“Connection Was Reset” Error: How to Fix It in Chrome and Edge

ERR_CONNECTION_RESET means the connection between your browser and the website was interrupted before the page finished loading. The cause can be your network, a VPN, security software, browser settings, or the website itself.

Does this affect you?

Use this for Chrome, Microsoft Edge, and other Chromium browsers on Windows or Mac when a page says the connection was reset or shows ERR_CONNECTION_RESET.

Rule out simple causes

Check the connection before changing deeper settings.

  1. Force a clean reload with Ctrl+Shift+R on Windows or Cmd+Shift+R on Mac.
  2. Try a different website. If every site fails, focus on your connection.
  3. Restart the router by unplugging it for one full minute, then plugging it back in.
  4. Try another network, wired connection, or phone hotspot.
  5. If the site fails only on a work or school network, it may be blocked there.

Temporarily test antivirus and VPN

Traffic-scanning tools commonly cause reset errors.

  1. Open your antivirus settings.
  2. Look for Web Protection, HTTPS Scanning, SSL Inspection, or similar.
  3. Turn that feature off briefly for testing.
  4. Disconnect any VPN.
  5. Reload the site.
  6. Turn protection back on after testing and add a proper exception if needed.

Reset network and browser settings

Use this when many sites fail and the connection itself works.

  1. On Windows, open Command Prompt as administrator.
  2. Run netsh winsock reset.
  3. Run netsh int ip reset.
  4. Restart the computer.
  5. Check Windows or macOS proxy settings and disable unexpected proxy use.
  6. In Chrome, reset browser settings from chrome://settings/reset.

More control

Check whether the site is down

If other websites load, the destination site may be overloaded or misconfigured. Try again later or check a site-status service.

Disable extensions one at a time

Ad blockers and privacy extensions can reset connections if they misidentify a page element. Test from chrome://extensions or edge://extensions.

Check firewall blocks

A firewall can reset outgoing connections. Review Windows Security firewall settings or third-party firewall logs for blocked browser traffic.

Sources

  • Google Chrome Help – Fix connection errors (2025)
  • Microsoft Support – Fix problems with Microsoft Edge (2025)
  • Mozilla Support – What do the security warning codes mean? (2025)
Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links which means I may receive a commission for purchases made through links. I will only recommend products that I have personally used! Learn more on my Private Policy page.
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