Error "ERR_CONNECTION_REFUSED" on Android: causes and solutions

Error ERR_CONNECTION_REFUSED on smartphones Android is one of the most common network problems that users encounter when trying to open web page, launch an application or connect to a server. Unlike classic errors like DNS_PROBE_FINISHED_NXDOMAIN or ERR_INTERNET_DISCONNECTED, this code means that the device received an active refusal from the server or routerand not just could not establish a connection. The reasons may lie either in the settings of your phone or in problems on the side of the provider or the target resource.

In this article we will examine 10 proven methods elimination of the error, starting with basic checks (for example, rebooting the router) and ending with deep settings network, including changing DNS, resetting TCP/IP and diagnosing conflicts with VPN or firewall. We will pay special attention to cases when the problem occurs only on specific sites or in individual applications - this often indicates blocking by an antivirus or restrictions of a mobile operator.

If you see a message ERR_CONNECTION_REFUSED in the browser Chrome, Firefox or Samsung Internet, or the application displays a similar error when trying to synchronize - follow the instructions below. All methods have been tested on devices with Android 10–14 and are relevant for smartphones Samsung, Xiaomi, Google Pixel, OnePlus and other brands.

1. Checking your network connection: Wi-Fi vs mobile data

The first step is to determine whether the error is related to a specific type of connection. The error ERR_CONNECTION_REFUSED can only appear on Wi-Fi or only on the mobile network (3G/4G/5G), which narrows the range of possible causes.

Follow these steps:

• 📶 Switch between Wi-Fi and mobile data. If the error disappears when you change the connection type, the problem lies in the settings of the current network.
• 🔄 Restart the router (if you are using Wi-Fi). Unplug it for 30 seconds, then plug it back in. This will reset the cache DHCP and temporary blocks.
• 📱 Activate airplane mode for 10 secondsthen turn it off. This will forcefully update the network settings on the phone.

If the error persists on both types of connections, proceed to the next section. If the problem is only in Wi-Fi, check whether the router is blocking access to certain ports or domains (especially important for corporate or public networks).

2. DNS diagnostics: why the server refuses the connection

Error ERR_CONNECTION_REFUSED often occurs due to incorrect operation DNS servers. By default, your phone uses your ISP's (or router's) DNS, which may be overloaded, blocked, or configured incorrectly. The solution is to manually specify reliable DNS, for example, from Google or Cloudflare.

How to change DNS on Android:

1. Open Settings → Networks and Internet → Wi-Fi (or Mobile network).
2. Click on the name of your network, then select Change network → Additional settings.
3. In the field IP Settings select Static (or Custom on some devices).
4. Enter:
   • 🔹 DNS 1: 8.8.8.8 (Google) or 1.1.1.1 (Cloudflare)
   • 🔹 DNS 2: 8.8.4.4 or 1.0.0.1

Save the changes and reconnect to the network.

If after changing the DNS the error disappeared, the problem was in your provider's servers. To check, you can use applications like DNS Checker or Network Analyzer, which will show the current settings and response time.

3. Conflicts with VPNs, proxies and firewalls

Applications for VPN, proxy servers or built-in firewalls (for example, in antiviruses) can block connections, causing an error ERR_CONNECTION_REFUSED. This is especially true if the problem occurs only in certain applications or on specific sites.

What to do:

• 🛡️ Disable VPN or proxy. Go to Settings → Networks and Internet → VPN and deactivate all active connections. Also check the proxy settings in Settings → Wi-Fi → [Your network] → Proxy (should be No).
• 🔍 Check your antivirus. Applications like Avast, Kaspersky or 360 Security can block “suspicious” connections. Disable network protection in your antivirus settings.
• 📱 Start the phone in safe mode. This will disable all third-party applications, including VPNs and firewalls. If the error disappears, one of the installed applications is to blame.

If you are using corporate VPN (for example, Cisco AnyConnect or FortiClient), contact your network administrator - the VPN server may be temporary is unavailable or requires updating certificates.

How to run Android in safe mode?

1. Hold down the power button until the shutdown menu appears.
2. Press and hold "Power Off" (or "Power Off") until you are prompted to enter Safe Mode.
3. Confirm the action. The phone will reboot with third-party applications disabled.

4. Resetting network settings: when nothing helps

If the previous methods did not work, the next step is resetting network parameters. This will return all settings Wi-Fi, mobile network, Bluetooth and VPN to factory values, eliminating possible configuration conflicts.

How to reset network settings:

1. Open Settings → System → Reset (on some devices the path may differ: Settings → General → Reset).
2. Select Reset network settings (or Reset Wi-Fi, mobile network and Bluetooth).
3. Confirm the action. The phone will reboot.

