Are you 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, and then it'due south ever good to be aware of common errors like these that might preclude y'all from getting access to your website.

In today's post, we're going to take a deep dive into the "ERR_CONNECTION_TIMED_OUT" error and examine why you lot might come across this and what you can do to ready it quickly. Simply put, it's an indication that the arrangement is unavailable and the fourth dimension given for one to connect has elapsed, and now the request has timed out. But what does that actually mean?

Allow's find out!

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What is the ERR_CONNECTION_TIMED_OUT Error?

An ERR_CONNECTION_TIMED_OUT error typically means at that place is something wrong with your local network connection. However, that'due south not always the case.

According to the WordPress back up documentation, a connection timed out fault appears when your website is trying to practise more than your server can manage. It'south particularly mutual on shared hosting where your retentivity limit is restricted.

When you visit a website and it doesn't load, your browser volition try for effectually 30 seconds or so until it terminates the connection. Later which it volition return an "ERR_CONNECTION_TIMED_OUT" mistake, indicating a communication problem. In Google Chrome yous might see this equally "This site can't be reached. Domain.com took likewise long to respond."

ERR_CONNECTION_TIMED_OUT error in Chrome
ERR_CONNECTION_TIMED_OUT error in Chrome

Due to all the different web browsers, operating systems, and servers, the fault tin can nowadays itself in a number of dissimilar means. But nigh of them have the same or like meaning. "ERR_NETWORK_CHANGED" and "ERR_CONNECTION_REFUSED" are two very closely related errors that can commonly be solved with the same troubleshooting steps below.

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

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

Mozilla Firefox

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

ERR_CONNECTION_TIMED_OUT error in Firefox
ERR_CONNECTION_TIMED_OUT mistake in Firefox

Microsoft Edge

In Microsoft Edge, the error will testify equally "Hmmm… tin can't accomplish this page. Domain.com took as well long to respond." In Edge, withal, information technology does also contain the "ERR_CONNECTION_TIMED_OUT" fault.

ERR_CONNECTION_TIMED_OUT error in Edge
ERR_CONNECTION_TIMED_OUT mistake in Edge

Safari

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

ERR_CONNECTION_TIMED_OUT error in Safari
ERR_CONNECTION_TIMED_OUT error in Safari

How to Gear up the ERR_CONNECTION_TIMED_OUT Error

Where should you commencement troubleshooting if you see this error on your WordPress site? Without a cracking deal of context, information technology tin sometimes be frustrating and overwhelming where to even begin. Typically these are either client-side problems (issues with your network connectedness or firewall) or an event with the server at which the site is hosted (retentivity limits, execution times, etc.).

1. Check Your Connexion

Google Chrome, Firefox, and Edge all recommend that you should check your network connection. While this might sound obvious, they all point to checking your connection first every bit it's 1 of the about common reasons for the fault. Here are a few things nosotros recommend:

  • Restart your habitation or office router. This merely takes a few minutes and solves more issues than a lot of people would like to admit. To completely power cycle information technology, disconnect the power supply and and then look 30 seconds before plugging it back in.
  • Cheque to see if you're on a bad or slow wifi connection. This is a common occurrence on busy public wifi hotspots such as java 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 action. However, this blazon of security can at times lead to connection issues.

This is considering firewalls can often block pages they don't need to or turn down content that is completely safe. Nosotros've seen this happen many times with software like AVG. To check whether this is the case for y'all, effort disabling your firewall and antivirus programs. Of form, this is only advised if y'all know for sure that the site you're intending to visit is condom.

Additionally, you should merely disable this kind of software temporarily. Switch it back on after you've finished checking to encounter whether the error has been resolved, so yous don't get vulnerable to attacks. If you lot repeatedly come across errors considering of your firewall or antivirus software, you may want to consider changing what you're using.

These types of tools also have what is chosen a "false-positive" report you tin can fill out. If you're 100% positive that a site your visiting is blocked and shouldn't be, yous can let the software developer know. Here are a few quick links:

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

3. Disable Proxy Settings

Sometimes you might see the ERR_CONNECTION_TIMED_OUT fault if you are utilizing a proxy service. This is normally pretty rare, especially on the client-side. Yet, i might take been prepare without you even knowing it. To disable or check to ensure no proxy settings are enabled, follow these steps.

Access the Settings carte du jour in your Chrome browser. This will open up up the complete menu of options. Under the Arrangement section (you'll need to click Advanced at the bottom to see this), you lot should find an entry titled Open proxy settings. Past selecting information technology, you'll be taken to the corresponding carte du jour:

Open Proxy Settings in Chrome
Open Proxy Settings in Chrome

Your adjacent pace depends on the system you're currently using. Windows users will want to click on LAN Settings and uncheck the Use proxy server for LAN selection. If you're a Mac user, you should immediately find yourself in the relevant card. You lot'll so have to uncheck all selectable proxy protocols and cheque to come across if the ERR_CONNECTION_TIMED_OUT message has been resolved.

Uncheck proxies on Mac
Uncheck proxies on Mac

If you're on Windows, you will see a "Local Surface area Network (LAN) Settings" window appear. You will want to confirm that the "Use a proxy server for your LAN" pick 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're not connected past accident.

