Chrome Not Loading Pages on Windows? Try These Fixes

Common causes

• A modem or router problem
• Airplane mode turned on
• A Chrome extension getting in the way
• Cookies that aren’t working correctly
• Firewall or antivirus software blocking the connection
• Not enough free memory on your computer
• The website being down or under maintenance

Step-by-Step Solutions

Start with the quick checks at the top and work down the list, trying the page again after each step.

1. 1

   Step 1: Check the address and reload the page

   Google’s first step is to make sure the web address is right and reload the page.

   Make sure the website address doesn’t have any mistakes in it. Then, at the top left of Chrome, select Reload this page.

   Check whether the problem affects only one website or several. If several websites won’t load, check your internet connection next.

2. 2

   Step 2: Look at the error code

   Google explains what the most common page-loading error codes mean.

   If Chrome shows one of these codes, here is what Google says it means:

   • ERR_INTERNET_DISCONNECTED: your device isn’t connected to the internet.
   • ERR_NAME_NOT_RESOLVED: the web address doesn’t exist or now has a different IP address.
   • ERR_CONNECTION_TIMED_OUT or ERR_TIMED_OUT: the page took too long to connect. Your connection might be too slow, or the page might be too busy.
   • ERR_CONNECTION_RESET: something interrupted your connection, like an unstable connection, an outdated browser, a VPN issue or security software that blocks the page.
   • ERR_NETWORK_CHANGED: your device disconnected from the network or joined a new one while the page was loading.
   • ERR_CONNECTION_REFUSED: the page didn’t let Chrome connect, or the page is blocked.
   • ERR_EMPTY_RESPONSE: the page didn’t send any data and might be down.

   Good to know

   For the complete list of error codes, type chrome://network-errors/ in the search bar.

3. 3

   Step 3: Check your internet connection

   Google lists Airplane mode and modem or router problems among the causes of connection and loading errors.

   Make sure your computer is connected to the internet on either Wi-Fi or ethernet. Google lists Airplane mode as a device setting that can cause connection and loading errors, so make sure it isn’t turned on.

   Check whether your modem and router are working properly. You may need to reboot both, or contact your internet service provider.

   Good to know

   On public Wi-Fi, like in a cafe, you might need to sign in through a portal page first, and Chrome often prompts you to sign in. If you see “Connect to network,” select Connect on the page you’re trying to open.

4. 4

   Step 4: Update and restart Chrome

   Google suggests making sure you’re on the latest version of Chrome, then restarting it.

   In Chrome, at the top right, select More, then Help, then About Google Chrome. If you see Relaunch, select it to finish an update. If you can’t find the Relaunch option, you’re on the latest version.

   If Chrome is already up to date, restart it yourself. At the top right of the Chrome window, select Close, or select More, then Exit. Then reopen Chrome from your Start menu or desktop shortcut.

   Good to know

   When Chrome relaunches after an update, it reopens your tabs and windows, but not your Incognito windows.

5. 5

   Step 5: Open the page in an Incognito window

   If the page loads in Incognito mode, Google’s next steps are to turn off extensions and delete your browsing data.

   At the top right, select More, then New Incognito window, or press Ctrl + Shift + n. Open the website there.

   If the page loads in Incognito mode, exit Incognito mode and go on to the next two steps: turning off extensions and deleting your browsing data.

   Good to know

   Third-party cookies are blocked by default in Incognito mode.

6. 6

   Step 6: Turn off your extensions

   An extension can cause connection and loading errors, and Google recommends turning them all off to test.

   In Chrome, at the top right, select More, then Extensions, then Manage extensions. Turn off every extension.

   If the page now loads, turn your extensions back on one at a time to find the one causing the problem. To remove it, select Remove on that extension, then select Remove again to confirm.

7. 7

   Step 7: Delete cookies and cached data

   Pages sometimes won’t open because cookies aren’t working correctly.

   At the top right, select More, then Delete browsing data. Choose a time range, like Last hour or All time. Select Cookies and other site data, check any other items you want to delete, such as cached images and files, then select Delete data.

   This is also Google’s fix for “This webpage has a redirect loop” or ERR_TOO_MANY_REDIRECTS, which appears when a page has tried to redirect you too many times.

   Good to know

   Deleting cookies may sign you out of sites that remember you, and your saved preferences can be deleted. If you’re signed in to Chrome, the data is also removed from your other devices and your Google Account.

8. 8

   Step 8: Check your firewall and antivirus

   Firewall or antivirus software can block Chrome’s connection to websites.

   Make sure your firewall or antivirus software isn’t blocking your connection. On Windows, Google points to Firewall and Network Protection in the Windows Security app.

   If you see a certificate error such as “Your connection is not private,” antivirus software that provides “HTTPS protection” or “HTTPS scanning” can cause it. Google’s fix is to turn off your antivirus software, then check whether the page works.

   Good to know

   Remember to turn your antivirus software back on when you’re done.

9. 9

   Step 9: Free up memory

   Without enough available memory, your computer might have reduced performance, which may lead to loading errors.

   Close tabs you aren’t using, and turn off or stop tasks you don’t need, then try the page again.

10. 10

    Step 10: Reset Chrome settings

    Resetting returns Chrome’s settings to their defaults without deleting your bookmarks or passwords.

    At the top right, select More, then Settings. Select Reset settings, then Restore settings to their original defaults, then Reset settings.

    Your saved bookmarks and passwords won’t be deleted or changed. Settings such as cookies and site data, and extensions and themes, go back to their defaults on all devices where you’re signed in.

    Good to know

    Google also says you can uninstall and reinstall Chrome to fix most problems. If you’re signed in to Chrome, your saved info is in your Google Account and you can find it again after you reinstall and sign in.

Frequently Asked Questions

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