Connection errors are not only a headache for users but also web managers, although they are rarely due to any complication of the web project in question. On the contrary, it’s much more likely that the problem is on the client side. Actually, it’s a very advantageous fact if one takes into account that the user can solve it by himself. However, the frustration comes, after several attempts, the failure persists, which is often the case with Chrome’s ERR_CONNECTION_REFUSED. If this error 102 appears in the Google Chrome browser, it’ll not help the user to reload the page or try to enter at a later time.
What’s behind Chrome’s ERR_CONNECTION_REFUSED error?
The error ERR_CONNECTION_REFUSED appears when trying to load a web page in Chrome. The user gets a message that the connection has been rejected (refused). Although the error message, with error code 102, only appears under this form in Chrome.
The problem also occurs in other browsers such as Firefox when the connection to the web project is not possible or when it is not available.
Normally, the ERR_CONNECTION_REFUSED error is a client-side problem that may be caused by a firewall, system or browser configuration failure. But also by malware or due to an unstable Internet connection. Only in exceptional cases, the message is displayed when the page is not available, although it is more likely to show another error message.
The failure in the connection does not have to be caused by the web visitor, as can be seen below: when a web developer works with Chrome and with temporary local addresses for individual project resources, he can not access addresses that end in localhost.
Instead, the message is displayedERR_CONNECTION_REFUSED, since some security functions that were implemented with the 432 version of the browser are in charge of automatically blocking the localhost domains.
Note: The message that a connection has been rejected is displayed in any browser, regardless of the operating system used. Therefore, whether you are working with Windows 10, with Mac or Android, the error “ERR_CONNECTION_REFUSED” may appear if you are browsing with Chrome.
10 ways to Fix ERR_CONNECTION_REFUSED error: this is how it is done
Since the ERR_CONNECTION_REFUSED message is usually due to a configuration problem on the client side or a technical problem of the user, there is a possibility that the latter will find the solution.
However, there are many reasons that can cause the error, and the message is shown does not explain exactly what causes the connection, so the only option is to try all existing solutions until you find the one that eliminates the error.
But what solutions are there to put an end to ERR_CONNECTION_REFUSED?
Solution 1: check the status of the web
Before looking for a solution to a possible problem in the Internet connection or the configuration of the browser, it is necessary to discard that it is the contacted server that causes the error ERR_CONNECTION_REFUSED.
Even though the probability that the web is inactive is very low and, instead of other more common messages such as HTTP 503 error, error 102 is shown, a check must be made.
In principle, there are two options to check the status of the web. On the one hand, through the classic way, that is, trying to access other pages from the browser.
The fact that these loaded pages do not show the ERR_CONNECTION_REFUSED is a clear indication that the problem is on the server side of the landing page.
On the other hand, you can use web tools such as Down For Everyone Or Just Me? , with which just by entering the URL of the page whose connection has been rejected, you get a quick check of the general functionality of the page.
Solution 2: restart the router
Restarting the router is one of the most recurrent solutions when trying to solve various problems in the World Wide Web.
Although the probability that it is an effective remedy is quite low. Even so, we must rule out that the ERR_CONNECTION_REFUSED is due to a failure in the device that connects the user to the Internet, more if the check just takes a few minutes.
To do this, simply disconnect the appliance from the electrical power and wait about 30 seconds to plug it back in. When the router is back online, it tries to access the web page with the error and, if the message ERR_CONNECTION_REFUSED persists, we must think that another reason is causing this error.
Solution 3: Empty the browser cache
Like all Internet browsers, Chrome also stores a large amount of information in the cache: the history of pages visited, cookies, static content such as images or access data, etc. All this allows loading the pages already visited more quickly.
This can be a problem if the cache is not updated and, therefore, does not match the current version of the page that you want to access. One of the solutions with which ERR_CONNECTION_REFUSED can be eliminated is to empty the Google browser cache.
There are two ways to access the menu with which to delete the cache:
- Click on the three-point symbol in the navigator menu bar, select “Tools” and click on “Delete navigation data.”
- Directly insert chrome: // settings / clearBrowserData in the Chrome address bar
Both possibilities give access to the browser’s cache menu. Once here, it is enough to click on “Clear navigation data” to delete all the stored information.
Of course, it is essential to pay attention to the section with the time intervals from which it is intended to erase the data: it is recommended to choose “the origin of the times,” otherwise only the information of the last days or the last ones will be eliminated.
Solution 4: Check and adjust the proxy settings
One of the issues that most concern users and providers of browsers are the protection of privacy on the World Wide Web. In fact, in the development of web clients, security functions have become increasingly important.
The proxy framework
Despite this, many users also resort to individual solutions to protect their data. Especially noteworthy is the use of proxy servers, which act as intermediaries between the web and the browser, filtering the communication and storing the data and hiding the IP addresses of users to the web servers contacted.
