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

Correct DNS (Domain Name System) settings are crucial, in order for you to be able to connect to the Internet. They are usually assigned automatically by your Internet Service Provider (ISP), however the option for you to set DNS manually still exists. Maybe your DNS settings stopped working, a program, or an app altered your current DNS settings, or your ISP has technical issues. As a result of these reasons, Google Chrome will show these error messages. In this case, what you need to do is to restore the original (and correct) DNS settings. Using Google's DNS settings is also a way to fix this error. To use them, you will need to enter the numbers below:

Preferred: 8.8.8.8
Alternative: 8.8.4.4

The how to change the DNS settings guide should help you locate the DNS settings and apply the necessary changes, for which you may need to contact your ISP.

Virtual Private Network software, or VPN is being used a lot nowadays. The way it works is that your device connects to a remote server anywhere in the world, owned and maintained by the VPN service provider. When connected to it, your device assumes a different identity, as its IP address (ID) as well as other settings are changed, ensuring that your online presence cannot be tracked, and your privacy is protected. Even though it's famous for protecting your privacy online, VPN software can sometimes interfere with the web browser and cause this error to appear in Google Chrome. Maybe the VPN server itself may have issues with its IP address or DNS settings, or the VPN app that's usually required to be installed on your device damaged operating system files accidentally.

If you have any VPN software installed in your device, uninstall it from your device, and check if that fixes the problem. If removing the VPN software did fix the problem, you can install it again, and check if the problem reappears.

The operating system is much more than the icons, and web browser we all see. It's made of multiple tasks and processes working together to provide the best experience possible. There are processes and tasks for the display, so that we can see the content, Internet connection, so that we can browse the Internet, sound, so that we can listen to what we open, and more. It is possible that a system process that stopped working or got stuck, or an unresponsive program/application is the reason why you get the ERR_NETWORK_CHANGED error message in Google Chrome.

In order to fix this error, the first course of action is to restart your device. Turn it off, and turn it back on after a few minutes.

NVRAM (nonvolitile random-access memory) is a small amount of memory used by Mac to store certain settings, such as display resolution, sound volume, startup-disk selection, time zone, and then be able to access them quickly. If ERR_NETWORK_CHANGED is related to the NVRAM, in any way, you can resolve it simply by resetting the NVRAM.

To reset the NVRAM, follow the steps below:

1. Turn off the Mac.
2. Press and hold the Option, Command, P and R keys for 20 seconds.
3. Release the keys after the second start-up sound.

When we store the password of an Internet connection, a set of instructions is written so that we can easily and automatically connect to the network in the future. If at least one of those instructions is altered in any way, errors can occur. As a way to fix this error, try "forgetting" the Wi-Fi network and reconnecting to it again. This course of action will rewrite the instructions, and the error would be solved.

Follow the steps below, if you are not sure how to remove a Wi-Fi connection (and, later, reconnect to it), and before you forget the networks, make sure you memorize all the passwords:

1. Go to the start menu and type cmd. Once the command prompt (cmd) appears, right-click on it and choose Run as Administrator.
   
2. Type netsh wlan show profiles
3. Type the following line to remove (forget Wi-Fi networks) and press enter:
   
   netsh wlan delete profile name=[name of the profile]
   e.g. netsh wlan delete profile name=Rambo
   
   
4. Repeat the same process for all the networks.
5. Reconnect to the networks by entering their passwords.
   
   

Alternatively, you can forget the Wi-Fi network by following the instructions in the video demo (in Windows 10):

The drivers can be compared to translators, which translate instructions exchanged between the operating system, which provides the instructions, and the network components which provide the connection. Maybe an issue with the network driver is the reason why you this error occur. It may be damaged by a virus, by another program, or by updates to the operating system.

If none of the other solutions worked, reinstall the network card driver, i.e. uninstall it from the computer, and download and installing a newer version of it from your computer manufacturer's website.

If you feel uncertain on how to download and install drivers, feel free to consult the how to download and install drivers guide.

The task of your modem and router is to ensure that the Internet connection you receive from your ISP is equally distributed to all your devices, throughout your home, while ensuring that unauthorized access is impossible. Like every piece of technology, the modem and the router can stop sharing the Internet connection, and break. Maybe the culprit for this error is not the device itself, but the router (or the modem, if you have one). It may be temporarily frozen (stuck), or completely broken.

To verify if the modem or the router, or both are the culprit, restart them. An effective way to restart them is by unplugging it from the power outlet and plugging it back in after a few minutes. In the meantime, restart, i.e. close and reopen the device's web browser, too.

Note: If you are not sure how to close (quit) an app, feel free to consult the how to close (quit) programs/applications guide.

The Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol (TCP/IP) is a suite of communication protocols used to interconnect network devices on the Internet (read more on Searchnetworking). If this protocol stops working, your device won't be able to communicate with the Internet. An effective way to fix the ERR_NETWORK_CHANGED error and other issues caused by the TCP/IP is by resetting this protocol.

