How To Fix ERR_CONNECTION_REFUSED

Whereas some errors affect certain operating systems, others relate to websites of Internet web browsers no matter what operating system you are using. That is the case with the following error: ERR_CONNECTION_REFUSED, which affects Google Chrome.

When an error affects a specific Internet web browser it is somehow less alarming that when it affects a whole operating system. For one thing, a web browser error will not stop you from doing anything else on your computer.

Getting a browser error also does not have the potential of losing anything that you may be working on or wiping anything that is essential to you or to the day-to-day running of the computer.

Also, there is a very quick and simple workaround when you get an error on a specific web browser: you can always just use an alternate web browser! So, if you get this error on Google Chrome, you could always use Safari, Mozilla Firefox, Internet Explorer, Opera, … or any other Internet web browser you can download on your operating system.

This workaround can be, however, be annoying because of two main reasons: 1) most people use just one Internet web browser and, therefore, develop a strong sense of familiarity with their preferred web browser and can get disconcerted when presented with a different option; and 2) not all web browsers are available on all operating systems (for example, you will not be able to get the Internet Explorer on a Mac computer or an iPad because it is not compatible with OSX or iOS).

If downloading and installing an alternative web browser does not sound like a solution to this error, don’t worry there are actually a few possible solutions that will get rid of this issue and allow you to use Google Chrome as normal again.

But before I go into the different solutions to this problem, I’d like to look at the error in a little more detail. This background information should help you fix the problem.

I strongly suggest that you read the whole article before you settle for a cause of action. The next section explains what the problem is and goes into a couple of quick things that you can do that could make the error go away. I’d recommend that you try those couple of things first before you attempt anything more complex. Mostly because these will help you rule out some extremely common reasons that this error happens.

Also, you might find that this troubleshooting actually works so why would you want to try some complex (that may or may not work), when the solution could be a whole lot simpler.

What Is ERR_CONNECTION_REFUSED?

I have already said that this error affects Google Chrome. When you try to access a website (and it can be any website, even hugely popular ones such as Facebook, Twitter, Google, etc.), you would get the following error message:

“This webpage is not available”

This simple message does not necessarily mean that the website that you are trying to access is not available. If the website is working (and you could check this out by trying a different web browser or a different device, if you so chose), then the problem could be caused by a bad Internet connection.

So, before you try anything else, you should check your Internet connection and, if necessary, restart your router.

Another possible reason that you are getting this error could be that your firewall or antivirus is preventing you from accessing the website in question.

Bear in mind that if you are using a public computer, say at work or at school, it could very well be that, that certain websites have been blocked on purpose. For instance, some workplaces would block certain websites (for example, social media sites). If that is the case for you, then there is really nothing you can do to fix it, as this is not an error.

If, however, you are using your own computer then, once you have checked that your Internet connection is working just as it should, then you should check the settings for your antivirus software and firewall. This is a very common cause for this particular error, so attempt this before going ahead and trying out the following possible fixes.

Possible Fix Number 1

So, if you have arrived at this possible fix number 1, I am going to assume that you have not only read the previous section of this article but have also troubleshot the error as suggested. If you have not, I’d strongly suggest doing so now before proceeding with this method.

Having said all that, this first method involves using the Command Prompt Admin.

All you would really need to do for this method to work is to launch the Command Prompt (CMD) Admin and run different commands, restart your computer, and then check whether doing this has actually fixed the error for you.

If you are not sure how to launch the Command Prompt Admin, here are the easy steps that you would need to follow in order to do this if you are using a Windows computer:

1. Grab your computer.
2. Then, either press the following two keys simultaneously: the Windows key + the R key, and type “cmd” (no quotation marks) in the run dialog box; or use the search function to search for Command Prompt Admin. If you are using a Windows 10 computer, then just launch the Start Menu and go to All Apps and Windows system where you should be able to find a shortcut for the Command Prompt Admin.

If, however, you were using a Mac computer, you would need to follow these simple steps, instead:

1. Grab your computer.
2. Go into the Applications folder.
3. Then, go into the Utilities folder.
4. Locate the Terminal application and open it.

Alternatively, you could just search for the Terminal application.

Once you have managed to launch the Command Prompt Admin, here are the different prompts that you would need to type:

• ipconfig /release
• ipconfig /all
• ipconfig /flushdns
• ipconfig /renew
• netsh int ip set dns
• netsh winsock reset

Remember to enter those commands carefully and one by one.

Then, restart your computer, once it has fully restarted launch Google Chrome and then try to go to the web page that was giving you the error and see if these commands have gotten rid of the error.

Possible Fix Number 2 

If nothing else has worked for you, you should try out this possible fix as your very last result.

This final method involves changing the DNS (Domain Name System). This method is quite advanced so if you are not comfortable changing the DNS, you might want to get an expert professional involved right about now.

“If people use Chrome, we make less money on our service and that’s fine by us because that is fair competition. I wouldn’t put Google on a pedestal for competition, but they aren’t telling users not to use OpenDNS”. – David Ulevitch

The main thing to remember before you go ahead with this method is that you make an accurate note of your actual DNS before you change it, so you can always change it back again if necessary.

So, as long as you are comfortable with all this, here is how you would go about getting it done.

If you have a Windows computer, these are the simple steps you will need to follow:

1. Grab your computer
2. Head over to the Control Panel.
3. Next, click on the Network and Internet option.
4. Then, go into the Network and Sharing Center.
5. From there, click on the Change adapter settings.
6. If you are using an Ethernet connection, then right-click on the Local connection; if, however, you are using a Wi-Fi connection, right-click on Wireless Network Connection. You may be prompted at this point to either enter your admin password or confirm that you would like to proceed.
7. Next, just goes into Properties.
8. Go to the Networking tab.
9. Scan the items under the section “This connection uses the following items”, and choose either “Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4)” or “Internet Protocol Version 6 (TCP/IPv6)”.
10. Click on Properties.
11. Click on Advanced.
12. Then, choose the DNS tab.
13. Click on OK.
14. Next, choose “Use the following DNS server addresses”. Remember to record any DNS numbers that you see there so you can use them later.
15. Delete the DNS numbers and replace them for 8.8.8.8 or 8.8.4.4.
16. Restart your Internet connection so the changes take effect.

If you have a Mac computer, these are the simple steps you will need to follow:

1. Grab your computer.
2. Click on the Apple icon.
3. Go into System Preferences.
4. Then, go into Network. At this point, you may be asked to provide your password.
5. If you are using an Ethernet connection, then choose Built-In Ethernet; if, however, you are using a Wi-Fi connection, then choose Airport.
6. Next, click on Advanced.
7. Then, choose the DNS tab.
8. Click on the plus (“+”) icon.
9. Next, choose “Use the following DNS server addresses”. Remember to record any DNS numbers that you see there so you can use them later.
10. Delete the DNS numbers and replace them for 8.8.8.8 or 8.8.4.4.
11. Restart your Internet connection so the changes take effect.

Once you have changed your DNS numbers, launch Google Chrome and attempt to access the web page that was giving you the error before.

If you need to change your DNS numbers back to the original ones, just follow the same steps.

If you have any feedback or would like to share your experience or your own tips with our readers, please leave us a message below!