The ERR_CONNECTION_RESET error is mostly a client-side error caused due to sudden network changes, incorrect network configuration, corrupted browser cache, DNS issues, or ISP restrictions. Being a client-side error, the problem is with your web browser, computer, network configuration, or ISP (in some cases) and not with the website you are visiting. Luckily, you can often resolve this error yourself. Try these methods to fix the err_connection_reset error.
1. Check if Your ISP Is Blocking Certain Sites
If you’re only experiencing this issue on specific websites, your ISP (Internet Service Provider) may be blocking them by dropping the connection every time you try to connect to that website. To find out, try to access the blocked website on another device using a different ISP. For example, you can try it on your mobile phone with mobile data.
Alternatively, install Cloudflare Warp on Windows, open the app, and connect to the Warp network. After that, try to access the website.
If it opens normally then your ISP is blocking the website and there is nothing wrong with your web browser, computer, or network. In this case, there is nothing much you can do other than changing the ISP or using apps like Cloudflare Warp or VPN services.
2. Restart Your Router
A router is responsible for managing all the network activity. When you encounter any kind of network error or problem, the first and foremost thing you should do is restart your router. Restarting helps fix a lot of problems.
To restart a router, you can simply unplug the power cord, wait for a few seconds, and plug in. Alternatively, log into your router’s web interface by typing 192.168.1.0 or 192.168.1.1 into the browser’s address bar, locate the reboot/restart option, and click on it.
Some routers have the option to schedule a restart at a specific time. I recommend you schedule it to restart every day at midnight so that you don’t see these kinds of errors in the future due to router problems.
3. Flush DNS and Reset TCP/IP
The cached DNS and outdated TCP/IP settings are also major causes for the Err_Connection_Reset error. Thankfully, you can easily reset the TCP/IP stack and flush DNS on Windows. Here’s how:
Press the Windows key + X and select the Terminal (Admin) option. Next, run the below commands.
Flush Windows DNS Cache:
ipconfig /flushdns
Reset your computer IP settings (TCP/IP):
netsh int ip reset
4. Reset Winsock API Catalog
Winsock (Windows Sockets) API is essentially the way Windows handles TCP/IP operations. If the Winsock catalog becomes corrupted or experiences configuration issues, your network connection can become unreliable. To reset Winsock catalog, follow the below steps:
Open the Start menu, type Command Prompt or cmd, right-click on it, and choose Run as Administrator. Type netsh winsock reset and press Enter. Close the command window after executing the command.
5. Use a Different DNS Server
A DNS server is what translates the readable web address like Google.com to its actual IP address. Without a proper DNS server, your device doesn’t know how to reach the website you are telling it to open. When a DNS server is misconfigured or restricted, it can cause a variety of errors such as ERR_CONNECTION_RESET. To fix it, you have to use a reputed, stable, and fast DNS server. Thankfully, there are several free DNS services out there.
To change DNS on Windows 11, open the Settings app (you can press Windows key + I). Next, go to the Network & Internet page and click on Properties.
Click Edit next to the ‘DNS Server Assignment’ option.
Select Manual, turn on the IPv4 toggle, and type one of the below DNS addresses in the Preferred DNS and Alternate DNS fields. Click Save. For example, I’m using Google Public DNS.
- Google Public DNS – 8.8.8.8, 8.8.4.4
- Cloudflare – 1.1.1.1, 1.0.0.1
- OpenDNS – 208.67.222.222, 208.67.220.220
- Quad9 – 9.9.9.9, 149.112.112.112
If you don’t want to change the DNS manually, you can also use free DNS changer software. You can also enable DNS over HTTPS.
6. Clear Browser Cache
Browsers automatically cache websites you visit to speed up your browsing experience. While helpful, a corrupted or outdated cache can cause several issues when loading a website. So you must delete your browser cache. Here’s how:
Open the Chrome browser. Type chrome://settings/clearBrowserData in the address bar and press Enter. Select All Time from the dropdown menu, select the Cached Images and Files checkbox, uncheck all other checkboxes, and click the Clear Data button.
7. Check Windows Proxy Settings
Another common reason for the err_connection_reset error is using a proxy with incorrect settings. Even if you didn’t set up a proxy yourself, third-party apps such as VPN software/firewall or browser extensions can configure one for you. When getting this error, it’s important that you check and disable proxy use. Here’s how:
Open Settings on Windows 11. Go to the Network & Internet > Advanced Network Settings page, scroll down, and click on Internet Options.
Navigate to the Connections tab and click on LAN Settings.
Uncheck the ‘Use a proxy server for your LAN’ checkbox and hit OK.
8. Check VPN Settings
If you are using a VPN, make sure that the connection is stable. If the connection isn’t stable and dropping frequently, it triggers the err_connection_reset error. Often, corporate VPNs such as the ones given by your company, office, or school are notorious for unreliable connections. In that case, you can either contact your network administrator and tell them the issue or simply turn off the VPN for the time being.
On the other hand, if you purchased a VPN service, try a different server or country with reliable service to resolve the error.
9. Temporarily Disable the Windows Firewall
The Windows Firewall manages and controls all the network activity on your computer. It if is misconfigured, it can cause network connection issues that reset the connection. To find if your firewall is the culprit, disable it temporarily and see if it fixes the problem.
Disable Windows Firewall:
Press the Windows logo key on your keyboard, type Windows Security, and click on the result.
Navigate to the Firewall & Network Protection page.
Click on the Domain Network and turn off the Microsoft Defender Firewall toggle.
Select the Private Network and turn off the Microsoft Defender Firewall toggle.
Click on the Public Network and turn off the Microsoft Defender Firewall toggle.
Now, check if you still see the connection reset error. If you don’t see it, the firewall is the culprit. Resetting the firewall will help solve the problem.
Reset Windows Firewall to Default:
To reset the firewall, go back to the Firewall & Network Protection page hit the Restore firewalls to default option, and then click the Restore Default button. Click Yes in the confirmation prompt.
10. Temporarily Disable Your Antivirus
An aggressive antivirus trying to protect you from internet threats might be blocking or dropping network connections inadvertently. If you are using Windows Defender as your primary antivirus, you can disable it temporarily and see if it fixes the problem.
If you are using third-party antivirus software, the steps will vary depending on the program. I recommend you consult the program’s documentation.
11. Reset Your Network Configuration
You can also reset your entire network configuration on Windows to fix the problem. Resetting the network on Windows resets all the network adapters, and firewall rules, deletes saved WiFi networks and VPN connections, and more. To put it simply, it makes the Windows 11 network a clean slate fixing a lot of random errors such as ERR_CONNECTION_RESET.
Open Settings by pressing the “Windows key + I” shortcut. Navigate to the Network & Internet > Advanced Network Settings > Network Reset page. Hit the Reset Now > Reset button.
12. Reset Chrome Settings
Last but not least, you can reset the Chrome browser. Resetting restores the default browser settings, disables all extensions and themes, and deletes your cookies, and other data.
To reset, open the Chrome browser, type chrome://settings/reset in the address bar and press Enter. Click on ‘Reset settings to their original defaults‘ and then on Reset Settings.
Connecting to the Internet Without Errors
The connection reset problem with the error code ERR_CONNECTION_RESET is a pretty common error that can be solved by yourself. Just follow the above methods one after another in sequential order and it will be fixed in no time.
