How to Fix ERR_CONNECTION_RESET Error in Google Chrome?

Google Chrome shows different types of errors when you try to open websites. Some of those errors come from the website’s server while many come from faulty network connection. In our previous articles, we have explained few Chrome errors like resolving host, Aw! Snap and err_internet_disconnected. In this article, let us discuss how to fix ERR_CONNECTION_RESET error in Google Chrome and access the websites without hassle.

What is ERR_CONNECTION_RESET Error?

Browsers like Chrome act as a bridge between your computer and web server to fetch the requested webpage. During this connection process, there are many errors possible like connection reset, network changed, cache miss, internet disconnected, etc. ERR_CONNECTION_RESET error is an indication that something interrupted and reset the connection when Chrome tries to load the webpage. When you encounter the error, Chrome will show the details as shown in the below screen:

Generally, just refreshing webpage, restarting Chrome or restarting computer will resolve the issue and reload the page successfully again. If not then continue read the article and follow the suggestions to fix the issue.

1. Check Internet Connection

When the err_connection_reset message is shown in Chrome, first thing you should check is your internet connection. If you are using cables, ensure the network cables are not disturbed. If you use WiFi, the connection might be fluctuating due to various problems. Check out the article on fixing WiFi problems in Windows and Mac.

Remember the wireless icon showing in Windows taskbar does not mean the computer is connected to internet. Simple way to check internet connection is to check with another device connected to the same network.

If the connection issue is not resolved then try restarting your computer and see the page can be loaded.

2. VPN Connection Issue

The most probable reason for err_connection_reset is the fluctuation of connection due to change in network or IP settings. If you are using VPN, then ensure that the VPN has stable connection and not blocking the internet. Most of the popular VPN apps have an option for a network lock or internet kill switch. This option will block the internet when VPN connection is dropped. Though it helps to avoid connecting through default ISP, it may result in err_connection_reset error when the VPN is again connected to different server.

Below is an example from popular ExpressVPN showing the network lock option. You may need to check your VPN app and disable this setting.

3. Check Firewall Settings

The next try is to check firewall settings on your PC or Mac. On Windows 11 and 10, follow the below steps to disable firewall.

• Search and open Control Panel app in your computer.
• Change the “View by” option to “Category” and go to “System and Security > Windows Defender Firewall” section.
• Click on the “Turn Windows Defender Firewall on or off” option from left sidebar.
• Choose “Turn off Windows Defender Firewall (not recommended)” option for each available network.

Follow the below steps in Mac to disable firewall:

• Click on the Apple icon located on the top left corner and select to “System Settings…” menu.
• Go to “Network” section and click on “Firewall” option.
• Turn off the switch against “Firewall” to disable it.

On older macOS versions, go to “Apple menu > System Preferences… > Security & Privacy” and turn off firewall under “Firewall” tab.

After disabling firewall, check the page can be loaded successfully in Chrome. Learn more on how to manage firewall in Windows and macOS.

4. Disable Antivirus or Real-time Protection in Windows

If you still facing the problem, next step is to check your antivirus program’s settings (generally used in Windows PC). Check whether your antivirus program has an option to restrict individual applications for accessing network. Ensure Chrome application is added in the allowed list of programs for accessing network.

On Windows 11, follow the below steps to disable real-time protection.

• Search and open Windows Security app.
• Go to “Virus & threat protection” section from left sidebar.
• Scroll down on the right pane and click on the “Manage settings” link under “Virus & threat protection settings” heading.
• On the next page, disable “Real-time protection” option.

Also, update the virus and spyware definition and ensure the status is showing up to date. You can do this from “Virus & threat protection > Virus & threat protection updates > Protection updates” in Windows Security app.

5. Check Proxy Settings

LAN settings has few options to enable automatic detection of network, use configuration script or set proxy server. Go to the command URL “chrome://settings/” in Chrome address bar and click on the “System” option. Click on the “Open your computer’s proxy settings” option. On Windows 11, you will see the Settings app opens with “Network & internet > Proxy” section. Disable both automatic and manual proxy setups.

Ensure to uncheck all the three options for automatically detect settings, use automatic configuration script and proxy server.

Follow the below steps on Mac:

• Click the Apple icon on top left corner and then go to “System Settings… > Network” section.
• Choose the active connected Wi-Fi and then click on the “Details” button.
• Go to “Proxies” section and disable all proxy protocols.
• Click on the “OK” button to save your changes.

On Old macOS, go to “Apple icon > System Preferences… > Network”. Select your active Wi-Fi connection and click on the padlock icon to edit the settings. Then click on the “Advanced…” button and go to “Proxies” tab. Disable all proxy protocols and click on the OK button.

After disabling proxy and other LAN settings check the webpage can be loaded in Chrome.

6. Reset TCP/IP Settings

Change in the IP address during connecting to a webpage may also cause err_connection_reset error in Chrome. On Mac, follow the same steps for disabling proxies. Under “TCP/IP” section, click on the “Renew DCHP Lease” button to release and renew your IP address.

On Windows, follow the below steps to reset network adapter, renew the IP address and flush DNS:

• Press “Win + X” shortcut keys to open power user menu and open “Terminal (Admin)” option. This will either open Command Prompt or Windows PowerShell in administrator mode.
• Enter each of following commands in the prompt and press enter.

netsh winsock reset
netsh int ip reset
ipconfig /release
ipconfig /renew
ipconfig /flushdns

It is recommended to restart the PC after resetting TCP/IP options and check the webpage can be loaded in Chrome.

7. Clear Browsing History

Open “chrome://settings/clearBrowserData” URL in Chrome address bar to launch “Clear browsing data” pop-up. Go to “Advanced” tab and select “All time” for “Time range” and clear the browsing history and cookies data of Chrome. This may help to delete the corrupted cookie data and load the page without error.

8. Increase Maximum Transmission Unit (MTU) Size

Maximum Transmission Unit (MTU) is the maximum or largest size of the data transmission permitted in your internet connection. Sometimes low MTU size may interrupt connection and show errors like err_connection_reset in Chrome. Here is how you can increase the MTU on Windows PC.

• Open Command Prompt in admin mode.
• Type the command netsh interface ipv4 show subinterface and press enter.
• You will see the list of networks. Note down the network for which you want to increase the MTU size. This should be the network of your active internet connection.
• Type netsh interface ipv4 set subinterface “LAN” mtu=1450 store=persistent and press enter. Remember to replace the LAN with the network name from the list.

Restart your PC and try opening the webpage again in Chrome.

Conclusion

Chrome shows ERR_CONNECTION_RESET error when the internet connection was reset due to one of the above explained reasons. We believe one of these options might have helped you to fix the issue and view the webpage successfully.