Nothing is more frustrating than trying to access a website and being met with a Chrome error page that reads ERR_CONNECTION_TIMED_OUT. This error indicates that Chrome couldn’t establish a connection with the website you’re trying to visit, usually because the request took too long. While this problem can seem intimidating, it’s typically a network or browser-related issue that can be resolved with some straightforward steps.
In this guide, I’ll show you how to troubleshoot and fix the ERR_CONNECTION_TIMED_OUT error in Chrome on Windows.
What Causes ERR_CONNECTION_TIMED_OUT?
Before jumping into the solutions, it helps to understand why this error occurs. Some of the common reasons include:
- Network or DNS issues.
- Firewall or antivirus blocking the connection.
- Incorrect browser settings or cached data.
- Problems with the website’s server (though you can’t control this, it’s worth considering if none of the fixes work).
Step 1: Check Your Internet Connection
The first thing you should do is ensure your internet connection is stable:
- Restart your router: Unplug it for about 30 seconds and plug it back in. Wait a minute for it to fully reconnect.
- Test other websites: Try opening other websites in Chrome. If they load fine, the issue might be specific to the website you’re trying to visit.
- Switch networks: If possible, switch to a different Wi-Fi network or use mobile data (if you can) to rule out network issues.
If the error still persists, proceed to the next steps.
Step 2: Clear Your Browsing Data
Sometimes, corrupted cache or cookies can cause this error. Clearing them in Chrome is easy:
- Open Chrome and press Ctrl + Shift + Delete.
- In the window that appears, choose All time in the Time range dropdown.
- Check the boxes for Browsing history, Cookies and other site data, and Cached images and files.
- Click Clear data.
Once cleared, restart Chrome and try accessing the site again.
Step 3: Disable Extensions
Some Chrome extensions can interfere with websites and cause connection issues. To test if an extension is the culprit:
- Click the three dots in the top-right corner of Chrome and go to More tools > Extensions.
- Disable all extensions by toggling off the switches next to them.
- Restart Chrome and try accessing the site.
If the site loads, one of the extensions was likely causing the issue. Enable them one by one to identify the culprit.
Step 4: Flush DNS Cache
Your computer stores IP addresses of websites in a DNS cache, and this cache can sometimes become outdated or corrupted, leading to connection problems. To flush the DNS cache:
- Press Windows + R, type
cmd
, and press Enter to open the Command Prompt. - In the Command Prompt, type the following command and press Enter:
ipconfig /flushdns
- You should see a message confirming that the DNS cache has been flushed.
After doing this, restart your computer and try visiting the website again.
Step 5: Change DNS Server Settings
Sometimes, your ISP’s default DNS server may not be reliable. You can switch to a public DNS, such as Google DNS or OpenDNS, for a more stable connection:
- Press Windows + R, type
ncpa.cpl
, and press Enter. - Right-click on your active network connection and select Properties.
- Highlight Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4) and click Properties.
- Select Use the following DNS server addresses and enter the following:
- Preferred DNS server: 8.8.8.8
- Alternate DNS server: 8.8.4.4 (Google DNS)
Alternatively, you can use OpenDNS: - Preferred DNS server: 208.67.222.222
- Alternate DNS server: 208.67.220.220
- Click OK to save your settings and restart your computer.
Now, try accessing the website again to see if the error is resolved.
Step 6: Temporarily Disable Firewall and Antivirus
Your firewall or antivirus software might mistakenly block certain websites, leading to the ERR_CONNECTION_TIMED_OUT error. To check if this is the issue, temporarily disable your firewall and antivirus:
- Open Windows Security by typing it in the Start menu.
- Go to Firewall & network protection and click on your active network (e.g., Private network).
- Toggle Microsoft Defender Firewall off. If you’re using a third-party antivirus or firewall, you’ll need to disable it from its settings.
Once disabled, try accessing the website. If it loads, you’ll know the firewall or antivirus was blocking the connection. Be sure to turn it back on afterward and adjust its settings to prevent future issues.
Step 7: Reset Network Settings
If none of the above solutions work, resetting your network settings might help resolve any underlying network configuration issues:
- Open Command Prompt as an administrator by typing cmd in the Start menu, right-clicking Command Prompt, and selecting Run as administrator.
- Run the following commands one by one, pressing Enter after each:
netsh int ip reset
netsh winsock reset
ipconfig /release
ipconfig /renew
ipconfig /flushdns
- Restart your computer.
Now try accessing the website again. This reset will restore your network settings to their default state, which can often fix connection issues.
Step 8: Contact the Website Administrator
If you’ve tried all the steps above and still get the ERR_CONNECTION_TIMED_OUT error, it’s possible the problem is on the website’s end. Try visiting the site from a different device or ask someone else if they can access it. If the site remains inaccessible, contact the website administrator to check if there’s a server issue.
The ERR_CONNECTION_TIMED_OUT error in Chrome can be caused by various factors, from DNS problems to browser issues. By following these troubleshooting steps—checking your connection, clearing the cache, adjusting DNS settings, and more—you should be able to fix the issue and get back to browsing.
Let me know in the comments if you found these solutions helpful or if you need further assistance.