Are you lot seeing the "ERR_CONNECTION_TIMED_OUT" error in your browser? Not a very helpful error message, is it? If you are a daily WordPress user, then it's always good to be enlightened of common errors similar these that might forestall yous from getting access to your website.

In today'south post, nosotros're going to take a deep swoop into the "ERR_CONNECTION_TIMED_OUT" error and examine why you might encounter this and what yous can do to fix it quickly. Simply put, it's an indication that the system is unavailable and the fourth dimension given for i to connect has elapsed, and now the request has timed out. Merely what does that actually mean?

Permit's find out!

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What is the ERR_CONNECTION_TIMED_OUT Mistake?

An ERR_CONNECTION_TIMED_OUT error typically ways there is something wrong with your local network connection. Notwithstanding, that's not ever the case.

According to the WordPress support documentation, a connection timed out mistake appears when your website is trying to do more than your server can manage. It's specially common on shared hosting where your memory limit is restricted.

When yous visit a website and it doesn't load, your browser volition try for around xxx seconds or so until it terminates the connection. Afterward which information technology volition return an "ERR_CONNECTION_TIMED_OUT" error, indicating a communication trouble. In Google Chrome you lot might run across this every bit "This site can't be reached. Domain.com took too long to respond."

ERR_CONNECTION_TIMED_OUT error in Chrome
ERR_CONNECTION_TIMED_OUT mistake in Chrome

Due to all the different spider web browsers, operating systems, and servers, the error tin nowadays itself in a number of unlike ways. Merely nearly of them take the same or similar pregnant. "ERR_NETWORK_CHANGED" and "ERR_CONNECTION_REFUSED" are two very closely related errors that can usually be solved with the aforementioned troubleshooting steps below.

Another common error code that appears nether 'This site can't be reached' is the DNS_PROBE_FINISHED_NXDOMAIN, which is a DNS error that essentially means the domain that was requested doesn't exist.

Below are a few examples of how the error might present itself in different browsers.

Mozilla Firefox

In Mozilla Firefox the error volition show as "The connection has timed out." The server at domain.com is taking too long to reply.

ERR_CONNECTION_TIMED_OUT error in Firefox
ERR_CONNECTION_TIMED_OUT mistake in Firefox

Microsoft Border

In Microsoft Border, the mistake will prove equally "Hmmm… can't reach this page. Domain.com took too long to respond." In Edge, however, it does also contain the "ERR_CONNECTION_TIMED_OUT" error.

ERR_CONNECTION_TIMED_OUT error in Edge
ERR_CONNECTION_TIMED_OUT error in Edge

Safari

In Safari, the error will show as "Safari Tin't Open the Page. Safari tin't open the folio domain.com because the server where this page is located isn't responding."

ERR_CONNECTION_TIMED_OUT error in Safari
ERR_CONNECTION_TIMED_OUT mistake in Safari

How to Fix the ERR_CONNECTION_TIMED_OUT Error

Where should yous first troubleshooting if you see this fault on your WordPress site? Without a great bargain of context, it can sometimes be frustrating and overwhelming where to even begin. Typically these are either client-side problems (bug with your network connection or firewall) or an consequence with the server at which the site is hosted (memory limits, execution times, etc.).

1. Check Your Connection

Google Chrome, Firefox, and Border all recommend that y'all should check your network connection. While this might audio obvious, they all indicate to checking your connection first as it's one of the most common reasons for the error. Here are a few things we recommend:

  • Restart your abode or office router. This only takes a few minutes and solves more problems than a lot of people would like to admit. To completely power cycle information technology, disconnect the power supply and and so wait 30 seconds before plugging information technology back in.
  • Check to run across if you're on a bad or irksome wifi connexion. This is a common occurrence on busy public wifi hotspots such as coffee shops or airports.

