How to Fix Err_Tunnel_Connection_Failed Error?

Google Chrome is one of the most popular browsers users use (almost 65.38% as of June 2024). It is so because it is the fastest web browser as of now, and we all can agree on one thing – “Speed” matters when it comes to browsing.

Apart from that, various other features and timely patches that keep this browser secure from hackers and malicious malware are also important factors contributing to its popularity and wide use.

Despite various features and security measures, Google Chrome is NOT error-free. Several errors, such as Err_Cache_Miss, NET::ERR_Cert_Weak_Signature_Algorithm, Err_Tunnel_Connection_Failed, and many more, can be seen displayed on the browser’s screen.

These errors are frustrating and troublesome to remove, especially the Err_Tunnel_Connection_Failed Error. This error mainly occurs when the browser cannot connect securely with the site, leading to a poor browsing experience and delay in performing important tasks.

If you are one of those people being repeatedly greeted by the Err_Tunnel_Connection_Failed Error and want to get it fixed, read the article until the end.

In this piece, we will explore everything there is to know about the Err_Tunnel_Connection_Failed warning message. As in – What exactly is this error? What are the reasons because of which this error pops up in the first place? And most importantly – How to Fix the Err_Tunnel_Connection_Failed Error?

What is the Err_Tunnel_Connection_Failed Error?

The err_tunnel_connection_failed error refers to an issue with the Domain Name System or proxy. This issue mainly occurs when the browser (in this case – Google Chrome) cannot establish a secure and encrypted connection with the web server due to problems with the tunnel.

The err_tunnel_connection_failed error sometimes also denotes that the website that the user is trying to visit or access is either down or has been moved to a new web address. 

Reasons Behind this Error?

The main reason this error pops up is that – Google Chrome cannot form a secure and encrypted connection with the web server. This happens due to problems with the tunnel. Apart from that, there are other reasons as well that can give rise to the err_tunnel_connection_failed warning message, such as:

• Incorrect VPN configurations or proxy settings
• Interference from security software, like – antivirus and firewall
• Issue with local network equipment (example hub) or ISP
• Corrupted Google Chrome browser files or settings
• Incorrect proxy settings
• Incorrect VPN settings
• Corrupted cache, cookies, or browser data, etc.

How to Fix the Err_Tunnel_Connection_Failed Error?

Seven (7) methods or techniques can be employed to get the err_tunnel_connection_failed error resolved. Start with the first method and in case, if it doesn’t work move on to the subsequent (next) one.

We are sure one of these seven methods or techniques listed below will fix the issue.

Method 1: – Disable Proxy Settings

Method 2: – Update Network Settings

Method 3: – Change Domain Name System Settings

Method 4: – Clear Chrome’s Cache & History

Method 5: – Temporarily Turn Off Chrome Extensions

Method 6: – Reset Google Chrome Settings

Method 7: – Update Google Chrome Browser

Let’s explore each of these methods in depth.

Method 1: – Disable Proxy Settings

Proxies are of great help as you can use them to protect your web privacy by masking your IP address. But sometimes proxies can also experience overloading issues or dead servers, which could lead to an error in the err_tunnel_connection_failed error.

Hence, if you are facing an issue in discussion, it’s better to disable the proxy settings and re-access the site.

Follow the steps mentioned below to disable the proxy settings:

• Click Search, placed on the taskbar.
• Type Control Panel and press Enter.
• The Control Panel window will appear.
• Under the Adjust your computer’s settings section, click Network and Internet.
• The Network and Internet window will appear.
• Click Internet Options.
• The Internet Properties window will appear.
• In the Internet Properties window, click the Connections tab.
• Under the Local Area Network (LAN) settings section, click the LAN settings button.
• The Local Area Network (LAN) Settings window will appear.
• In the Local Area Network (LAN) Settings window, in the Proxy server section, uncheck the checkbox placed adjacent to the Use a proxy server for your LAN (These settings will not apply to dial-up or VPN connections) option.
• Check the checkbox placed adjacent to the Automatically detect settings option.
• Click OK.
• Re-access the site.
• Verify whether the issue persists or not.

Method 2: – Update Network Settings

Due to outdated network setting the browser is unable to establish a secure and encrypted connection with the web server, giving rise to the err_tunnel_connection_failed warning message. Hence verify whether the network settings are up to date or not. If not, update them.