To reset the TCP/IP, follow the steps below:

1. Go to the start menu and type command prompt or CMD;
2. Once it appears in the search results, right-click on it and select Run as Administrator;
   * Enter the administrator's password, if prompted.
3. Once the Command Prompt opens, type the following commands in the same order as they are written here, and press the Enter key, once you write each of them (write the first command and press Enter, then write the second one and press Enter):
   
   netsh winsock reset
   netsh int ip reset
   
   
4. Close the command prompt and restart the computer.
   
   

Note: If you use a static IP address you’ll have to set it again once your computer turns on. If you don't know how or whether your IP address is static or dynamic, contact the Internet provider you are subscribed to.

The DNS settings are among the documents that provide us with a free pass to the Internet world. In case if the DNS settings corrupt, the Internet access will likely to be disrupted. Flushing the DNS is a method where all the corrupt settings are removed, i.e. "flushed" and then replaced with clean settings.

Maybe flushing the DNS is all you need to do, in order to fix the ERR_NETWORK_CHANGED issue. Flush them, and then try to open the website(s) where this error appeared in Google Chrome.

If you haven't flushed the DNS before, the how to flush the DNS guide should be of great help, if you are not sure how to flush it.

Maybe problems with the default DNS server are the reason for the ERR_NETWORK_CHANGED issue. Most of such problems can be fixed by using Google’s Public DNS, which you may also use on your device. To change your default DNS server and set the one of Google, do the following:

1. Press the Windows Key + X and select Network Connections;
   * You may also go to the start menu and type view network connections;
   
2. Right-click the network connection you are connected to (either Ethernet or Wi-Fi) and select Properties;
   
3. Select Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4) and click on Properties;
   
4. Click on the radio button next to Use the following DNS server addresses and enter the following:
   
       Preferred DNS server: 8.8.8.8
       Alternate DNS server: 8.8.4.4
   
   
5. Click on OK to save the changes;

Cookies and cache files are meant to improve our browsing experience. They help us load websites faster, keep the item we added to the cart when we wanted to shop online, and so much more. Occasionally, they are replaced with newer versions, taking into account the changes that occur to websites over time (e.g. some posts removed, changed theme, and more). However, there is also the possibility for them to become corrupt, due to operating system updates, web browser updates, or even other processes running in the background. There is a great possibility that the reason for this error message are broken cookies and cache files, which have been accumulated to your device.

In order to fix this error code, you need to clear the cache files, the cookies and unnecessary data. You can clear them by following the steps below:

1. Click on the three-dot button;
2. Click on More tools;
3. Click on Clear browsing data...;
4. Select a time range (best to select All time);
5. Check (tick) the checkbox next to Cookies and other site data and Cached images and files;
6. Click on Clear data.
   

   

Note: If you want to learn how to clear the browser's cache (and cookies), check the how to clear the cache guide and how to delete browser cookies guide.

Consider using a different browser as an alternative, if you didn't manage to fix the ERR_NETWORK_CHANGED error, even after reinstalling the browser.

Maybe the network driver and files associated with it are damaged beyond repair, causing the a network change was detected ERR_NETWORK_CHANGED error. In this case, the driver needs to be uninstalled from the control panel, and reinstalled.

To uninstall programs, follow the steps below:

1. Right-click the start menu and click on Programs and Features;
   * Alternatively, open the start menu, type Control Panel and click on it once it appears in the search results.
   
   

   
   
   

2. Select the driver from the list and click Uninstall. Usually the driver's name starts with Realtek.
   
   

   
   
   

Note: The don't know how to download and install drivers guide should help you, if you are not sure how to download the latest version of the driver.

As a way to fix this error message, remove your current Wi-Fi network and reconnect to it. This will remove all the instructions that were saved related to that Wi-Fi network, and replaced with new, fresh instructions once you reconnect to the Wi-Fi network.

To remove the Wi-Fi network, follow the steps below:

1. Click on the Wi-Fi icon in the toolbar;
2. Click on Open Network Preferences, located at the bottom of the drop-down menu;
3. Click on Wi-Fi (located on the left side) and click Advanced (located at the bottom right of the pop-up window);
4. Select the Wi-Fi network you want to "forget", click the minus sign and click OK;
5. Reconnect to the Wi-Fi network by entering the username and password.

Consider clearing the browsing data as a last option, because you may lose all the passwords, bookmarks, websites you've visited, etc. To clear the browsing data, follow the steps below:

1. Tap on the Chrome menu (the three-dot icon) and select Settings;
   

   

2. Tap on Privacy;
   

   
   
   

3. Tap on Clear Browsing Data; 
   

   
   
   

4. Check the types of data you want to remove;
5. Tap on Clear Browsing Data;