Why does ERR_CONNECTION_REFUSED happen only for one website?

If only one site shows the error, the problem is likely server-side: the host may be down, misconfigured, blocking your IP, or experiencing a routing problem. Confirm with a remote curl or a public uptime monitor.

Will flushing DNS fix ERR_CONNECTION_REFUSED?

Flushing DNS can fix cases where stale or incorrect DNS records route you to the wrong IP. It does not fix server-side refusals caused by a stopped process, closed port, or firewall rules.

Can a VPN or proxy cause ERR_CONNECTION_REFUSED?

Yes. VPNs and proxies change routing and can cause servers or intermediate devices to refuse connections. Temporarily disconnecting the VPN or removing the proxy often reveals whether it is the cause.

Err_connection_refused | Best Ways to Fix ERR CONNECTION REFUSED Error in Chrome

Q: What does ERR_CONNECTION_REFUSED mean in Chrome?

ERR_CONNECTION_REFUSED means Chrome attempted to connect but the destination refused the connection. This can be caused by a stopped server, firewall or proxy blocking the port, incorrect DNS mapping, or a local development server not running.

Q: How do I fix ERR_CONNECTION_REFUSED in Chrome?

Check your internet and router, disable VPN or proxy, clear Chrome cache, flush DNS, and test the site in Incognito. If you are a developer, ensure your local server is running, the correct port is used, and that firewall rules allow the connection.

Last updated: Nov 13, 2025

When Chrome displays the message “ERR_CONNECTION_REFUSED”, it means your browser tried to connect to a website but the request was rejected instead of being completed. This error can be frustrating because it appears suddenly, blocks websites you usually access without issues, and often comes with no clear explanation. Many users believe the problem is with Chrome itself, but in reality, the error can come from multiple places such as your internet connection, your device, a misconfigured firewall, incorrect DNS settings, or the website server refusing the request.

The ERR_CONNECTION_REFUSED error is one of the most commonly searched Chrome issues because people encounter it in everyday browsing, during work, while opening important websites, and even when accessing local development environments like localhost. Since it can happen on Windows, macOS, Android, or during developer tasks such as running Node.js or Docker apps, understanding the root cause is the first step in fixing it quickly.

At its core, this Chrome error simply means the browser asked the server for a connection, but the server or network responded with a refusal rather than allowing communication. Unlike timeouts or DNS issues, this message specifically indicates that something actively blocked or declined the request.

You will often see the following message on screen:

“This site can’t be reached. The connection was refused.”

For many users, this happens because of temporary problems such as a weak network connection, blocked ports, a VPN creating conflicts, corrupted browser cache, or a firewall interrupting the request. For developers, the cause is frequently a stopped local server or a port already in use.

This guide will help you understand exactly what the error means, why Chrome shows it, and how to fix it step by step. The instructions are written for both everyday users and developers so you can quickly identify whether the issue is coming from your browser, your network, or the website itself.

What Does the ERR_CONNECTION_REFUSED Error Mean?

The ERR_CONNECTION_REFUSED error in Chrome appears when the browser attempts to connect to a website or server but receives a direct refusal instead of a normal response. In simple terms, Chrome reaches out to a site, but the connection is denied before communication can even begin. Unlike slow-loading pages or DNS failures, this error is a clear signal that something is actively blocking or rejecting the connection.

When this happens, you may see messages like:

“This site can’t be reached.”
“The connection was refused.”
“ERR_CONNECTION_REFUSED.”

This error does not automatically mean the website is down. It may be working fine for others while your system, network, or browser is stopping the request. That’s why understanding the cause is important before trying any fix.

Here are the most common reasons Chrome shows this error:

The website server is rejecting the connection.
The server may be temporarily overloaded, under maintenance, or configured to block your request. If it’s a local site (like localhost), the application itself might not be running on the expected port.
Your network or device settings are interfering.
VPNs, proxies, firewalls, or security software can interrupt connections. Sometimes even a router or ISP-level block may cause the refusal.
Your browser is using outdated or corrupted data.
Cached files, cookies, or Chrome extensions can cause conflicts and make the connection fail.
DNS or IP issues are preventing the request from being routed correctly.
Your device may be using an unreliable DNS server or an outdated IP mapping.
A local port is closed, busy, or blocked.
This is especially common when the error occurs on localhost during development.