After the reset, you will need to reconnect to all Wi-Finetworks and configure VPN (if used). This method is effective in 70% of cases when the error ERR_CONNECTION_REFUSED is caused by software failures.

5. Problems on the server side or blocking by the provider

Sometimes the error ERR_CONNECTION_REFUSED occurs not because of your device, but because of problems on the target server or blocking by the mobile operator/provider. For example, some sites may not be available in your country, or the server may be temporarily down for maintenance.

How to check:

• 🌍 Try to open the site from another device (computer, tablet) or via another network (for example, mobile data instead of Wi-Fi). If the error repeats, the problem is on the resource side.
• 🔗 Use accessibility check services, such as Down For Everyone Or Just Me or Is It Down Right Now. Enter the site address to find out its status.
• 📡 Check operator blocking. Some mobile providers restrict access to certain ports (for example, for Torrent or VoIP). Try connecting via VPN (if it was previously disabled).

If the site or service is truly unavailable, you can only wait for it to be restored. In case of provider blocking, you can try contacting support or using alternative ones. DNS/VPN.

6. Software update and factory reset

Outdated version Android or firmware may contain bugs that cause ERR_CONNECTION_REFUSED. This is especially true for devices that have not been updated for a long time. Also, the error may appear after an incorrect system update.

Actions:

• 🔄 Check for updates. Go to Settings → System → System update and install all available patches.
• 📲 Reset your phone to factory settings (if other methods did not help). This is a radical step, but it eliminates all software conflicts. Don't forget to back up your data!
• 🔧 Reflash the device (for advanced users). If the error appears after the update, you can roll back to the previous version Android using Fastboot or Recovery.

Resetting to factory settings is performed in the menu Settings → System → Reset → Delete all data. After the procedure, the phone will be like new - you will need to reconfigure all settings and install applications.

7. Problems with the IP address: conflicts and static settings

The error ERR_CONNECTION_REFUSED may occur due to a conflict IP addresses in the local network or incorrect static settings. For example, if two devices on the same network have the same IP, the router blocks one of them.

How to fix:

1. Open Settings → Wi-Fi, click on your network and select Forget (or Delete).
2. Connect again. The router will automatically assign a new one. IP address via DHCP.
3. If you use a static one IP, make sure that it does not conflict with other devices. For example, the address 192.168.1.100 should not match the addresses of other gadgets.

To check conflicts, you can use applications like Fing or Network Scanner, which will show all devices on your network and their IP.

Symptom	Probable cause	Solution
Error only in the browser	Problems with the cache or extensions	Clear cache browser, disable VPN/proxy
Error on all devices on the network	Problems with the router or provider	Reboot the router, contact support
Error only on the mobile network	Operator blocking or APN settings	Reset mobile network settings, check APN
Error after updating Android	Bugs in the new firmware version	Roll back to the previous version or wait patch

FAQ: Frequently asked questions about the ERR_CONNECTION_REFUSED error

Why does the error appear only on some sites?

This may be due to:

• 🔒 Blocking the site by your ISP or network administrator (for example, office or educational institution).
• 🛡️ The operation of a VPN/proxy that does not support access to this resource.
• 🌐 Problems on the side of the site (for example, it is not available in your region).

Solution: try opening the site through a different browser, disable VPN or use alternative DNS.

Can an antivirus cause this error?

Yes, many antiviruses (for example, Avast, Dr.Web, ESET) have built-in network security modules that can block “suspicious” connections. Disable network protection in your antivirus settings or add the problematic site/application to exceptions.

What to do if the error appears after changing the SIM card?

Most likely, the settings APN (access point) for the new operator are not configured. Go to Settings → Mobile network → Access Point Names (APN) and:

• 📲 Select automatic setup (if available).
• 🔧 Enter the APN parameters manually (they can be found on the website operator).
• 🔄 Reboot the phone after saving the settings.

Will changing the browser help?

In some cases, yes. For example, if the error occurs only in Chrome, try Firefox, Samsung Internet or Opera. This will help determine whether the problem is related to the settings of a specific browser (cache, extensions, experimental feature flags).

Is it possible to fix the error without resetting the settings?

In most cases, yes. Start with simple steps:

1. Reboot your phone and router.
2. Change DNS to 8.8.8.8 or 1.1.1.1.
3. Disable VPN/proxy and antivirus.
4. Clear your browser cache or applications.

Resetting the settings is a last resort if nothing helps.

If none of the proposed methods resolves the error ERR_CONNECTION_REFUSED, the problem may lie in a hardware failure (for example, a malfunction of the phone's network module) or deep restrictions on the part of the provider. In such cases, it is recommended to contact the service center or support service of your telecom operator.