How to fix ERR_CONNECTION_REFUSED errors in Windows 10

If you’re seeing ERR_CONNECTION_REFUSED errors in Windows 10, it means something is wrong with your network configuration. While most people blame Windows, it isn’t always Windows at fault as sometimes it’s the browser. While frustrating, as all you want to do is surf the internet, it is quite straightforward to fix.

Usually you will see a browser screen with a version of ‘This webpage is not available, ERR_CONNECTION_REFUSED’. Different browsers say it in different ways, but you get the idea. Sometimes it’s the browser causing the issue, sometimes it’s your network configuration and other times it can be Windows or your security software. The following steps will address all of them and have you back and surfing in no time!

These tips will only help if you see ERR_CONNECTION_REFUSED errors on multiple websites. If you only see it on one, check the website itself and make sure it isn’t blocked in your Hosts file (C:WindowsSystem32driversetc).

Fix ERR_CONNECTION_REFUSED errors in Windows 10

If you haven’t made any changes to your computer to cause this error to appear, it will likely be a misconfiguration or cache issue. First let us clear your browser cache.

1. Open your browser and navigate to Settings or Options. In Firefox, you click the three lines in the top right and in Chrome and Edge you click the three dots. Then select Settings or Options.
   
2. Navigate to Advanced, Network and Cached Web Content (Firefox, other browsers differ). In Chrome you select Privacy and security and Clear browsing data.
   
3. Click to clear the cache.
   
4. Retest the website you were trying to get to.

If that didn’t fix it, try this.

1. Open a command prompt as an administrator.
2. Type Ipconfig /release.
   
3. Type Ipconfig /renew.
   
4. Type Ipconfig /flushdns.
   
5. Open your browser and try to get to the website.

If that doesn’t work:

1. Open a command prompt as an administrator.
2. Type ‘netsh winsock reset catalog’.
   
3. Reboot your PC and then retest.

If you’re still seeing ERR_CONNECTION_REFUSED errors, we need to look into your network configuration.

1. Right click on the Windows Start button and select Network Connections.
   
2. Click Change adapter options.
   
3. Right click your network adapter and select Properties.
   
4. Highlight Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4) and click the Properties button underneath.
   
5. Make sure both Obtain IP address automatically and Obtain DNS server address automatically are selected. If you use a static IP address within your network, leave IP address alone.

If you made changes, retest. If you didn’t move on to the next step.

1. Open the Cortana Search Bar and type and select Control Panel.
   
2. Select Network and Internet and then the Connections tab.
   
3. Click on LAN Settings.
   
4. Make sure Use a proxy server for your LAN is not selected. Uncheck the box if it is and retest.
   

Finally, if that doesn’t work, we can disable your network adapter and re-enable it again to force Windows to reload the IP configuration.

1. Right click on the Windows Start button and select Network Connections.
   
2. Right click your network adapter and select Disable. Leave for 30 seconds or so.
   
3. Right click it once more and click Enable. Let Windows load the IP config.
4. Open your browser and try to get to the website.

One of these steps is sure to get you back surfing again. Have any other ways to overcome ERR_CONNECTION_REFUSED errors? Let us know below!

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