error lightly while using the Google Chrome browser.
The ERR_CONNECTION_REFUSED error message is common, so it is easy to fix it even if you lack the required technical expertise.
This blog post will describe the ERR_CONNECTION_REFUSED error message and how to fix it smartly.
What do you mean by ERR_CONNECTION_REFUSED Error?
The ERR_CONNECTION_REFUSED is a connection error users see on their screens while using the Google Chrome browser.
When you try to open a web page, but the browser does not allow you to connect to the desired page, an ERR_CONNECTION_REFUSED error appears on your screen.
In this situation, you should check your internet connection because it mainly occurs due to poor internet connection.
Why Does the ERR_CONNECTION_REFUSED Error Occur?
As mentioned earlier, a poor internet connection is one of the major causes behind the ERR_CONNECTION_REFUSED Chrome error. However, other reasons may cause this client-side issue.
These multiple reasons are:
- Problems related to the Chrome extension
- DNS Cache issues
- Improper internet settings
- Outdated or old Chrome browser
- Antivirus and firewall issues with the browser
ERR_CONNECTION_REFUSED Chrome Error Example
Users may experience the ERR_CONNECTION_REFUSED error in Chrome by seeing messages on their screens like “This site can’t be reached or This webpage is not available.”
How to Fix ERR_CONNECTION_REFUSED Error in Chrome Browser?
Fortunately, you can take various steps to help you appropriately overcome the ERR_CONNECTION_REFUSED Error. Here are different steps you should follow described below:
— Check Your Internet/Wi-Fi Connection
If your internet or Wi-Fi connection does not work properly, you will likely see this client-side error on your screen. To see if the error persists, you must reset your Wi-Fi router by turning it off for a few seconds and then on again.
— Check the Status of the Website
There is no harm in checking the status of a particular if it does not open in your Chrome browser. The leading web browser may not load the desired website.
In this scenario, you should check if the same website opens on other devices, such as mobile. Similarly, you should check if your Chrome browser loads the other sites.
You can check the website status by visiting the “Is It Down Or Just Me” service. It allows users to check if the Chrome web browser opens their preferred sites.
You must wait if your preferred site is still down despite taking all the above-mentioned steps.
— Clear Browser’s Cache and Cookies
A browser’s cache consists of images, videos, logins, etc., which are stored in the browser’s memory. This data allows users to access repeat web pages quickly.
However, the browser becomes heavy and takes time to respond because the stored data gets heavier. Thus, the old cache memory conflicts with new web pages.
As a result, users tend to see ERR_CONNECTION_REFUSED Chrome errors on their screens. To clear the browser’s cache, open Chrome, then click the 3 vertical dots symbol provided at the top right corner.
Next, click the “Clear Browsing Data” option to remove the browsing history appropriately. Besides, you can click the same option to remove cookies and other site data, cached images, and files.
That’s how you can get rid of the ERR_CONNECTION_REFUSED error in Chrome.
— Deactivate Firewall and Antivirus Software
You should not undermine the importance of firewalls and antivirus software when protecting your operating systems and crucial data from cybercriminals such as hackers, identity thieves, and cyber terrorists.
These securities can be one of the critical reasons for the ERR_CONNECTION_REFUSED error. Hence, consider deactivating firewall and antivirus programs to see if you can successfully bypass this client-side issue.
To deactivate these securities, go to Control Panel > Windows Fire > Turn Windows Firewall on or off the link available on the left side. You can deactivate your firewall easily by clicking the “Turn Windows Firewall on or off link.
— Deactivate Chrome Extensions
Google Chrome extensions help users enhance their web browsing experience to the next level. Unfortunately, numerous extensions for Google Chrome are developed by third parties, not the browser’s developers.
Therefore, they may sometimes not work properly because their developers do not regularly update them. Consequently, they need to be updated over time.
These outdated or incorrect extensions might cause ERR_CONNECTION_REFUSED error and other issues.
It is recommended that you regularly check your Chrome extensions. By doing so, you can avoid the ERR_CONNECTION_REFUSED Chrome error.
Open your Chrome browser’s ‘Extensions’ menu to deactivate Chrome extensions. This allows you to evaluate each extension individually and decide which to remove from the web browser.
— Reinstall the Chrome Browser
Like any other application, Chrome is not entirely bug-free, so your installed Chrome browser might have several issues that hinder its performance.
If you have not updated your Chrome browser, you will frequently experience the ERR_CONNECTION_REFUSED error.
Therefore, reinstalling the Google Chrome browser becomes the only viable yet results-driven solution.
Once you remove the current version of Chrome, download its latest version.
Wrapping Up
We hope you liked our blog post, which helps you understand the ERR_CONNECTION_REFUSED error. Connection errors are annoying, but the good news is you can fix them when needed.
Check your internet or Wi-Fi connection to see if the problem lies at your end. Likewise, you can check the status of your desired website, which lets you figure out if the website is available online.
On the other hand, if the problem is not at your end, you need to dig a little deeper to get things back up and running.
Still, you will likely see the ERR_CONNECTION_REFUSED error message in the future because it happens frequently for various reasons.