Follow the steps mentioned below to update the network settings:

• Click Search, placed on the taskbar.
• Type Command Prompt.
• Click Run as administrator.
• The User Account Control dialogue box will appear.
• Input the credentials and click Yes.
• The Administrator: Command Prompt window will appear.
• In the Administrator: Command Prompt window, perform the following actions:
  • Type the IPCONFIG /FLUSHDNS command.
  • Press Enter.
  • Type the NBSTAT –R command.
  • Press Enter.
  • Type the NETSH INT IP RESET command.
  • Press Enter.
  • Type the NETSH WINSOCK RESET command.
  • Press Enter.
• Restart the system.
• Re-access the site.
• Verify whether the error exits or not.

Method 3: – Change Domain Name System Settings

Change the Domain Name System settings to alter the path through which Google Chrome retrieves site data. You can also switch to another DNS server, like – Google’s Public DNS, as it will enable accurate and updated retrieval of the site’s SSL cert.

Follow the steps mentioned below to change the Domain Name System settings:

• Click Search, placed on the taskbar.
• Type Control Panel and press Enter.
• The Control Panel window will appear.
• Click Network and Internet.
• The Network and Internet page will appear.
• In the Network and Internet page, click Network and Sharing Center.
• The Network and Sharing Center page will appear.
• In the left pane, click Change adapter settings.
• The Network Connections window will appear.
• In the Network Connections window, right-click on your connection.
• Select Properties.
• Double-click the Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4) option.
• The Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4) tab will appear.
• Click General.
• Check the checkbox placed in front of the Use the following DNS server addresses option.
• In the Preferred DNS server filed, type preferred DNS address (ex – 8.8.8.8)
• In the Alternate DNS server filed, type alternate DNS address (ex – 8.8.4.4)
• Check the checkbox placed adjacent to the Validate Settings option.
• Click OK.
• Restart the system.
• Re-access the site.
• Verify whether the error exits or not.

Method 4: – Clear Chrome’s Cache & History

Google Chrome stores data in its cache. It boosts page loading speed and provides the user with a personalized web experience. But, sometimes, outdated cache information can lead to connectivity issues, such as the err_tunnel_connection_failed error.

Follow the steps given below to clear cookies and cached data:

• Open a fresh tab in Chrome.
• Click on the Customize and Control Google Chrome (three horizontal dots in the top right corner) icon.
• From the list, select Delete browsing data.
• The Delete browsing data dialoguebox will appear.
• In the Delete browsing data dialogue box, perform the following actions:
• From the Time range list, select the duration. (preferred – All time)
• Check the checkbox placed adjacent to the Browsing history option.
• Check the checkbox placed adjacent to the Cookies and other site data option.
• Check the checkbox placed adjacent to the Cached images and files option.
• Click Clear data.
• Re-access the site.
• Verify whether the error exits or not.

Method 5: – Temporarily Turn Off Chrome Extensions

Specific extensions can interfere with the Google Chrome browser and cause the err_tunnel_connection_failed error. To fix this, temporarily turn off or disable each extension individually to find the culprit.

Follow the steps mentioned below to temporarily turn off Chrome browser extensions individually:

• Open a fresh tab in Google Chrome.
• Click the Extension icon.
• Click Manage extensions.
• The Extensions page will appear.
• Turn the toggle button off of the extension that you want to temporarily disable.
• Re-access the site.
• Verify whether the error exits or not.
• If it does, repeat the process from – Step 2.

Method 6: – Reset Google Chrome Settings

Sometimes, because of old or incorrect Chrome browser settings, the err_tunnel_connection_failed error can also pop up. Hence, it is best to reset the Chrome settings and then check whether the issue in the discussion persists or not.

Follow the steps mentioned below to reset Google Chrome browser settings:

• Open a fresh tab in Google Chrome.
• Click on the Customize and control Google Chrome icon (three vertical dots).
• From the list, select Settings.
• The Settings page will appear.
• On the Settings page, in the left pane, click Reset settings.
• Under the Reset settings section, click Restore settings to their original defaults.
• The Reset settings? dialogue box will appear.
• In the Reset settings? dialogue box, click Reset settings.
• Re-access the site.
• Verify whether the error exits or not.

Method 7: – Update Google Chrome Browser

If, for any reason, you haven’t updated the Chrome browser and are still using an older version of Chrome, then it might be the reason why you are being greeted by the err_tunnel_connection_failed warning message again and again while trying to access a site.

To fix it, simply update the Google Chrome browser.

Follow the steps mentioned below to update the Google Chrome browser:

• Open a fresh tab in Google Chrome.
• Click on Customize and control Google Chrome icon (three vertical dots).
• From the list, select Help, and click About Google Chrome.
• The update will start automatically if it’s not the – latest version.