In most cases, the error has nothing to do with Chrome itself. Instead, it’s usually related to your connectivity, security tools, local network, or the server you’re trying to reach.

Understanding the meaning of the ERR_CONNECTION_REFUSED error gives you a clear starting point. It tells you that your browser is not confused or lost; it’s simply being turned away. Once you know this, the next steps—such as checking your network, clearing your cache, or restarting your local server—make much more sense.

Quick Fixes for Regular Chrome Users

When the ERR_CONNECTION_REFUSED message appears, most users assume the problem is technical or complicated. Fortunately, many cases can be fixed quickly with simple checks. These solutions are intended for everyday Chrome users who are browsing the internet, not running local servers or development tools. By applying these steps in the right order, you can often resolve the error within minutes.

Check Your Internet Connection

Start by confirming that your internet connection is active and stable. Try loading different websites, switching between Wi-Fi and mobile data, or reconnecting to your network. If other sites fail to load as well, the issue is likely network-related rather than site-specific. Restarting your router or modem is a simple step that can clear temporary connection problems.

Disable Any VPN or Proxy

Many users don’t realize that VPNs and proxies change how your device communicates with websites. If they misroute traffic or slow down the connection, Chrome may respond with “ERR_CONNECTION_REFUSED.” Turn off your VPN, disconnect from your proxy, and refresh the page. In Chrome, you can check proxy settings under the System section of the browser settings. A direct connection often resolves the issue immediately.

Clear Chrome Cache and Cookies

Over time, your browser stores cached data from websites. If these files become corrupted or outdated, your connection attempts may fail. Clearing your cache and cookies gives Chrome a clean slate and removes any stored data that might interfere with loading a website. You can clear browsing data in Chrome’s settings under Privacy and Security.

Disable Extensions Temporarily

Browser extensions can sometimes block or filter network requests. Ad blockers, privacy tools, and certain security extensions are common culprits. To test this, open the website in Incognito mode. If it loads there, one of your extensions is causing the refusal. Turn off extensions one by one until you find the one responsible, then remove or update it.

Flush Your DNS Cache

Your device stores DNS records to speed up browsing. But if the stored data is outdated or incorrect, Chrome may attempt to reach the wrong IP address and get refused. Flushing your DNS forces your device to fetch fresh data.
On Windows, open Command Prompt and type:

On macOS, use:

Reset TCP/IP Settings

If the error persists, your device’s networking stack may be misconfigured. Resetting TCP/IP can fix hidden network issues that affect Chrome. On Windows, run Command Prompt as administrator and enter:

Restart your system afterward for the changes to take effect.

Change Your DNS Server

A slow or unresponsive DNS service can result in connection failures. Switching to a faster and more reliable DNS provider often fixes the problem. Popular options include Google DNS (8.8.8.8 and 8.8.4.4) or Cloudflare DNS (1.1.1.1). Update your DNS settings through your device’s network configuration menu and try reloading the webpage.

These quick fixes solve the majority of ERR_CONNECTION_REFUSED cases for regular users. If you’re still seeing the error after working through these steps, the issue is likely related to your device’s security settings, a deeper network problem, or a server-side failure. In the next section, we’ll explore solutions specifically for developers who encounter this error when working on local servers or development environments like Node.js, Docker, WordPress, or Apache.

Quick Solutions for ERR_CONNECTION_REFUSED (Chrome)

Problem Detected	Quick Fix	Time Required
Browser cache or corrupted data	Clear Chrome cache and cookies	30 seconds
VPN or proxy interfering	Disable VPN/Proxy and reload page	10 seconds
DNS issues	Flush DNS or switch to Google/Cloudflare DNS	1 minute
Router or network problem	Restart router or switch network	1–2 minutes
Chrome internal network errors	Clear Chrome DNS cache & flush sockets	30 seconds
Localhost not working (developers)	Start your server & check correct port	10–20 seconds
Firewall blocking connection	Temporarily disable firewall/antivirus	1 minute
Website/server offline	Test with another device or network	20 seconds

The fastest way to fix ERR_CONNECTION_REFUSED in Chrome is to clear your cache, disable VPN or proxy settings, flush DNS, restart your router, and ensure your server or localhost service is running on the correct port.