4. Change DNS Servers

The next matter you can try is irresolute your DNS servers. Past default, DNS servers are automatically assigned by your ISP. But you could attempt temporarily irresolute these to a public DNS server, such as Google or Cloudflare.

  • Some prefer to apply Google'due south public DNS (eight.8.eight.8 and 8.8.four.four) long-term due to them sometimes beingness more reliable.
  • Cloudflare too offers secure and blazing fast complimentary DNS (1.ane.ane.1 and i.0.0.i) which nosotros volition be using in this case. If you want to utilize Google's the steps are the aforementioned, you simply replace the DNS server addresses with Googles.

Tip: If you're already using a free DNS server and having bug, removing information technology and defaulting back to your Internet access provider's DNS servers as well sometimes fix things.

Google and Cloudflare aren't perfect 100% of the time and at that place have been a few instances where nosotros've noticed switching back has resolved the effect. This is especially true if you're using a Wifi hotspot in an airport or coffee store.

Windows

In Windows simply open up Command Prompt by pressing the Windows logo key and R. Then blazon "control panel" and hit Enter.

Run Control Panel Windows
Run Control Panel Windows

Click on "Network and Internet" and and so "Network and Sharing Center." On the left-paw side, click on "Change Adapter Settings."

Change adapter settings
Change adapter settings

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

Subscribe Now

Wireless connection properties
Wireless connection properties

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

IPV 4 properties
IPV iv properties

Brand a note of any existing settings in case you lot need to revert back. Click "Use the post-obit DNS server addresses." Enter the following, or supersede the existing with these:

For IPv4:i.1.1.1 andone.0.0.1
For IPv6:2606:4700:4700::1111 and2606:4700:4700::1001

DNS server addresses
DNS server addresses

Click OK, then Shut. Restart your browser.

Mac

To change DNS servers on a Mac, go to System Preferences…

Mac system preferences
Mac system preferences

Click on the network icon and then click "Advanced."

Mac network advanced
Mac network avant-garde

Click on the "DNS" tab.

Mac DNS
Mac DNS

And then add together Cloudflare's DNS server addresses.

For IPv4:1.1.1.1 and1.0.0.one
For IPv6:2606:4700:4700::1111 and2606:4700:4700::1001

5. Flush/Renew DNS

Y'all tin can also try flushing your local DNS cache. This is similar to clearing your browser enshroud. Information technology could be that the site y'all're trying to visit isn't resolving to the right IP address. If you've just migrated your WordPress site to a new host, it's 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 only open up Control Prompt and enter the following:

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

You should come across a "Successfully flushed the DNS resolver Enshroud" if it worked.

Mac

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

dscacheutil -flushcache
dscacheutil -flushcache
Mac affluent enshroud

Annotation: There is no success bulletin on Macs.

half-dozen. Bank check Your Hosts File

Every estimator 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 simply edited when you want to preview your DNS before switching over domains to a new host. Or maybe you have 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 accept been inverse or edited. Therefore, it'due south always good to check to ensure the website yous're trying to access isn't in there. Merely follow the steps below.

Windows

The hosts file typically requires additional admission. And so the first step is to open up your text editor as an administrator. Only click on your start menu, search for your text editor, right-click on information technology and select "Run equally administrator." This tin exist done in any 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

Inside your text editor click File → Open and scan to the following location:

C:\Windows\System32\drivers\etc\

Click on the hosts file and "Open up."

open hosts file
Open hosts file

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

Mac

To bank check your hosts file on a Mac, we recommend getting Gas Mask. Information technology's a costless awarding which can exist used every bit hosts file manager, hosts files editor, and switch between them. It makes everything quick and easy! Otherwise, you can follow the steps beneath to edit your hosts file on Mac manually.

Go to Utilities and so click on "Terminal."

Mac utilities terminal
Mac utilities terminal

Enter in the following command and press Enter (you will most likely be prompted for your administrator countersign every bit well).

sudo nano /private/etc/hosts

Double-bank check and make certain the website y'all're trying to visit isn't listed in your hosts file. If it is, remove it.

Edit hosts file on Mac
Edit hosts file on Mac

seven. Cheque the DNS of Your Domain

You lot should also verify that the DNS of your domain is correctly pointed to your hosting provider. If yous're a Kinsta client nosotros take an in-depth post on how to indicate your domain and or DNS to Kinsta. If you recently migrated your WordPress website to a new host, it could be the DNS was cached incorrectly on your figurer. In which example, step 5 above should resolve that. Or it may simply exist too soon and you lot 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 order to load the relevant pages more than quickly the side by side time they're visited.

Although they're useful, caches can cause numerous bug when they go outdated. Fortunately, this problem is hands solved by clearing your cache.

Merely earlier you do that, you tin can easily check to see if information technology's a browser cache result past offset opening up your browser in incognito mode. Or you tin can endeavour a unlike browser. If you're still seeing the error, then yous will desire to proceed with clearing your cache.