There are different scenarios in which a proxy server can cause ERR_CONNECTION_REFUSED when trying to connect a page: for example, the web server could block the proxy or its IP address and, as a consequence, reject the connection.
Another possible reason for the error is in the cache function because if it contains obsolete data, the error message will continue to appear. Of course, there is also the possibility that the proxy is not enabled or is misconfigured, in which case the connection would also fail.
If you receive a message like Chrome error 102, it is advisable to check the user’s proxy settings and delete the registered servers, if in doubt.
To do this, Chrome has an entry in the browser options, which saves having to search the menu manually. To access the Chrome settings just enter the following address in the search bar:
chrome://settings/
By clicking on ” Show advanced settings,” you access the full menu. In the section “System,” you will find the option ” Open proxy configuration,” which addresses the proxy menu of the operating system being used:
To not open the proxy settings manually you can access directly through the browser bar
While Windows users should click on the “Local Area Network (LAN) Settings” and uncheck, if necessary, the “Use a proxy server for LAN” box, Mac users have to uncheck all boxes of the selected proxy protocols.
Solution 5: Temporarily disable the firewall and antivirus software
Also, firewalls and programs against malware and other malicious software serve to protect the user and the system, being responsible for filtering network traffic and scan the system at regular intervals to automatically block harmful or potentially unsafe pages, as well as to detect malicious software.
Although this software is very important to ensure security, it is also problematic when it prevents connection to a page by blocking it by mistake.
A solution to the problem ERR_CONNECTION_REFUSED, caused by this type of software, is to temporarily disable the firewall or the rest of the antivirus programs.
If in doing so it is possible to access the web in question, you already know what the cause is, and you can make the corresponding changes in the list of filtering programs or change protection tools.
Solution 6: Remove the DNS cache (DNS Flush)
While most Internet users are aware of the existence of the browser cache, only a few know that the operating system also stores information about browsing behavior.
In this way, the DNS cache receives temporary entries of all the pages that have been accessed with a browser; entries that contain all the necessary information for the resolution of the names of the domain addresses.
That is, the DNS cache performs a task similar to the browser’s cache, eliminating the need to contact the DNS server again, which saves a lot of time.
But it is not always good for the DNS cache to respond directly to the request, because if an entry does not correspond to the most current version of a website, technical problems and connection errors such as ERR_CONNECTION_REFUSED may arise.
The easiest solution is to clear the cache, which can be carried out without further complication with the command line in the system used. In Windows the command is:
ipconfig /flushdns
mixed
The Digital Guide offers more information about DNS Caching and DNS Flush and shows the corresponding commands of macOS and Linux.
Solution 7: Change the DNS server
Name resolution is one of the basic components to guarantee the functionality of computer networks. However, an outdated DNS entry is not the only reason that the ERR_CONNECTION_REFUSED message can cause on Android, iOS or Windows when they access the domain name system.
Also, the DNS server can be responsible for certain connection errors when it does not work as it should, either due to an overload, or because it is disconnected.
In most cases, the DNS server address is obtained automatically from the Internet access provider, although the name servers selected for name resolution can be registered without further ado. In this case, the Google servers (8.8.8.8 and 8.8.4.4) and the Cloudfare DNS providers (1.1.1.1 and 1.0.0.1) are recommended.
Solution 8: Disable Chrome extensions
The extensions allow extending the functionality of Chrome. However, many of these extensions are not from Google but have been developed by third parties, and when the user decides to use them, there is no guarantee that they will work as expected or will be updated over time to remain compatible.
For example, with the new versions of Chrome. Well, there are incompatible or faulty extensions that can trigger the problem “ERR_CONNECTION_REFUSED.” Hence, the need to check the active plugins in Chrome which can be accessed by entering:
“chrome: // extensions” in the address bar.
To deactivate the extensions individually, simply slide the button to the left:
Clicking on “Remove” removes the Chrome extension
If you can connect to the page in question after removing all the extensions, at least you have proof that one of them is the cause of ERR_CONNECTION_REFUSED. To discover exactly which one is responsible, you have to activate one by one. And once you identify the responsible one, you have to delete it by clicking on “Remove.”
Solution 9: Reinstall Chrome
Like any other application, Chrome is also free of errors, although many of them are being corrected thanks to the continuous updates. However, there may be problems between the browser and the operating system that are not always solved with an update.
If, as a result, Chrome error 102 appears on the screen, simply reinstall the browser completely, for which it is necessary to remove the current installation from the control panel and download the necessary files from the Chrome web page for a new installation.
Solution 10: contact the provider
The user can change the DNS server by himself, and thus replace the standard solution of the Internet access provider. But he can not do anything with regard to the packet filters that the provider performs.
Usually, there is a possibility that this will block the connection to the page through the firewall. So we recommend contacting the technical support service if the user isn’t able to resolve the problem on his own. With any luck, the page in question is blocked, and it is enough to ask for the error to fix the ERR_CONNECTION_REFUSED.
Video on ERR_CONNECTION_REFUSED