Has the ERR_CONNECTION_REFUSED notice ever appeared when you clicked on a website? Isn’t that frustrating? This is especially true if you are attempting to visit your own website.
Misconfigured internet settings, network problems, or browser limitations preventing access to the web server are typically the causes of this err connection refused. Don’t worry, though—fixing it is frequently simpler than you may imagine!
Additionally, dealing with an error that doesn’t provide you with a clear indication of the problem can become annoying. In truth, many issues can cause it, but we’ll look at the most prevalent ones and how to solve the refused connection.
Keep reading and exploring to learn what connection is refused error means and how you can fix it easily in 2026.
Table of Contents
Key Takeaways
- ERR_CONNECTION_REFUSED indicates that the server actively denied the browser request.
- The issue might stem from the browser, network, DNS, firewall, or server settings.
- Clearing the cache, fixing the DNS, and disabling conflicts often resolves the error
- Both user-side and website-side problems can cause this issue.
- Step-by-step troubleshooting helps to quickly and safely restore access.
What Does ERR_CONNECTION_REFUSED Mean?
Your web browser attempted to connect to a website, but the server actively denied the request, as shown by the ERR CONNECTION REFUSED message. You could see “This site can’t be reached” instead of the page loading, which indicates that the connection failed before any data was transmitted.
Additionally, the ERR CONNECTION REFUSED error is a client-side issue that malware, a bad Internet connection, or improper firewall, system, or web browser settings can bring on. However, in rare circumstances, the message is also shown if the website is down (by default, alternative messages are supplied for this).
Typical Reasons For the ERR_CONNECTION_REFUSED Error
You may infer from the error message that your browser is the only source of the problem. In actuality, though, the problem could originate from several sources. Although the browser may be the issue, other factors also contribute to the error.
The connection error message often arises due to issues with your network, device, or browser. The most typical instances of ERR_CONNECTION_REFUSED consist of:
- Your browser’s cache and cookies have expired.
- An issue with your router or PC.
- Problems with network connectivity.
- A firewall or antivirus program is blocking access to the website.
- Configuring a VPN network or proxy server.
- DNS cache expiration.
- DNS server problems.
- Browser extensions are blocking the connection.
- The installation of the Google Chrome browser is corrupted.
- The “hosts” file’s hostname settings block access to a website.
The website itself may also be the source of the issue. In the following situations, WordPress websites in particular may cause the error:
- Conflicting plugins.
- The theme setup causes the problem.
- PHP script timeouts.
- Short-term issues with the hosting server.
What does an ERR_CONNECTION_REFUSED error look like on Different Browsers?
Depending on the browser you are using, you will receive different text messages with the ERR_CONNECTION_REFUSED Chrome code. Among them are:
- “This site can’t be reached on the web page” appears in Google Chrome.
- “Unable to connect” appears in Mozilla Firefox.
- “Hmm… can’t reach this page” appears in Microsoft Edge.
- Without providing any details, Safari states, “Safari can’t connect to the Server.”
The basic notion remains the same despite the differences in appearance: your browser is unable to establish a connection with the web server for the website you are attempting to access. There are several reasons why this error might occur.
Also Read: ERR_CONNECTION_RESET: Severe Network Error Explained With Effective Fixes
How Do I Fix ERR_CONNECTION_REFUSED In 2026?
Now, we will explain step-by-step on how you can fix this error connection in 2026 with easy-to-follow steps.
Step 1: Restart Your Device And Browser.
Reopen your browser after closing it. To fix any short-term issues and save your login credentials, restart your computer.
Step 2: Delete Cookies And the Cache From Your Browser.
- In the upper right corner of the web browser window, click the three vertical dots.
- Go to Settings.
- Click Privacy and Security after scrolling down.
- Choose “Clear browsing data.”
- Select the time period (e.g., “Last hour” or “All time“).
- Check the boxes for cached files and pictures, cookies, and other site data.
- Select “Clear data.”
Step 3: Turn Off Your Firewall And Antivirus Program Temporarily.
Firewalls and anti-malware technologies help to secure people and systems. In order to do this, they use network filtering and periodically scan the system to identify known malware or automatically block harmful and noticeable (perhaps dangerous) URLs.
Even while this security software is crucial, it can cause issues if it unfairly blocks pages or material, making it impossible to make connections.
Therefore, temporarily deactivating the firewall and similar measures is a solution to the ERR_CONNECTION_REFUSED Chrome problem message.
If the project is able to wake up, you can modify the program’s filter lists in accordance with the source of the connection issue. As an alternative, you might use different security technologies.