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

Chrome clear browsing data
Chrome clear browsing data

On the resulting folio, you'll need to make sure that all listed file categories are selected. If they aren't, Chrome won't be able to empty the entire cache. Instead, it will simply remove the virtually recent entries, which won't upshot in the desired effect:

Clear browsing data
Articulate browsing data

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

chrome://settings/clearBrowserData

The resulting screen should grant you lot access to the same options we've outlined above. Hither are some other helpful links for immigration cache.

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

9. Look at The Maximum Execution Time

The residue of the troubleshooting steps we'll be diving into are those that take to do with the configuration of your WordPress site or server that may assist fix the "ERR_CONNECTION_TIMED_OUT" fault.

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

Y'all tin can't easily change this from WordPress as the php.ini file is located on your server. To modify this, nosotros recommend reaching out to your hosting provider to meet if they tin can help. At Kinsta, nosotros gear up the default maximum execution time to 300 seconds.

If you want to try and modify this yourself, it tin can normally exist done with i of the following options. Both volition depend on how your hosting provider configures their servers.

Choice 1 – Modify Max Execution Time in php.ini File

If yous accept 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, yous can increment it to 300 seconds.

max_execution_time = 300

Option 2 – Modify Max Execution Time in .htacess File

If the higher up option doesn't work, you might be able to change it within your .htaccess file. Just like with the php.ini file, this is typically located inside your home directory. Place the post-obit in the top of your .htaccess file:

php_value max_execution_time 300

10. Temporarily Disable Your Plugins

As with most WordPress errors, a plugin can definitely be the root of the problem. To decide if that's what'south happening, y'all'll need to disable all of your site'southward plugins. Still, if you're getting the "ERR_CONNECTION_TIMED_OUT" error information technology means y'all don't have admission to your WordPress admin area. This means yous volition need to SFTP into your site. Nosotros recommend using FileZilla.

Once your SFTP client is prepare, connect to your website through it and navigate to your WordPress root folder. In case you tin can't discover it, it's normally chosen public_html, html, public, world wide web, or your site's proper noun. If you're a Kinsta customer, information technology's your public binder.

WordPress root folder SFTP
WordPress root folder SFTP

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

What y'all're going to do now is right-click on the plugins binder, and rename it to something else. We recommendplugins.former orplugins.deactivated, so you can easily recognize information technology later.

WordPress plugins folder renamed
WordPress plugins folder renamed

WordPress will at present not be able to find whatever of your plugins. When that happens, it will automatically disable those plugins.

At present, try accessing your WordPress dashboard. If the timeout mistake is gone, then yous can assume that one of your plugins was the culprit. All you have to exercise is effigy out which one was at error.

Return to thewp-content directory, and rename your original plugins folder correctly. So, yous'll need to disable each of your plugins one by one, until y'all find the culprit.

To practice this, open thewp-content/plugins directory. Inside, y'all'll find one binder for each of your plugins. The process y'all're going to follow is much the same every bit before:

  1. Offset with the first binder, and rename it to anything yous like.
  2. Check your website to see if the fault is gone.
  3. If it isn't, return the plugin folder from the previous pace to its original name.
  4. Move on to the next plugin on your list, repeating the above steps.

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

If you make it to the end of these steps without finding a solution, you can motility on to the next stage of troubleshooting.

11. Temporarily Revert to Default Theme

Now that you lot've ruled out your plugins as the cause of the timeout error, information technology'due south time to do the aforementioned with your agile theme. In fact, your theme could too be creating compatibility bug.

Unfortunately, the process doesn't piece of work the same every bit above. WordPress won't revert to the default theme if simply rename the theme folder, you would finish upwards with an error like "The theme directory "theme name" does non exist." Or if you attempt to rename the unabridged theme directory folder, you lot end up with "ERROR: The themes directory is either empty or doesn't be. Delight 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, and so click on the "Search" tab. Yous will want to search under the "option_name" fortemplate.

phpMyAdmin wp_options table
phpMyAdmin wp_options table

Nether the "option_value" column you lot volition see the current proper name of your theme. Modify this to one of the default themes, such as "twentynineteen."

wp_options template name
wp_options template name

Bank check your website over again to see if this has fixed the error. If information technology did, information technology simply ways it's a problem with your WordPress theme and you might want to try reinstalling it or reverting to your most recent fill-in.

12. Increase the Memory Limit

The WP_MEMORY_LIMIT parameter allows you lot to specify the maximum amount of retention that can be consumed by PHP. If y'all are using shared hosting, information technology's most likely gear up to a depression value such as 64M. At Kinsta, we set the default memory limit to 256M.

You can increase the retentiveness limit by calculation the following to your wp-config.php file. This must be placed above the wp-settings.php inclusion.

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

Not sure what your current PHP retentivity limit is set to? If you accept access to your WordPress dashboard and are running WordPress 5.2 or above, yous can run into the PHP memory limit under the "Site Health" tool.

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

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Summary

Connection and timeout errors are never fun to troubleshoot, only hopefully, y'all take a trivial more cognition in your toolbelt at present to help resolve it quickly.

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

(Suggested reading: Acquire how to fix the ERR_CACHE_MISS mistake in Chrome)


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