[Updated April 2023] ERR_CONNECTION_RESET in Google Chrome

The ERR_CONNECTION_RESET message on your Chrome browser usually points out that there is something wrong with your network connection and your browser is having problems connecting to the website you are trying to access.

There are a few reasons this problem occurs on the Google Chrome browser, like slow or unstable internet connection, improper network settings, or faulty network drivers. Whatever the case is, we are here to help you out.

Today, we will show you a few methods to fix the ERR_CONNECTION_RESET message on your Chrome browser.

Common Reasons for Google Chrome ERR_CONNECTION_RESET

Although the ERR_CONNECTION_RESET error in Google Chrome can be frustrating, understanding the common causes behind this issue can help you troubleshoot and fix the problem more effectively. Below, we’ve listed the typical reasons that may trigger this error on your Chrome browser:

1. Unstable or Poor Internet Connection: One of the most frequent reasons users encounter the ERR_CONNECTION_RESET error is due to an unstable or weak internet connection. This can manifest in various ways, including temporary loss of connectivity or slow browsing speeds.
2. Network Router Issues: If your network router is outdated, experiencing technical problems, or has been running for an extended period without a reset, it may contribute to the ERR_CONNECTION_RESET error. Routers require occasional resets to ensure optimal performance.
3. Incorrect Proxy Server Settings: Configuring proxy servers incorrectly on your operating system can lead to network connection problems, including the ERR_CONNECTION_RESET error. Ensuring proper proxy server settings and disabling proxies when not necessary can help resolve this issue.
4. Malfunctioning Network Driver: Faulty or outdated network drivers may also cause the ERR_CONNECTION_RESET error, as these drivers are responsible for communicating with your computer’s network hardware. Ensuring your network drivers are up to date is critical for maintaining a stable internet connection.
5. Corrupted Winsock Catalog: The Winsock Catalog handles incoming and outgoing requests from programs installed on your computer, including your browser. A corrupted Winsock Catalog can lead to the ERR_CONNECTION_RESET error, making it essential to reset the catalog occasionally.
6. Incorrect Maximum Transmission Unit (MTU) Configuration: The MTU setting determines how much data can be transmitted in a single packet, and having improper MTU values can cause unstable connections and slow browsing speeds. Incorrect MTU settings may trigger the ERR_CONNECTION_RESET error.
7. Misconfigured DNS Server Addresses: Incorrect Domain Name System (DNS) server addresses can disrupt your browser’s ability to resolve website URLs, potentially leading to the ERR_CONNECTION_RESET error. It’s crucial to configure the DNS addresses correctly for a seamless browsing experience.
8. Browser Cache Interference: While the browser cache is designed to help speed up frequently accessed websites, an overabundance of cached data can slow down your browser and lead to the ERR_CONNECTION_RESET error. Clearing your browser cache can solve this problem.

Understanding the common reasons behind the ERR_CONNECTION_RESET error in Google Chrome is essential for troubleshooting the issue effectively. By identifying which factors may be causing the problem, you can follow the appropriate steps to resolve the error and resume your browsing experience.

How to Fix ERR_CONNECTION_RESET in Google Chrome Browser

Method 1: Reset Your Network Router

The first thing you should do if you are having problems with Google Chrome is to check your network router. It is possible that your router has been running for an extended period of time, and it needs a simple reset to get things back on the right track.

Now, to reset your network router, follow the steps below.

Step 1. Go to your network router and locate the power cable usually connected at the back of your router.

Step 2. After that, unplug the power cable and wait for 5-10 seconds to allow the router to cool down.

Step 3. Lastly, put back the power cable on your router to turn it on again and wait for it to complete startup.

Once your router has fully started, go back to your web browser and try to access a few websites to see if the ERR_CONNECTION_RESET error message would still occur on your computer.

On the other hand, if you still encounter issues with your internet connection after restarting your router. You can proceed to the following method below to try and fix the issue on your Chrome browser.

Method 2: Disable Proxy Servers on Windows

Proxy servers on Windows can often create network problems on your computer, especially if it is not configured correctly. If you are unsure whether your computer has a proxy server setting, you can verify it by following the step-by-step guide below.

Step 1. Press the Windows Key + S on your computer and search for Control Panel.

Step 2. After that, click on Open to start the Control Panel.

Step 3. Inside the Control Panel, click on Network and Internet.

Step 4. After that, click on Internet Options.

Step 5. Now, click on the Connections tab and select LAN Settings.

Step 6. Lastly, ensure that the Use Proxy Server option is unchecked, then press OK to save the changes.

After disabling the proxy server on your computer, restart it and go back to your web browser and try to access a website to see if you can connect to the internet.

Method 3: Clear Your Browser’s Cache

The browser’s cache helps load up websites that you consistently access faster. However, this cache can increase its size in the long run, slowing down your browser instead of making it faster.

To fix this, you should clear your browser cache at least once a month. Check out the steps below on how to clear your browsing cache.

Step 1. On your Desktop, find the browser you are using and open it.

Step 2. Now, click on the button with three vertical dots at the top right corner of your screen.

Step 3. After that, click on Settings.

Step 4. Scroll down to the Privacy and Security tab and click on Clear Browsing Data.

Step 5. Lastly, change the Time Range to All Time and click on Clear Data.

