ERR_CONNECTION_RESET appears when the connection to a website starts but is then abruptly closed with a reset packet. Something between your browser and the server – your antivirus, a VPN, a router, a firewall or the server itself – decided to kill the connection. The fix depends on where the reset comes from.
Before you start
- Test the site from another network (mobile data) and another device.
- Check whether other sites also fail. If many sites reset, the cause is local.
Common causes of ERR_CONNECTION_RESET
- Antivirus or firewall software inspecting HTTPS traffic.
- VPNs and proxies dropping connections.
- MTU mismatch on the network, so large packets are dropped and connections reset.
- Server-side security rules resetting requests that look suspicious, such as large uploads or certain URLs.
- Network filtering by an ISP or workplace.
How to fix it on your computer
- Try a private window and another browser.
- Disable VPN, proxy and antivirus web protection temporarily.
- Reset network settings on Windows. In an administrator Command Prompt run
netsh winsock resetandnetsh int ip reset, then restart. - Flush DNS with
ipconfig /flushdns. - Test a lower MTU if large pages fail but small ones load. Our MTU troubleshooting guide shows how.
- Restart the router.
How to fix it as a site owner
- Check if only certain actions reset, like uploads or form posts. Security rules can reset those; note the time and URL.
- Look at the logs in cPanel → Metrics → Errors and the access log for that time.
- Check firewall blocks. A partially blocked IP can see resets. See unblock your IP.
- On a VPS, check web server error logs and kernel messages with
dmesg | tailfor dropped connections. - Contact support with the URL, your IP and the time if visitors keep seeing resets.
Tip: If the reset only happens on one Wi-Fi network, that network is filtering or mangling traffic. Mobile data is the quickest way to prove it.
What to check afterwards
Reload the site several times and repeat the action that failed, such as an upload.
FAQ
Is ERR_CONNECTION_RESET a server problem?
It can be, but local software is the cause more often. Test another network first.
Why does it happen only on uploads?
A security rule or upload limit may cut the connection. Check upload limits and server logs.
Does clearing cache help?
Rarely, but it is quick to try along with a private window.