ERR_SOCKET_NOT_CONNECTED - What It Is & How to Fix It

A socket connection is an important factor in the communication between your browser and a web server.

The ERR_SOCKET_NOT_CONNECTED error typically appears in Google Chrome (or other Chromium-based browsers) when there’s a failure in making a socket connection.

This can be caused by various factors, including network problems, internet connection issues, server errors, or glitches within Chrome itself.

It may also be tied to network-related errors that prevent proper communication with DNS servers or IP addresses.

In this article, we’ll explore what sockets are, different causes for the error message, and how you can fix it effectively following simple troubleshooting steps. Let’s dive in!

What Are Sockets?

Sockets are essential for internet connections – they serve as communication endpoints between devices and allow them to send and receive data over a network.

How Do Sockets Work?

When you visit a website in a browser, the following steps happen:

1. Your browser creates a socket – This socket is used to connect to the server hosting the website.
2. The socket establishes a connection – It connects to the server using an IP address and port number.
3. Data is exchanged – The browser sends a request (e.g., “Get the homepage”), and the server responds with data (e.g., the website’s HTML, images, and scripts).
4. The connection closes (or stays open) – Depending on the request type, the socket may close after receiving data or stay open for continuous communication that requires multiple requests (e.g., in live chats or streaming).

If there is a problem in step 2, you may encounter the ERR_SOCKET_NOT_CONNECTED message. Keep reading to find out what may cause such an issue.

What Causes the ERR_SOCKET_NOT_CONNECTED Error

The ERR_SOCKET_NOT_CONNECTED error can be triggered by several factors. Here are some common causes:

1. 1. Network Issues: A primary reason you might see this error is a poor or unstable internet connection. If your network is not stable, the browser might fail to connect to the website’s server, causing the error.
   2. Corrupted Socket Pools: Over time, Chrome’s socket pools (temporary network connections) can become corrupted. When this happens, the browser may fail to establish a proper connection to the server, resulting in the ERR_SOCKET_NOT_CONNECTED error.
   3. Browser Extensions: Incompatible browser extensions can disrupt your connection to the internet, preventing Chrome from accessing certain websites. Extensions can sometimes block requests, modify network settings, or cause unexpected errors.
   4. DNS Issues: Problems with your DNS server or misconfigured DNS settings can lead to DNS issues. This could prevent your browser from resolving domain names and establishing a connection.
   5. Firewall or Antivirus Blocking: Antivirus software or firewalls might block certain network requests, and interfere with the socket connection. These security features can mistakenly flag legitimate sites or requests.
   6. Browser Cache and Cookies: Accumulated browser cache, cookies, and browsing history might cause conflicts with network requests, leading to connection issues.
   7. Network Configuration: Issues with network settings, such as proxy configurations or VPN settings, can prevent the browser from connecting to the server, especially when using an unreliable or misconfigured proxy server.
   8. Server-Side or Application Issues: For example, imagine you have a Java web application running on a server—in most cases, it relies on sockets for handling HTTP requests. Java software issues might result in too many socket connections and eventually cause the error.

By understanding these potential causes, you can troubleshoot and resolve the ERR_SOCKET_NOT_CONNECTED error efficiently.

How to Fix the ERR_SOCKET_NOT_CONNECTED Error

If this problem occurs, there are several easy steps you can take to fix it:

1. Restart Your Browser

Sometimes, simply restarting your Chrome browser can fix the ERR_SOCKET_NOT_CONNECTED error.

To test if this is the problem, simply close all browser windows and reopen Chrome. Then, try accessing the website again.

If the error was caused by a temporary glitch in the browser, this simple step could fix it.

2. Check Your Internet Connection

Make sure that your internet connection is stable. Test your connection by visiting other websites or using an internet speed test tool.

If other websites also fail to load, the issue may be with your network, not Chrome. Restart your modem or router to see if that resolves the issue.

3. Clear Browser Cache and Cookies

Clearing your browser cache and cookies can resolve conflicts caused by outdated files. To clear your cache in Google Chrome:

1. Open Chrome and click the three dots in the top right corner.
2. Go to Settings > Delete browsing data

3. Select Cached images and files and Cookies and other site data, then click Delete data.

This will remove any corrupted data that may be interfering with your connection.

4. Flush Socket Pools in Chrome

If corrupted socket pools are causing the error, you can flush them to restore a clean connection. To do this:

1. Open a new window in Chrome and type chrome://net-internals/#sockets into the address bar.
2. Click Flush socket pools to clear any existing socket connections that may be causing issues.

This process can often fix the ERR_SOCKET_NOT_CONNECTED error by refreshing the socket connections.

5. Disable Browser Extensions

Certain browser extensions can interfere with your network requests and cause the ERR_SOCKET_NOT_CONNECTED error. Disable any recently installed or suspicious extensions:

1. Open Chrome and click the three dots in the top right corner.
2. Go to Extensions > Manage Extensions.
3. Disable or uninstall any Chrome extensions you suspect might be causing the problem.
4. Restart Chrome and check if the error is resolved.

NOTE: If the issue persists, make sure you’re using the latest Chrome browser version. To do this, simply go to the three-dots in the top right > Help > About Chrome.

6. Check VPN and Proxy Settings

If you’re using a VPN or proxy, it might be causing issues with your connection. Disable the VPN or adjust the proxy settings:

1. Open Chrome and go to Settings > System > Open your computer’s proxy settings.

2. Disable any active proxy or VPN settings and try to reconnect.

If the error disappears after turning off the VPN or adjusting the proxy, that’s likely the cause.

7. Flush DNS Cache

Your DNS cache might have outdated records that prevent Chrome from connecting to websites. To flush the DNS cache on Windows:

1. Press Windows + R to open the Run command box.
2. Type cmd and press Enter.
3. In the Command Prompt, type ipconfig /flushdns and hit Enter.

For detailed steps to clear DNS cache on other operating systems, check our dedicated articles:

• Clear DNS cache on macOS
• Clear DNS cache on Linux

This will clear your DNS cache and might resolve the error.

8. Check Antivirus and Firewall Settings

Sometimes, antivirus software or firewalls can block certain network requests, causing the ERR_SOCKET_NOT_CONNECTED error. To fix this:

1. Temporarily disable any antivirus software and firewalls.
2. Test if the error persists after disabling the firewall and antivirus.
3. If disabling them resolves the issue, add Chrome to the exception list in your firewall or antivirus settings.

Re-enable your firewall and antivirus after the test to protect your computer.

ERR_SOCKET_NOT_CONNECTED – Final Thoughts

The ERR_SOCKET_NOT_CONNECTED error can be frustrating, but with the right troubleshooting steps, you can resolve it quickly.

Whether it’s caused by an unstable internet connection, browser issues, corrupted socket pools, or incompatible browser extensions, these fixes should help restore your connection to websites.

Remember to check your DNS settings, clear your browser cache, and ensure that firewalls or antivirus software aren’t blocking the connection. By addressing these common causes, you will be able to resolve most cases of the error.

Sometimes, it may be caused by server issues or network problems outside your control. If it’s a global issue, your best bet is to report it to the respective service provider so they can investigate further.