2. Disable Firewall and Antivirus Software Temporarily

Firewalls and antivirus software are intended to protect users and their systems. They scan your device regularly and automatically block any suspicious activity. Nevertheless, this type of security tin can at times lead to connection issues.

This is because firewalls can often block pages they don't need to or decline content that is completely safe. We've seen this happen many times with software like AVG. To check whether this is the case for you, try disabling your firewall and antivirus programs. Of class, this is simply advised if you know for sure that the site you're intending to visit is safe.

Additionally, you should only disable this kind of software temporarily. Switch it dorsum on after you've finished checking to run into whether the error has been resolved, and then you don't become vulnerable to attacks. If you repeatedly run across errors because of your firewall or antivirus software, y'all may want to consider changing what you're using.

These types of tools also accept what is called a "imitation-positive" report you lot can fill out. If you're 100% positive that a site your visiting is blocked and shouldn't be, you can allow the software developer know. Hither are a few quick links:

  • AVG imitation positive class
  • Norton false positive form
  • Sophos false positive grade

three. Disable Proxy Settings

Sometimes you might see the ERR_CONNECTION_TIMED_OUT fault if yous are utilizing a proxy service. This is unremarkably pretty rare, specially on the client-side. Even so, one might have been set without y'all even knowing it. To disable or check to ensure no proxy settings are enabled, follow these steps.

Access the Settings menu in your Chrome browser. This will open up the complete menu of options. Under the Organization section (y'all'll demand to click Advanced at the bottom to run into this), y'all should find an entry titled Open up proxy settings. By selecting it, you lot'll be taken to the corresponding carte du jour:

Open Proxy Settings in Chrome
Open Proxy Settings in Chrome

Your side by side step depends on the organisation you're currently using. Windows users will desire to click on LAN Settings and uncheck the Utilise proxy server for LAN pick. If you lot're a Mac user, y'all should immediately detect yourself in the relevant bill of fare. You'll so take to uncheck all selectable proxy protocols and cheque to see if the ERR_CONNECTION_TIMED_OUT message has been resolved.

Uncheck proxies on Mac
Uncheck proxies on Mac

If y'all're on Windows, yous will see a "Local Area Network (LAN) Settings" window appear. You will want to confirm that the "Apply a proxy server for your LAN" option is unchecked.

Disable Chrome proxy settings in Windows
Disable Chrome proxy settings in Windows

The same goes if you're using a VPN like ExpressVPN or TunnelBear. Make sure you lot're not connected past accident.

4. Change DNS Servers

The next matter you tin attempt is changing your DNS servers. By default, DNS servers are automatically assigned by your ISP. But you lot could try temporarily changing these to a public DNS server, such equally Google or Cloudflare.

  • Some prefer to use Google's public DNS (8.8.8.8 and 8.viii.four.4) long-term due to them sometimes being more reliable.
  • Cloudflare besides offers secure and blazing fast free DNS (1.ane.1.1 and 1.0.0.1) which we will be using in this instance. If you want to use Google'south the steps are the same, y'all simply replace the DNS server addresses with Googles.

Tip: If you're already using a costless DNS server and having bug, removing it and defaulting back to your ISP'southward DNS servers also sometimes fix things.

Google and Cloudflare aren't perfect 100% of the time and there have been a few instances where we've noticed switching back has resolved the event. This is especially truthful if you're using a Wifi hotspot in an airport or coffee shop.

Windows

In Windows simply open up Command Prompt past pressing the Windows logo key and R. Then type "control console" and striking Enter.

Run Control Panel Windows
Run Control Panel Windows

Click on "Network and Internet" and then "Network and Sharing Center." On the left-manus side, click on "Modify Adapter Settings."

Change adapter settings
Change adapter settings

Right click on your current connection, this will either be Local Area Connection or Wireless Network Connection based on how y'all're connecting. So click on "Properties."

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Wireless connection properties
Wireless connection backdrop

Select Cyberspace Protocol Version 4 (or Version 6 if desired) and click on "Properties."

