Fix ERR_CONNECTION_RESET in Chrome: Every Working Solution

ERR_CONNECTION_RESET means Chrome started to connect to a website, but the connection got cut off before the page could finish loading. It usually comes from something resetting the connection mid-request: a security tool like antivirus or a VPN, a corrupted cache, a bad network setting, or a problem on the website’s own server. Most of the time you can fix it in a few minutes by working through the checks below, from simplest to most involved.

Who this applies to

These steps work on Chrome for Windows, macOS, and ChromeOS. A few steps (flushing DNS, resetting Winsock) are Windows-specific and are marked below. You don’t need any special account access for most fixes, but a couple require an administrator account on your computer.

Is ERR_CONNECTION_RESET caused by the website or by my device?

Before changing any settings, figure out which side the problem is on.

Open the site on your phone using mobile data (not Wi-Fi). If it loads fine, the problem is with your computer or network, not the site.
Try the site in a different browser. If it fails there too, the issue is likely your network or the website’s server, not Chrome itself.
Check a third-party outage checker to see if the site is down for other visitors, not just you. If it’s down everywhere, wait and retry later; there’s nothing to fix on your end.

If the site loads fine elsewhere but not in Chrome on your computer, move on to the fixes below.

How do I fix ERR_CONNECTION_RESET in Chrome?

1. Reload the page

Click the reload icon in Chrome’s address bar, or press F5.
If it fails again, wait 30 to 60 seconds and try once more. A brief server-side hiccup often clears itself.

2. Try an Incognito window

Click the three-dot menu in Chrome, then choose New Incognito Window.
Load the same page. Incognito mode disables most extensions by default, so if the page loads here, an extension is likely the cause.

3. Disable your extensions

Go to chrome://extensions in the address bar.
Turn off every extension, especially ad blockers, VPN extensions, and privacy or security tools.
Reload the page. If it works, turn extensions back on one at a time to find the culprit.

4. Clear your cache and cookies

Go to chrome://settings/clearBrowserData.
Select Cached images and files and Cookies and other site data.
Set the time range to All time and click Clear data.
Restart Chrome and reload the page.

The next few steps touch your antivirus, firewall, VPN, or network configuration at the system level. Turning off security software, even briefly, leaves your device unprotected, so only disable it to test, stay off sensitive sites while it’s off, and turn it back on again right away once you’ve confirmed whether it’s the cause. If you’re not comfortable running command-line tools, ask someone who is, or skip to restarting your router instead.

5. Temporarily disable antivirus, firewall, or VPN

Open your antivirus or firewall app and turn off real-time protection or web shield features temporarily.
If you use a VPN, disconnect it or quit the VPN app entirely, including any VPN browser extension.
Reload the page in Chrome. If it now loads, that tool was resetting the connection; add the site as an exception in your security software instead of leaving protection off.
Turn your antivirus, firewall, and VPN back on immediately after testing.

6. Flush DNS and reset Winsock (Windows)

Press the Windows key, type cmd, right-click Command Prompt, and choose Run as administrator.
Type ipconfig /flushdns and press Enter.
Type netsh winsock reset and press Enter.
Restart your computer, then reload the page in Chrome.

7. Reset Chrome’s proxy and network settings

Go to chrome://settings/system and confirm Use a proxy server (if shown) is off, unless your workplace requires one.
On Windows, open Settings > Network & Internet > Proxy and make sure Automatically detect settings is on and manual proxy is off, unless you know you need one.
On macOS, go to System Settings > Network > Wi-Fi > Details > Proxies and make sure no proxy is checked unless required.

8. Restart your router or switch networks

Unplug your router, wait 30 seconds, and plug it back in.
Once it reconnects, reload the page.
If it still fails, try a different network, such as your phone’s mobile hotspot, to confirm whether your home network is resetting the connection.

FAQ

Is ERR_CONNECTION_RESET the same as ERR_CONNECTION_TIMED_OUT?

No. ERR_CONNECTION_RESET means a connection was actively closed partway through, usually by a firewall, antivirus tool, or the server. ERR_CONNECTION_TIMED_OUT means the connection never got a response at all within the expected time.

Can a bad extension really cause ERR_CONNECTION_RESET?

Yes. Ad blockers, VPN extensions, and privacy tools that intercept or filter network requests are common causes, since they sit between Chrome and the website and can drop the connection unexpectedly.

Does clearing cache and cookies delete my saved passwords?

No. Clearing cached images, files, and cookies does not remove passwords saved in Chrome. Passwords are stored separately and are only removed if you specifically select that option.

Should I leave my antivirus off if that fixes the error?

No. Leaving antivirus or firewall protection off is not a real fix and puts your device at risk. Add the specific site as a trusted exception in your security software instead, then turn protection back on.

What to remember about ERR_CONNECTION_RESET

ERR_CONNECTION_RESET almost always traces back to something interrupting the connection: a browser extension, security software, or a network setting. Work through the checks in order, starting with the safest ones, and you’ll usually find the cause without needing to touch system-level settings at all.

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