Fix ERR_NETWORK_CHANGED Error in Chrome: 7 Proven Solutions

If you’ve ever been browsing peacefully and suddenly Chrome flashes the message “ERR_NETWORK_CHANGED,” you know how frustrating it can be. This error simply means that your browser detected a change in your network connection, interrupting your access to the internet.

But don’t worry, this guide will show you 7 proven ways to fix ERR_NETWORK_CHANGED in Google Chrome, along with easy explanations for why these methods work.

What Is ERR_NETWORK_CHANGED?

This Chrome error indicates that your network configuration changed while the browser was trying to load a webpage. It could be caused by anything from a router restart to switching between Wi-Fi networks.

Why Does This Error Appear in Chrome?

Some of the most common reasons include:

• Your ISP changed your IP address during browsing.
• You switched between wired and wireless networks.
• Chrome’s DNS cache got corrupted.
• VPN or proxy servers interfered with your connection.
• A background process is altering your network settings.

Understanding the Impact

When the ERR_NETWORK_CHANGED error occurs, Chrome temporarily blocks web requests to avoid conflicts. This prevents websites from loading properly until your network stabilizes again. It can also disrupt downloads, online meetings, and streaming services.

How to Confirm if It’s a Local Problem

Before diving into fixes, test your connection:

1. Open another device on the same network and check if the issue persists.
2. Try accessing other browsers like Edge or Firefox.
3. If only Chrome shows the error, it’s a browser-level issue.

If all devices show the same error, the problem likely lies with your internet connection.

Solution 1: Restart Your Router and Modem

The simplest fix is often the most effective.

Steps:

1. Unplug your router and modem.
2. Wait 30 seconds.
3. Plug them back in and wait for full connection.

This refreshes your IP address and clears temporary network glitches.

Solution 2: Disable and Re-enable Your Network Adapter

A quick network reset can fix misconfigurations.

For Ubuntu

1. Click the Network icon → toggle Wi-Fi off and then back on.
2. Or use Terminal commands:

nmcli networking off 
sleep 5 
nmcli networking on

nmcli networking off 
sleep 5 
nmcli networking on

This restarts your entire network layer on Ubuntu.

For Windows:

• Press Windows + R, type ncpa.cpl, and hit Enter.

• Right-click on your active connection.
• Select Disable, wait a few seconds, and then Enable it again.

For macOS:

1. Go to System Preferences > Network.
2. Select your active connection and click the “–” icon to remove it.
3. Add it back again with the “+” icon.

Solution 3: Flush DNS and Renew IP Address

Your computer stores DNS records locally, and these can become outdated.

Ubuntu Commands

sudo systemd-resolve --flush-caches
sudo dhclient -r
sudo dhclient

sudo systemd-resolve --flush-caches
sudo dhclient -r
sudo dhclient

This forces Ubuntu to renew your IP and flush DNS caches at the OS level.

Windows Commands

ipconfig /flushdns
ipconfig /release
ipconfig /renew

ipconfig /flushdns
ipconfig /release
ipconfig /renew

After running these commands, restart your computer. This forces your system to request a new IP from your ISP.

macOS Commands

sudo dscacheutil -flushcache; sudo killall -HUP mDNSResponder

sudo dscacheutil -flushcache; sudo killall -HUP mDNSResponder

Solution 4: Clear Chrome’s DNS Cache

Chrome keeps its own internal DNS cache separate from your OS.

Steps:

1. In Chrome, type this in the address bar:
    chrome://net-internals/#dns
2. Click on Clear host cache.

This clears Chrome’s outdated DNS entries, which often resolves the problem immediately.

Solution 5: Disable VPN or Proxy Connections

VPNs and proxies change your network route and IP frequently, triggering the error.

Ubuntu

1. Open Settings > Network > Network Proxy.
2. Set it to None.
3. Or use:
4. gsettings set org.gnome.system.proxy mode ‘none’

Windows

To Disable:

1. Disconnect from any VPN apps.
2. Go to Settings > Network & Internet > Proxy (on Windows).
3. Turn off any manual proxy configurations.
   

If you rely on a VPN, try switching servers or using a stable provider.

macOS

1. Navigate to System Preferences > Network > Advanced > Proxies.
2. Uncheck all active proxies → OK.

Solution 6: Update Network Drivers

Outdated or corrupted drivers can cause connection interruptions.

Ubuntu

Run these commands in Terminal:

sudo apt update
sudo apt upgrade -y
sudo apt install --reinstall network-manager
sudo systemctl restart NetworkManager

sudo apt update
sudo apt upgrade -y
sudo apt install --reinstall network-manager
sudo systemctl restart NetworkManager

This updates all essential networking components.

Windows

How to Update:

1. Press Windows + X and open Device Manager.
2. Expand Network adapters.
3. Right-click your adapter and select Update driver.
4. Choose Search automatically for drivers.

For better performance, always keep your drivers up to date using manufacturer tools.

Solution 7: Reset TCP/IP Stack

This step rebuilds your network settings from scratch.

Ubuntu

In Terminal, restart the interface manually:

sudo ip link set eth0 down
sudo ip link set eth0 up

sudo ip link set eth0 down
sudo ip link set eth0 up

(Replace eth0 with your actual interface—use ip a to check.)
 Or restart the entire network service:

sudo systemctl restart NetworkManager

sudo systemctl restart NetworkManager

Windows

Steps:

1. Open Command Prompt (Admin).
2. Run the command:
3. netsh int ip reset
4. Restart your computer.

This method helps when hidden network conflicts or misconfigurations cause repeated disconnections.

FAQ