How to fix the error: ERR_CONNECTION_TIMED_OUT

Have you ever tried accessing a website and found that it doesn’t work? If your connection takes too long to respond and you can’t access the site, it’s one of the most frustrating issues indicated by the ERR_CONNECTION_TIMED_OUT code.

If you receive this error message whenever you try to access a site, read on for practical tips to solve this problem.

It’s not a dangerous error suggesting infected files or anything that might harm your website or device. It’s merely a warning that a connection could not be established with the server hosting the web page.

Typically, when you try to access a website, there’s a communication between your device and the site. If this connection is broken or interrupted, the server doesn’t get your request, and the website doesn’t load. The server then returns an error message to the browser, which displays the ERR_CONNECTION_TIMED_OUT error.

This error can occur when a server cannot send data to your device, breaking the connection between the two.

If the website you’re trying to access is receiving too many requests, it could trigger this error. This happens because the website can’t process all the incoming requests within a certain time frame.

It’s also possible that your router or device has blocked the website, preventing you from viewing it. If you’re connecting via a proxy or VPN, these might be responsible for blocking the website.

Many factors play a role in an internet connection. There might even be issues in the DNS settings or configurations, like the hosts file.

Issues might arise from your router, such as a disconnected cable, or connectivity issues with your internet service provider.

Another reason might be the presence of malware or malicious files interfering with your connection.

What does this mean? The error could be anywhere in the connection chain: the server hosting the page, the device you’re connecting from, your internet connection, or even the equipment you use to connect to the internet.

Here are some methods to try to resolve the ERR_CONNECTION_TIMED_OUT error:

Wait

Usually, the first option is to wait a few minutes and reload the website. If the site is overloaded with requests or if it’s a temporary error, waiting should allow you to access the page.

Restart devices

A common solution in the world of IT is to restart your device. If the error continues, the next step is to restart your connection, since this error could be due to issues with your line. Ensure that your router is properly connected and that you aren’t facing connectivity problems from your provider. You can check your connection speed or even use built-in software to diagnose your network, like your operating system’s network diagnostic tool.

Check for possible blocks

Your next step is to disable any firewalls or antivirus software to ensure they’re not blocking access to the website. The site might be mistakenly labeled as potentially dangerous by security software. You usually have an option to report this as a false positive or mark the page as safe within these programs. Another possibility is that your firewall or antivirus software is outdated, so always ensure you have the latest versions.

Lastly, check if your proxy or VPN settings are causing the block. The best way to do this is to reset your proxy settings or try accessing the site without the VPN.

Clear cache

It’s crucial to clear your browser’s cache. Browsers store a small amount of data to speed up website loading times, but this can sometimes cause issues. Every browser operates differently, so here’s a guide for the most common ones:

How to clear the cache for various internet browsers

Moreover, ensure that the DNS server you’re using is functioning correctly. This setting is found in your computer’s network configuration and is often set by default. If you face issues, consider switching to Google’s DNS servers (8.8.8.8 and 8.8.4.4) or other free services.

If you continue to face issues after modifying the DNS servers, try flushing the DNS cache on your device. On Windows, access the Command Prompt and enter:

ipconfig /flushdns

Hosts file

Lastly, it’s worth checking the hosts file on your device. This file allows you to set specific IP addresses for certain websites. If it’s misconfigured, you might encounter this error. Here’s a guide on adjusting this setting:

How to change the IP that a domain points to locally (configure hosts file)

If, after trying all these solutions, you still encounter the ERR_CONNECTION_TIMED_OUT error and your website is hosted with us, we recommend contacting our 24/7 support team to help diagnose the issue.