Fixing the 'Threat Found' Notification Loop: A Full Guide
Frustrated by the ERR_CONNECTION_REFUSED error in Chrome? Our step-by-step guide will help you diagnose and fix the problem, from simple checks to DNS flushing.
Alex Carter
A seasoned tech journalist and IT consultant specializing in network troubleshooting solutions.
ERR_CONNECTION_REFUSED: Your Ultimate Guide to Fixing This Annoying Chrome Error
You’ve been there. One minute you’re diving into a research rabbit hole, the next you’re shopping for a gift, and then… BAM. You’re stopped dead in your tracks by a stark white page with a sad-looking file icon. The message is clear, yet infuriating: "This site can’t be reached", followed by the cryptic code: ERR_CONNECTION_REFUSED.
It’s one of the most common errors on the web, but that doesn’t make it any less frustrating. It feels like a digital slammed door. Your browser knocked, and the website on the other side flat-out refused to answer. But why? Is the problem on your end, or theirs? And more importantly, how do you fix it?
Don’t worry. We’re going to walk through exactly what this error means and provide a clear, step-by-step checklist to get you back to browsing in no time. Think of this as your personal IT support guide.
What Does ERR_CONNECTION_REFUSED Actually Mean?
In the simplest terms, this error means your browser (in this case, Google Chrome) successfully reached out to the website's address, but the server at that address actively rejected the connection attempt. It’s not that the server was missing or couldn't be found (that would be a DNS error like ERR_NAME_NOT_RESOLVED). Here, the server was found, but it said, "Nope, not today."
This refusal can happen for several reasons, which can be broadly categorized:
- Client-Side Issues: Problems with your own computer, browser, or network settings. This is the most common cause and, thankfully, the one you can fix!
- Server-Side Issues: The website you’re trying to visit is having problems with its server configuration, is down for maintenance, or is experiencing an outage.
Our troubleshooting process will start with the easiest and most common client-side fixes and work our way up.
First Things First: Quick Checks Before You Dive In
Before you start messing with settings, let's rule out the simplest culprits:
- Check the URL: Did you type it correctly? A simple typo can lead you to a non-existent or misconfigured address.
- Try a Different Website: Can you visit Google.com or another major site? If you can, the problem is likely specific to the one site you're trying to reach. If you can't visit any site, the problem is almost certainly with your own internet connection.
Solution 1: Check if the Website is Down for Everyone
Your first step should be to determine if the problem is with you or the website. The easiest way to do this is to use a free online tool like Down for Everyone or Just Me or Is It Down Right Now?. Just enter the website’s URL. If the tool reports that the site is down for everyone, you can stop here. The problem is on their end, and all you can do is wait for them to fix it.
Solution 2: The Classic Reboot (Your Router)
It’s a cliché for a reason. Your home router can get its state confused, holding onto a bad connection or incorrect routing information. A simple reboot can often clear these issues.
- Unplug your router from the power outlet.
- Wait for at least 30-60 seconds. This allows the internal components to fully power down and reset.
- Plug it back in and wait for all the lights to return to their normal state (usually solid green or blue).
- Try accessing the website again.
Solution 3: Clear Your Browser's Cache
Your browser stores (caches) data from websites to make them load faster on future visits. However, sometimes this cached data can become outdated or corrupt, causing connection errors with a site that has since been updated. Clearing it forces your browser to download a fresh version.
How to Clear Cache in Chrome
- Click the three dots in the top-right corner of Chrome.
- Go to More tools > Clear browsing data...
- In the pop-up window, select the Advanced tab.
- Set the "Time range" to All time.
- Check the box for "Cached images and files". You can uncheck other items like browsing history if you want to keep them.
- Click the "Clear data" button.
Solution 4: Check Your Proxy Settings
A proxy server acts as an intermediary between your computer and the internet. If you’re using a proxy (sometimes set by VPNs, school/corporate networks, or malware) and it’s offline or misconfigured, it can refuse connections.
- In Chrome, go to Settings > System.
- Click on "Open your computer's proxy settings".
- On Windows: This opens the Windows Settings. Ensure that "Automatically detect settings" is ON and "Use a proxy server" is OFF (unless you know you need one for your network).
- On macOS: This opens Network Preferences. Check each connection type (like Wi-Fi) and in the "Proxies" tab, make sure no proxy protocols are checked.
Solution 5: Temporarily Disable Firewall & Antivirus
Your firewall or antivirus software is designed to protect you by blocking suspicious connections. Occasionally, they can be a bit too aggressive and mistakenly block a legitimate website. To test this, temporarily disable them.
Important: Only do this for a few minutes to test the connection. A website that is only accessible with your firewall off is suspicious. Remember to re-enable your security software immediately after testing.
The process for this varies widely by software (Windows Defender, Norton, McAfee, etc.), but you can typically find the option by right-clicking the software's icon in your system tray.
Solution 6: Flush Your DNS Cache
Just like your browser's cache, your operating system also keeps a cache of DNS (Domain Name System) records. This is like a phonebook that matches website names (like junkangworld.com) to IP addresses. If a record is outdated, your computer might be trying to connect to an old, incorrect IP address.
Flushing DNS on Windows
- Press the Windows key, type
cmd, and click "Run as administrator". - In the Command Prompt window, type the following command and press Enter:
ipconfig /flushdns - You should see a message confirming the DNS Resolver Cache was successfully flushed.
Flushing DNS on macOS
- Open Terminal (you can find it in Applications > Utilities or search for it with Spotlight).
- The command differs slightly by macOS version, but for modern versions (Catalina, Big Sur, Monterey, and newer), the command is:
sudo dscacheutil -flushcache; sudo killall -HUP mDNSResponder - Enter your password when prompted and press Enter.
Solution 7: Change Your DNS Server
Sometimes, the default DNS server provided by your Internet Service Provider (ISP) can be slow or unreliable. Switching to a public DNS provider like Google or Cloudflare is a common troubleshooting step that can also improve your overall browsing speed and security.
Here are a few popular and reliable public DNS providers:
| Provider | Primary DNS | Secondary DNS | Key Feature |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cloudflare | 1.1.1.1 | 1.0.0.1 | Focus on speed and privacy |
| Google Public DNS | 8.8.8.8 | 8.8.4.4 | High reliability and security |
| OpenDNS | 208.67.222.222 | 208.67.220.220 | Optional content filtering |
You can change these settings in your operating system's network configuration panel, usually found near where you checked your proxy settings.
Solution 8: The Last Resort - Reinstall Chrome
If you've tried everything above and the error persists only in Chrome (but not other browsers), it's possible your Chrome installation itself is corrupted. Before you do this, make sure you've synced your bookmarks and passwords to your Google Account. Then, uninstall Chrome completely from your computer, download a fresh copy from the official Google Chrome website, and reinstall it.
Conclusion: Back to Seamless Browsing
The ERR_CONNECTION_REFUSED error is a roadblock, but it's rarely a permanent one. By systematically working through these solutions—from checking the site's status to flushing your DNS cache—you can almost always diagnose and resolve the issue. Most of the time, the fix is a simple one, like clearing your cache or restarting your router.
The next time you see that dreaded error, don't panic. Take a deep breath, follow this checklist, and you'll likely be back on your intended webpage in a matter of minutes. Happy browsing!