How to Fix ERR_INTERNET_DISCONNECTED Error in Chrome

If Google Chrome shows the ERR_INTERNET_DISCONNECTED error while opening a website, it means Chrome is unable to detect an active internet connection.

This error commonly appears when your Wi-Fi or Ethernet connection is disconnected, your router has a problem, network settings are incorrect, or VPN, proxy, DNS, or network adapter settings are interfering with the connection.

In this guide, we will explain how to fix ERR_INTERNET_DISCONNECTED in Chrome using simple troubleshooting methods.

What Does ERR_INTERNET_DISCONNECTED Mean?

The ERR_INTERNET_DISCONNECTED error means that Chrome cannot establish an internet connection from your device.

You may see a message such as:

No Internet

This site can't be reached

ERR_INTERNET_DISCONNECTED

Unlike some DNS errors, this error usually indicates a problem with your local network or internet connection.

The issue can be caused by your Wi-Fi, Ethernet connection, router, ISP, DNS settings, VPN, proxy, firewall, or network adapter.

Common Causes of ERR_INTERNET_DISCONNECTED

Some common causes include:

• Wi-Fi is disconnected

• Ethernet cable is disconnected

• Router or modem problems

• Internet service outage

• Incorrect network settings

• DNS configuration problems

• VPN interference

• Proxy configuration

• Network adapter problems

• Firewall or security software

• Outdated network drivers

• Temporary Chrome or operating system problems

Let's troubleshoot the problem step by step.

1. Check Your Wi-Fi Connection

First, check whether your device is connected to Wi-Fi.

Look at the Wi-Fi icon on your computer and make sure you're connected to the correct network.

Try opening another website.

If no websites are loading, the problem is likely related to your internet connection.

You can also disconnect from Wi-Fi and reconnect again.

2. Check Your Ethernet Cable

If you're using a wired connection, make sure the Ethernet cable is properly connected.

Check both ends of the cable:

• Computer or laptop

• Router or network switch

Try unplugging the cable and reconnecting it.

If possible, test another Ethernet cable or another router port.

3. Restart Your Router

A router restart can fix temporary network problems.

Turn off your router and wait for around 30 seconds.

Turn it back on and wait until the internet connection is restored.

Then reconnect your computer and open Chrome.

Try visiting the website again.

4. Check Whether the Internet Works on Another Device

Connect another phone, laptop, or computer to the same Wi-Fi network.

Try opening a website.

If the second device also cannot access the internet, your router or ISP may be experiencing a problem.

If other devices work normally, the problem is probably specific to your computer.

5. Check for an Internet Service Outage

Sometimes the problem isn't your computer at all.

Your internet service provider may be experiencing an outage or maintenance issue.

Check whether other devices connected to the same network can access the internet.

You can also contact your ISP if the connection remains unavailable.

6. Restart Your Computer

Temporary network services can sometimes stop working correctly.

Restart your computer and reconnect to the internet.

Then open Chrome and test the website again.

This simple step can resolve many temporary network problems.

7. Disable VPN

A VPN can change your network routing and DNS configuration.

If you're using a VPN, disconnect it temporarily.

Then restart Chrome and try opening the website again.

If the website works after disabling the VPN, check the VPN application's network and DNS settings.

8. Disable Proxy Settings

Incorrect proxy settings can prevent Chrome from accessing the internet.

Check your operating system's proxy configuration.

If you don't use a proxy, disable it temporarily.

Then reopen Chrome and test the connection.

If the internet starts working, the proxy configuration was likely causing the problem.

9. Try Chrome Incognito Mode

Chrome extensions can sometimes interfere with network requests.

Open an Incognito window and try accessing the website.

If the website works in Incognito Mode, one of your installed extensions may be causing the problem.

Disable extensions one at a time to identify the problematic extension.

10. Clear Chrome Cache

Corrupted browser data can sometimes cause connection problems.

Open Chrome settings and clear cached files.

You can clear:

• Cached images and files

• Cookies

• Other temporary browsing data

After clearing the cache, restart Chrome and try opening the website again.

11. Flush DNS Cache on Windows

Windows stores DNS information in a local cache.

If this information becomes outdated or corrupted, network problems may occur.

Open Command Prompt as Administrator and run:

ipconfig /flushdns

Then restart Chrome.

You can also renew your IP configuration:

ipconfig /release
ipconfig /renew

Test your internet connection again.

12. Reset Network Settings on Windows

If normal troubleshooting doesn't work, you can reset important Windows network components.

Open Command Prompt as Administrator and run:

netsh winsock reset

Then run:

netsh int ip reset

Restart your computer after running these commands.

This can fix corrupted network configuration.

13. Change Your DNS Server

A DNS server problem can sometimes appear as a general internet connection issue.

You can test a public DNS service.

Cloudflare DNS

1.1.1.1
1.0.0.1

Google DNS

8.8.8.8
8.8.4.4

After changing the DNS settings, reconnect to your network and test Chrome again.

14. Check DNS Using nslookup

You can test DNS resolution from the command line.

Run:

nslookup example.com

If DNS is working correctly, the command should return information about the domain.

You can also test a specific DNS server:

nslookup example.com 1.1.1.1

If DNS works through a public resolver but not through your default DNS server, the DNS configuration may be causing the problem.

15. Restart Network Adapter

Your network adapter can sometimes stop responding correctly.

On Windows, open network settings and disable your Wi-Fi or Ethernet adapter.

Wait a few seconds and enable it again.

Reconnect to your network and test Chrome.

