How to Fix ERR_NETWORK_CHANGED Error in Google Chrome on Windows 11

If Google Chrome suddenly displays the message “Your connection was interrupted. A network change was detected (ERR_NETWORK_CHANGED)”, you’re not alone. This error typically appears when Chrome detects that your computer’s network connection has changed while a webpage is loading. As a result, websites may fail to open even though your internet connection appears to be working normally.

The problem can occur for several reasons, including unstable Wi-Fi connections, DNS issues, VPN or proxy conflicts, network adapter problems, or changes to your IP address. In some cases, the error may start appearing after a Windows update, a router restart, or changes to network settings.

Fortunately, the ERR_NETWORK_CHANGED error is usually easy to fix. In this guide, we’ll explain why this error occurs and walk you through several proven solutions to restore a stable connection and get Chrome working normally again on Windows 11.

Why ERR_NETWORK_CHANGED Appears in Google Chrome

The ERR_NETWORK_CHANGED error occurs when Google Chrome detects that your computer’s network connection changed while a webpage was loading. When this happens, Chrome disconnects and displays an error message because it can no longer communicate with the website over the same network path.

In most cases, the problem is not caused by the website itself. Instead, it is usually related to changes in your internet connection, DNS settings, network adapter configuration, or VPN and proxy services running on your computer.

Common causes of the ERR_NETWORK_CHANGED error include:

• An unstable Wi-Fi connection that frequently disconnects and reconnects
• Your router is assigning a new IP address to the computer
• Corrupted DNS cache or incorrect DNS settings
• VPN or proxy software changes network routes
• Outdated or malfunctioning network adapter drivers
• Network configuration issues after a Windows update
• Temporary problems with the router, modem, or internet service provider

Because several different networking components can trigger this error, there is no single cause that applies to every situation. Fortunately, the solutions below address the most common reasons Chrome displays the ERR_NETWORK_CHANGED message and can help restore a stable internet connection.

Fix 1: Restart Google Chrome and Reload the Webpage

Sometimes the ERR_NETWORK_CHANGED error is caused by a temporary interruption between Chrome and the website you’re trying to access. The browser may be using an old network session even after your internet connection changes, causing the webpage to fail to load properly. Restarting Chrome forces the browser to establish a new connection and can often resolve the problem within seconds.

Restart Chrome Completely

1. Save any important work in open tabs.
2. Click the X button to close Google Chrome.
3. Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open Task Manager.
4. Under the Processes tab, locate any running Google Chrome processes.
5. Select each Chrome process and click End task.
6. Reopen Google Chrome. Visit the affected website and check whether the error has disappeared.

If the ERR_NETWORK_CHANGED message still appears, proceed to the next solution.

Fix 2: Restart Your Router and Computer

A temporary problem with your router, modem, or Windows networking services can sometimes trigger the ERR_NETWORK_CHANGED error. If your connection drops briefly or your router assigns a new IP address while Chrome is loading a webpage, the browser may detect the change and stop the connection.

Restarting both the router and your computer refreshes the network connection, clears temporary glitches, and allows Windows to establish a new internet connection.

Restart the Router

1. Turn off your router or modem.
2. Unplug the power cable from the device.
3. Wait at least 30 seconds.
4. Plug the power cable back in.
5. Turn the router on and wait for the internet connection to fully reconnect.

Restart Your Windows 11 PC

1. Click the Start menu.
2. Select Power.
3. Click Restart.
4. Wait for Windows to reboot completely.

After both devices restart, open Google Chrome and check whether the ERR_NETWORK_CHANGED error still appears.

If the error was caused by a temporary network interruption or an IP address change, the webpage should now load normally. If the problem persists, continue with the next solution.

Fix 3: Flush the DNS Cache

Whenever you visit a website, Windows stores DNS information locally so it can find the site faster the next time you visit. However, if these cached DNS records become outdated or corrupted, Chrome may attempt to use incorrect network information, resulting in connection errors such as ERR_NETWORK_CHANGED.

Flushing the DNS cache removes old records and forces Windows to obtain fresh DNS information from the DNS server.

Clear the DNS Cache in Windows 11

1. Click the Start menu.
2. Type cmd in the search box.
3. Right-click Command Prompt and select Run as administrator.
4. In the Command Prompt window, type command and press Enter: ipconfig /flushdns
5. You should see the message: Successfully flushed the DNS Resolver Cache.
6. Close Command Prompt.
7. Restart Google Chrome and try loading the website again.

