Chrome ERR_TIMED_OUT — What It Means & How to Fix It

What Does This Error Mean?

This error means Chrome tried to reach a website but it took too long to respond. The website's server may be down, or your internet connection may be too slow. A simple page reload or connection check fixes it most of the time.

Affected Models

Google Chrome on Windows
Google Chrome on Mac
Google Chrome on Android

Common Causes

The website's server is down or overloaded
Your internet connection is slow or unstable
DNS is taking too long to find the website's address
A firewall is blocking the connection
A VPN is slowing down or rerouting the connection

How to Fix It

Reload the page.

Press F5 or click the reload button. If it was a temporary server hiccup, reloading often fixes it immediately.
Check your internet connection speed.

Go to fast.com or speedtest.net in another tab. If your speed is very low or the test won't load, your internet connection is the problem.
Switch to a faster DNS server.

On Windows: go to Network Settings > Change adapter options > right-click your connection > Properties > Internet Protocol Version 4 > Use these DNS servers: 8.8.8.8 (Google) or 1.1.1.1 (Cloudflare).
Disable your VPN.

If you're using a VPN, turn it off temporarily and reload the page. VPNs can add delays or route traffic through overloaded servers.
Clear Chrome's cache and cookies.

Press Ctrl+Shift+Delete in Chrome. Set the time range to 'All time', check Cached images and files, then click Clear data. Restart Chrome and try again.

When to Call a Professional

ERR_TIMED_OUT is almost always a temporary network issue — no professional help is needed. If every website times out, contact your internet service provider.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is ERR_TIMED_OUT my fault or the website's fault?

It can be either. If only one website times out, the problem is likely on the website's end. If multiple websites time out, the problem is likely your internet connection.

Why does Chrome time out but other browsers work fine?

Chrome may have a corrupted cache that's slowing connections. Try clearing Chrome's cache (Ctrl+Shift+Delete) or using Chrome's incognito mode. If incognito works fine, a Chrome extension is likely causing the problem.

The website works on my phone but not my computer — why?

Your phone and computer use different network connections. Your computer's DNS or firewall settings may be blocking the site. Try changing your DNS to 8.8.8.8 on your computer — this often fixes it.