IPV 4 properties
IPV four properties

Make a notation of any existing settings in case you demand to revert back. Click "Use the following DNS server addresses." Enter the following, or supercede the existing with these:

For IPv4:1.1.ane.i and1.0.0.i
For IPv6:2606:4700:4700::1111 and2606:4700:4700::1001

DNS server addresses
DNS server addresses

Click OK, then Close. Restart your browser.

Mac

To modify DNS servers on a Mac, get to Arrangement Preferences…

Mac system preferences
Mac system preferences

Click on the network icon so click "Avant-garde."

Mac network advanced
Mac network advanced

Click on the "DNS" tab.

Mac DNS
Mac DNS

Then add Cloudflare'due south DNS server addresses.

For IPv4:1.1.1.1 and1.0.0.1
For IPv6:2606:4700:4700::1111 and2606:4700:4700::1001

5. Flush/Renew DNS

Yous tin likewise try flushing your local DNS enshroud. This is similar to clearing your browser cache. It could exist that the site you're trying to visit isn't resolving to the right IP address. If you've merely migrated your WordPress site to a new host, it'south important to wait for things to fully propagate. This can sometimes take up to 24 hours, although it can be as little as a few minutes. This depends on your DNS provider and the TTL value of your DNS records.

Windows

In Windows simply open up Command Prompt and enter the post-obit:

ipconfig /flushdns
Command prompt - flush DNS
Control prompt – flush DNS

You should see a "Successfully flushed the DNS resolver Cache" if it worked.

Mac

For macOS users, you lot tin can enter the following in the terminal:

dscacheutil -flushcache
dscacheutil -flushcache
Mac flush enshroud

Note: There is no success message on Macs.

6. Check Your Hosts File

Every figurer has what they call a local hosts file. This is a file that contains manual DNS entries which are mapped to specific IP addresses. Typically this is only edited when you desire to preview your DNS before switching over domains to a new host. Or perhaps you lot accept a local evolution site running using a tool like DevKinsta, Vagrant or Docker.

In that location is a multitude of different ways this file could have been changed or edited. Therefore, it's ever good to cheque to ensure the website you're trying to access isn't in there. Only follow the steps below.

Windows

The hosts file typically requires additional admission. So the starting time step is to open upward your text editor as an administrator. Simply click on your start menu, search for your text editor, correct-click on it and select "Run as administrator." This can exist done in whatever text editor such as Notepad, Notepad++, Atom, etc. We are using Sublime in our example below.

Run text editor as administrator
Run text editor as administrator

Within your text editor click File → Open and browse to the following location:

C:\Windows\System32\drivers\etc\

Click on the hosts file and "Open."

open hosts file
Open up hosts file

Double-check and brand certain the website you're trying to visit isn't listed in there. If information technology is, remove information technology.

Mac

To check your hosts file on a Mac, we recommend getting Gas Mask. Information technology's a free application which tin can exist used every bit hosts file manager, hosts files editor, and switch between them. It makes everything quick and piece of cake! Otherwise, you can follow the steps below to edit your hosts file on Mac manually.

Become to Utilities and and then click on "Terminal."

Mac utilities terminal
Mac utilities concluding

Enter in the following command and press Enter (you lot will nigh likely be prompted for your administrator password also).

sudo nano /private/etc/hosts

Double-check and make sure the website you're trying to visit isn't listed in your hosts file. If information technology is, remove it.

Edit hosts file on Mac
Edit hosts file on Mac

seven. Check the DNS of Your Domain

You lot should besides verify that the DNS of your domain is correctly pointed to your hosting provider. If yous're a Kinsta client we take an in-depth mail service on how to point your domain and or DNS to Kinsta. If you lot recently migrated your WordPress website to a new host, it could exist the DNS was cached incorrectly on your calculator. In which case, stride 5 above should resolve that. Or it may simply exist too shortly and you need to wait a few hours for the DNS to fully propagate.