After clearing your browser’s cache, restart your computer and try to browse the internet for a few minutes to see if the ERR_CONNECTION_RESET error message would still occur on your computer.

Method 4: Perform Winsock Reset

The Winsock Catalog on your computer handles all inbound and outbound requests from all the programs installed on your computer, like your browser. Now, it is possible that the Winsock Catalog on your computer got corrupted, which causes the ERR_CONNECTION_RESET message on your browser.

To fix this, you can try resetting the Winsock Catalog by following the steps below.

Step 1. Press Windows Key + S on your computer and search for Command Prompt.

Step 2. After that, click on Run as an Administrator to launch with administrative privileges.

Step 3. Type netsh winsock reset catalog and hit Enter to begin the process.

Wait for the process to complete, then restart your computer. After your computer has restarted, go back to your web browser and try to access a few websites once again to see if the error message would still occur.

Method 5: Set Up MTU on Windows

For the last method, you can try checking your Maximum Transmission Unit settings on Windows. It is possible that the Maximum Transmission Unit configuration on your computer is not set correctly, which causes an unstable and slow internet connection.

To check your MTU on Windows, follow the steps below to guide you through the process.

Step 1. Press Windows Key + R on your computer to open the Run Command Box.

Step 2. After that, type ncpa.cpl and hit Enter to open the Network Connection tab.

Step 3. Now, take note of the name of your current network as you need it for the next steps.

Step 4. Press the Windows Key + R again, type CMD, and hit Enter.

Step 5. Type:

netsh interface ipv4 set subinterface “Your Network Name” mtu=1472 store=persistent 

Step 6. Lastly, hit Enter to execute the command.

After that, exit the prompt and restart your computer. Now, open your web browser again and try to access a few websites to see if the ERR_CONNECTION_RESET error message would still occur on your computer.

Method 6: Manage Proxy Settings

In this method, we will focus on managing the proxy settings and enabling the automatic detection of settings in your Windows internet settings. Incorrectly configuring the settings may lead to the ERR_CONNECTION_RESET error in your Chrome browser.

Step 1. Press Windows Key + R on your computer to open the Run Command Box.

Step 2. Type inetcpl.cpl and hit Enter to open the Internet Properties window.

Step 3. Navigate to the “Connections” tab and click on the “LAN settings” button to open the Local Area Network (LAN) Settings window.

Step 4. In the Settings window, check the box next to “Automatically detect settings” and ensure that “Use a proxy server for your LAN” is unchecked. If you have specific proxy server details provided by your network administrator, enter them accordingly.

Step 5. Click “OK” to save your changes and close the Settings window.

Step 6. Restart your Chrome browser and check if the ERR_CONNECTION_RESET error has been resolved.

By managing your proxy settings and ensuring that your system is set to detect settings automatically, you can potentially fix the connection errors in Google Chrome.

Method 7: Configure DNS Server Addresses and Network Adapter Settings

In this method, we will focus on configuring DNS settings and adjusting network adapter settings to resolve the ERR_CONNECTION_RESET error in Google Chrome. Incorrect settings or configurations can cause connection issues.

Follow these steps to configure your DNS and network adapter settings:

Step 1. Press Windows Key + R on your computer to open the Run Command Box.

Step 2. Type ncpa.cpl and hit Enter to open the Network Connections window.

Step 3. Locate your active internet connection (Ethernet or Wi-Fi) and right-click on it, then select “Properties” from the context menu.

Step 4. In the Properties window, find “Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4)” in the list and double-click it to open the Internet Protocol Properties window.

Step 5. Select “Use the following DNS server addresses” and enter the preferred DNS server and alternate addresses provided by your internet provider or a trusted third-party DNS service.

Step 6. Click “OK” to save your changes and close the Internet Protocol Properties window.

Step 7. Restart your computer and open Google Chrome to check if the ERR_CONNECTION_RESET error has been resolved.

By properly configuring your DNS addresses and network adapter settings, you can potentially fix network connection issues that cause the ERR_CONNECTION_RESET error in Google Chrome.

Method 8: Clear Chrome Browser Cache and Site Data

In this method, we will focus on clearing the browser data in your Chrome browser.

Follow these steps to clear your cache in Chrome:

Step 1. Open your Google Chrome browser and click on the three-dot menu icon in the top-right corner.

Step 2. Navigate to “More tools” and select “Clear browsing data” from the drop-down menu to open the window.

Step 3. In the window, select the “Advanced” tab.

Step 4. Choose the desired time range for clearing data, such as “All time” to remove all cached data.

Step 5. Check the boxes next to “Cached images and files,” “Cookies and other site data,” and any other data types you want to clear.

Step 6. Click “Clear data.”

Step 7. Once the process is complete, close and reopen Google Chrome to check if the ERR_CONNECTION_RESET error has been resolved.

By clearing your browser’s cache in Chrome, you can potentially fix the ERR_CONNECTION_RESET error and improve your browsing experience.

Frequently Asked Questions

Wrapping Up: Resolving ERR_CONNECTION_RESET

This ends our guide on how to fix the ERR_CONNECTION_RESET error message on your Windows computer. If you find this article helpful, kindly share it to help others fix this issue on their computer. Similar issues to this problem are: kernel security check failure, driver power state failure, DPC watchdog violation, and wifi doesn’t have a valid ip configuration.