“The Request Timed Out” Error – Causes, Troubleshooting, and Solutions

The error message “The request timed out” appears when a request sent to a server takes too long to respond, causing the connection to fail. This typically happens due to server overload, slow internet connection, network congestion, DNS issues, or firewall restrictions.

In this detailed guide, we will explore:
✅ What causes the “Request Timed Out” error?
✅ Step-by-step troubleshooting methods
✅ How to fix and prevent this issue

🚨 Common Causes of “The Request Timed Out” Error

1️⃣ Slow or Unstable Internet Connection

If your internet connection is slow, requests may take too long to process.
Network packet loss or high latency can also lead to timeouts.

2️⃣ Server Overload or High Traffic

The website’s server may be experiencing heavy traffic, causing delays in processing requests.
If the server is slow or under maintenance, it may be unable to handle incoming requests.

3️⃣ DNS Issues

If the Domain Name System (DNS) is not resolving properly, it can delay communication between your device and the website server.
Using an unreliable or slow DNS server may lead to timeouts.

4️⃣ Firewall or Security Software Restrictions

Your firewall, antivirus, or security settings might be blocking certain connections, preventing the request from being processed.
Corporate networks or public Wi-Fi may have restricted access to certain websites.

5️⃣ Incorrect Proxy or VPN Settings

A misconfigured proxy or VPN might slow down the request, causing it to timeout.

6️⃣ Large Data Requests

If you are trying to load a website with large media files or upload/download large files, it may take longer than the server’s allowed processing time.

7️⃣ Network Congestion or ISP Issues

Heavy network traffic or ISP throttling can cause slow loading times, resulting in timeouts.

8️⃣ Server Misconfiguration or Poor Hosting

A misconfigured web server might have low timeout settings, causing requests to fail when processing takes too long.

🛠 How to Fix “The Request Timed Out” Error – Step-by-Step Guide

Follow these steps to diagnose and resolve the issue:

🔍 Step 1: Check Your Internet Connection

A weak or slow internet connection is one of the most common reasons for request timeouts.

✅ How to Check:

Restart your modem and router
- Unplug the power cable from your router and modem.
- Wait 30 seconds, then plug them back in.
- Try accessing the website again.
Check if other websites work
- Try opening a different website, such as Google (https://www.google.com).
- If no websites load, your internet connection may be down.
Run an Internet Speed Test
- Go to https://www.speedtest.net/ and check your speed.
- If your internet speed is too slow, the request might be timing out before it can complete.

✅ If the issue is with your connection, restart your router or contact your ISP.

🔍 Step 2: Clear Browser Cache & Cookies

Cached files or cookies may cause loading issues if they contain corrupted or outdated data.

✅ How to Clear Cache in Google Chrome:

Press Ctrl + Shift + Delete (Windows) or Cmd + Shift + Delete (Mac).
Select Cookies and other site data + Cached images and files.
Click Clear data and restart the browser.

✅ This removes corrupted cache files and refreshes the website connection.

🔍 Step 3: Flush DNS & Reset Network Settings

Flushing the DNS cache can help resolve domain resolution delays.

✅ How to Flush DNS (Windows & Mac):

On Windows:
- Open Command Prompt (Win + R → type cmd → Enter).
- Run the following command: ipconfig /flushdns
- Restart your browser and try again.
On Mac:
- Open Terminal and run: sudo dscacheutil -flushcache; sudo killall -HUP mDNSResponder

✅ This forces the system to clear old DNS records and fetch fresh ones.

🔍 Step 4: Change Your DNS Server

If your ISP’s DNS server is slow or unreliable, switching to a faster DNS can help.

✅ How to Change DNS on Windows:

Open Control Panel → Network and Internet → Network and Sharing Center.
Click Change adapter settings (on the left panel).
Right-click on your active internet connection → Select Properties.
Click on Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4) → Click Properties.
Select Use the following DNS server addresses and enter:
- Preferred DNS: 8.8.8.8
- Alternate DNS: 8.8.4.4
Click OK, restart your internet connection, and try again.

✅ This ensures you are using a reliable DNS service like Google DNS.

🔍 Step 5: Disable Firewall & Antivirus Temporarily

Your firewall or security software may be blocking connections.

✅ How to Temporarily Disable Firewall (Windows):

Open Control Panel → System and Security → Windows Defender Firewall.
Click Turn Windows Defender Firewall on or off.
Disable both Private and Public network firewalls.
Try opening the website.

✅ If the site loads, add it to your firewall’s whitelist.

🔍 Step 6: Disable Proxy or VPN

A misconfigured proxy or VPN can slow down requests, causing them to timeout.

✅ How to Disable Proxy in Windows:

Open Settings → Network & Internet → Proxy.
Under Manual Proxy Setup, turn off “Use a Proxy Server”.

✅ Try accessing the website again after disabling the proxy.

🔍 Step 7: Try a Different Network or Device

If possible, try connecting to a different Wi-Fi network or using mobile data.

✅ If the site loads on a different network, the issue is likely with your ISP.

🔍 Step 8: Check Website Status & Server Load

The website you’re trying to visit may be down due to high traffic or maintenance.

✅ How to Check if a Website is Down for Everyone:

Visit https://downforeveryoneorjustme.com/
Enter the website URL and check its status.

✅ If the site is down globally, wait for the owner to fix it.

🔍 Step 9: Contact Website Administrator or ISP

If all else fails, contact:
📌 The website administrator – If you suspect the server is misconfigured.
📌 Your ISP – If your network is blocking the request.

“The request timed out” – Operation exceeded the server’s allowed processing time.