Optional: Renew Your IP Address

If flushing the DNS cache alone doesn’t resolve the issue, you can also renew your network connection by running the following commands one at a time:

ipconfig /release
ipconfig /renew

After the commands complete, restart your browser and check whether the ERR_NETWORK_CHANGED error has been resolved. If the problem persists, continue with the next solution.

Fix 4: Reset TCP/IP and Winsock Settings

Windows relies on TCP/IP and Winsock to manage network communications between your computer and the internet. If these networking components become corrupted due to software conflicts, failed updates, malware, or VPN applications, browsers may experience connection problems and display errors such as ERR_NETWORK_CHANGED.

Resetting TCP/IP and Winsock restores the default network configuration and can resolve issues caused by damaged networking settings.

Reset TCP/IP and Winsock

• Click the Start menu.
• Type cmd in the search box.
• Right-click Command Prompt and select Run as administrator.
• Run the following commands one at a time, pressing Enter after each:

netsh winsock reset
netsh int ip reset

• Close Command Prompt after the commands complete.
• Restart your computer.

After Windows restarts, open Google Chrome and try accessing the website again.

If corrupted network settings were causing the problem, the ERR_NETWORK_CHANGED error should no longer appear. Otherwise, continue with the next solution.

Fix 5: Disable Your VPN or Proxy Connection

VPN and proxy services route your internet traffic through a different server and often assign a new IP address. If the connection changes while Chrome is loading a webpage, the browser may interpret it as a network interruption and display the ERR_NETWORK_CHANGED error.

Temporarily disabling your VPN or proxy can help determine whether it is interfering with your connection.

Disconnect Your VPN

1. Open your VPN application.
2. Click Disconnect or Turn Off.
3. Wait a few seconds for Windows to reconnect using your normal internet connection.
4. Open Chrome and try loading the website again.

Disable a Proxy Server in Windows 11

1. Press Windows + I to open Settings.
2. Select Network & Internet from the left pane.
3. Click Proxy.
4. Under Manual proxy setup, turn Use a proxy server to Off.
5. Close Settings.

After disabling the VPN or proxy, restart Chrome and check whether the error has been resolved.

If the website loads normally, the VPN or proxy service may be causing the connection changes. In that case, try updating the application, switching servers, or contacting the provider for assistance.

Fix 6: Change Your DNS Server

Your internet provider automatically assigns a DNS server, but these servers are not always the fastest or most reliable. If the DNS server is slow, unavailable, or returning incorrect information, Chrome may have trouble connecting to websites and display errors such as ERR_NETWORK_CHANGED.

Switching to a public DNS service such as Google DNS or Cloudflare DNS can improve reliability and help eliminate DNS-related connection issues.

Change DNS Settings in Windows 11

1. Press Windows + I to open Settings.
2. Select Network & Internet.
3. Click Wi-Fi or Ethernet, depending on your connection type.
4. Select your active network connection.
5. Next to DNS server assignment, click Edit.
6. Choose Manual from the drop-down menu.
7. Enable IPv4.
8. Enter one of the following DNS addresses:

Google DNS

• Preferred DNS: 8.8.8.8
• Alternate DNS: 8.8.4.4

Cloudflare DNS

• Preferred DNS: 1.1.1.1
• Alternate DNS: 1.0.0.1

9. Click Save.

After changing the DNS server, restart Google Chrome and test the website again.

If the error was caused by DNS resolution problems, the website should now load without interruption. If not, continue with the next solution.

Fix 7: Run the Windows Network Troubleshooter

Windows 11 includes a built-in Network Troubleshooter that can automatically detect and fix common networking problems. It checks network adapters, internet settings, DNS configuration, and other connection-related components that may be contributing to the ERR_NETWORK_CHANGED error.

While the troubleshooter doesn’t fix every issue, it can quickly identify misconfigured settings and apply repairs without requiring manual troubleshooting.

Run the Network Troubleshooter

1. Press Windows + I to open Settings.
2. Select System from the left pane.
3. Click Troubleshoot.
4. Select Other troubleshooters.
5. Locate Network and Internet.
6. Click Run next to it.
7. Follow the on-screen instructions.
8. Allow Windows to apply any recommended fixes.

Once the troubleshooting process is complete, restart Google Chrome and check whether the website loads normally.