Fixes for Developers and Localhost Users

If you’re seeing ERR_CONNECTION_REFUSED while working with localhost, running a development server, testing APIs, or accessing a remote server, the cause is often different from what regular users experience. Instead of browser or network issues, the problem usually comes from the application environment, server configuration, or port settings. This section walks you through the most reliable fixes for developers.

Confirm Your Local Server Is Running

When Chrome refuses a connection to localhost, the most common cause is that the server is simply not running. If your Node.js, PHP, Python, Docker, Apache, or Nginx instance is stopped, Chrome will instantly show a connection refusal. Start or restart your local server and try again.

Examples:

Node.js:

PHP:

Apache (XAMPP/MAMP):
Restart through the control panel.

Docker:

If your application fails to start, check the terminal logs to identify errors.

Make Sure You’re Using the Correct Port

If your application is running on a port like 3000, 8080, or 5000, visiting http://localhost without the port won’t work. Chrome will refuse the connection.

Examples:

localhost:3000 (React, Express)
localhost:8000 (PHP)
localhost:5000 (Flask)
localhost:8080 (Tomcat, Vue, Spring Boot)

Double-check your project’s configuration file or terminal output to confirm the correct port.

Check if the Port Is Blocked or Already in Use

If another application is occupying the same port your server needs, the server won’t start, and Chrome will show a refusal error.

Check active ports:

Windows:

macOS/Linux:

If necessary, kill the process or change your application’s port.

Disable Local Firewalls or Security Tools Temporarily

Localhost connections are often blocked by:

Windows Defender Firewall
macOS Firewall
Third-party antivirus security layers

Temporarily disable them and reload the page. If the site loads, add your development environment to the firewall whitelist.

Inspect Your Hosts File

Incorrect hosts file entries can prevent Chrome from reaching localhost or custom local domains.

Windows:

macOS/Linux:

Make sure the following is present:

If you’re using custom local development domains like myproject.local, verify they resolve correctly.

Restart Docker or Containers (if applicable)

Docker networking frequently causes connection refusal errors. Containers may not be exposing ports properly or binding to the wrong network interface.

Check your docker-compose.yml:

Ensure that:

Your app listens on 0.0.0.0, not just localhost
The container exposes and maps the correct ports

Restart containers:

Check Backend Server Logs

If your backend server rejects the request:

Node.js logs will show port binding errors or runtime failures.
Apache/Nginx logs may show permission or configuration issues.

Logs often reveal why the connection is refused before Chrome ever receives a response.

Test the URL with Curl or Postman

To confirm whether the issue is in Chrome or the server, test the endpoint with tools like curl:

If curl also fails, the problem is server-side. If curl works but Chrome fails, it’s likely a browser or cache issue.

These developer-focused fixes resolve problems related to local servers, ports, environment configuration, and backend errors that prevent Chrome from establishing a connection. If the error still occurs even after checking all the above, the issue may be at the system level or caused by Chrome’s internal settings.

Advanced Chrome-Specific Fixes

If you’ve already checked your network, flushed DNS, disabled extensions, and ensured your server or website is running but still encounter ERR_CONNECTION_REFUSED, the issue may lie within Chrome’s internal settings. Chrome stores network states, DNS data, and experimental features that can sometimes interfere with normal connections. These advanced browser-level fixes help reset Chrome’s networking layer and eliminate hidden conflicts.

Reset Chrome Settings to Default

Chrome allows you to reset all browser settings without deleting bookmarks or saved passwords. This helps fix deep configuration issues caused by extensions, policies, or custom settings.

Steps to reset:

Open Chrome settings.
Scroll to “Reset and clean up.”
Select “Restore settings to their original defaults.”
Confirm the reset.

This resets Chrome’s configuration without affecting your personal data, allowing Chrome to rebuild a clean environment for website requests.

Clear Chrome’s Internal DNS Cache

Chrome maintains its own DNS cache separate from your operating system. Even after you flush local DNS, Chrome may still use outdated domain information. Clearing Chrome’s DNS cache ensures every request uses fresh data.

Steps:

Enter this in your address bar:
chrome://net-internals/#dns
Click “Clear host cache.”
Refresh the webpage.

This fix is particularly helpful when switching between VPNs, updating hosts files, or resolving localhost issues.

