Sometimes when you try accessing a webpage on Chrome browser, you are greeted with “Err_connection_ timed_out” error. What does it mean and how do you fix this error? Read on for the details….
If you’re a Google Chrome user, once in a while, you’ll encounter the “Err_Connection_Timed_Out” error alert while trying to access resources on the web. While it might be super frustrating at first glance, the error is very easy to fix.
Below, we’ve highlighted a couple of proven methods that you can use to fix the error easily and fast. However,before we get to the specific fixes, here’s a quick definition.
What does err_connection_timed_out mean?
When you encounter the “Err_Connection_Timed_Out” alert while trying to access a site via your Google Chrome browser, all it means is that the server is taking longer than usual to process your request.
Put differently; your browser tried to access the website in question for at least 30 seconds without success hence returned that error message.
There are a number of methods for fixing this error. Here is a quick rundown of the best solutions that you might want to give a try.
1. Host file restoration
A local host file is basically a repository of manual DNS entries mapped to particular IP addresses. While this file is rarely edited, maybe when you want to switch the domain to a new host and have to check your DNS entries, there are a couple of other ways this file could have been changed or edited on your PC.
Such unintentional or intentional editing is a major source of the “Err_Connection_Timed_Out” error. Be that as it may, here are the steps for checking and restoring local host files on your Windows computer:
Step 1: On the windows search bar, type Notepad++. Click to select the Notepad++ app, then from the menu options on the right-hand side pane, choose Run as administrator.
Tip! You can do this with any text editor, including Notepad, Atom, Sublime, etc.
Tip! You can do this with any text editor, including Notepad, Atom, Sublime, etc.Step 2: After successfully launching Notepad++, on the top left corner of the window, click on File. Then from the menu options, choose Open.
Step 3: From the next screen, select All Types from the drop-down located at the bottom right of the screen. Next, select Hosts, then click Open.
- Location for host file is
- Select the file called Hosts under the etc. folder.
Step 4: On the local host file that appears, locate the last #. Once you find it, check and delete any site address that appears after it. After doing that, Save changes.
Step 5: Restart your computer and try accessing the same webpage that gave the “Err_Connection_Timed_Out” error before. You should be able to access it this time round. If not, try the next method in the list.
2. Clear chrome browser cache and cookies
Browser cache and cookies store a record of your web activities, thus making it a lot easier to access particular pages. With that being said, sometimes these very integral components of the chrome browser may become outdated and, as such, cause the “Err_Connection_Timed_Out ” error alert while browsing.
To fix this, all you need to do is clear the cache and cookies. Proceed as follows:
Step 1: On the chrome browser, click on the main menu on the top right corner of the browser window.
Step 2: Click on More Tools, then on the next menu options, choose clear browsing data.
Step 3: A popup window with the same name will appear. Under the Basic tab, check all the three boxes for browsing history, cookies, and other sites, and Cached images and files, then click on the clear data button at the bottom right-hand side of the same window.
- Tip! You can also clear cake and cookies on Chrome via this link:
Step 4: Try visiting the same web page that was giving the “Err_Connection_Timed_Out” error alert. If the problem was related to browser cache and cookies, it should be resolved easily with the above-mentioned steps. Else, consider the next method in our list.
3. Refresh DNS and IP address
Another great way to fix this error is by doing a quick refresh of your PC’s DNS and IP addresses. There are a couple of ways to get that done. Here’s how to refresh the DNS and IP address on your Windows PC with the help of the cmd command:
Step 1: Press Windows + R keys concurrently.
Step 2: on the Run windows, type cmd, then press Enter or click OK on the same window. The command prompt screen will appear.
Step 3: On the command prompt screen, type and press Enter after each of these commands:
Step 4: When that’s done, close the command prompt window and then restart your PC for the changes to take effect.
Step 4: Try accessing the original webpage, or any website for that matter, to see if the issue is solved. If not, try the next method on our list.
4. Do a system scan for Trojans and Viruses
System Malware like Trojans and viruses can seriously impair the proper functioning of your computer. If your PC is malware-infected, you might see the “Err_connection_ timed_out” error alert on your screen every time you try accessing some web pages.
If the error is a result of a system malware attack, you can have that fixed by simply doing a thorough system scan.
There are a number of powerful anti-malware software out there. If you’re on windows, consider downloading and using the Microsoft Windows Malicious Software Removal Tool to start with. It is a free anti-malware tool. Alternatively, you can use any other premium anti-malware software to help with the system scan.
After the scan, try accessing the original web page of any other website to check whether the “Err_connection_ timed_out” error was resolved. If not, try the next method.
5. Get the server issues fixed
Another possible reason you see the “Err_connection_ timed_out” error on your screen is because of some server issues. It could be server downtime or any other complex server-related problem. Whichever the case, you can have that fixed by a competent network engineer.
Another option would be to contact the website owner and notify them of the issue so that they can have their host provider fix it. Once it’s resolved successfully, you should be able to access the website without seeing the error alert.
6. Use tools for bypassing regional restrictions
Geo-restriction is a common practice these days. More and more sites have their content limited to select audiences in certain geographical regions. That means that users outside the geographical regions may not be able to access such content. Examples of websites platforms that have restricted access to the platforms to users from certain regions include Netflix, Sling TV, Hulu, etc.
if you try accessing these sites outside particular regions such as the US and Europe, you’ll be greeted with the “Err_connection_ timed_out” error on your screen. However, with the help of a VPN or proxy IP address, you should be able to access any of these geo-blocked sites without any problem.
7. Check and adjust the LAN settings
If you change the LAN settings of your computer either knowingly or unknowingly, you might encounter the “Err_connection_ timed_out” error whenever you try accessing websites.
Luckily, this can be fixed in no time. Here’s are the steps to get it done on a Windows PC:
Step 1: on the search bar, type Control panel, then click on the app to access the control panel.
Step 2: on the control panel screen, click on Internet Options.
Step 3: A window called Internet properties will appear. Click on the Connections tab, then head over to the bottom of the same window and click on LAN settings. A screen with the same name will appear.
Step 4: On that window, uncheck all the boxes, then click OK to save the changes.
Step 5: try accessing the web again to check whether or not the error message still appears.
8. Check if your network connectivity is in arrears
Another probable reason you see the “Err_connection_ timed_out” error message on your screen is that the ISP has terminated your connection due to bandwidth depletion. If that’s the case, consider renewing your internet package in order to continue enjoying internet access.
