ERR_EMPTY_RESPONSE Not Going Away? Do This Now!

It can be incredibly frustrating when you try to open an important website and suddenly the ERR_EMPTY_RESPONSE error appears on your screen. I personally encountered this very error just last week while I was attempting to process an urgent payment for a client. It feels as though the internet is working, yet the website simply refuses to load.

Basically, your browser sends a request to the server, but the server is unable to send a response. As a result, Chrome displays the ERR_EMPTY_RESPONSE error. If you encounter this error, strictly follow the steps outlined below. This issue can be resolved quickly without any complicated steps

Quick Fix 

Flushing the DNS and resetting network settings is the best solution. In most cases, this works.

Open Command Prompt as an Administrator and run these commands exactly as shown:

ipconfig /release
ipconfig /flushdns
ipconfig /renew
netsh winsock reset

After running these commands, make sure to restart your PC.

Why This Error Happens

  • Corrupted DNS Cache: The DNS data saved on your computer is outdated or corrupted.
  • Network Glitches: This could also be a temporary network issue that is preventing the server connection.
  • Browser Extension: A faulty extension is interfering with requests.
  • Antivirus / VPN blocking: An overly protective antivirus or a slow VPN is cutting off the connection.

Step-by-Step Solution to Fix ERR_EMPTY_RESPONSE

1. Clear Browser Cache

Previous cached data may block new connections. To fix this, open Chrome and press Ctrl + Shift + Delete. This will open the "Clear browsing data" tab. Here, select "All time," check the box for "Cache images and files," and click Clear data.

2. Change DNS Servers

Default ISP DNS servers can sometimes be slow. To resolve this issue, it is better to use Google DNS.
  • Open the Run dialog (Win + R), type `ncpa.cpl`, and press Enter.
  • Right-click on your active Wi-Fi/Ethernet connection and go to Properties.
  • Select "Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4)" and click Properties.
  • Enter the DNS addresses given below:
    • Preferred DNS: 8.8.8.8
    • Alternate DNS: 8.8.4.4
  • Press OK and check.

3. Reset Chrome Settings

If nothing else works, restore Chrome to its default settings.
  • Type chrome://settings/reset in the address bar.
  • Confirm by clicking on "Restore settings to their original defaults".

Additional Fix

If the ERR_EMPTY_RESPONSE error has not yet been resolved, simply turn off your router for 2 minutes. Then, turn it back on. Additionally, try temporarily disabling your VPN and antivirus software, and then attempt to access the site. This typically resolves underlying issues. 

Tested On

  • Windows 10 & 11
  • Google Chrome / Microsoft Edge
  • Wi-Fi / Broadband Connection

FAQs

1. Does ERR_EMPTY_RESPONSE only occur in Chrome?

A: No, this can appear in browsers like Edge and Brave as well. The solutions for everyone are the same.

Conclusion

Resetting the network and DNS resolves the ERR_EMPTY_RESPONSE error. Flushing the DNS via the Command Prompt is the most effective and quickest method. If the error persists, try opening the website on a different device. If the website does not open there either, the website's server may be down.

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

DNS_PROBE_FINISHED_NXDOMAIN Not Going Away? Do This Now!

Still Getting ERR_SSL_PROTOCOL_ERROR? Do This Now!

ERR_CONNECTION_TIMED_OUT Not Going Away? Do This Now!