Flush Chrome’s Sockets Pool

Active socket connections (network channels Chrome keeps open) can occasionally get stuck or corrupted, leading to connection refused errors. Clearing them forces Chrome to re-establish clean connections.

Steps:

Visit: chrome://net-internals/#sockets
Click “Flush socket pools.”
Close Chrome completely and reopen it.

This solution helps when switching networks, restarting servers, or after a failed request loop.

Disable the QUIC Protocol Temporarily

Chrome’s QUIC protocol (used for faster connections) can sometimes conflict with firewalls, proxy servers, or certain server configurations. Turning it off helps identify whether it’s the cause.

Steps:

Go to: chrome://flags/#enable-quic
Change setting from “Default” to “Disabled.”
Restart Chrome.

If the website loads afterward, the issue may be QUIC-related.

Update Chrome to the Latest Version

Chrome frequently updates its networking engine, including security patches, TLS improvements, DNS handling, and protocol changes. Older versions may experience incompatibilities that lead to connection refusal errors.

Steps:

Go to Chrome menu.
Select “Help.”
Click “About Google Chrome.”
Allow Chrome to update automatically.

After updating, close all Chrome windows and reopen the browser.

Try Loading the Website in a New Chrome Profile

Your Chrome user profile stores browsing data, extensions, and preferences. When a profile becomes corrupted, certain websites may consistently fail to connect.

Steps:

Go to chrome://settings/manageProfile
Click “Add.”
Create a new profile without importing old data.
Open the problem website in the new profile.

If the site loads, your primary Chrome profile needs cleanup or extension removal.

Test Chrome Without Any Extensions or Settings

Running Chrome in a temporary clean mode can help isolate the browser as the issue.

Command for Windows:

If the webpage loads here, the problem lies in your primary profile or extensions.

Remove Browser Policies (For Work or School Devices)

If you’re using a work, school, or managed device, Chrome policies may block certain connections by design. These policies often display a small “Managed by your organization” message.

Check policies:

Visit: chrome://policy
Look for network or proxy-related restrictions.

You may need to contact the administrator if Chrome is under strict policy control.

These advanced Chrome fixes address the browser’s internal network behavior, cached data, experimental features, and profile-level conflicts. If none of these resolve the ERR_CONNECTION_REFUSED error, then the issue is likely caused by a deeper network problem or by the website’s own server.

Preventing ERR_CONNECTION_REFUSED Errors in the Future

The ERR_CONNECTION_REFUSED error can be extremely disruptive, especially if it appears repeatedly. While many causes are temporary, implementing a few preventative steps can dramatically reduce the chances of facing this issue again. Whether you are a typical Chrome user, a developer working on local projects, or a website owner managing live servers, the right long-term practices help keep connections stable, efficient, and error-free.

Keep Chrome and Your Operating System Updated

Outdated Chrome versions or system networking components are common contributors to connection issues. Updates often include fixes for DNS handling, socket stability, security patches, and improved protocol support.

Set Chrome to update automatically and ensure your OS receives regular network stack updates. This keeps your browser aligned with modern server standards and reduces compatibility problems.

Maintain a Clean and Stable Browser Environment

Browsers accumulate data, cached files, extensions, and settings over time. Any of these can break the connection path unexpectedly.

To prevent future errors:

Clear browsing data periodically
Remove unused or suspicious extensions
Avoid stacking multiple ad-blockers or security plugins that interfere with requests
Use a dedicated Chrome profile for development work, if applicable

A clean browser environment reduces the risk of corrupted network states causing refusal errors.

Use Reliable DNS Providers

Your DNS provider plays a major role in how quickly and accurately Chrome can resolve websites. Using outdated or overloaded DNS resolvers can lead to connection failures, slow lookups, or misrouted requests.

To minimize DNS issues:

Switch to Google DNS (8.8.8.8 / 8.8.4.4)
Or use Cloudflare DNS (1.1.1.1)
Add a secondary DNS for redundancy
Flush DNS periodically if you switch networks often

Reliable DNS ensures your browser always reaches the correct IP address.

Manage VPNs, Proxies, and Firewalls Carefully

Most recurring ERR_CONNECTION_REFUSED issues stem from overly aggressive or misconfigured protection tools. If you use VPNs or proxies frequently, ensure they’re configured correctly and compatible with your network.

