February 14, 2022

Fix ERR_EMPTY_RESPONSE on Windows 10

Google is one of the top web browsers in this tech world. Over the years, the empire of the browser has been widespread to users in every nook and corner of this modern era. You might encounter a few errors like EMPTY_RESPONSE in Windows 10 while surfing the internet. If you encounter ERR_EMPTY_RESPONSE Windows 10, we understand your frustrating situation, and here we are going to help you fix the same with simple and efficient troubleshooting methods. Here we go!

Fix ERR_EMPTY_RESPONSE on Windows 10

How to Fix ERR_EMPTY_RESPONSE on Windows 10 

Some root causes for this issue are listed below.

  • Corrupt browsing data,
  • Bad internet connection,
  • Incompatible network drivers,
  • Outdated Windows version,
  • Malfunctioning of DNS server,
  • Antivirus interference.

We have compiled a list of methods to fix this ERR_EMPTY_RESPONSE Windows 10 error. The methods are arranged according to the basic level of effectiveness to the advanced level. Yet, before following the below-mentioned troubleshooting steps, you are advised to reboot your PC and check if you have fixed the problem. A simple restart might fix several temporary glitches, and you may attain solutions to your problem within simple steps. Still, if you didn’t attain a workaround, go ahead with these methods.

Method 1: Restart Router

Restarting the router will re-initiate the network connectivity. Few users have reported that all the changes marked in the configuration settings will be effective when you restart the router. Therefore, follow the below-mentioned steps.

1. Find the Power button at the back of your router.

2. Press the button once to turn it off.

router power button. Fix ERR_EMPTY_RESPONSE on Windows 10

3. Now, disconnect Router power cable and wait until the power is entirely drained from the capacitors.

4. Then, reconnect the power cable and switch it on after a minute. 

5. Wait until the network connection is re-established and try signing in again.

Method 2: Reset Router

Before you try the below instructions, you must be aware of a few points that router reset will bring the router back to the factory settings. All the settings and setups like forwarded ports, black-listed connections, credentials, etc., will be erased. Still, if you decide to reset the router, follow the instructions as discussed below.

Note 1: All the settings and setups like forwarded ports, black-listed connections, credentials, etc., will be erased. So, make sure to keep an account of these before proceeding to the instructions discussed below.

Note 2: After Reset, the router will switch back to its default settings and authentication password. So, use its default credentials to log-in after the reset.

1. Open the router settings using the default gateway IP address. Then, use your credentials to Login as shown.

login your credential in prolink adsl router login

2. Note down all the configuration settings. You will require them after resetting the router as you may lose your ISP credentials if you use a P2P protocol (Point-to-Point Protocol over the Internet)

3. Now, hold the Reset button on your router for 10-30 seconds.

Note: You may have to use pointing devices like a pin, or toothpick to press the RESET button in some Routers.

Reset Router Using Reset Button

4. The router will automatically turn off and turn back on. You can release the button when thelights begin to blink.

5. Re-enter configuration details for the router on the webpage.

Also Read: Fix Windows 10 Blue Screen Error

Method 3: Disable Startup Apps and Services

The issues concerning EMPTY_RESPONSE in Windows 10 can be fixed by disabling startup apps and services as shown below.

1. To launch the Run dialog box, press the Windows + R keys together.

2. After entering the msconfig command, click the OK button.

After entering the following command in the Run text box: msconfig, click the OK button.

3. The System Configuration window appears. Next, switch to the Services tab.

4. Check the box next to Hide all Microsoft services, and click on Disable all button as shown highlighted.

Check the box next to Hide all Microsoft services, and click on Disable all button. Fix ERR_EMPTY_RESPONSE on Windows 10Fix error 1500 Another Installation is in Progress

5. Now, switch to the Startup tab and click the link to Open Task Manager as depicted below.

Now, switch to the Startup tab and click the link to Open Task Manager

6. Now, the Task Manager window will pop up.

7. Next, select the Startup tasks which are not required and click Disable displayed in the bottom right corner.

select the startup tasks which are not required and click Disable displayed in the bottom right corner. Fix ERR_EMPTY_RESPONSE on Windows 10

8. Exit the Task Manager and System Configuration window.

9. Finally, reboot your PC.

Method 4: Run Ping Test & Reset ipconfig

Take a minute to analyze how your PC establishes a connection with the webpage you want to visit. You can analyze packet loss and thereby decide whether the remote connection to the corresponding website is established or not. Follow these steps to run ping test and reset ipconfig to fix ERR_EMPTY_RESPONSE Windows 10.