8. Clear Browser Enshroud

Web browsers store information in cache on your computer. This includes your browsing history, saved login data, and cookies – all of which are recorded in club to load the relevant pages more speedily the side by side time they're visited.

Although they're useful, caches can crusade numerous issues when they go outdated. Fortunately, this problem is easily solved by clearing your cache.

But before you do that, you tin can easily cheque to come across if it's a browser enshroud upshot by first opening up your browser in incognito mode. Or you lot tin can try a different browser. If yous're nevertheless seeing the fault, then you will want to proceed with immigration your cache.

In this example, we'll be using Google Chrome. Begin by opening up the primary menu (in the acme-right corner of your browser window). From there, select More than Tools: You can then click on Clear browser data.

Chrome clear browsing data
Chrome clear browsing information

On the resulting page, y'all'll need to make sure that all listed file categories are selected. If they aren't, Chrome won't be able to empty the unabridged enshroud. Instead, it will simply remove the near recent entries, which won't outcome in the desired issue:

Clear browsing data
Clear browsing data

An culling method of completing this procedure is to enter the following URL into your accost bar:

chrome://settings/clearBrowserData

The resulting screen should grant you lot access to the aforementioned options nosotros've outlined to a higher place. Here are some other helpful links for clearing cache.

  • How to Force Refresh a Single Page for All Browsers
  • How to Clear Enshroud for Google Chrome
  • How to Clear Cache for Mozilla Firefox
  • How to Clear Cache on Mac (Safari)
  • How to Clear Cache for Internet Explorer
  • How to Clear Cache for Microsoft Edge
  • How to Clear Cache for Opera

nine. Look at The Maximum Execution Time

The rest of the troubleshooting steps we'll be diving into are those that have to practise with the configuration of your WordPress site or server that may aid set the "ERR_CONNECTION_TIMED_OUT" fault.

The start is the maximum execution time set for your site. On nearly servers, the default time is set to 30 seconds. This is the amount of time a PHP script is allowed to run (later which it times out). On shared hosts, this is typically set up low or left at the default.

You can't easily modify this from WordPress equally the php.ini file is located on your server. To modify this, nosotros recommend reaching out to your hosting provider to come across if they can assist. At Kinsta, we set the default maximum execution time to 300 seconds.

If you want to try and modify this yourself, information technology can usually be washed with i of the post-obit options. Both will depend on how your hosting provider configures their servers.

Option 1 – Modify Max Execution Fourth dimension in php.ini File

If you have a php.ini file in your home directory, find the max_execution_time parameter and modify it. For example, if it's set to thirty seconds, you can increase it to 300 seconds.

max_execution_time = 300

Option 2 – Change Max Execution Time in .htacess File

If the above option doesn't work, you might be able to change it within your .htaccess file. Merely like with the php.ini file, this is typically located within your habitation directory. Place the following in the top of your .htaccess file:

php_value max_execution_time 300

10. Temporarily Disable Your Plugins

As with well-nigh WordPress errors, a plugin can definitely exist the root of the trouble. To determine if that's what'due south happening, you'll need to disable all of your site's plugins. Nevertheless, if y'all're getting the "ERR_CONNECTION_TIMED_OUT" fault it ways you don't have access to your WordPress admin expanse. This means you lot volition need to SFTP into your site. We recommend using FileZilla.

Once your SFTP client is ready, connect to your website through it and navigate to your WordPress root folder. In case you can't find it, it's usually called public_html, html, public, www, or your site's proper noun. If you're a Kinsta customer, it's your public binder.

WordPress root folder SFTP
WordPress root binder SFTP

Open up that folder, and navigate to the wp-content directory. Inside, you'll encounter a folder calledplugins, which contains individual subdirectories for each of the plugins installed on your site (both active and inactive).

What you lot're going to do at present is correct-click on the plugins folder, and rename it to something else. We recommendplugins.one-time orplugins.deactivated, then yous can easily recognize it later.