Tips:

Use reputable VPN services
Avoid chaining multiple VPN layers
Disable manual proxy settings unless you need them
Review firewall rules after software updates or new installs
Whitelist Chrome and trusted development tools

Balanced security settings prevent accidental blocking of legitimate websites.

Maintain Local Development Environments Properly

For developers, most connection refusal problems occur because services crash, ports close, or containers fail silently. Preventing these issues makes development smoother.

Best practices:

Ensure servers listen on the correct port and interface
Use process managers like PM2 or nodemon to restart crashed applications
Clean up closed ports and stale processes
Create consistent .env configurations
Restart Docker containers regularly to avoid network conflicts

Stable development environments reduce interruptions during work.

Protect Server Stability and Availability

If you manage a website or web application, server-side breakdowns can cause users around the world to see ERR_CONNECTION_REFUSED even if nothing is wrong on their end. Preventive server maintenance helps keep your site consistently reachable.

For website owners and admins:

Monitor uptime using tools like UptimeRobot or Pingdom
Ensure SSL/TLS certificates auto-renew
Limit firewall rules to avoid blocking legitimate traffic
Configure reverse proxies and CDNs with correct origin settings
Scale hosting resources if traffic grows
Keep server software updated and patched

A stable server environment prevents connection refusals caused by downtime or misconfigurations.

Avoid Weak Networks and Untrusted Wi-Fi

Public Wi-Fi networks, shared routers, and heavily filtered corporate networks frequently cause Chrome connection errors. These networks sometimes block ports, enforce strict proxy rules, or interrupt secure traffic.

To prevent future issues:

Use trusted networks for important browsing
Prefer personal hotspots over unreliable public Wi-Fi
If using corporate networks, understand their security restrictions

A strong and stable connection helps Chrome load sites without interruption.

Use Network Monitoring Tools

If you regularly experience intermittent ERR_CONNECTION_REFUSED errors, monitoring tools can help identify the root cause.

Consider:

Built-in OS network diagnostics
Router logs
ISP support tools
Third-party analyzers like NetSpot or Wireshark

Early detection helps prevent cascading problems and improves overall performance.

By following these preventive steps, you minimize the chances of encountering the ERR_CONNECTION_REFUSED error again. Whether you’re browsing, developing, or maintaining a website, staying ahead of common network issues ensures a smoother and more reliable connection every time you load Chrome.

Preventing Future ERR_CONNECTION_REFUSED Errors

Fixing the ERR_CONNECTION_REFUSED error is important, but preventing it from happening again is even more valuable—especially if you rely on stable connections for work, development, or running a website. Many of the causes behind this error can be avoided with the right long-term habits and configurations. This section focuses on practical steps that everyday users, developers, and website owners can take to minimize or eliminate repeated connection refusals.

Keep Chrome and Your Operating System Updated

Outdated software is one of the silent triggers behind recurring connection issues. Chrome updates frequently include improvements to network handling, caching behavior, protocol compatibility, and security layers. If you’re running an older version of Chrome or an outdated operating system, certain websites or servers may refuse connections due to protocol mismatches or security checks.

Keeping both Chrome and your OS updated ensures:

Compatible TLS versions
Stable DNS handling
Better socket and connection management
Reduced browser-level bugs

Regular updates create a healthier browsing environment and lower the chance of unexpected refusal errors.

Maintain a Clean Browser Environment

The more you use Chrome, the more cached files, cookies, extensions, and temporary data it stores. Although this improves speed, it can also lead to corrupted data or conflicting settings. A clean browser environment reduces this risk significantly.

For long-term stability:

Clear browsing cache periodically
Avoid installing too many extensions
Remove outdated or unused extensions
Keep ad blockers and privacy tools updated
Use a separate Chrome profile for testing or development

A lightweight, conflict-free browser environment prevents Chrome from sending broken or outdated requests.

Use Reliable DNS Providers

DNS is essential for routing your requests to the correct IP address. If your DNS provider is slow, unstable, or returning inaccurate records, your browser may attempt to connect to the wrong server—or no server at all—resulting in connection refusals.

