Google Chrome is the most popular browser today, and with good reason. However, it sometimes runs into errors, such as the ERR_EMPTY_RESPONSE error. What is frustrating about this is that the message does not tell us anything about what caused the error.
Possible causes include:
- bad internet connection
- corrupted extensions
- overloaded cache
- outdated temp files
In this article, we will lead you through some solutions you can try to clear the ERR_EMPTY_RESPONSE error.
Use Incognito mode
Chrome’s incognito mode allows you to browse with more privacy, because cookies and settings are deleted at the end of each session. It is possible that this will allow you to visit the site you had a problem with.
You can open a new incognito window by clicking Menu>New incognito window, or by pressing Ctrl+Shift+N.
Try if you can access the site now.
Clear browsing data and cache
- Click on the Menu button, then select More tools> Clear browser data.
- From the drop-down menu, select All time.
- Check all 3 checkboxes, then click on Clear data.
If this did not clear the error, there is probably something wrong with the settings. Try the following options.
Disable extensions
Chrome extensions can be rather useful in your daily work, but you must keep in mind that they are products of third parties, not of Google itself. This means that there is no guarantee that anybody is updating them, and sometimes they can cause you issues such as the “ERR_EMPTY_RESPONSE” error you are trying to solve.
- Click on the Menu button, then choose More tools>Extensions.
- Disable all of them, then check if the website loads. If it does, one of your extensions is to blame. Turn them on one by one to find the culprit, then remove that one.
If this didn’t solve the ERR_EMPTY_RESPONSE error, you need to start looking outside Chrome.
Resetting network settings
This method resets the IP address configurations of your computer. It is possible that the website you are trying to reach has changed. By clearing the stored data from your operating system you might be able to fix this error.
- Type „cmd” in the search bar at the bottom of the screen.
This brings up the Command Prompt, where you can give direct commands to your computer.
- Click „Run as administrator”.
The command line shows up.
- Type „ipconfig/release” and hit Enter.
This causes the DHCP (Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol) server to take away the IP address assigned to your computer. We will get it back in the next step.
- Type “ipconfig/all” and hit Enter.
This will list all your IP settings.
- Type “ipconfig/flushdns” and hit Enter.
This flushes the DNS and should then give you the message „Successfully flushed DNS Resolver Cache”.
- Now type „ipconfig/renew” and hit Enter.
This makes the DHCP server assign your computer a new IP address (quite possibly the same as the old one).
- Type „netsh interface show interface” and hit Enter.
This command shows you what the name of your connection is, which you will need in the next step.
- Type “netsh int ip set dns name=”Name” source=dhcp” and hit Enter.
This command sets your connection interface to use a DHCP-assigned DNS address. Instead of “Name” use the name you saw above (eg. “Ethernet” or “Local Area Connection”).
- Type “netsh winsock reset” and hit Enter.
This command resets the winsock catalog. This catalog contains your internet connection configurations.
You can close the command prompt now. Try if the error has cleared. If this is not the case, you might have to change your DNS server, as it may have gone offline.
Temporarily disable antivirus
Firewall and antivirus software will protect you, but sometimes they fuss unnecessarily over content they find dangerous. If you trust the website, you can try disabling this protection temporarily.
Here is how to do it in Windows 10:
- Type “firewall” in the search bar and click Open.
- Click Turn Windows Defender Firewall on or off.
- Uncheck Block all incoming connections under Windows Defender Firewall.
- Click OK. Check if you can access the website now. If this is not the case, repeat the steps, but instead of unblocking connections, disable the firewall entirely.
If you are using a third party antivirus, disable that too, then check if you can now access the desired website.
Delete temporary files
Windows has a Temp folder where it keeps temporary files. It is possible that these are causing your issue.
- In the search bar, type “Run” and click Open.
- In the dialog box that pops up, type “Temp” and click OK.
This will take you to the Temp folder. Make sure you are logged in as an administrator.
- In the folder, press Ctrl+A to select all files. Right click the selected files and choose Delete.
Check if the error has cleared.
Switch to a different DNS
Your Internet provider probably assigned a DNS server to you automatically. However, this server may be temporarily down, or it may be overloaded, causing the error ERR_EMPTY_RESPONSE. If this is the case, you can fix the issue by switching to a more reliable DNS server.
Here’s how you can change your DNS server:
- Click Start>Settings>Network & Internet.
- Select the type of connection you have (if you are not sure, check the Status menu).
- Click „Change adapter options”.
You might see several connections.
- Right-click the one you are using, then choose Properties.
- Choose the Internet Protocol Version you have (IPv4 or IPv6). After you made your choice, click Properties.
- Change the radio button selection to „Use the following DNS server addresses” then insert the address of your chosen DNS server and press OK.
Some good and free DNS options include Google (8.8.8.8 and 8.8.4.4), OpenDNS (208.67.222.222 and 208.67.220.220) and Cloudflare (1.1.1.1 and 1.0.0.1). If you have been using one of these and you still got this error, try reverting to your internet provider’s default server, as sometimes that might fix the issue.
You have changed your DNS server. Try accessing the desired website now. If it still doesn’t load, you can change some Chrome settings.
Conclusion
The ERR_EMPTY_RESPONSE error sometimes appears due to Chrome having a difficult moment, but quite often another setting or application is causing the problem. We hope one of the above solutions worked for you.
