How to Fix ERR_EMPTY_RESPONSE Error in Chrome–10 Fixes
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ERR_EMPTY_RESPONSE is not a common problem, but you might encounter it from time to time while browsing the internet on Google Chrome and other popular browsers.
Like other browser errors, it can be quite vague and doesn’t immediately reveal the underlying issue.
In most cases, you need to do some digging to find the root cause of the problem, which may require time and effort.
But don’t worry. This article will help you understand the ERR_EMPTY_RESPONSE, its common causes, and how to fix it effectively.
ERR_EMPTY_RESPONSE can often be confused with an HTTP status code, but its nature is different from the HTTP status codes, which are standardized server responses to HTTP requests. ERR_EMPTY_RESPONSE is an error message, particularly associated with Google Chrome, generated by the web browser itself.
Causes of the ERR_EMPTY_RESPONSE Error
The main cause for ERR_EMPTY_RESPONSE is typically a connectivity issue that hampers the communication between your browser and a web server; however, that’s not the only possible cause.
ERR_EMPTY_RESPONSE is a broad and general error that can indicate various problems of different origins. The most common cases include:
- Network connectivity issues
- Corrupted or expired browsing data
- Conflicts caused by browser extensions
- Outdated browser versions
- Restrictions from firewall or antivirus software
- Corrupted DNS cache
- Misconfigured DNS server settings
- Website misconfigurations
How to Fix ERR_EMPTY_RESPONSE–10 Solutions
ERR_EMPTY_RESPONSE may require quite different actions to be corrected. However, in most cases, it’s related to connectivity issues, so troubleshooting your network is usually a good place to start. Here are some useful tips for getting rid of the error.
Check Your Internet Connection
First, ensure your connection is stable. A poor internet connection can prevent your browser from receiving data from a web server. Restart your router to refresh your network connection. If you’re on Wi-Fi, try moving closer to the router, switching to a mobile network, or using an Ethernet cable for a more reliable connection.
Reset Your Network Settings
Sometimes, your network settings may get mixed up, leading to the ERR_EMPTY_RESPONSE message. In that case, you can renew your IP address to get things back on track. This process is like hitting the reset button on your network, clearing out any temporary files or settings that might be causing trouble.
Here are the steps depending on your operating system (OS).
Windows
- Open the Windows menu and type cmd in the search bar.
- Open the Command Prompt as an administrator.
- Type the following commands one by one and press Enter after each one.
ipconfig /release ipconfig /renew ipconfig /flushdns
Mac
- Open System Settings from the Dock.
- Click on the Network tab.
- Press the Details button for your active network.
- Open the TCP/IP tab.
- Click on the Renew DHCP Lease button.
Clear Browsing Data
The browser cache stores website data, so pages load faster when you revisit them. However, it can occasionally expire or become corrupted, triggering the ERR_EMPTY_RESPONSE error. In such cases, clearing your browser cache would remove the problematic files or settings.
To clear your browsing data on Chrome, click on the kebab menu (three vertical dots) in the top-right corner and select “Delete Browsing Data.”
Make sure to check “Cached images and files” and “Cookies and other site data” to eliminate any corrupt cached files that might be causing the error.
For more detailed instructions on clearing cache on other browsers and devices, check out the following articles:
- How to clear the cache on desktop browsers
- How to clear the cache on Android
- How to clear the cache on iPhone
Use Incognito Mode
Incognito mode does what its name suggests – it allows you to browse the internet privately. It doesn’t save your browsing history, and it disables extensions, making it a great tool to test if the error is caused by extensions or corrupted cached files.
To open an incognito window in Chrome, click on the kebab menu, select “New Incognito Window,” and load the problematic site. If the error doesn’t occur, extensions or corrupted cache might be the issue.
Disable Browser Extensions
Browser extensions are versatile tools that expand your browser’s functionalities. Sometimes, though, they can disrupt the connection to specific websites.
If the issue is resolved, go back to your regular window. To disable Chrome extensions, click on the kebab menu, select “Extensions,” and then “Manage Extensions.”
Disable each extension one by one to find the culprit. Then, consider reporting the issue to its developers or replacing it with an alternative.
Update Your Browser
An outdated browser may not support the latest technologies that websites employ, preventing web pages from loading correctly. Ensure you’re using the latest version of your browser.
To update your Chrome browser, click on the kebab menu, select “Help,” and then “About Google Chrome.”
Chrome is updated automatically, but if it hasn’t happened for some reason, you will see a button to do it manually. Keeping your browser up to date can fix ERR_EMPTY_RESPONSE and improve your overall browsing experience.
Check Your Firewall and Antivirus Software
Sometimes, your antivirus software and firewall can be a little overprotective, blocking certain websites and causing the ERR_EMPTY_RESPONSE error. To see if this is the case, temporarily disable your antivirus and firewall. Remember to turn them back on afterward to keep your computer protected. You can then whitelist the websites so your security software doesn’t consider them dangerous.
Flush DNS Cache
The DNS cache is helpful because it speeds up the lookup of domain names and improves overall loading times. However, just like the browser cache, it can accumulate expired information that may interfere with some website connections. Flushing your DNS cache is like clearing the cobwebs from your network’s memory and can solve the ERR_EMPTY_RESPONSE error message that you are seeing.
Below, you’ll find step-by-step instructions on how to clear the DNS cache on different operating systems (OS):
- How to flush the DNS cache on Mac
- How to flush the DNS cache on Windows
- How to flush the DNS cache on Linux
Change DNS Servers
Another cause of the ERR_EMPTY_RESPONSE error to consider is a malfunctioning DNS server. Sometimes, the default DNS servers provided by your ISP can be slow or unresponsive. Switching to a public DNS server like Google’s (8.8.8.8 and 8.8.4.4) can improve your connection and resolve the error.
Mac
- Go to System Settings in your Mac’s Dock.
- Open the Network section.
- Click on the Details button of your active network.
- Open the DNS tab.
- Click on the + sign under the DNS Servers section.
- Enter the DNS server address in the field.
- Press OK to confirm.
Windows
- Open the Windows menu and type Control Panel in the search bar.
- Click on the Control Panel icon, which will appear as a result.
- Navigate to Network and Internet > Network and Sharing Center.
- Under View your active networks, click on the network’s button.
- In the following pop-up window, hit the Properties button.
- Another window will pop up. Select Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4) from the list This connection uses the following items.
- Press the Properties button.
- Select Use the following DNS server addresses.
- Enter the new DNS server addresses in the Preferred DNS server and Alternate DNS server fields.
Contact the Website Administrators
If none of the above methods worked, you can assume the problem originates from the website you are visiting. In this case, all you can do is contact the website administrators and let them know of the problem you are experiencing.
This could help them identify an ongoing issue that could cost them losses in website traffic and revenue.
Conclusion
ERR_EMPTY_RESPONSE indicates that your browser failed to receive data from the website’s server. The main culprit is usually a connectivity issue, but other issues can also trigger the error.
Just like any other error, it can be a frustrating experience preventing you from loading the desired web page. That said, by understanding the issue and following a systematic approach, you can effectively solve it in no time.
