Google Chrome Error Code ERR_HTTPS_PROXY_TUNNEL_RESPONSE: How to Fix It

Medium 15-45 minutes Medium Severity Verified June 2026
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Error Code
ERR_HTTPS_PROXY_TUNNEL_RESPONSE
Brand
Google Chrome
Product Type
browser
Severity
Medium
DIY Difficulty
Medium
Estimated Fix Time
15-45 minutes
The ERR_HTTPS_PROXY_TUNNEL_RESPONSE error in Google Chrome means that when Chrome tried to create a secure tunnel through your proxy server to reach a website, the proxy returned an unexpected or invalid response instead of the standard connection confirmation. This typically happens when a proxy server is misconfigured, requires authentication, or is blocking the connection attempt. In most cases, the fix involves adjusting your proxy settings, clearing browser data, or temporarily bypassing the proxy entirely.
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Tools You'll Need

How to Fix Error Code ERR_HTTPS_PROXY_TUNNEL_RESPONSE

  1. Check and Disable Your Proxy Settings

    If your workplace or school requires a proxy for network access, disabling it may prevent you from accessing internal resources. Check with your IT department before disabling proxy settings on a managed device.

  2. Clear Chrome's Cache and Browsing Data

  3. Reset Chrome's Network and Flags Settings

  4. Flush Your System DNS Cache and Reset Network Stack

    Running network reset commands will remove all custom network configurations. If you have manually configured static IPs or VPN network adapters, you may need to reconfigure them after the reset.

  5. Disable VPN or Third-Party Security Software Temporarily

    Only disable security software temporarily for testing purposes. Re-enable it promptly after your test to keep your system protected.

  6. Verify Proxy Server Authentication Requirements

  7. Reinstall or Reset Google Chrome

    Resetting Chrome will disable all extensions, clear temporary data, and reset your startup page and search engine. Back up any important bookmarks via Settings > Bookmarks > Export bookmarks before resetting.
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When to Call a Professional

Contact your IT department or network administrator if you are on a corporate, school, or managed network and the error persists after basic troubleshooting. They can verify the proxy server configuration, check if the server is returning non-standard responses, and provide correct authentication credentials. If the issue affects all browsers and all users on your network, the problem likely lies with the proxy server itself and requires server-side intervention. For home users, contact your ISP if the error persists across multiple devices and browsers after all steps above have been tried.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does ERR_HTTPS_PROXY_TUNNEL_RESPONSE mean in Chrome?
It means Chrome attempted to open a secure HTTPS tunnel through a proxy server using the CONNECT method, but the proxy returned an unexpected or non-standard response. Instead of responding with '200 Connection Established', the proxy sent back something else — often an error page, an authentication challenge, or a malformed response — which caused Chrome to abort the connection.
Why does this error only happen on HTTPS websites?
HTTP and HTTPS connections are handled differently through proxies. For HTTPS sites, Chrome needs the proxy to set up an encrypted tunnel so it can negotiate a direct TLS connection with the destination server. If the proxy does not support this tunneling (the CONNECT method) or is misconfigured for it, HTTPS connections fail while plain HTTP connections may still work fine.
Can a VPN cause ERR_HTTPS_PROXY_TUNNEL_RESPONSE?
Yes. VPN clients that route traffic through a proxy endpoint, or security software that performs HTTPS inspection by intercepting SSL connections, can cause this error. The VPN or security tool may be interfering with Chrome's ability to create a proper HTTPS tunnel. Try disabling your VPN or the HTTPS scanning feature in your security software to see if that resolves the issue.
How do I fix ERR_HTTPS_PROXY_TUNNEL_RESPONSE without admin rights?
If you do not have administrator rights on your device, you have limited options. Try clearing Chrome's cache and cookies, disabling any Chrome extensions (especially proxy or VPN extensions), and using Chrome's Incognito mode to test if the error persists. If the error is caused by a system-level proxy set by your IT department, you will need to contact them directly to resolve the proxy server configuration.
Does ERR_HTTPS_PROXY_TUNNEL_RESPONSE affect all browsers or just Chrome?
This specific error code is Chrome-specific, but the underlying problem can affect other browsers too — they will just display it under a different error name. If you open the same website in Firefox or Edge and it also fails, the problem is likely with your system-wide proxy settings or network configuration rather than Chrome itself. If only Chrome shows the error, the issue is more likely within Chrome's settings or a Chrome extension.

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