WordPress plugins folder renamed
WordPress plugins folder renamed

WordPress will at present non be able to discover any of your plugins. When that happens, it will automatically disable those plugins.

Now, endeavour accessing your WordPress dashboard. If the timeout fault is gone, and so you can assume that one of your plugins was the culprit. All you accept to do is figure out which one was at fault.

Return to thewp-content directory, and rename your original plugins folder correctly. Then, you lot'll demand to disable each of your plugins 1 by one, until you discover the culprit.

To exercise this, open up thewp-content/plugins directory. Within, yous'll find ane binder for each of your plugins. The process you're going to follow is much the same every bit before:

  1. Outset with the start folder, and rename it to anything you like.
  2. Bank check your website to meet if the mistake is gone.
  3. If it isn't, render the plugin folder from the previous step to its original name.
  4. Move on to the adjacent plugin on your listing, repeating the higher up steps.

This process tin can take a while if yous have a lot of plugins, but information technology'southward vital to check each plugin in turn. If at any point y'all identify the plugin that's causing the error, you lot can uninstall it or supplant it with another tool.

If yous get in to the end of these steps without finding a solution, you can move on to the next stage of troubleshooting.

11. Temporarily Revert to Default Theme

Now that yous've ruled out your plugins equally the crusade of the timeout error, it's time to do the aforementioned with your agile theme. In fact, your theme could besides be creating compatibility issues.

Unfortunately, the process doesn't work the same equally above. WordPress won't revert to the default theme if simply rename the theme folder, yous would finish upwards with an fault like "The theme directory "theme proper noun" does non exist." Or if you lot endeavour to rename the entire theme directory folder, you stop up with "Fault: The themes directory is either empty or doesn't exist. Please bank check your installation."

Therefore, you need to access your WordPress database by logging into phpMyAdmin. If you're a Kinsta client, this can be found within the "Info" section of the MyKinsta dashboard.

MyKinsta phpMyAdmin
MyKinsta phpMyAdmin

Click into the "wp_options" table, then click on the "Search" tab. Y'all volition want to search under the "option_name" fortemplate.

phpMyAdmin wp_options table
phpMyAdmin wp_options table

Under the "option_value" column you will meet the current proper name of your theme. Alter this to one of the default themes, such every bit "twentynineteen."

wp_options template name
wp_options template proper name

Check your website once again to run across if this has fixed the error. If it did, it simply means it's a problem with your WordPress theme and you might want to try reinstalling it or reverting to your most contempo backup.

12. Increase the Memory Limit

The WP_MEMORY_LIMIT parameter allows yous to specify the maximum corporeality of memory that can be consumed past PHP. If you are using shared hosting, it'south well-nigh likely ready to a low value such as 64M. At Kinsta, nosotros set the default retentiveness limit to 256M.

Yous can increase the memory limit past adding the following to your wp-config.php file. This must be placed above the wp-settings.php inclusion.

define( 'WP_MEMORY_LIMIT', '256M' );
WP_MEMORY_LIMIT in wp-config.php
WP_MEMORY_LIMIT in wp-config.php

Not sure what your electric current PHP retentivity limit is gear up to? If you lot have admission to your WordPress dashboard and are running WordPress v.2 or above, you tin come across the PHP memory limit under the "Site Health" tool.

WordPress site health PHP memory limit
WordPress site wellness PHP memory limit

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Summary

Connexion and timeout errors are never fun to troubleshoot, merely hopefully, you have a petty more than knowledge in your toolbelt now to help resolve it quickly.

Information technology's important to remember that the "ERR_CONNECTION_TIMED_OUT" fault be a result of a client-side problem such as your network connexion, or an issue with the server where your WordPress site is hosted. Take any other tips to resolve this error? Permit us know beneath in the comments.

(Suggested reading: Learn how to fix the ERR_CACHE_MISS error in Chrome)


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