How to Fix the ERR_CONNECTION_REFUSED Error in Chrome

Have you ever tried to visit a website in Chrome, only to be greeted by an intimidating "ERR_CONNECTION_REFUSED" error? As a webmaster with over 15 years of experience, I know how frustrating connection issues like this can be.

But don‘t worry! In most cases, this error is easy to resolve on your end. In this guide, I‘ll walk you step-by-step through the top solutions to get Chrome connecting properly again.

What Causes the ERR_CONNECTION_REFUSED Error?

The ERR_CONNECTION_REFUSED message indicates that Chrome is unable to communicate with the website server. It‘s a common error that can stem from browser, network, or server issues.

According to Google‘s documentation, some potential causes include:

• Problem with your internet connection or modem
• Outdated DNS records cached on your computer
• Corrupted browser cache or files
• Conflict with an extension, plugin, antivirus, VPN, or firewall
• Invalid proxy configuration in Chrome

The good news is, most of these issues can be fixed with some simple troubleshooting on your end.

Step 1: Check Your Internet Connection

Let‘s start with the basics – make sure your internet is working properly. Try loading other sites, and restart your modem and router if needed.

Connection issues are one of the most common reasons for the ERR_CONNECTION_REFUSED error. Resetting your network is an easy first step that could get Chrome connecting again right away.

Step 2: Clear Your Browser Cache

The browser cache stores website files locally so pages load faster. But sometimes this cached data becomes outdated or corrupted, which can cause connection errors.

Clearing your cache forces Chrome to download fresh files from the website:

1. Click the 3-dot menu in the top right corner
2. Select More tools > Clear browsing data
3. Check the box for Cached images and files
4. Click Clear data

Clearing your cache can solve many common Chrome errors, and only takes a few seconds. It‘s one of the first troubleshooting steps I try as a webmaster.

Step 3: Try Disabling Extensions

Browser extensions and plugins often interfere with page loading, sometimes blocking resources or altering requests.

To rule out an extension conflict, try:

• Disabling all extensions and reload the page
• Starting Chrome in incognito mode (which disables extensions)
• Removing newly-installed extensions one-by-one

If the site loads properly with extensions disabled, you can narrow down the conflicting add-on and remove it.

Step 4: Update Google Chrome

Make sure you‘re running the latest version of Chrome on your computer or device.

Google releases security patches and bug fixes in new browser versions. Using an outdated version makes you more vulnerable to problems like connection errors.

To check your version, click the 3-dot menu > Help > About Google Chrome. Chrome will automatically update itself, but you can also manually update if needed.

Step 5: Try Other Browsers

Does the website load properly in other browsers like Firefox and Edge? If so, the issue seems isolated to your Chrome browser.

Try completely uninstalling and reinstalling Chrome to repair damaged files. On Windows, use the Control Panel > Programs > Uninstall a program. On Mac, drag Chrome from Applications to Trash.

Reinstalling can fix Chrome-specific issues like corrupted data or configuration problems.

Step 6: Flush Your DNS Cache

Your computer caches DNS records locally so it doesn‘t have to lookup domain names on every request.

But sometimes these records become outdated, which can cause sites to fail loading. Flushing the DNS forces a fresh lookup:

On Windows:

1. Open Command Prompt as admin
2. Type ipconfig /flushdns

On Mac:

1. Open Terminal
2. Type sudo dscacheutil -flushcache

Flushing your DNS cache is a common networking troubleshooting step that webmasters recommend. It only takes a second and often resolves browser errors.

Step 7: Renew DHCP Lease

If you‘re still seeing the error, try renewing your DHCP lease as a last resort. This resets your computer‘s network connection and renews the IP address.

On Windows:

1. Go to Control Panel > Network and Internet > Network Connections
2. Select your network adapter, click Properties
3. Select Internet Protocol Version 4 > Properties
4. Click Renew

On Mac:

1. Go to System Preferences > Network
2. Click Advanced > TCP/IP
3. Click Renew DHCP Lease

This will reset your computer‘s IP address and network configuration. For many users, this finally resolves the Chrome error.

Prevent ERR_CONNECTION_REFUSED Errors

Here are some tips to avoid ERR_CONNECTION_REFUSED errors going forward:

• Keep Chrome updated to the latest version
• Clear your cache and cookies regularly
• Limit extensions and only install reputable add-ons
• Maintain your modem, router, and network connections
• Use a reliable VPN or proxy service if needed
• Disable unnecessary antivirus web scanning or firewalls

Following best practices like these can prevent many common Chrome errors. But if you do see ERR_CONNECTION_REFUSED again, just work through these troubleshooting steps to quickly get back online.

I hope this guide helps you get Chrome connecting properly again! Let me know in the comments if you have any other tips for resolving ERR_CONNECTION_REFUSED errors.