How to Fix the “Err_Connection_Timed_Out” Error in Google Chrome for Windows
If Chrome can’t connect to the server hosting the website you’re visiting, you’ll see an “Err_Connection_Timed_Out” error. Most of the time it’s a backend issue with the website, but sometimes it’s something on your end that’s causing problems. If you are encountering the same error, we are sharing several solutions that you can try to fix it.
1. Check out the other pages on the site you’re on
To start troubleshooting, you should first make sure that the problem isn’t occurring with a specific page on the website. You can confirm this by visiting other pages on the same website.
If the same error appears in other areas of the website, it means that something is wrong with that particular part. Try using the site again in the future, or contact the site’s support to let them know about the issue. If all pages show the error, there may be a problem with the website you’re trying to visit.
2. Rule out site-specific issues
Make sure the issue isn’t isolated to one website, which would indicate something is wrong with the back end of the website. You can confirm this by visiting other websites in Chrome and see if the browser throws the same error.
If the error persists on other websites and it is confirmed that it is a browser issue, you can start implementing the following fixes. Even if it’s only happening on one website, you can still try the fixes below to make sure it’s not a browser issue.
3. Activate a VPN in your browser
An IP ban by a website can cause the “Err_Connection_Timed_Out” error. This is more likely if you’re quickly scrolling through different websites, signaling the server to consider your activity as spam.
Enable a Chrome VPN extension to assign yourself a different IP, then try accessing the website again. If you’re currently visiting the site with a masked IP, you should also consider turning off the VPN to see if it makes a difference.
4. Check for a slow internet connection
A slow internet connection can also delay your browser’s connection to the hosting server. Hence, the browser is likely to throw this error as the website is taking too long to respond. So you should test WiFi speed and improve your internet speed when it is slow.
5. Try using Chrome’s incognito mode
When troubleshooting browser-level issues, you should first try opening the same webpage in an incognito window. To open the incognito window, click three vertical dots in the top right corner and select New incognito window.
If the website loads properly in this mode, your browser is to blame. Now it’s time to apply some browser-level fixes.
6. Clean Chrome’s cache
Stacked browser cache and cookies can also cause this error. The cached data and images help the browser load content faster, but if they are not cleared over time, they can cause connection lags, resulting in the Err_Connection_Timed_Out error.
If you’re not sure how to clear the data, we have a guide on clearing your Chrome cache and cookies.
7. Rule out extension interference
Extensions installed on your browser can also cause the error described here. Adblockers and media downloader extensions are most likely the culprits since they directly interfere with the website content.
Try disabling your extensions one by one and see if disabling a specific extension helps you resolve the issue.
8. Clear your DNS cache
When you flush DNS cache, you’re deleting IP addresses and other DNS records stored in its cache that could be preventing it from connecting. This is a solution to most connection problems. To manually flush DNS cache, follow these steps:
- Open Windows search with victory + Sthen tap “Command prompt.”
- Right click on the command prompt Search result and select Execute as administrator.
- Enter “ipconfig/flushdns” and hit Enter.
9. Change your DNS server
Sometimes changing the DNS server can help solve internet problems. Since Google’s DNS is considered one of the most reliable public servers out there, you should try using their DNS server and see if that fixes things.
If this is your first time changing DNS server, see our article on changing DNS server in Windows.
10. Reset TCP/IP
Corrupt TCP/IP settings can cause network problems as data packets can be misdirected between source and destination. To rule out this possibility, try resetting the TCP/IP settings.
Follow these steps to reset them:
- Open the as described above command prompt app as admin.
- Press the Enter key after typing the following command:
netsh int ip reset reset.log - Once the process is complete, restart your computer.
11. Temporarily disable your antivirus and Windows Defender Firewall
Most antivirus programs include a web filtering feature to prevent users from visiting potentially malicious websites. While this prevents our computers from becoming infected, there are times when it perceives a secure website as a threat. As a result, your antivirus or Windows Defender Firewall can block it.
Make sure this isn’t the case by temporarily disabling Windows Defender Firewall and Antivirus. If the website opens successfully after disabling both utilities, whitelist it.
12. Optimize the hosts file
Adding the URL of websites to the Windows hosts file is an old-school method of blocking them. If none of the fixes worked, you or someone you share the computer with may have the website listed there unintentionally.
Usually the Err_Connection_Refused error occurs when the hosts file is blocking the website, but occasionally the Err_Connection_Timed_Out error can also result from this. To rule out this possibility, follow these steps:
- Visit the following address:
This PC > C: > Windows > System32 > Drivers > etc. - open that host File with Notepad.
- See last line of script in hosts file. If the website that is throwing the error is listed there, delete its address.
- Save the file again.
13. Reset and reinstall Chrome
If nothing has worked so far, you may need to reset your browser to fix the problem. Don’t know how to do this? Read our article explaining how to reset Chrome.
If that doesn’t work, you should reinstall the browser, which should be your last resort.
Fix Err_Connection_Timed_Out error in Chrome for Windows
We have shown you several ways to fix Err_Connection_Timed_Out error on Chrome. You can try them all to see which one works for you. Also, you should enable Chrome’s error logs, which will greatly help you in fixing Chrome issues in the future.