What is ERR_CONNECTION_REFUSED? 9 effective ways to troubleshoot it at home

ERR_CONNECTION_REFUSED is an error that prevents users from accessing a specific web browser. So what is this error? How can it be fixed? Let’s find out how to handle this situation with FPT Shop in the following article.

What is ERR_CONNECTION_REFUSED?

ERR_CONNECTION_REFUSED is a connection rejection error commonly seen in the Google Chrome browser that prevents users from accessing a particular website. In this case, ERR – Error, CONNECTION, and REFUSED. With the Mozilla Firefox browser, when encountering a page loading error, the screen will display “Unable to connect,” and with Microsoft Edge, it will say “Hmmm… Can’t reach this page.”

The ERR_CONNECTION_REFUSED error can occur from the website side or the user’s side. On the website side, it is due to the server experiencing issues during the website download process. On the user’s side, it is due to conflicting software and features within the browser.

How to fix ERR_CONNECTION_REFUSED error

With the ERR_CONNECTION_REFUSED error, you can fix it at home. Here are some quick ways to resolve this issue:

Check the Internet connection

The internet connection speed greatly affects the ability to access a website. Therefore, to fix the ERR_CONNECTION_REFUSED error, you should check the network connection on your device. Here’s how:

For Windows

You press the Windows + I key combination or click on the Start menu to open the Settings window, then click on Network & Internet. After that, you select Network troubleshooter, and the system will automatically check it. If the system displays any abnormalities, select the appropriate error-fixing suggestion and restart the device.

For macOS

You disconnect your computer from all peripheral devices except the keyboard and monitor, then restart the device and hold down the D key when the device is back on. Next, you choose the language and wait for the “Apple Diagnostics” process to finish. If any errors are detected, select the appropriate troubleshooting method and restart the device.

Restart your router

If after checking the network connection on the device and the connection is still unstable, you should restart the router. Turn off the modem for 15 to 30 seconds. This action allows the device to rest and perform better after restarting.

Clear your browser’s cache

The cache is where all data including cookies, login information, and website information are stored. When the cache is overloaded with too much information, it can also make it difficult to access the web. Therefore, to fix the ERR_CONNECTION_REFUSED error, you can clear the cache. Here’s how:

You click on the three-dot icon in the top right corner of the browser and select More tools, then choose Clear browsing data. Under Time range, select All time to delete all data in the cache. Finally, you check the Browsing history, Cookies and other site data, and Cache images and files options, then click Clear data.

Check proxy settings and adjust if necessary

Each device will have its own proxy address to connect to the internet network more securely. When the proxy configuration is set incorrectly, it can lead to a connection error with the website. Therefore, check the proxy settings and adjust them if necessary when encountering this error.

First, you access the Settings of the browser you are using and click on Advanced. Then, click on the option to open the proxy settings on your computer. Under Use a proxy server, switch it to Off.

Temporarily disable antivirus software and firewall

The Firewall and antivirus software always act as a “solid barrier” that any third-party agents have to overcome to connect to a computer. This helps protect your computer from malicious programs.

However, in some cases, the firewall and antivirus software may accidentally block safe websites and cause connection errors. To resolve this issue, you should temporarily disable the firewall and antivirus software to facilitate the connection process.

You go to Control Panel, select Windows Defender Firewall, and click on Change notification settings. Under Private network settings, click on Turn off Windows Defender Firewall (not recommended). Under Public network settings, select Turn off Windows Defender Firewall (not recommended), and then click OK.

Clear your DNS cache

Clearing the DNS cache is another effective way to fix connection issues that you can try. Press the Windows + R key combination, then type cmd in the Open box and press OK. When the cmd window appears, type ipconfig /flushdns, and then press Enter.

Change your DNS server

The DNS Server is considered a “translator” or a “phonebook” that users can enter the name to establish immediate contact. When encountering the ERR_CONNECTION_REFUSED error, you can try changing the DNS Server. Here’s how:

For Windows

You select Settings > Network & Internet > click on Network and Sharing Center > Change adapter settings. Then, right-click on the internet connection linked to your device, select Properties > Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4), and move to the Properties section. Here, you check the Use the following DNS server addresses option to customize your DNS Server, then click OK to save the settings.

For macOS

You click on the Apple logo > select System Preferences > open Network > select the network connection you want to change the DNS for in the sidebar > click on Advanced. Then, click on the DNS tab > click the “+” button to add a new DNS Server, and click OK to finish.

Disable outdated Chrome extensions

Some extensions in Chrome may cause conflicts and lead to connection errors. Therefore, you should check all installed extensions. If you discover any problematic extensions such as errors or expiration, uninstall them immediately.

To uninstall an extension, click on the three-dot icon in the top right corner of the Chrome browser and select More tools, then choose Extensions. Finally, select the extension you want to remove and click Remove.

Reinstall your Chrome browser

If none of the above methods work, the last resort is to completely uninstall the browser, then download and reinstall it on your device. However, keep in mind that when uninstalling the browser application, all stored information and settings will disappear. If you choose this method, simply go to Control Panel, select Uninstall a program, find and remove the Google Chrome application, and then reinstall it.

Conclusion

Above are some simple ways to fix the ERR_CONNECTION_REFUSED error at home. Hopefully, with the instructions provided, you can successfully implement them and have a smoother web browsing experience.

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