HOW TO FIX ERR_CONNECTION_CLOSED ERROR ON GOOGLE CHROME?

The ERR_CONNECTION_CLOSED error is one of the common issues Google Chrome users face when trying to access websites. It indicates that the browser failed to establish a connection with the website’s server, and the connection was closed unexpectedly. This error can occur for various reasons, such as issues with your network, browser settings, or even problems with the website’s server.

If you’re encountering this error, don’t worry — this guide will walk you through several solutions to fix the ERR_CONNECTION_CLOSED error in Google Chrome.

What Causes ERR_CONNECTION_CLOSED?

Before diving into the solutions, it’s helpful to understand why this error might occur. Some of the most common causes include:

1. Network Issues: Unstable or slow internet connections may cause Chrome to fail when establishing a secure connection to the website.
2. Corrupted Browser Cache: Cached data or cookies may cause Chrome to throw this error when trying to access certain websites.
3. Firewall or Antivirus Blocking: Your security software or firewall might be blocking the connection to the website.
4. Incorrect Proxy Settings: Misconfigured proxy settings can prevent Chrome from accessing websites.
5. DNS Issues: Problems with your DNS settings may interfere with Chrome’s ability to resolve website addresses.
6. Browser Extensions: Some Chrome extensions can cause conflicts with web pages, leading to connection issues.
7. Website Server Problems: Sometimes, the issue is not on your end — the website’s server could be facing issues.
8. TCP/IP Stack Issues: Problems with the TCP/IP stack in your computer can disrupt network connections.

How to Fix ERR_CONNECTION_CLOSED Error on Google Chrome

Here are the detailed steps to fix the ERR_CONNECTION_CLOSED error on Google Chrome:

1. Check Your Internet Connection

The first step is to check your internet connection. A weak or intermittent internet connection may cause the browser to fail in establishing a connection with the website.

How to Check Your Internet Connection:

• Try opening other websites to see if the issue is isolated to one site or affecting all sites.
• Restart your router and modem. Unplug them for about 30 seconds and then plug them back in.
• If you’re using Wi-Fi, try switching to a wired connection (Ethernet) to ensure a stable connection.

2. Clear Browser Cache and Cookies

Corrupted or outdated browser cache and cookies can cause issues with website loading. Clearing your browser data can often resolve this issue.

Steps to Clear Cache and Cookies in Chrome:

1. Open Google Chrome and click the three-dot menu in the top-right corner.
2. Select More tools > Clear browsing data.
3. In the dialog that appears, choose All time for the time range.
4. Make sure Cookies and other site data and Cached images and files are selected.
5. Click Clear data.
6. Restart Chrome and try visiting the website again.

3. Disable Your Firewall and Antivirus Temporarily

Sometimes, your firewall or antivirus program might block the connection to certain websites, causing the ERR_CONNECTION_CLOSED error. To check if this is the issue, you can temporarily disable your firewall or antivirus software.

How to Disable Windows Firewall Temporarily:

1. Press Windows + R to open the Run dialog.
2. Type control panel and press Enter.
3. Go to System and Security > Windows Defender Firewall.
4. Click Turn Windows Defender Firewall on or off.
5. Select Turn off Windows Defender Firewall for both private and public networks.
6. Click OK to save the changes.

How to Disable Antivirus Software:

• Open your antivirus software and find the option to disable it temporarily. The exact steps will vary depending on the antivirus software you’re using.

Important: Make sure to enable your firewall and antivirus again after troubleshooting.

4. Check Proxy Settings

Proxy settings can sometimes cause issues with browsing. If you’re using a proxy, it may be misconfigured, leading to the ERR_CONNECTION_CLOSED error.

How to Check Proxy Settings in Chrome:

1. Open Google Chrome and click on the three-dot menu in the top-right corner.
2. Go to Settings.
3. Scroll down and click Advanced.
4. Under the System section, click Open your computer’s proxy settings.
5. In the Internet Properties window, go to the Connections tab and click LAN settings.
6. Ensure that Use a proxy server for your LAN is unchecked. If it’s checked, uncheck it and click OK.
7. Restart Chrome and try accessing the website again.

5. Flush DNS Cache

Sometimes, a corrupt DNS cache can cause browsing issues, including the ERR_CONNECTION_CLOSED error. Flushing the DNS cache can help fix this problem.

Steps to Flush DNS Cache:

1. Press Windows + R to open the Run dialog.
2. Type cmd and press Ctrl + Shift + Enter to open the Command Prompt as an administrator.
3. In the Command Prompt, type the following command and press Enter:
   ipconfig /flushdns

4. Once the command has been executed, restart your computer and try accessing the website again.

6. Disable Chrome Extensions

Certain browser extensions may interfere with website loading and cause connection issues. Disabling your extensions can help determine if one of them is causing the problem.

How to Disable Extensions in Chrome:

1. Open Google Chrome and click the three-dot menu in the top-right corner.
2. Select More tools > Extensions.
3. Disable all extensions by toggling the switch next to each one.
4. Restart Chrome and check if the error is fixed.
5. If the error is resolved, enable your extensions one by one to identify the culprit.

7. Reset Chrome Settings

If the error persists, resetting Chrome’s settings to default can often resolve conflicts caused by misconfigured settings.

Steps to Reset Chrome Settings:

1. Open Google Chrome and click the three-dot menu in the top-right corner.
2. Go to Settings.
3. Scroll down and click Advanced.
4. Under Reset and clean up, click Restore settings to their original defaults.
5. Confirm by clicking Reset settings.
6. Restart Chrome and try accessing the website again.

8. Restart TCP/IP Stack

Problems with the TCP/IP stack on your system can also cause network connection issues. Restarting the TCP/IP stack can resolve these problems.

Steps to Restart TCP/IP Stack:

1. Press Windows + X and select Command Prompt (Admin) or Windows PowerShell (Admin).
2. In the command window, type the following command and press Enter:
   netsh int ip reset

3. Restart your computer and check if the issue is resolved.

9. Check Website Server Status

If none of the above solutions work, the problem might lie with the website’s server itself. If the server is down or experiencing issues, you won’t be able to access the site.

How to Check Website Server Status:

1. Use a third-party tool like Down For Everyone Or Just Me (https://www.isitdownrightnow.com/) to check if the website is down for everyone or just you.
2. If the website is down for everyone, you’ll need to wait for the site owner to fix the server-side issue.

Conclusion

The ERR_CONNECTION_CLOSED error in Google Chrome can be caused by various issues, from simple network problems to browser settings and server-side issues. By following the solutions outlined in this guide, you should be able to troubleshoot and fix this error.

Start with basic fixes like checking your internet connection and clearing the browser cache, and work your way up to more advanced solutions like disabling extensions or resetting Chrome settings. If all else fails, the issue might be with the website itself, in which case you can contact the website administrator for further assistance.

By following these steps, you should be able to fix the ERR_CONNECTION_CLOSED error and resume browsing smoothly in Google Chrome.