How to fix ERR_CONNECTION_TIMED_OUT (Windows, Mac OS, Android, iOS)

If you get the ERR_CONNECTION_TIMED_OUT message, when you try to visit only particular websites, it's possible that the culprits are the websites themselves.

Pasting the URLs on websites like downforeveryoneorjustme.com will reveal the current status of the website.

Maybe the reason for the "This page is not available ERR_CONNECTION_TIMED_OUT" error is an outdated driver, which can't keep up the same pace with the new rules on the Internet. It is said that it's very important to check for and update your computer's drivers on time, as a way to prevent future errors that may arise.

If you can't figure out how to find and install the appropriate drivers your computer needs, check out the don't know how to download and install drivers guide.

Via the "hosts" file, you may add URLs of webpages you want to block, which will automatically be blocked in every single browser installed in your computer. Also, there are viruses and pieces of software that can modify the "hosts" file just to prevent you from downloading an antivirus software which can locate and remove the virus, or from visiting a particular website.
 
As a solution to the "This website can't be accessed ERR_CONNECTION_TIMED_OUT" error, you need to open and modify the hosts file. To modify the "hosts" file:

1.  Open the Terminal.app by going into Applications -> Utilities -> Terminal.
   
   
2. Type the following line: sudo nano /private/etc/hosts (type your username and password when asked)
   
   
3. If you notice a URL of a websites you visit, or websites of antivirus software, delete them and press and hold Control + O to save the changes and Control + X to exit
   
   
4. Flush the DNS cache by entering the following line (depending on your OS version):
   
   
   • dscacheutil -flushcache - Mac OS X Snow Leopard (v10.6 through v10.6.8)
     
     
   • sudo killall -HUP mDNSResponder - Mac OS X Mavericks, Mountain Lion, and Lion (v10.9.5 and earlier)
     
     
   • sudo discoveryutil mdnsflushcache - Mac OS X Yosemite and later (v10.10 through v10.10.3)
     
     
   • sudo killall -HUP mDNSResponder - Mac OS X Yosemite and later (v10.10.4 or later)

With the following "cocktail" of controls, you will flush and renew the DNS and the IP address and possibly resolve the ERR_CONNECTION_TIMED_OUT error. Follow the steps below, in order to access the command prompt (CMD) and enter the commands:

1. Go to the start menu and type cmd or command prompt. Once it appears, right-click on it and select Run as Administrator;
   
   
2. Type the following commands and press enter after you type each of them:
   
   ipconfig /flushdns
   ipconfig /registerdns
   ipconfig /release
   ipconfig /renew
   netsh winsock reset
   
   
3. Restart your computer.

There is a great possibility that the reason for ERR_CONNECTION_TIMED_OUT error message is the great amount of cookies and cache files accumulated in your device. In order to fix this error code and regain internet access, you need to clear the cache files, the cookies and unnecessary data.

If you want to learn how to clear the browser's cache (and cookies), check the don't know how to clear the cache solutions and don't know how to delete browser cookies guide.

Maybe a temporary issue with the router and/or modem is the reason for the "This site can't be reached ERR_CONNECTION_TIMED_OUT" error message. In this case, try restarting the router (and the modem, if you use one), by unplugging them from power for a couple of minutes and then plugging them back in.

In the "hosts" file, you can add URLs of webpages you want to block, which will automatically be blocked in every single browser installed in your computer. Unfortunately, some viruses or third-party programs can modify the "hosts" file for various reasons, e.g. in order to prevent you from downloading an antivirus software which can detect and remove the virus, to download an update of some sort, etc.
 
If the "hosts" file is the source of this issue, all you need to do is to modify it:

My Computer -> Local Disk (C:) -> Windows -> System32 -> drivers -> etc

Open it with Notepad (right-click the hosts file -> Open with -> select Notepad). In the "hosts" file you will see other addresses which serve as an example and which you MUSTN'T delete. If you find a link associated with the website you want to open or with an antivirus software, delete it and save the changes.

The video demo below shares how to find and edit the hosts file:

Maybe the website(s) you are trying to visit is (are) not liked by the system firewall or the antivirus. If you noticed that you can't access particular websites, open the firewall or antivirus settings and check if you can see the website on the list. If you can, removing it from the list is enough to fix the issue.

Note: Maybe the website was blocked for a reason, so before unblocking it, make sure to do a mini research on the internet and check what other people think.

Maybe the reason for this issue is the ISP or the operator itself. There are cases when people can't access websites just because those websites are blocked by the ISP or the operator itself, for various reasons. Maybe there is a malfunction in the network of the provider. To be 100% sure, contact the support team, tell them the URL of the website you can't visit and they will instruct you on what to do next.

There are times when the computer's LAN settings are changed by a malicious software, without your knowledge, nor consent. It would be wise to check them, too, if you can't fix the ERR_CONNECTION_TIMED_OUT error code. Follow these steps to access and check the LAN settings:

1. Go to the Control Panel, type internet options in the search field and click on it, once it appears;
2. Click on the Connections tab and click on LAN settings;
3. Ensure that all the items in the window that will open are unchecked/unticked and click on OK.

When a computer is invaded by viruses, its settings get modified, thus error messages like ERR_CONNECTION_TIMED_OUT appear. Try scanning your computer for viruses first, and if viruses are detected, removing them should fix the issue.

Check out the virus removal and protection guide, where you can learn useful tips on how to remove viruses.

Chrome Cleanup Tool is developed by Google to scan for and remove software that may cause problems with Google Chrome, such as crashes, unusual startup pages or toolbars, unexpected ads you can't get rid of an error messages like this one.

You may download and install it via https://www.google.com/chrome/cleanup-tool/

Maybe the hotspot you are currently connected to is overloaded. If there are more hotspots available, connect to another one, which may not be overloaded.

A quick way to fix the possible reasons for this issue is to enable and disable the airplane mode. Enabling and disabling the Airplane mode is like a soft restart of the device's components, some of which are the Wi-Fi and mobile data.

If you are not sure how to enable and disable it, read the instructions in the don't know how to enable/disable the Airplane mode guide.

Maybe the reason why you don't have internet access is exceeded data limit. Go to the operator and ask them to share the current status of your internet connection.

Maybe an app you recently installed on your mobile device is blocking your mobile-data traffic, because you might have hit the ceiling it set. In this case you have two options: a) disable/uninstall the app and b) change its rules (i.e. when to restrict your data).

Maybe the Ethernet cable was damaged and as a result, this error message emerged. To test this, use a different cable. If you don't get an error message, that means that the cable is damaged and needs to be fixed, if possible.

If none of the solutions mentioned worked and you ran out of alternatives, taking the device to a repair show is the best option. Your device will be fixed and you shouldn't run into this error because of it.

If you don't get this error when you connect to other routers and if there is nothing wrong with your internet connection, it is possible that your router has malfunctioned. Go to a store and purchase another one and you should not hear from this issue.