Step 4: Change The Proxy Configuration
Go to the Chrome settings:
- Launch Google Chrome.
- In the upper-right corner of the web browser, click the three-dot menu
- From the drop-down menu, choose “Settings.”
- Go to the system settings:
- Click “System” in the left-hand sidebar of the Settings menu after scrolling down.
- Click “Open the proxy settings on your computer.”
- Reset the proxy configuration:
- Toggle “Automatically detect settings” to Off in the Windows Settings window that shows up under “Automatic proxy setup.”
- Turn “Use a proxy server” off under “Manual proxy setup.”
- To put the changes into effect, click “Save.”
Step 5: Update The IP Address And Clear The DNS Cache
Execute the following commands in Terminal (Mac) or Command Prompt (Windows):
ipconfig /flushdns ipconfig /release ipconfig /renew
Step 6: Change DNS Server
One of the fundamental components of computer network operation is name resolution. This indicates that failures such as the ERR_CONNECTION_REFUSED error message on iOS and Android that comes from the Domain Name System might have more than just an out-of-date DNS record.
The DNS server itself may also cause these connection problems if it malfunctions, such as when it is overloaded or even unavailable.
Although it is simple to input the chosen name server for name resolution, the DNS server address is often automatically acquired from the internet provider.
We especially advise you to use the Google servers (8.8.8.8 or 8.8.4.4) and the CDN provider Cloudflare (1.1.1.1 or 1.0.0.1).
Also Read: How To Fix DNS Server Not Responding: Step by Step Guide To Fix
Step 7: Reinstall Chrome
Chrome has bugs, just like any other program. Regular updates allow for the speedy correction of many mistakes, but issues between the operating system and the browser might still arise and remain unresolved.
You will often only need to reinstall Chrome entirely if this even causes connectivity issues like the 102 error. You may get the necessary file for a fresh installation from the official Chrome website and remove the existing installation from your program center.
Step 8: Contact Provider
Although you may substitute your internet provider’s usual approach by switching DNS servers on your own, you have no control over the packet filtering that your web hosting provider does.
If these do-it-yourself fixes don’t work, don’t be afraid to call support, since there’s a chance that the provider’s firewall system will block the website you’re trying to access.
In the unlikely event that the site in question is banned, ordering an unblock is enough to fix the ERR_CONNECTION_REFUSED problem.
Step 9: Inspect The “Hosts” File
You may map certain hostnames to unique networking IP addresses using the “hosts” file included in every operating system. It allows users to change a domain’s global DNS settings.
Also, the faulty website’s domain may result in an incorrect address, and your “hosts” file may have been altered. However, this causes your browser to display ERR CONNECTION REFUSED.
You must open and edit your “hosts” file to examine it.
Look for a line that contains the domain that is causing the problem. If such an item is present, remove it and save the updated version to the “hosts” file. Moreover, to see if the error has disappeared, reload the page.
Additionally, in this instance, the incorrect IP address 0.0.0.0 is indicated by the hostname domain.com. When attempting to access the website domain.com, the address generates a loopback that results in the error ERR_CONNECTION_REFUSED in Google Chrome.
FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)
How To Bypass ERR_CONNECTION_REFUSED?
- Delete the cookies and the cache from your browser.
- Check to see whether the mistake happens on other websites.
- Restart both your router and PC.
- Verify the connection to the Internet.
- Turn off your antivirus software or firewall.
- Turn off the VPN or the Proxy Server settings.
- Clear the DNS cache.
How To Handle ERR_CONNECTION_REFUSED?
When your browser is unable to establish a connection with the server of the target website due to an explicit rejection of the connection attempt, the ERR_CONNECTION_REFUSED error appears.
How To Fix 403 Forbidden Error On Google Chrome Android?
To resolve a 403 Forbidden issue with Chrome on Android, try refreshing the site and looking for typos in the URL. If that doesn’t work, try using an Incognito window, clearing Chrome’s cache and cookies (or storage), disabling any VPN, switching networks (Wi-Fi to data), or restarting your device.
How To Bypass This Site Can’t Be Reached?
- Give your internet connection a restart.
- Turn off your antivirus and firewall.
- Empty the cache in your browser.
- Clear the DNS cache.
- Modify the DNS servers.
Conclusion
It could turn out annoying to get the ERR_CONNECTION_REFUSED error. Knowing what is producing the problem helps you to address it, therefore fixing it. Moreover, begin with simple remedies like checking your internet connection and checking the availability of the website.
Never feel afraid to get professional assistance if you’re still having trouble. However, seeking expert assistance from your ISP, hosting company, or network specialist can save you time and aggravation.