Are you seeing the "ERR_CONNECTION_TIMED_OUT" error in your browser? Not a very helpful error message, is information technology? If you are a daily WordPress user, then it'due south e'er good to be aware of common errors like these that might forestall yous from getting access to your website.

In today's postal service, we're going to take a deep dive into the "ERR_CONNECTION_TIMED_OUT" mistake and examine why you lot might run across this and what you tin can exercise to ready it chop-chop. Simply put, information technology's an indication that the system is unavailable and the time given for one to connect has elapsed, and now the request has timed out. But what does that actually mean?

Let's observe out!

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What is the ERR_CONNECTION_TIMED_OUT Error?

An ERR_CONNECTION_TIMED_OUT error typically means there is something wrong with your local network connection. Notwithstanding, that's non always the case.

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

When you visit a website and it doesn't load, your browser will try for around 30 seconds or so until it terminates the connexion. After which it volition render an "ERR_CONNECTION_TIMED_OUT" error, indicating a advice problem. In Google Chrome y'all might see this as "This site tin can't be reached. Domain.com took too long to reply."

ERR_CONNECTION_TIMED_OUT error in Chrome
ERR_CONNECTION_TIMED_OUT error in Chrome

Due to all the dissimilar web browsers, operating systems, and servers, the mistake can present itself in a number of different ways. But most of them have the same or similar significant. "ERR_NETWORK_CHANGED" and "ERR_CONNECTION_REFUSED" are ii very closely related errors that can commonly be solved with the same troubleshooting steps below.

Another common mistake lawmaking 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 will show as "The connection has timed out." The server at domain.com is taking too long to respond.

ERR_CONNECTION_TIMED_OUT error in Firefox
ERR_CONNECTION_TIMED_OUT mistake in Firefox

Microsoft Border

In Microsoft Border, the error will show as "Hmmm… can't attain this page. Domain.com took too long to reply." In Border, however, it does also comprise the "ERR_CONNECTION_TIMED_OUT" error.

ERR_CONNECTION_TIMED_OUT error in Edge
ERR_CONNECTION_TIMED_OUT mistake in Edge

Safari

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

ERR_CONNECTION_TIMED_OUT error in Safari
ERR_CONNECTION_TIMED_OUT error in Safari

How to Fix the ERR_CONNECTION_TIMED_OUT Error

Where should y'all commencement troubleshooting if you meet this error on your WordPress site? Without a great bargain of context, information technology can sometimes be frustrating and overwhelming where to even begin. Typically these are either client-side problems (issues with your network connection or firewall) or an issue with the server at which the site is hosted (retention 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 audio obvious, they all betoken to checking your connectedness first as it's one of the nigh common reasons for the error. Here are a few things we recommend:

  • Restart your home or office router. This only takes a few minutes and solves more than problems than a lot of people would like to acknowledge. To completely power cycle it, disconnect the power supply so wait 30 seconds before plugging information technology back in.
  • Cheque to see if you're on a bad or slow 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 whatever suspicious activeness. Withal, this type of security tin can at times lead to connection bug.

This is because firewalls tin can frequently 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 instance for y'all, try disabling your firewall and antivirus programs. Of course, this is only brash if y'all know for sure that the site you lot're intending to visit is safe.

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

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

  • AVG false positive form
  • Norton false positive form
  • Sophos false positive form

3. Disable Proxy Settings

Sometimes you might see the ERR_CONNECTION_TIMED_OUT fault if yous are utilizing a proxy service. This is usually pretty rare, especially on the client-side. However, one might take been set up without you lot fifty-fifty knowing it. To disable or cheque to ensure no proxy settings are enabled, follow these steps.

Admission the Settings menu in your Chrome browser. This volition open up the complete menu of options. Under the System department (you'll need to click Advanced at the bottom to see this), you should find an entry titled Open up proxy settings. By selecting it, you'll be taken to the corresponding menu:

Open Proxy Settings in Chrome
Open Proxy Settings in Chrome

Your next step depends on the system you're currently using. Windows users will want to click on LAN Settings and uncheck the Utilize proxy server for LAN option. If you're a Mac user, you should immediately notice yourself in the relevant bill of fare. You'll and then have to uncheck all selectable proxy protocols and check to see if the ERR_CONNECTION_TIMED_OUT message has been resolved.

Uncheck proxies on Mac
Uncheck proxies on Mac

If yous're on Windows, you lot will see a "Local Area Network (LAN) Settings" window appear. Yous will desire to confirm that the "Use a proxy server for your LAN" option is unchecked.

