Internet Problem – Error 118 (net::ERR_CONNECTION_TIMED_OUT)

I have been getting this problem for a while now. I have a Windows 7 computer and a Belkon router. I use both Chrome and Firefox. In Chrome, at times, some websites fail to load up. Often Google sites are the main problem, with others loading OK. Often the problem happens with Facebook too. Chrome provides this error message:

This web page is not available

Google Chrome could not load the web page because accounts.google.com took too long to respond. The website may be down or you may be experiencing issues with your Internet connection.

Here are some suggestions:

• Reload this web page later.
• Check your Internet connection. Reboot any routers, modems or other network devices that you may be using.
• Add Google Chrome as a permitted programme in your firewall or antivirus software’s settings. If it is already a permitted programme, try deleting it from the list of permitted programmes and adding it again.
• If you use a proxy server, check your proxy settings or contact your network administrator to make sure the proxy server is working. If you don’t believe you should be using a proxy server, adjust your proxy settings: Go to the Chrome menu > Settings > + Show advanced settings > Change proxy settings… > LAN Settings and deselect the “Use a proxy server for your LAN” checkbox.

Error 118 (net::ERR_CONNECTION_TIMED_OUT): The operation timed out.

I have now found a way to quickly, and almost always successfully fix this. Although it is annoying that it persists. But this is what I have done, and still do;

1. Change to Google DNS

In my PC I have set the DNS to use Google DNS. This is done by going to your Windows Control Panel > Network and Internet ? Change adapter settings (this option is on the left nav bar, see screenshot).

Then you see the Local Area Connection – Left Mouse Click it to highlight it, and then Right Mouse Click it and select Properties at the bottom. Then highlight Internet Protocol Version 4 and click Properties. Here are more screenshots:

In the last to boxes of the IPv4 window there are Prefered DNS server and Alternate DNS Server. Change these to 8.8.4.4. and 8.8.8.8. as shown. If there is something there now, take a note, just in case you need to put it back.

So, now your computer will use Google DNS. I have found that this causes fewer problems, but I am still getting the errors.

Flush DNS and Renew DNS

The other thing I do, which generally works, is Flush and Renew DNS in the Windows Command Prompt. To open the Command Prompt you can just hold down the Windows key and press R (Win-R) which brings up the “Run box”, then type cmd and hit OK. This will open the box. Alternatively you can find it with the mouse from Windows Start > All Programs > Accessories.

To flush the DNS type

ipconfig /flushdns

Then to renew DNS, type:

ipconfig /renew

If you keep the Command Prompt open all the time in the background, as soon as you get these network / Internet problems, you can open the Window then press the up arrow once to get the last command you typed (i.e. ipconfig /renew) and then hit enter. And then press the up arrow twice to get to the command before that (i.e. ipconfig /flushdns).

This Almost Always Works

On the rare occasion that this does not “fix” my Internet problem, I have rebooted the Router, or sometimes if desperate, run CCleaner, and failing that, rebooted the PC. Although maybe, I have not had to do that since adding the Google DNS.

You can learn more about Google DNS here: Changing your DNS servers settings – Google.com

More about Flushing and Renew DNS here: Ipconfig – Microsoft

Is this a perfect solution? No, of course it isn’t!