Thanks to technology, we can accomplish most of our daily tasks with ease. These days, it is common for us to get the things that we need in an instant. For instance, with a few taps on your smartphone, you can hail a ride, pay your bills, or purchase your next outfit. That said, technology can still be a traitor at times. You might urgently need to search for information on Google Chrome, but the web page fails to load. Instead of getting the result you need, your browser only shows the ERR_CONNECTION_TIMED_OUT error.

What is the ERR_CONNECTION_TIMED_OUT Error?

The ERR_CONNECTION_TIMED_OUT error shows up when your server tries to make a connection to another server. The target server is supposed to respond within 30 seconds after a query is sent to it. If that does not happen, the browser terminates the communication attempt. Consequently, no content will be loaded, prompting the browser to display the ERR_CONNECTION_TIMED_OUT error message.

While it can be frustrating to encounter this problem, it is relatively easy to resolve. In this post, we will teach you how to fix the ERR_CONNECTION_TIMED_OUT issue in Chrome on Windows 10. We have prepared several solutions that you can try. So, make sure you go through them to find the one that will help you get rid of the error.

Solution 1: Clearing Your Browsing Data on Chrome

Over time, Chrome will collect too many browsing data, including cache file, cookies, and app data. This data overload can cause the ERR_CONNECTION_TIMED_OUT error. So, it is advisable to clear Chrome’s browsing data to resolve the issue. Here are the steps:

  1. Open Chrome, then click the More options icon at the top-right corner of the browser. This icon looks like three vertically aligned dots.
  2. Select Settings from the list.
  3. Scroll down and click Advanced.
  4. Under the Privacy and Security section, click Clear Browsing Data.
  5. Select All Time from the drop-down list beside Time Range.
  6. Click Clear Data.

Solution 2: Updating Your Network Adapter Driver

One of the possible reasons why you are getting the ERR_CONNECTION_TIMED_OUT error is because your network adapter driver is outdated. As such, we recommend that you update it to fix the issue. You have three options for updating your drivers:

Using the Device Manager

  1. Go to your taskbar, then right-click the Windows icon.
  2. From the options, select Device Manager.
  3. Once Device Manager is up, expand the contents of Network Adapters.
  4. Look for your network adapter, then right-click it.
  5. Choose Update Driver from the context menu.

Downloading the Driver from the Manufacturer’s Website

It is true that you can conveniently update your network adapter driver via the Device Manager. However, your system can still miss an update or two. So, you might still end up with an outdated driver. If you want to ensure that you will have the correct driver version, you need to go to the manufacturer’s website. Just make sure that you are going to download the driver that is compatible with the type of processor and the operating system version you have on your computer. Otherwise, you will cause more harm to your PC.

Using Auslogics Driver Updater

There are real risks involved in updating your drivers manually. If you install the wrong versions on your computer, you might end up dealing with system instability issues. As such, we suggest that you choose a reliable and convenient option—Auslogics Driver Updater. This tool will recognize your processor type and operating system version automatically. You also do not need to update your drivers one by one. With Auslogics Driver Updater, all you need to do is click a button and the tool will find, download, and install the latest drivers compatible with your operating system and processor.

Solution 3: Checking Your Windows Hosts File

If there are website URLs or IP addresses that are blocked in the hosts file, they might prompt the browser to stop other sites as well. As such, we suggest checking your Window Hosts File to get rid of the ERR_CONNECTION_TIMED_OUT error. Simply follow the steps below:

  1. On your keyboard, press Windows Key+S.
  2. Type “Notepad” (no quotes).
  3. Right-click Notepad from the results, then select Run as Administrator from the context menu.
  4. Once Notepad is up, select File from the menu at the top.
  5. Choose Open from the options.
  6. Follow this path:

C: ->Windows ->System32 ->drivers ->etc

  1. Select All Files from the drop-down list at the bottom-right corner of the window.
  2. Double-click Hosts.
  3. After the last # entry, check if there is an IP address or website URL listed. If so, delete all of them.
  4. Save the Hosts file, then close it.

Solution 4: Adjusting the LAN Settings

It is possible that viruses or malware have found their way into your PC, causing various issues. They may change your PC’s Internet settings, prompting the ERR_CONNECTION_TIMED_OUT error to appear. As such, we recommend that you adjust your LAN settings to get rid of the problem. Follow the instructions below:

  1. Press Windows Key on your keyboard.
  2. Type “Control Panel” (no quotes), then hit Enter.
  3. Select Large Icons from the drop-down list beside View By.
  4. Click Internet Options.
  5. Once the Internet Properties window is up, go to the Connections tab.
  6. Click the LAN Settings button.
  7. Deselect all the options in the LAN Settings window, then click OK.

Pro Tip: To ensure that viruses and malware won’t change your Internet settings, we recommend that you reinforce your security with the help of Auslogics Anti-Malware. This tool can detect threats and attacks no matter how discreetly they operate in the background. What’s more, you can use Auslogics Anti-Malware alongside Windows Defender. So, you can have the peace of mind knowing that your PC has the protection it needs.

Solution 5: Flushing the DNS and Renewing your IP Address

The ERR_CONNECTION_TIMED_OUT error can also be associated with DNS and IP issues. As such, we suggest that you flush the DNS and renew your IP address. To do those, follow the steps below:

  1. Press Windows Key+R on your keyboard.
  2. Once the Run dialog box is up, type “cmd” (no quotes), then click OK.
  3. Once Command Prompt is up, run the following command lines:

ipconfig /registerdns

ipconfig /release

ipconfig /renew

netsh winsock reset

Note: Remember to run the command lines one by one.

  1. Restart your computer to let the changes take effect.

Do you know other methods for fixing the ERR_CONNECTION_TIMED_OUT error?

If so, join the discussion below and share your ideas!