To prevent DNS-related issues:

Switch to trusted DNS providers like Google (8.8.8.8 / 8.8.4.4) or Cloudflare (1.1.1.1)
Add secondary DNS servers for redundancy
Periodically flush your DNS cache if you switch networks often

Using a stable DNS provider ensures smoother, more accurate connections across all your devices.

Configure VPNs, Firewalls, and Proxies Properly

Security tools are essential, but they can also be too aggressive. Misconfigured VPNs, corporate firewalls, antivirus filters, and manual proxy settings commonly block legitimate website requests and cause Chrome to show connection refusals.

To prevent accidental blocking:

Use trusted VPN providers
Avoid chaining multiple VPN layers
Disable manual proxy settings unless required for work
Ensure antivirus and firewall rules are not blocking Chrome
Whitelist development tools and common ports if you are a developer

Proper configuration prevents your own security setup from interfering with your browsing.

Keep Your Local Development Environment Organized

For developers, recurring ERR_CONNECTION_REFUSED errors are often related to local services or containers that stop, crash, or bind incorrectly. Implementing a stable development workflow prevents these sudden interruptions.

Best practices:

Use process managers like PM2, nodemon, or Supervisor
Make sure your apps bind to the correct interface (0.0.0.0 when needed)
Clean up unused Docker containers and networks
Standardize port usage across projects
Use environment files (.env) to avoid misconfiguration
Restart containers regularly to prevent networking conflicts

When your development environment is structured and predictable, Chrome rarely runs into refusal issues with localhost or API routes.

Ensure Server Stability and Proper Configuration

If you own or manage a website, preventing connection refusals for your users is critical. Server-side issues are often caused by misconfigurations, downtime, expired certificates, or broken firewall rules.

Website owners should:

Use uptime monitoring tools such as UptimeRobot, Pingdom, or StatusCake
Set up automatic SSL/TLS renewal
Monitor server resource usage to avoid overload
Keep Apache, Nginx, Node.js, or PHP-FPM services stable
Regularly review firewall and CDN rules
Run health checks for reverse proxies and load balancers

A well-maintained server ensures that users don’t see connection refusal errors due to backend failures.

Prefer Trusted and Secure Networks

Public Wi-Fi hotspots, shared routers, and restricted corporate networks can block ports, drop packets, or interrupt secure connections. These unreliable environments are frequent causes of connection refusal errors.

Tips:

Avoid public Wi-Fi for sensitive browsing
Use your mobile hotspot when network reliability is needed
Understand the restrictions of corporate firewalls
Regularly reboot your home router to keep the network fresh

A clean, stable network ensures that your device can reach websites without unnecessary obstacles.

Use Network Diagnostic and Monitoring Tools

If you face recurring issues and want long-term peace of mind, consider monitoring your networking environment.

Helpful tools:

Built-in network diagnostics on Windows or macOS
Router administration logs
Third-party tools like Wireshark, NetSpot, or Fing
ISP apps to detect outages or routing issues

Monitoring helps identify and resolve problems before they escalate into browser-level connection refusals.

By following these proactive steps, you ensure that your browser, network, development tools, and servers all remain stable and compatible. Preventing ERR_CONNECTION_REFUSED errors is about building a healthy environment from top to bottom. Whether you browse casually, build web apps, or manage servers, these best practices help maintain seamless, reliable, and interruption-free connections.

Conclusion

The ERR_CONNECTION_REFUSED error in Chrome might look intimidating, but once you understand what it really means—a blocked or rejected connection—you gain full control over how to fix it. This error simply indicates that something along the communication path refused your browser’s attempt to connect. It does not mean Chrome is broken or that your device is infected. It’s a connection issue, and every connection issue has a logical cause.

For everyday users, connection refusals often come from unstable networks, VPN or proxy conflicts, corrupted browser cache, firewall rules, or DNS issues. Simple fixes such as clearing cache, flushing DNS, restarting your router, or turning off your VPN solve most cases quickly.

For developers working with localhost, the error usually indicates a local server that isn’t running, a port conflict, Docker networking issue, or a services misconfiguration. Restarting your server, fixing port bindings, or checking logs typically resolves the problem fast.

From a server or hosting perspective, connection refusals happen when the backend isn’t reachable—whether due to downtime, firewall restrictions, origin misconfigurations, or CDN routing failures. In such cases, the issue is outside your control as a user, but server administrators can fix it by restoring services, updating configurations, and monitoring performance.

