How to Fix ERR_EMPTY_RESPONSE Error on Google Chrome

No one can deny the fact that when it comes to the leading browsers, Google Chrome tops the chart. Backed by Google with regular updates, features and fixes Chrome is not only lightning fast but also secure. But it doesn’t mean that  it is flawless or the users using it never face a problem with it. There are some errors and problems that a user faces while using Chrome and literally have no idea on how to fix them. ERR_EMPTY_RESPONSE is one such error that several users face while they try to access the Internet. And if you are one among them who is encountering this error and looking for a fix for the same, then you have landed at the right place. In this article we have summed up some common yet powerful tips for fixing ERR_EMPTY_RESPONSE error on Chrome.

What causes ERR_EMPTY_RESPONSE error on Chrome

If you look at the message itself then it basically does not provide much of the information about the error. What basically happens is the user tries to access any website but  instead of loading that webpage Chrome shows an error code ERR_EMPTY_RESPONSE. There can be several reasons for this error like piling of cache in the browser, outdated or corrupt network driver, faulty browser extensions, temporary or permanent network error. But the good thing is that this error can be easily resolved permanently by using the fixes given below.

You need to start from fix 1 and continue till the error is permanently fixed and you can use the browser without any error.

Also Read: How To Fix the Error “This Site Can’t be Reached”

Use Chrome In Private Mode

As we all know that whenever a user browses Chrome in incognito mode, all the browsing history is cleared at the termination of the session. So, first of all try visiting the same website on incognito mode to check whether it loads properly or you encounter an error message of ERR_EMPTY_RESPONSE.

Launch Chrome and press Ctrl+Shift+N keys on your keyboard at the same time. This will open a new Chrome incognito window. Now type in the address of the website in the URL box to check whether it is properly loading or you are still getting any error message. If the website loads properly that the error might be due to clogging of cache or faulty extensions. If the problem persists then it might be a network error or a faulty or corrupt driver.

Clear Chrome Cache and Browsing Data

Whatever you browse in your Chrome browser it keeps on increasing your browsing data and cache. So if you browse a lot and didn’t clear the cache and browsing data from time to time then by the time you are reading this article you have clogged your browser, that has resulted in the slow browsing, crashes and errors like ERR_EMPTY_RESPONSE. To another quick fix to resolve this error is clearing cache and browsing data of Chrome by following the steps below:

Note: You can proceed with basic cleaning of data that clear cookies, browsing history, other site data, cached images and files or advance cleaning that clear download history, saved passwords, autofill form data, site settings, other sign-in data and hosted app data. However, we recommend that you go first with the basic version and then use advanced cleaning, if required.

1. Launch Chrome browser and at the top right corner of the browser click on the menu icon (three dots).

2. Select Settings option from the drop-down menu.

3. Select Privacy and security from the left pane. Now click on Clear browsing data from the right pane.

4. On the Clear browsing data box that prompts select the time range(we suggest you to select it as All time) and click on the Clear data button.

Now try loading the website to check whether you are able to load it properly or still getting the ERR_EMPTY_RESPONSE error.

Also Read: How To Speed Up Google Chrome

Uninstall Faulty Chrome extensions

Do you remember recently installing any extension on Chrome after which the problem started? If yes then first of all remove that buggy extension that is causing that error. If you haven’t recently installed any extension then also we recommend you to check all the previously installed extensions and remove the one that you no longer use.

We do agree with the fact that extensions are there to enrich the browsing experience, however faulty or outdated extensions can cause various issues with the browser including the error ERR_EMPTY_RESPONSE while loading the website.

To remove unneeded Chrome Extensions follow the steps below:

1. Launch Chrome and at the top right corner of the screen click on the menu icon.

2. From the menu select More tools > Extensions.

3. Now carefully look at all the extensions and pick the ones that are no longer needed and completely remove them by clicking on the Remove button. If you feel that the error is caused by some specific extension then first remove it permanently.

Please note that you should only add the extensions that come from a reliable source as like browsers, extensions also need to be updated from time to time to avoid any incompatibility issues.

Note: Above image is just used for illustration purposes, we in no way recommend you to remove Google Docs extension.

Now once you have removed all the unneeded extensions try loading the website again. If the error was due to a buggy extension that you no more face any error.

Update Network Driver of Your Computer

If removing the browsing data, cache and extensions doesn’t provide you with the fix then it is quite likely that the error, ERR_EMPTY_RESPONSE is caused due to an outdated or corrupt network driver.

Now as we already discussed in our previous articles that driver update can be done through two ways, manually and automatically. On one side where manually updating a driver involves a lot of risk, effort, research and time, automatically updating the driver is just a one click process.

Moreover, manually updating a driver you have to be well versed with the configuration of the machine along with the device for which you need a driver. In short if you are a novice user then manually updating an outdated driver is not your cup of tea. But the good news is that you can still update your outdated driver with a driver updater tool with no risk.

Among various available driver updater tools on the Internet we recommend Systweak’s Advanced Driver Updater tool. This amazing software is there in the market from past more than a decade and has already won millions of hearts from around the world. Moreover the product has a lightning fast scan engine backed up by a vast driver database for almost every device.

You can download the product from here. After downloading the product you have to just install it on your computer like you install any other computer software.

Click Here to Download Advanced Driver Updater 

And once the product is installed, click on the Start Scan Now button to start the scan for outdated drivers. Within no time the product will list all the outdated drivers present on your computer, thanks to its lightning fast scan engine.

Now to update the drivers you no longer need to check them on their manufacturer website, on the contrary you have to click on the Update All button. So that the product installs the most compatible and recent drivers on your computer.

We have covered in detail about the product in our article, Complete Product Review – Advanced Driver Updater.

Now, once you have updated your outdated network driver with Advanced Driver Updater you will no more get the error ERR_EMPTY_RESPONSE while browsing the web.

Reset Network Settings

You have updated the network driver but the problem still persists then it means that network settings on your computer are configured incorrectly. So to fix the error ERR_EMPTY_RESPONSE we will try resetting the network settings by following the steps below.

1. Click on the Windows Start button and type Command Prompt in the Windows Search bar. Now on the top results for Command Prompt right click on it and select the option Run as administrator.

2. On the Windows UAC box, click on the Yes button.

3. Now on the Command Prompt screen type the commands given below sequentially.

Note: You have to press the Enter key after typing each command.

• ipconfig /release
• ipconfig /renew
• ipconfig /flushdns
• netsh winsock reset
• net stop dhcp
• net start dhcp
• netsh winhttp reset proxy

After executing all the commands, close the Command Prompt window and restart your computer. After the computer restarts, check whether you are still getting the same error.

Check your Network

You have tried all the possible steps and still you are facing the ERR_EMPTY_RESPONSE error, then it is highly possible that the fault lies with your network connection. Cross check your router if it’s functioning properly and the network light is constant. If you find issues with the router or network then immediately contact your Internet Service Provider to troubleshoot the issue.

Wrapping UP

Although the ERR_EMPTY_RESPONSE error looks to be quite annoying and frustrating but you can fix it easily by following the above listed steps. If you wish to share any other fix that has worked for you and we haven’t covered in our article then let us know in the comment section below. We will add that in our article. Also if you have other feedback and suggestions then do share them as well in the comments section below. Your suggestions keep us motivated.

Recommended Readings:

How To Resolve “The File Or Directory Is Corrupted And Unreadable” Error

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