Fix the ERR_CONNECTION_REFUSED error
Definitions
The ERR_CONNECTION_REFUSED error appears when you’re trying to access a specific website and there is a connectivity rejection. Here’s a visual example of the ERR_CONNECTION_REFUSED error:
Before you start
🚨Normally the ERR_CONNECTION_REFUSED is not related to your hosting service but to your web browser, connectivity, or a potential firewall block.
✅ Typically, ERR_CONNECTION_REFUSED is specific to your device or network and can be fixed quickly.
ℹ️ Follow each step by step fix below in order, moving to the next only if the previous one doesn’t work.
Step by step
Check your website on a mobile data connection
The ‘ERR_CONNECTION_REFUSED’ can be due to a bad WiFi connection. To verify, check your website over a mobile data connection instead.
1. On your mobile device, open the Settings app
2. Find the Wi-Fi 📶 section and click on it
3. Toggle the WiFi switch to the ‘Off’ position to disable the WiFi connection
4. In the Settings app, find and select Connections or Cellular/Mobile Data (the exact name may vary depending on your device)
5. Toggle the Mobile Data switch to the On position to activate the mobile data connection
6. Check the top of your device screen for a mobile data indicator (such as 4G, LTE, or 5G) to confirm that mobile data is active
7. Open a new web browser window on your mobile device
8. Load your website
Restart your internet modem or router
The ‘ERR_CONNECTION_REFUSED’ could be fixed by restarting your internet modem or router.
1. Unplug the power cord from the back of your internet modem or router and from the power outlet
2. Let the device stay off for at least 60 seconds so it fully resets
3. Reconnect the power cord to the modem/router and the power outlet
4. Wait for the modem/router to turn back on and the lights to stabilize, then check your device for internet connectivity
5. Open a new web browser window on your device
6. Load your website
Clear your web browser cache and cookies
Clearing your browser cache could fix the ‘ERR_CONNECTION_REFUSED’ error.
Here are steps for major web browsers, complete them on your computer or laptop:
Google Chrome:
1. Click on the three vertical dots on the top-right corner of your browser window
2. Navigate to More Tools > Clear Browsing Data
3. Make sure Cached images and files and Cookies and other site data are checked
4. Click on Clear Data
5. Open a new web browser window
6. Load your website
Safari:
1. Click on Safari in the top menu and then select Preferences
2. Navigate to the Privacy tab and click on Manage Website Data
3. Click on Remove All and then confirm your decision
4. Close the preferences window and refresh the page to reload your website
Mozilla Firefox:
1. Click on the three horizontal lines at the top-right corner, then select Settings
2. Select the Privacy & Security tab on the left
3. Scroll down to the Cookies and Site Data section and click on Clear Data
4. Make sure Cookies and Site Data and Cached Web Content are both selected, then click Clear
5. Open a new web browser window
6. Load your website
Disable firewall and/or anti-virus software
At times, the ERR_CONNECTION_REFUSED is triggered by a firewall or anti-virus software running on your device. Try disabling it, to see if that’s the cause.
1. Open Control Panel on Windows or System Preferences on macOS. For antivirus, open the application.
2. Select Firewall & network protection on Windows or the Firewall tab on macOS. In antivirus, go to settings.
3. Turn off Windows Defender Firewall or Firewall on macOS. Choose to disable or turn off in the antivirus program.
4. Open a new web browser window on your device
5. Load your website
Disable your VPN connection
Sometimes, the ERR_CONNECTION_REFUSED is triggered by a VPN running on your device. Try disabling it, to see if that’s the cause.
1. Look for the VPN icon on your device applications or menu bar
2. Click the icon to open your VPN application
3. Press the disconnect button within the app to disable your VPN connection
4. Open a new web browser window on your device
5. Load your website
Use a different web browser
Try using a different browser to determine if the ERR_CONNECTION_REFUSED is browser-specific. For example, if you normally use Google Chrome, use Safari instead.
If your website loads successfully on a different browser, you may need to update or reinstall your original web browser software, or check for and run updates.
Restart your computer or device
A simple restart can sometimes solve many problems. If after performing the steps above, you are still seeing the ERR_CONNECTION_REFUSED error, try restarting your computer or device.
Once you’ve restarted your device, open a new web browser window on your device to load your website.
Unblock your IP address on the firewall
If the steps above did not clear the error and you are still seeing it, your IP address may have been blocked on the hosting network firewall. If so, follow these steps: