Google Chrome ERR_DNS_TIMED_OUT: How to Fix It

Easy 10-30 minutes Medium Severity Verified June 2026
Summarize with ChatGPTSummarize with ClaudeSummarize with Perplexity Add as Preferred Source on Google
Error Code
ERR_DNS_TIMED_OUT
Brand
Google Chrome
Product Type
browser
Severity
Medium
DIY Difficulty
Easy
Estimated Fix Time
10-30 minutes
The ERR_DNS_TIMED_OUT error in Google Chrome means your browser sent a request to look up a website's address (via DNS), but never received a response in time. This is usually caused by a slow or unresponsive DNS server, a misconfigured network, or a temporary glitch in your router or internet connection. The good news is that this error is almost always fixable without professional help by following a few targeted troubleshooting steps.
Ad

Tools You'll Need

How to Fix Error Code ERR_DNS_TIMED_OUT

  1. Check Your Internet Connection

  2. Restart Your Router and Modem

    Make sure you save any active work before restarting your network devices, as this will briefly disconnect all devices in your home.

  3. Flush Your DNS Cache on Your Computer

  4. Clear Chrome's Internal DNS Cache

  5. Change Your DNS Server to a Public DNS

  6. Disable VPN or Proxy Settings

  7. Disable Chrome Experimental DNS Prefetching

  8. Reset Network Settings on Windows

    Running these commands will reset all custom network configurations. If you have manually configured static IPs or custom network settings, note them down before proceeding.

  9. Disable Antivirus or Firewall Temporarily

    Only disable your antivirus or firewall temporarily for testing purposes. Re-enable it immediately after your test to keep your device protected.

  10. Update Chrome and Your Network Drivers

Ad

When to Call a Professional

If you have tried all steps above and the error persists on multiple browsers and multiple devices on the same network, the issue likely lies with your ISP's DNS infrastructure or your internet connection itself. Contact your Internet Service Provider (ISP) directly and report the DNS timeout issue — they can check for outages or push updated DNS configuration to your modem. If only specific websites are affected and others work fine, the targeted website's DNS may be down, in which case waiting is the only option. If your entire network is affected and your ISP confirms everything is normal on their end, consider contacting a local IT technician to inspect your router firmware, network configuration, or potential hardware faults.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does ERR_DNS_TIMED_OUT mean in Chrome?
ERR_DNS_TIMED_OUT means Chrome tried to look up the IP address for a website using DNS (Domain Name System) but did not get a response within the allowed time. DNS works like a phone book — it converts a web address like 'example.com' into a numerical IP address. When that lookup times out, Chrome cannot connect to the site and shows this error.
Why does ERR_DNS_TIMED_OUT happen only on Chrome and not other browsers?
Chrome has its own internal DNS cache and uses its own DNS-over-HTTPS (Secure DNS) settings, which are separate from your operating system's DNS settings. If Chrome's internal cache has a bad entry, or its Secure DNS feature is pointing to a slow server, you may see this error only in Chrome while other browsers work fine. Clearing Chrome's DNS cache at chrome://net-internals/#dns and adjusting its Secure DNS settings usually resolves this.
How do I fix ERR_DNS_TIMED_OUT on Android or iPhone using Chrome?
On mobile, open Chrome settings, tap 'Privacy and security', then 'Use secure DNS', and switch to a public DNS provider like Google or Cloudflare. You can also try forgetting your Wi-Fi network and reconnecting, or switching temporarily to mobile data to test if it's a Wi-Fi-specific issue. Restarting your phone often clears temporary DNS issues as well.
Can a VPN cause ERR_DNS_TIMED_OUT in Chrome?
Yes, VPNs are a very common cause of this error. When a VPN is active, your DNS requests are routed through the VPN's servers. If those servers are slow, overloaded, or misconfigured, DNS lookups will time out. Try disabling your VPN temporarily to test if it's the cause. If so, switch to a different VPN server location or contact your VPN provider for DNS configuration help.
Does ERR_DNS_TIMED_OUT mean the website is down?
Not necessarily. ERR_DNS_TIMED_OUT usually points to a problem on your end — with your DNS server, network configuration, or Chrome settings — rather than the website being down. However, if the website's DNS records are misconfigured or their hosting provider has an outage, it can also cause this error. Try checking the site using a tool like 'downforeveryoneorjustme.com' to determine if others can access it.

Related Error Codes