Best Ways to Fix “Network Change Detected” in Chrome

Although Chrome is the most popular browser in the world, sometimes you may encounter the “ERR_NETWORK_CHANGED” error message when using Chrome, which can hinder your browsing. This issue can be annoying and cause network connectivity to drop or browsing to be delayed. Fortunately, there are several effective methods that you can try to fix this issue and restore your smooth browsing experience.

So, what are some of the best ways to fix this issue? Check out how to fix “Sorry!” error messages for page crashes in Google Chrome.

1. Shut down and reopen Chrome.

The quick fix to go through on this list is probably the simplest. While this method is not 100% effective, it can sometimes solve any complex browser issue, such as the network change message. So, before changing your browser or device settings, try shutting down and reopening Chrome.

2. Clear your browsing history

Clearing your browsing data is often an unexpected fix for a variety of issues you may encounter while using Chrome or any browser in general. So, it’s always a good idea to start by clearing your browsing data to eliminate any potential underlying issues.

You can do this by clicking on the More icon. At the top of the Chrome window. Next, scroll down to the History tab and click the next tab, History, at the top of the accompanying window.

After clicking on the specific tab, you will be taken to a page in Chrome’s settings where you can view your history. To the left of the search menu, you will see a button labeled “Clear browsing data.” Click on it, and a pop-up window will appear that lets you select what type of search data you want to remove and for how long.

We recommend that you delete your search history, cookies, and cache for the best chance of fixing the network error you're experiencing.

3. Check your proxy server settings.

A proxy server acts as a gateway between you and the Internet. It is often used for security and privacy reasons, but it can cause problems for your network connection, and therefore your browser.

To check your proxy server settings:

1. Click on the more icon At the top right of the screen.
2. Then click on the “Settings” tab in the drop-down menu, followed by the “Advanced” tab on the left side of the Settings window.
3. Next, under the System tab, click Open your computer's proxy settings.

Or you can simply go to your device’s settings and type “Proxy” into the search bar, which should provide you with your proxy settings. Here, you can see if you’re using a proxy server and disable it if you are. Check out the differences between VPN and Proxy: How to choose the best one to protect your online privacy?

4. Update your device software

Although updating all the apps and drivers built into your computer can be a daunting task, it can help you fix the ERR_NETWORK_CHANGED error code on Chrome.

If you're not sure if your device is worth updating, you can check by going to Settings Take a look at the “Software Update” section on iOS or the “Update & Security” section on a Windows computer. If you have a different brand than the ones listed here, a quick Google search should give you the steps to check if an update is required on your device.

5. Restart your Wi-Fi router.

When it comes to network issues, restarting your router can come to the rescue. So, if your browser shows a “Network change detected” message, try turning your router off for a minute and then turning it back on.

This solution is simple, all you need to do is remove the power cable from the back of the modem and reconnect it after a short while.

6. Disable Chrome extensions

Chrome extensions can sometimes interfere with your browser, and there may be some extensions active on your browser that you didn’t know about. If the specific network error discussed here is causing the issue, temporarily disabling Chrome extensions can be a quick and effective fix. Check out ways to make sure Chrome extensions installed in your browser are safe.

You can access installed add-ons by clicking on the More icon. At the top right of the Chrome window, click on the “More Tools” tab near the bottom of the drop-down menu. This will then create a drop-down menu with an “Extensions” tab.

After clicking on this tab, you can view all the extensions that have been downloaded to your browser. The toggle switch at the bottom right of each extension allows you to either disable or enable it.

7. Clear DNS settings

This solution is a bit more complicated, but it's not difficult to implement. Clearing or removing DNS can solve many network connection errors and only takes a few steps. However, the process varies depending on the device you're using.

• Windows: Click on Win + R And enter CMDWhen the command prompt opens, enter the following command: and press Enter:

ipconfig /flushdns

• macOS: Click on Command + Space To open Spotlight search, enter Terminal. Open the Terminal application, then enter the following command, followed by your administrator password.

sudo dscacheutil -flushcache;sudo killall -HUP mDNSResponder

For every Linux user, you are not left out: there are multiple ways to clear DNS on Linux.

8. Update Google Chrome

As with device updates, updating the Chrome app can fix a myriad of issues, including network errors. This is a very easy process and involves clicking the More icon At the top right of Chrome, hover over “Help,” then click “About Google Chrome.” The browser will then check for an update. If you see “Chrome is updated,” you’re already using the latest patch.

9. Remove unwanted network connections

Generally speaking, the only network connection you'll need is your Wi-Fi router or hotspot, so having a long list of additional connections in your settings can lead to a variety of different network errors.

You can easily do this by going to your device’s Settings, clicking on the “Network” or “Connections” tab, and removing any connections that you no longer want or need to save on your device. The specific steps required for this will vary depending on the type of operating system your device is running, whether it’s iOS, Windows, or something else. But in general, you should be able to find a list of your connections in the “Network” or “Network & Sharing” section of your settings.

You can also perform a network reset within the network settings section itself if you'd rather completely erase your saved connections and start from scratch.

10. Reset Chrome settings

Resetting Chrome settings can be a convenient way to resolve the network change error without wasting much time. To do this, first click on the More icon At the top right of the Chrome window. Then click the “Settings” tab near the bottom of the drop-down menu.

Once you get to the Settings window, type “reset” in the top search bar, and you should get “Reset Settings” as a suggested option. Once you click on it, another window will appear, where you can confirm that your settings are reset.

While it may sometimes seem like you’ll never be able to get over a network error, sometimes it just takes a little time and a few different attempts to get your browser back up and running. So, if you’re facing the “Network change detected” error on Chrome, try some of these quick fixes. You might be able to get back online in no time. Now you can read Why is browsing in Chrome so slow? You can preload web pages before you even visit them.