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

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

iv. Modify DNS Servers

The next affair you can try is changing your DNS servers. By default, DNS servers are automatically assigned by your Internet service provider. But yous could try temporarily irresolute 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.4.4) long-term due to them sometimes being more reliable.
  • Cloudflare also offers secure and blazing fast gratuitous DNS (1.i.1.1 and 1.0.0.1) which we will exist using in this instance. If you want to use Google's the steps are the aforementioned, you simply replace the DNS server addresses with Googles.

Tip: If you're already using a gratuitous DNS server and having bug, removing it and defaulting back to your Internet access provider's DNS servers also sometimes fix things.

Google and Cloudflare aren't perfect 100% of the fourth dimension and there have been a few instances where we've noticed switching back has resolved the issue. This is especially true if yous're using a Wifi hotspot in an aerodrome or java store.

Windows

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

Run Control Panel Windows
Run Control Panel Windows

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

Change adapter settings
Modify adapter settings

Right click on your current connexion, this volition either exist Local Expanse Connexion or Wireless Network Connection based on how you're connecting. And then click on "Properties."

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Wireless connection properties
Wireless connection properties

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

IPV 4 properties
IPV 4 backdrop

Brand a note of any existing settings in case yous need to revert back. Click "Use the following DNS server addresses." Enter the following, or supercede the existing with these:

For IPv4:i.1.1.i 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 alter DNS servers on a Mac, go to Organisation Preferences…

Mac system preferences
Mac system preferences

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

Mac network advanced
Mac network avant-garde

Click on the "DNS" tab.

Mac DNS
Mac DNS

Then add Cloudflare's DNS server addresses.

For IPv4:1.1.1.one and1.0.0.1
For IPv6:2606:4700:4700::1111 and2606:4700:4700::1001

5. Flush/Renew DNS

You tin too endeavor flushing your local DNS enshroud. This is like to clearing your browser cache. Information technology could be that the site you're trying to visit isn't resolving to the right IP accost. If you've just migrated your WordPress site to a new host, it's of import to expect for things to fully propagate. This can sometimes take up to 24 hours, although information technology can be every bit trivial as a few minutes. This depends on your DNS provider and the TTL value of your DNS records.

Windows

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

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

You should run into a "Successfully flushed the DNS resolver Enshroud" if it worked.

Mac

For macOS users, you can enter the post-obit in the terminal:

dscacheutil -flushcache
dscacheutil -flushcache
Mac flush enshroud

Note: There is no success message on Macs.

6. Check Your Hosts File

Every calculator 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 lot desire to preview your DNS before switching over domains to a new host. Or perhaps you have a local development site running using a tool similar DevKinsta, Vagrant or Docker.

There is a multitude of unlike means this file could have been changed or edited. Therefore, information technology's always good to check to ensure the website you're trying to admission isn't in there. Just follow the steps below.

Windows

The hosts file typically requires additional access. So the first step is to open up your text editor as an ambassador. Just click on your start carte du jour, search for your text editor, right-click on it and select "Run as administrator." This tin can be done in whatever text editor such as Notepad, Notepad++, Atom, etc. Nosotros 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 post-obit 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 it is, remove it.

Mac

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

Go to Utilities and then click on "Concluding."

Mac utilities terminal
Mac utilities terminal

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

sudo nano /private/etc/hosts

Double-check and make certain 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. Cheque the DNS of Your Domain

You lot should as well verify that the DNS of your domain is correctly pointed to your hosting provider. If you're a Kinsta client nosotros accept an in-depth post on how to bespeak 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 computer. In which example, step five above should resolve that. Or it may merely be also soon and y'all demand to wait a few hours for the DNS to fully propagate.

eight. Articulate Browser Cache

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 chop-chop the side by side time they're visited.

Although they're useful, caches can crusade numerous problems when they become outdated. Fortunately, this trouble is easily solved by clearing your enshroud.

But before y'all do that, you tin easily bank check to see if it's a browser cache issue by first opening up your browser in incognito fashion. Or y'all tin can try a different browser. If y'all're still seeing the fault, and so you will want to proceed with clearing your cache.

In this example, nosotros'll exist using Google Chrome. Brainstorm by opening up the primary bill of fare (in the meridian-right corner of your browser window). From there, select More Tools: You can then click on Clear browser data.

Chrome clear browsing data
Chrome clear browsing data

On the resulting folio, you'll need to brand sure that all listed file categories are selected. If they aren't, Chrome won't be able to empty the unabridged enshroud. Instead, it volition simply remove the almost contempo entries, which won't consequence in the desired issue:

Clear browsing data
Clear browsing data

An alternative method of completing this process is to enter the post-obit URL into your address bar:

chrome://settings/clearBrowserData

The resulting screen should grant you access to the same options we've outlined higher up. Here are some other helpful links for clearing enshroud.