Preventing this error in the future is just as important as fixing it. A stable network, a clean Chrome environment, updated software, organized development workflow, and reliable server configuration all contribute to a smoother and error-free browsing experience.

Ultimately, ERR_CONNECTION_REFUSED is not a mysterious or unsolvable issue. By understanding how it works and following a structured troubleshooting approach, you can identify where the connection is breaking—browser, network, or server—and fix it quickly. Whether you’re a casual user, a developer, or a website owner, the solutions in this guide will help you handle the error with confidence and prevent it from disrupting your work again.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Below are clear, concise, and highly optimized answers to the most common questions users search for when troubleshooting the ERR_CONNECTION_REFUSED error in Chrome. These answers are crafted to target featured snippets and improve SEO visibility.

What does ERR_CONNECTION_REFUSED mean in Chrome?

The ERR_CONNECTION_REFUSED message means Chrome tried to connect to a website or server, but the connection was actively rejected. This typically happens when the website’s server is down, a firewall or VPN is blocking the request, your DNS is outdated, or a local service (like localhost) isn’t running. Chrome is not broken—it is simply being refused by the destination.

How do I fix ERR_CONNECTION_REFUSED in Chrome?

Start by checking your internet connection, turning off VPN or proxy settings, clearing Chrome’s cache, and flushing your DNS. If the issue continues, reset Chrome’s network settings, change your DNS server, and restart your router. Developers should also ensure their local server is running and listening on the correct port.

Why does ERR_CONNECTION_REFUSED happen only on one specific website?

If only one site shows the error, the problem is likely on the website’s server. It may be offline, blocking your IP, misconfigured, or experiencing routing or firewall issues. You can confirm this by testing the site on a different network, using a tool like DownDetector, or checking the site from another device.

Why does localhost show ERR_CONNECTION_REFUSED?

Localhost usually shows this error when the local web server isn’t running, the application crashed, the port is incorrect or in use, or a firewall is blocking local connections. Restart your development server, verify the correct port, or run lsof or netstat to check for port usage.

Can a VPN cause ERR_CONNECTION_REFUSED?

Yes. VPNs frequently cause connection refusals due to routing changes, blocked ports, or mismatched IP assignments. Disconnect your VPN and reload the page. If the site loads, the VPN was causing the issue.

Does flushing DNS fix ERR_CONNECTION_REFUSED?

Flushing DNS fixes the error when the cause is stale or incorrect DNS data. It won’t fix the problem if the refusal is caused by server failure, blocked ports, firewall rules, or a stopped local application.

Is ERR_CONNECTION_REFUSED a virus?

No. The error does not indicate malware. It is a network connection issue. However, overly aggressive security software or antivirus tools can mistakenly block websites and trigger this message. Temporarily disabling them can help identify the cause.

What’s the difference between ERR_CONNECTION_REFUSED and ERR_TIMED_OUT?

ERR_CONNECTION_REFUSED means the server actively rejected the connection immediately. ERR_TIMED_OUT means Chrome waited too long for a response and gave up. The former is a refusal, while the latter is a timeout.

Should I restart my router to fix this error?

Yes. Router restarts flush network caches, reassign your device’s IP, refresh routing tables, and fix temporary connection blocks. This simple step resolves many user-side cases of ERR_CONNECTION_REFUSED.

What should I do if nothing fixes ERR_CONNECTION_REFUSED?

If none of the browser or device fixes work, the problem is likely server-side or ISP-related. Contact the website owner or your hosting provider, test the site from another network, or use traceroute and curl to confirm whether the connection is failing before it reaches your device.

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How to fix ERR_CONNECTION_REFUSED error in chrome

How to fix ERR_CONNECTION_REFUSED error in chrome

What Does the ERR_CONNECTION_REFUSED Error Mean?

Quick Fixes for Regular Chrome Users

Check Your Internet Connection

Disable Any VPN or Proxy

Clear Chrome Cache and Cookies

Disable Extensions Temporarily

Flush Your DNS Cache

Reset TCP/IP Settings

Change Your DNS Server

Quick Solutions for ERR_CONNECTION_REFUSED (Chrome)

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