On macOS and Linux, disconnecting and reconnecting the network interface can also refresh the connection.

16. Update Network Drivers

On Windows, outdated or corrupted network drivers can cause connectivity problems.

Open Device Manager and locate:

Network adapters

Check the Wi-Fi and Ethernet adapters for driver problems.

If an updated driver is available, install it from a trusted source.

Restart the computer after updating the driver.

17. Check Firewall Settings

Firewalls and security software can sometimes block network connections.

If the problem started after installing new security software, check its network settings.

Make sure Chrome is allowed to access the internet.

Do not permanently disable your firewall simply to fix the error.

Instead, review the firewall rules and allow legitimate network traffic.

18. Check Date and Time Settings

Incorrect system date and time can cause problems with secure website connections and some network services.

Make sure your computer is using the correct:

• Date

• Time

• Time zone

Enable automatic time synchronization if available.

Then restart Chrome and test the website again.

19. Check Your Router DNS Settings

Some routers allow users to configure DNS servers manually.

Log in to your router's administration panel and check the DNS settings.

If the router is using an unreliable DNS server, try a trusted resolver such as:

1.1.1.1

or:

8.8.8.8

Save the settings and restart the router if required.

20. Check Your Hosts File

The hosts file can override normal DNS resolution.

On Windows, it is located at:

C:\Windows\System32\drivers\etc\hosts

On macOS and Linux:

/etc/hosts

Look for incorrect entries related to the website.

For example:

127.0.0.1 example.com

An incorrect entry can redirect the domain to the wrong address.

Only modify hosts file entries if you understand their purpose.

21. Check Your VPS or Hosting Server

If you're trying to access your own website hosted on a VPS or hosting server, make sure the server itself is reachable.

Check:

• Server status

• Domain DNS records

• Server IP

• Firewall rules

• Ports 80 and 443

• Nginx or Apache status

• Application status

For Nginx, run:

sudo nginx -t

You can also check whether Nginx is running:

sudo systemctl status nginx

However, if Chrome specifically reports ERR_INTERNET_DISCONNECTED for every website, troubleshoot your local internet connection first.

22. Test With Mobile Hotspot

A useful way to determine whether the problem is your Wi-Fi network is to connect your computer to a mobile hotspot.

Turn on mobile hotspot on your phone and connect your computer.

Then open Chrome.

If websites work through the mobile hotspot but not your regular Wi-Fi, the issue is likely related to your router, ISP, or local network configuration.

23. Restart Network Services on Linux

Linux users can check network status using:

nmcli device status

If NetworkManager is being used, you can restart it with:

sudo systemctl restart NetworkManager

Then reconnect to your network and test the website.

24. Check Internet Connectivity With Ping

You can use ping to test basic network connectivity.

For example:

ping 8.8.8.8

If you receive responses, your device can reach the internet at the IP level.

You can also test a domain:

ping example.com

If IP connectivity works but domain lookup doesn't, DNS may be the problem.

ERR_INTERNET_DISCONNECTED vs Other Chrome Errors

Chrome displays different errors for different types of connection problems.

ERR_INTERNET_DISCONNECTED

Usually indicates that Chrome cannot detect an active internet connection.

DNS_PROBE_FINISHED_NXDOMAIN

Usually indicates that the requested domain could not be resolved through DNS.

DNS_PROBE_FINISHED_BAD_CONFIG

Usually points toward DNS or network configuration problems.

ERR_NAME_NOT_RESOLVED

Means the browser could not resolve the domain name to an IP address.

ERR_CONNECTION_TIMED_OUT

The destination server may be reachable, but it isn't responding within the expected time.

ERR_CONNECTION_REFUSED

The server is reachable, but the connection is being refused.

Understanding these errors can help you identify whether the problem is with your local network, DNS, or the destination server.

Quick Fix Checklist

If you're getting ERR_INTERNET_DISCONNECTED, try these solutions:

1. Check Wi-Fi or Ethernet.

2. Restart your router.

3. Restart your computer.

4. Test another device.

5. Check for an ISP outage.

6. Disable VPN.

7. Disable proxy settings.

8. Try Chrome Incognito Mode.

9. Clear Chrome cache.

10. Flush DNS cache.

11. Renew your IP address.

12. Reset Winsock on Windows.

13. Change your DNS server.

14. Restart your network adapter.

15. Update network drivers.

16. Check firewall settings.

17. Check router DNS settings.

18. Check the hosts file.

19. Test using a mobile hotspot.

20. Check your VPS or hosting server if the problem only affects your website.

How to Prevent Internet Connection Problems

You can reduce network-related problems by following a few simple practices:

• Keep your router firmware updated.

• Use reliable DNS servers.

• Keep your operating system updated.

• Keep network drivers updated.

• Avoid unnecessary proxy configurations.

• Use a reliable VPN service if required.

• Monitor your internet connection.

• Keep your router properly configured.

• Check firewall rules regularly.

• Maintain your VPS and hosting server properly.

Conclusion

The ERR_INTERNET_DISCONNECTED error in Chrome usually means that your browser cannot access an active internet connection.

Start by checking your Wi-Fi or Ethernet connection and restarting your router. If the problem continues, troubleshoot VPN, proxy, DNS, network adapter, firewall, and system network settings.

If other devices also cannot access the internet, contact your ISP or troubleshoot your router. If only your computer is affected, focus on its network configuration.

For website owners, remember that a local ERR_INTERNET_DISCONNECTED error is different from a DNS or server-side error. If other websites work but your own website does not, check the domain DNS, hosting, VPS, firewall, and web server configuration.