If your internet connection is fine, but you are unable to access a website in Chrome, you’ll often see the Err_Connection_Reset error. This is a very common Chrome error that indicates a problem beyond just an internet issue, which also makes it so elusive. Let’s learn what the Err_Connection_Reset error in Chrome means and how to fix it.
What does “Err_Connection_Reset” mean?
The “Err_Connection_Reset” is an error you will come across when Chrome can’t form a connection or doesn’t have a very stable one. It can appear on both Chrome desktop and mobile versions, and it doesn’t necessarily mean you have a bad connection. This specific error occurs when a TCP/IP connection is established, but the data transfer fails to complete, causing the connection to reset.
Basically, the connection is half established, but an error causes it to drop abruptly. There can be many reasons for it, often related to secondary factors like firewall issues, proxy misconfiguration, corrupted cache, Windows Network Stack corruption, etc.
Below, we are listing the most common solutions to fix the Err_Connection_Reset error in Chrome:
1. Clear the Cookies and Cache in Chrome
Similar to the err_cache_miss Chrome error, Chrome cache can also cause this error. Over time, your cache in Chrome will build up with site data, images, and certain pages. This is designed to make it faster to open a given site in the future, but it can also create problems if it grows too large and contains conflicting information. The same goes for browser cookies that can get corrupted over time.
Luckily, you can easily clear your cookies and cache in Chrome.
In Chrome, click the three-dot menu at the top-right corner, then click Delete browsing data.
Make sure you select All time in the time range above, then check the Cookies and other site data and Cached images and files boxes, and click Delete from this device.
2. Disable Your Computer’s Proxy Settings
Sometimes, proxy settings in Windows can cause the ‘Err_Connection_Reset’ error if it’s misconfigured or Chrome is having trouble using the WPAD (Web Proxy Auto-Discovery) protocol. You should disable the proxy altogether to fix this error:
Open Windows Settings and go to Network & internet → Proxy. Here, turn off the Automatic detect settings toggle. If you have a manual proxy server set up, make sure you turn it off as well.
3. Ensure VPN isn’t Causing the Issue
If you’re using a VPN, that could be the reason you don’t have a stable connection. With a VPN (Virtual Private Network), you can go through constant ups and downs with your connection to the Internet.
To fix the error, you can try changing servers. Try a server you think may not be used as much as the one you’re currently using. For example, let’s say you use NordVPN. When you click on the dots (which will appear when you place the cursor over the name of the country), you will see various servers with a percentage. Choose one with a low rate.
If possible, try to disable the VPN and try connecting. If it fixes the problem, you’ll have to adjust VPN settings to ensure it doesn’t block connection to the website.
4. Make Sure Antivirus isn’t the Problem
If you use a third-party antivirus app, there is a good chance its Web shield feature is causing the Err_Connection_Reset error. Turn off any Web shield or HTTPS scanning features in it and try again.
If you are using Microsoft Defender instead, the firewall could be the culprit. Search “windows security” in Windows Search and open the Windows Security app. Here, move to Firewall & network protection and select your network (one with “active” text).
On the next screen, toggle off Microsoft Defender Firewall. Now check again and see if this fixes the Err_Connection_Reset error.
If the problem is fixed, go back to the Firewall & network protection section and click on the Restore firewalls to default option to reset the firewall.
5. Reset the TCP/IP to Fix Protocol Corruption
Another possible solution to this error is to reset the TCP/IP that your devices use to connect to the Internet.
To do so, open the Command Prompt as administrator and enter the following commands one after the other.
netsh winsock reset
netsh int ip reset
ipconfig /release
ipconfig /renew
ipconfig /flushdns
Make sure you restart Windows afterward to let Windows recreate the protocols.
6. Reset Chrome’s Internal Network Stack
Chrome also keeps its own DNS cache and socket pools separate from Windows. If the above steps didn’t work, you should also clear Chrome’s own network stack. Here’s how:
To reset Chrome DNS cache, type chrome://net-internals/#dns in the Chrome address bar and press Enter. Here, click on the Clear host cache button.
To flush the socket pools, type chrome://net-internals/#sockets in the Chrome address bar and press Enter. Click on the Flush socket pools button to flush it.
Unfortunately, this is an error all Chrome users come across, but with the above-mentioned tips, you now know how to fix it. You should also check out solutions to these other Chrome errors like ERR_CONNECTION_TIMED_OUT or Your clock is head error as they may work as well.