If Windows detects and repairs a network configuration problem, the ERR_NETWORK_CHANGED error may be resolved. Otherwise, move on to the next fix.

Fix 8: Update the Network Adapter Driver

The network adapter driver allows Windows to communicate with your Wi-Fi or Ethernet hardware. If the driver is outdated, corrupted, or incompatible with a recent Windows update, network connections may become unstable and trigger errors such as ERR_NETWORK_CHANGED.

Installing the latest driver can improve network stability and resolve connection issues caused by driver-related problems.

Update the Network Driver

1. Right-click the Start button and select Device Manager.
2. Expand the Network adapters category.
3. Right-click your Wi-Fi or Ethernet adapter.
4. Select Update driver.
5. Choose Search automatically for drivers.
6. Wait for Windows to search for and install any available updates.
7. Restart your computer if prompted.

Download the Latest Driver from the Manufacturer

If Windows cannot find a newer driver, visit your computer or network adapter manufacturer’s website and download the latest driver designed for Windows 11.

Common manufacturers include:

• Intel
• Realtek
• Qualcomm
• Broadcom

After updating the driver, restart your PC and test the affected website in Chrome.

If the error began after a Windows update or driver installation, updating the network adapter driver may restore a stable connection. If the problem persists, proceed to the next solution.

Fix 9: Reset Network Settings in Windows 11

If none of the previous solutions have worked, your network configuration may be significantly misconfigured or corrupted. Windows 11 includes a Network Reset feature that removes and reinstalls all network adapters while restoring networking components to their default settings.

This process can resolve persistent connection problems caused by incorrect network settings, damaged adapters, or software conflicts.

Perform a Network Reset

1. Press Windows + I to open Settings.
2. Select Network & internet from the left pane.
3. Click Advanced network settings.
4. Under More settings, select Network reset.
5. Click Reset now.
6. Confirm the action when prompted.
7. Wait for Windows to restart your computer.

After the restart, reconnect to your Wi-Fi network if necessary and open Google Chrome.

Keep in mind that a network reset removes saved network settings, VPN configurations, and custom DNS settings. You may need to reconfigure these settings afterward.

If corrupted network components were causing the ERR_NETWORK_CHANGED error, the problem should now be resolved. If the error still appears, try the final solution below.

Fix 10: Reset Google Chrome

If the ERR_NETWORK_CHANGED error only occurs in Chrome while other browsers work normally, the problem may be related to the browser itself. Corrupted settings, problematic extensions, or changes made by third-party software can interfere with Chrome’s network configuration and cause connection errors.

Resetting Chrome restores the browser’s default settings without deleting your bookmarks, browsing history, or saved passwords.

Reset Chrome to Default Settings

1. Open Google Chrome.
2. Click the three-dot menu in the top-right corner.
3. Select Settings.
4. Click Reset settings from the left sidebar.
5. Select Restore settings to their original defaults.
6. Click Reset settings to confirm.

Chrome will disable extensions, clear temporary data, and restore its default configuration.

Disable Extensions Individually

If you don’t want to reset Chrome immediately, you can test whether an extension is causing the problem.

1. Type chrome://extensions/ in the address bar and press Enter.
2. Disable all installed extensions.
3. Restart Chrome.
4. Check whether the website loads correctly.
5. Re-enable extensions one at a time until you identify the problematic extension.

If Chrome loads websites normally after the reset, one of your browser settings or extensions likely caused the ERR_NETWORK_CHANGED error.

How to Prevent ERR_NETWORK_CHANGED Errors in Google Chrome

Although the ERR_NETWORK_CHANGED error is usually easy to fix, taking a few preventive measures can reduce the chances of it recurring. Most cases are caused by unstable network connections, DNS issues, or sudden changes to your internet configuration.

To help maintain a stable browsing experience:

• Keep Google Chrome and Windows 11 up to date with the latest security and bug fixes.
• Use a reliable internet connection and avoid switching frequently between Wi-Fi networks, mobile hotspots, and Ethernet connections.
• Choose a trusted DNS provider such as Google DNS or Cloudflare DNS if your ISP’s DNS servers are unreliable.
• Keep your network adapter drivers up to date to ensure compatibility with the latest Windows updates.
• Avoid using multiple VPN or proxy services simultaneously, as they can cause unexpected network changes.

Following these best practices can improve network stability and help prevent connection interruptions that may trigger the ERR_NETWORK_CHANGED error in Google Chrome.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)