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

nine. Look at The Maximum Execution Time

The residuum of the troubleshooting steps nosotros'll be diving into are those that take to practise with the configuration of your WordPress site or server that may help prepare the "ERR_CONNECTION_TIMED_OUT" fault.

The kickoff is the maximum execution fourth dimension set for your site. On most servers, the default fourth dimension is set to 30 seconds. This is the amount of time a PHP script is allowed to run (later on which information technology times out). On shared hosts, this is typically set depression or left at the default.

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

If you want to try and modify this yourself, it tin can commonly be washed with one of the following options. Both will depend on how your hosting provider configures their servers.

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

If you have a php.ini file in your abode directory, find the max_execution_time parameter and modify information technology. For example, if it'southward set to 30 seconds, you tin increment it to 300 seconds.

max_execution_time = 300

Option 2 – Modify Max Execution Fourth dimension in .htacess File

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

php_value max_execution_time 300

10. Temporarily Disable Your Plugins

Every bit with nigh WordPress errors, a plugin can definitely be the root of the problem. To make up one's mind if that's what's happening, you'll need to disable all of your site's plugins. Still, if you're getting the "ERR_CONNECTION_TIMED_OUT" error it means you don't accept access to your WordPress admin area. This means y'all will demand to SFTP into your site. Nosotros recommend using FileZilla.

Once your SFTP client is set up, connect to your website through information technology and navigate to your WordPress root folder. In case you can't find it, it'south normally chosen public_html, html, public, world wide web, or your site's name. If you're a Kinsta client, it's your public folder.

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 you're going to do now is correct-click on the plugins folder, and rename it to something else. We recommendplugins.old orplugins.deactivated, so you can hands recognize it later.

WordPress plugins folder renamed
WordPress plugins folder renamed

WordPress will now not exist able to find any 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 you tin assume that one of your plugins was the culprit. All you lot have to do is effigy out which one was at error.

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

To do this, open thewp-content/plugins directory. Inside, you'll find ane folder for each of your plugins. The process yous're going to follow is much the same as earlier:

  1. Commencement with the first binder, and rename it to anything you like.
  2. Check your website to see if the error is gone.
  3. If it isn't, return the plugin folder from the previous step to its original name.
  4. Move on to the side by side plugin on your list, repeating the to a higher place steps.

This process can accept a while if you have a lot of plugins, but it's vital to cheque each plugin in turn. If at any point you identify the plugin that's causing the error, you lot can uninstall it or supersede it with another tool.

If you brand information technology to the end of these steps without finding a solution, you can movement on to the next stage of troubleshooting.

11. Temporarily Revert to Default Theme

Now that you lot've ruled out your plugins equally the cause of the timeout fault, it'south time to do the aforementioned with your agile theme. In fact, your theme could as well be creating compatibility bug.

Unfortunately, the process doesn't piece of work the same as above. WordPress won't revert to the default theme if only rename the theme folder, y'all would end up with an error like "The theme directory "theme name" does not exist." Or if y'all try to rename the entire theme directory folder, you cease upward with "Fault: The themes directory is either empty or doesn't be. Please check your installation."

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

MyKinsta phpMyAdmin
MyKinsta phpMyAdmin

Click into the "wp_options" table, then click on the "Search" tab. Yous will desire to search under the "option_name" fortemplate.

phpMyAdmin wp_options table
phpMyAdmin wp_options table

Nether the "option_value" cavalcade you will meet the electric current name of your theme. Change this to i of the default themes, such as "twentynineteen."

wp_options template name
wp_options template name

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

12. Increment the Retentivity Limit

The WP_MEMORY_LIMIT parameter allows you lot to specify the maximum amount of retentivity that tin can be consumed by PHP. If you are using shared hosting, it's most probable set to a depression value such as 64M. At Kinsta, we set the default memory limit to 256M.

You can increase the memory limit by calculation the post-obit 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 current PHP memory limit is set to? If y'all have access to your WordPress dashboard and are running WordPress 5.2 or above, you tin see the PHP memory limit under the "Site Wellness" tool.

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

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Summary

Connectedness and timeout errors are never fun to troubleshoot, but hopefully, you have a little more knowledge in your toolbelt at present to help resolve it quickly.

Information technology's important to recollect that the "ERR_CONNECTION_TIMED_OUT" error be a consequence of a client-side problem such as your network connexion, or an event with the server where your WordPress site is hosted. Have any other tips to resolve this mistake? Let united states know below in the comments.

(Suggested reading: Acquire how to ready the ERR_CACHE_MISS error in Chrome)


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