ERR_NETWORK_ACCESS_DENIED — What It Means & How to Fix It

What Does This Error Mean?

ERR_NETWORK_ACCESS_DENIED means your browser tried to access the network but was blocked by a permission on your own computer. Your operating system — Windows, macOS, or a security application — decided Chrome should not be allowed to make that network request. This is a local permission issue, not a server or internet problem. A firewall, security software, or system policy is saying 'no' to Chrome's network access.

Affected Models

Google Chrome
Microsoft Edge
Chromium-based browsers
Windows
macOS

Common Causes

Windows Firewall or a third-party firewall has blocked Chrome's network access
An antivirus program is blocking Chrome from connecting to the internet
A recent Windows update or security policy change restricted Chrome's permissions
Malware has modified Windows firewall rules to block web browsers
Parental control software is restricting Chrome's network access for certain users

How to Fix It

Check Windows Firewall settings. Go to Windows Security > Firewall & network protection > Allow an app through firewall. Find Google Chrome and make sure both Private and Public checkboxes are ticked.

If Chrome is not in the list, click 'Allow another app' and add Chrome manually from C:\Program Files\Google\Chrome\Application\chrome.exe.
Temporarily disable your antivirus and see if the error clears. If it does, add Chrome as a trusted application in your antivirus settings.

Overly aggressive antivirus tools sometimes block browser network traffic. Re-enable your antivirus immediately after testing.
Run Chrome as Administrator. Right-click the Chrome icon on your desktop and choose 'Run as administrator'. Try loading the page.

Some security configurations require elevated permissions for network access. This is a test to confirm a permissions issue.
Reset Windows Firewall to its default settings. Go to Windows Security > Firewall & network protection > Restore firewalls to default. Click Restore defaults.

Malware sometimes adds custom firewall rules. Resetting to defaults removes those custom blocks.
Run a malware scan. Go to Windows Security > Virus & threat protection > Quick scan. Some malware specifically targets browsers by blocking their network access.

A full scan takes longer but is more thorough — worth running if the quick scan finds nothing.

When to Call a Professional

If this error appears on a work computer and you cannot change the firewall settings, contact your IT department. They control the firewall policies on managed devices. If you suspect malware changed your firewall rules, have a professional run a thorough malware scan.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why would Chrome suddenly lose network access after working fine?

Several things can trigger this suddenly. A Windows security update may have reset firewall permissions. Antivirus software may have updated its rules and started blocking Chrome. Malware may have added a firewall block. Or a parental control profile may have been applied. Check your firewall settings first — it is usually the quickest thing to verify.

Does this error affect all browsers or just Chrome?

If a firewall rule targets the chrome.exe file specifically, only Chrome will be blocked. Other browsers like Edge or Firefox have different executable names and may not be affected. Try loading the page in Edge or Firefox — if they work, the block is targeted at Chrome specifically.

Can a parental control app cause this?

Yes. Many parental control apps restrict internet access per application or per user account. If your device has parental controls enabled, check the parental control app's settings to see if Chrome is blocked. You may need to log in with the administrator account to change these settings.