Encountering browser errors can be stressful, especially when you have no idea how to fix them. A common issue that you might run into is the “ERR_EMPTY_RESPONSE” message.
Fortunately, this error has a handful of fixes that are relatively easy to implement. After a few troubleshooting steps, you can resolve the problem and get your browser back to normal in no time.
In this post, we’ll explain what ERR_EMPTY_RESPONSE means and look at some common causes of the issue. Then, we’ll walk you through five fixes to help you resolve the issue. Let’s get started!
What the ERR_EMPTY_RESPONSE Message Means
The ERR_EMPTY_RESPONSE error is a browser-related issue that indicates that the server did not respond to the request to visit a website:
This is often accompanied by a ”No data received” or “This page isn’t working” notification. It means that the browser is unable to transmit data to and from your device. The error typically occurs in Google Chrome, but it can happen in other browsers too.
Common Causes of the ERR_EMPTY_RESPONSE Error
This error is often caused by connectivity issues, such as a poor internet connection or problems with the server itself. It can also be caused by browser extensions or too much browser cache.
In addition, you might be using a security program that is blocking the connection. The issue might also be attributed to problematic temp files.
It can be hard to determine the exact cause of the error. However, there are a few simple things you can do to fix it.
How To Fix the “ERR_EMPTY_RESPONSE” Error (5 Potential Solutions)
Fortunately, this connectivity issue only requires a few troubleshooting steps. First, you’ll want to check your internet connection and make sure it’s working properly. If it is, you can proceed with the following solutions.
1. Try Using Incognito Mode
Your browser stores data files and website history in text files referred to as “cookies“. If this information is outdated or corrupted, the browser might be unable to access the website.
When you’re in Incognito Mode, your Chrome browser won’t save your site data or browsing history. Therefore, you can try visiting your site in this mode to see if it resolves the ERR_EMPTY_RESPONSE error.
To turn on Incognito Mode, click on the three vertical dots in the right-hand corner of your browser, then select New Incognito window:
You can also press CTRL + SHIFT + N. Now, visit the website you were previously trying to access to see if it’s still returning the error message.
2. Clear Your Browser’s Cache
If Incognito Mode didn’t work, you can try clearing your browser’s cache. A browser cache is a temporary storage of web pages and files that are downloaded to your computer when you visit websites.
Cached files can help websites load faster because they don’t have to download everything again the next time you visit. However, outdated or corrupt cached files can sometimes cause problems, such as the ERR_EMPTY_RESPONSE error.
The process for clearing your browser cache varies depending on the browser you’re using. However, it is generally a simple process that only requires a few clicks.
In Google Chrome, you can select the three vertical dots in the right-hand corner of the browser window, followed by More Tools > Clear browsing data:
In the panel that opens, select the Clear Data button. Then, restart Chrome to see if the error message still appears.
3. Disable Your Chrome Extensions
Chrome extensions are third-party tools that add extra features or functionality to the browser. However, they can also cause problems, such as the ERR_EMPTY_RESPONSE error.
If you’re getting this message, you might want to try disabling your extensions to see if it fixes the problem. To do this, go to chrome://extensions in your Chrome browser:
Next, toggle the Disable button for each extension (or click on Remove to delete it completely). Once you’ve disabled all of your extensions, you can restart Chrome and try revisiting the website you were previously attempting to access.
If this resolves the error, we recommend enabling your extensions one at a time to uncover the culprit. If you’re still seeing the ERR_EMPTY_RESPONSE error, there might be a problem with your DNS settings.
4. Clear Your DNS Cache
Domain Name System (DNS) is a network protocol that translates website names into IP addresses. When you visit a website, your computer looks up the DNS record for that site and connects it to the corresponding IP address.
Sometimes, DNS records can become outdated or corrupt, which may result in the ERR_EMPTY_RESPONSE message. This is why we recommend flushing your DNS cache.
To clear your DNS cache in Windows, you can use the ipconfig /flushdns command. On Mac, you can use the dscacheutil -flushcache command.
To run a command, you can type “cmd” in your Windows search bar, then right-click on the Command Prompt and choose Run as administrator, followed by OK. On Mac, you can select Terminal from the Utilities menu.
5. Reset Your Network Settings
If you’re still seeing the error message, the next step is to reset your network settings. As we mentioned earlier, the problem may be caused by a bad network connection.
To do this, you’ll need to use the Command Prompt again (or Terminal if you’re a Mac user). Then, you’ll need to input the following commands, pressing your Enter key after each one:
ipconfig /release
ipconfig /all
ipconfig /flushdns
ipconfig /renew
netsh int ip set dns
netsh winsock resetAfter you’re done, close the Command Prompt window and restart your computer. When you open your Chrome browser and visit the website, you should no longer see the ERR_EMPTY_RESPONSE error message.
Summary
Not being able to access a website can be incredibly frustrating. In some cases, you may encounter an error message such as ERR_EMPTY_RESPONSE. Fortunately, this problem has a handful of simple solutions.
As we discussed in this post, there are five potential fixes for the ERR_EMPTY_RESPONSE error:
- Try using incognito mode.
- Clear your browser’s cache.
- Disable your Chrome extensions.
- Clear your DNS cache.
- Reset your network settings.
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