ERR_CONNECTION_RESET
Network ErrorWhat Does ERR_CONNECTION_RESET Mean?
ERR_CONNECTION_RESET occurs when an established connection between your browser and a web server is forcefully terminated. Unlike ERR_CONNECTION_REFUSED where the connection is rejected before it starts, a reset happens after the connection was already established or partially established. The server or an intermediary network device sends a TCP RST (reset) packet, which immediately terminates the connection.
This error means that data was flowing between your browser and the server, but something abruptly cut the connection. The reset can come from the web server itself, from a firewall or security device, from your ISP, or from network equipment along the path. It is as if someone pulled the plug on the connection mid-conversation, rather than hanging up politely.
Connection resets are often intermittent and can be difficult to diagnose because they can originate from any point along the network path. The error may occur consistently with specific websites, randomly across different sites, or only under certain conditions such as when transferring large files or after being connected for a certain duration.
Common Causes
Server-side issues are a common source of connection resets. The web server may be crashing, running out of resources, or being restarted. Application errors can cause the server-side software to terminate connections unexpectedly. Load balancers and reverse proxies may also reset connections if the backend server becomes unavailable or if connection limits are exceeded.
Firewalls and security appliances frequently cause connection resets. Deep packet inspection (DPI) firewalls may reset connections if they detect content that matches their filtering rules. Intrusion prevention systems (IPS) may terminate connections they consider suspicious. ISP-level filtering and censorship systems often use connection resets to block access to specific content or websites.
Client-side causes include antivirus software interfering with HTTPS connections, corrupted Winsock catalog on Windows, MTU (Maximum Transmission Unit) size mismatches, and network driver bugs. Overloaded home routers with full connection tables can also reset connections. VPN connections that perform deep packet inspection or have unstable tunnels may cause resets as well.
Step-by-Step Fix
Start with basic troubleshooting: clear your browser cache and cookies, disable browser extensions, and try a different browser. If the error only occurs on one website, the problem is likely server-side or related to how that site interacts with your connection. Try accessing the site from a different network (like mobile data) to confirm.
Check your security software by temporarily disabling your antivirus and firewall. If the error disappears, reconfigure your security software to not interfere with your web traffic. On Windows, try resetting the Winsock catalog by opening Command Prompt as administrator and running "netsh winsock reset", then restart your computer. Also try flushing your DNS cache and resetting your TCP/IP stack with "netsh int ip reset".
If the error persists, check your MTU settings. An incorrect MTU size can cause packets to be fragmented or dropped, resulting in connection resets. On Windows, run "netsh interface ipv4 show subinterfaces" to check your current MTU. The typical value is 1500, but VPN connections often require 1400 or lower. You can also try using our Traceroute tool to identify where along the path the connection is being reset, which can help pinpoint whether the issue is with your ISP, a transit network, or the destination server.
Related Network Errors
Frequently Asked Questions
What does ERR_CONNECTION_RESET mean?
ERR_CONNECTION_RESET means the connection to the website was established but then forcefully terminated. A TCP RST packet was received, which immediately closes the connection. This can be caused by the server, a firewall, your ISP, or a problem with your local network configuration.
Why does ERR_CONNECTION_RESET happen only on certain websites?
If the error only affects specific websites, it could be caused by those servers having issues, your ISP blocking or throttling those sites, your antivirus flagging those sites, or a firewall rule targeting those specific domains. Try accessing the sites through a VPN to see if ISP-level blocking is the cause.
Can my ISP cause ERR_CONNECTION_RESET?
Yes, ISPs can cause connection resets through traffic shaping, content filtering, or bandwidth throttling. Some ISPs reset connections to certain types of content (like streaming or P2P traffic) or to websites they want to block. Using a VPN can help bypass ISP-level connection resets.
How do I fix ERR_CONNECTION_RESET on Windows?
On Windows, try these steps: reset Winsock (netsh winsock reset), flush DNS (ipconfig /flushdns), reset TCP/IP (netsh int ip reset), disable antivirus temporarily, check firewall rules, clear browser cache, try a different browser, and update network drivers.
Is ERR_CONNECTION_RESET related to my internet speed?
Not directly, but an extremely slow or unstable connection can contribute to resets. If data transfer takes too long, the server or network equipment may timeout and reset the connection. Run our Speed Test to verify your internet performance and use our Ping Test to check for packet loss.