Fix ERR_CONNECTION_REFUSED Browser Error

What ERR_CONNECTION_REFUSED Actually Means

In technical terms, this error occurs at the TCP connection level. Your browser sends a connection request to the server's IP address on a specific port (usually port 80 for HTTP or 443 for HTTPS). Instead of accepting the connection, the server (or something between you and the server) actively refuses it.

Common scenarios where you'll see this:

• Website is down or crashed - Web server software stopped working
• Your firewall is blocking it - Windows Firewall or antivirus preventing connection
• Proxy server issues - Your proxy settings are wrong or proxy server is down
• Port is closed - Server firewall blocking the port you're trying to connect to
• IP address changed - Website moved servers but DNS hasn't updated yet (rare but possible)

Fix #1: Check If Website Is Actually Down

Before diving into complex fixes, rule out the simplest possibility: the website itself is down.

1. Use a website status checker:
   • Visit downforeveryoneorjustme.com
   • Enter the website URL
   • It'll tell you: "It's just you" or "It's not just you"
   • If it's down for everyone, there's nothing you can do except wait
2. Try from another device/network:
   • Open the site on your phone (using cellular data, not WiFi)
   • If it works there, the problem is on your computer/network
   • If it doesn't work anywhere, the website is down
3. Check social media:
   • Search Twitter for "[website name] down"
   • If many people are reporting it, it's a site-wide outage
   • Check the website's official Twitter/status page
4. If site is down for everyone:
   • Wait 30 minutes to an hour
   • Most server issues get resolved quickly
   • If it's a critical site (bank, work), contact them directly

Fix #2: Clear Browser Cache and Cookies

Corrupted browser data can cause connection refusal. Let's clear it out.

1. Google Chrome:
   • Press Ctrl + Shift + Delete (Windows) or Cmd + Shift + Delete (Mac)
   • Select "All time" from time range
   • Check: Cookies, Cached images and files
   • Click "Clear data"
   • Restart Chrome
2. Mozilla Firefox:
   • Press Ctrl + Shift + Delete
   • Select "Everything" from time range
   • Check: Cookies, Cache
   • Click "Clear Now"
   • Restart Firefox
3. Microsoft Edge:
   • Press Ctrl + Shift + Delete
   • Select "All time"
   • Check: Cookies and Cached images and files
   • Click "Clear now"
   • Restart Edge
4. Test the website again

Fix #3: Disable Proxy and VPN

Proxy servers and VPNs route your traffic through intermediaries. If those intermediaries have issues, you get ERR_CONNECTION_REFUSED.

1. Disable VPN:
   • If you're using a VPN (NordVPN, ExpressVPN, etc.), disconnect it completely
   • Don't just pause—fully disconnect
   • Try accessing the website
   • If it works, your VPN is the culprit (try different VPN server or contact VPN support)
2. Check Windows proxy settings:
   • Settings → Network & Internet → Proxy
   • Turn OFF "Automatically detect settings"
   • Make sure "Use a proxy server" is OFF
   • Click Save
3. Check browser proxy (Chrome/Edge):
   • Settings → System → Open your computer's proxy settings
   • Make sure no proxy is configured
   • If you didn't intentionally set up a proxy, it should all be off
4. Firefox proxy settings:
   • Settings → General → Network Settings → Settings
   • Select "No proxy"
   • Click OK
5. Restart browser and try again

Fix #4: Flush DNS Cache

Your computer caches DNS lookups. If the cached IP address is wrong or stale, connections fail.

1. Windows:
   • Open Command Prompt as Administrator
   • Type: ipconfig /flushdns
   • Press Enter
   • You should see "Successfully flushed the DNS Resolver Cache"
2. macOS:
   • Open Terminal
   • Type: sudo dscacheutil -flushcache; sudo killall -HUP mDNSResponder
   • Enter your password
   • Press Enter
3. Linux:
   • Open Terminal
   • Type: sudo systemd-resolve --flush-caches
   • Or: sudo /etc/init.d/nscd restart (depending on distribution)
4. Restart browser and try website

Fix #5: Disable Firewall and Antivirus Temporarily

Security software sometimes gets overzealous and blocks legitimate websites.

1. Disable Windows Firewall temporarily:
   • Open Windows Security
   • Go to Firewall & network protection
   • Click your active network (Private/Public)
   • Turn off Windows Defender Firewall
   • Try accessing website
   • Important: Turn firewall back on afterward
2. Disable third-party antivirus:
   • Right-click antivirus icon in system tray
   • Look for "Disable protection" or "Pause"
   • Choose 10-15 minutes
   • Try website
   • Re-enable immediately after testing
3. If website works with firewall/antivirus off:
   • Add the website to firewall/antivirus exceptions
   • Check if your security software has "web protection" feature blocking it
   • Update security software to latest version (might fix false positive)

Additional Quick Fixes

• Restart your router/modem - Unplug for 30 seconds, plug back in. Fixes many network issues.
• Change DNS servers - Use Google DNS (8.8.8.8 and 8.8.4.4) or Cloudflare DNS (1.1.1.1). Settings → Network → Adapter → IPv4 Properties.
• Disable browser extensions - Extensions like ad blockers or privacy tools can block connections. Disable all, test, re-enable one by one.
• Reset browser settings - Chrome/Edge: Settings → Reset settings → Restore settings to defaults.
• Check hosts file - (Advanced) Windows: C:\Windows\System32\drivers\etc\hosts. Make sure the website isn't blocked there.
• Try different browser - If Chrome doesn't work, try Firefox or Edge. Helps identify if it's browser-specific.

Common Questions

What's the difference between ERR_CONNECTION_REFUSED and ERR_CONNECTION_TIMED_OUT?

REFUSED means the server actively rejected your connection—it's there but saying "no." TIMED_OUT means your browser waited but never got a response—either the server is down or unreachable.

Why does this only happen on some websites?

Different websites are on different servers with different configurations. One website's server might be having issues while others work fine. Or your firewall might block specific sites but not others.

Can malware cause ERR_CONNECTION_REFUSED?

Yes. Malware can modify your hosts file, DNS settings, or proxy settings to block legitimate websites. Run a full antivirus scan if you're getting this error on many sites.

I'm getting this error only on my work computer. Why?

Corporate networks often have strict firewalls and content filters that block certain websites. If it works on your home computer but not at work, your IT department is likely blocking it.

Will reinstalling my browser fix this?

Maybe. If the issue is corrupted browser files, yes. But if it's firewall, DNS, or server-side issues, reinstalling won't help. Try the other fixes first—they're faster.