1. Launch the Command Prompt as administrator window by typing cmd in the search bar as shown.

Launch the Command Prompt as administrator window by typing cmd in the search bar

2. Now, type ping google.com and hit Enter.

type ping google.com and hit Enter. Fix ERR_EMPTY_RESPONSE on Windows 10

3. Wait for the results and make a note of the % loss.

type ping google.com and hit Enter

4. Analyze the results.

  • 0% packet loss means your PC has reached the remote server successfully, and now, you will not get any error while accessing it.
  • 100% packet loss is a bad indication that your PC has not transferred a single bit of data to the remote server. In this case, the culprit is your network connection or any corresponding website.
  • From 0% to 100% packet loss indicates an unstable internet connection that is being established between your PC and the remote server.

5. If you face 100% packet loss or any values from 0% to100%, you can try resetting internet connectivity using the following commands.

ipconfig /flushdns
ipconfig /registerdns
ipconfig /release
ipconfig /renew
netsh winsock reset

6. Type the above-listed commands one by one and hit Enter after each command.

Type the above listed commands one by one and hit Enter after each command. Fix ERR_EMPTY_RESPONSE on Windows 10

7. Finally, wait for the commands to be executed and reboot your Windows PC.

Also Read: How to Fix StartupCheckLibrary.dll Missing Error

Method 5: Run Network Adapter Troubleshooter

Running the Network Adapter Troubleshooter will resolve any glitches in the Ethernet connection, and this method is applicable not only for Windows 7 but also for Windows 7 & 8.1.

1. Press Windows + I keys simultaneously to launch Settings.

2. Click on the Update & Security tile, as shown.

Update and Security. Fix ERR_EMPTY_RESPONSE on Windows 10

3. Go to Troubleshoot menu from the left pane and locate Find and fix other problems in the right pane.

4. Select Network Adapter troubleshooter and click on Run the troubleshooter button shown highlighted.

Run the troubleshooter for Network adapters in Find and fix other problems section on Troubleshoot settings

5. Wait for the troubleshooter to detect and fix the problem. Once the process is complete, follow on-screen instructions and restart your PC.

Method 6: Change DNS Address

Several users have reported that the ERR_EMPTY_RESPONSE Windows 10 issue will be fixed by changing the DNS address provided by your Internet Service Provider. You may use the Google DNS address to tackle the issue, and here are a few instructions for changing the DNS address of your PC.

1. Press the Windows key, type Control Panel and click on Open.

Type Control Panel in the Windows search bar. Fix ERR_EMPTY_RESPONSE on Windows 10

2. Set View by: > Large icons and click on the Network and Sharing Center from the list.

Click on Network and Sharing Center

3. Next, click on the Change adapter settings hyperlink present in the left pane.

click on Change Adapter Settings located at the left. Fix ERR_EMPTY_RESPONSE on Windows 10

4. Right-click on your current network connection (e.g. Wi-Fi) and select Properties, as depicted.

right click on network connection like Wifi and select Properties

5: Under This connection uses the following items: list, locate and click Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4).

Click on Internet Protocol Version 4 and click on Properties. Fix ERR_EMPTY_RESPONSE on Windows 10

6. Click the Properties button, as highlighted above.

7. Here, select Use the following DNS server addresses: option and enter the following:

  • Preferred DNS server: 8.8.8.8
  • Alternate DNS server: 8.8.4.4

use preferred dns in ipv4 properties

8. Click on OK to save changes and exit. Check if EMPTY_RESPONSE Windows 10 error persists or not.

Also Read: Fix DISM Error 87 in Windows 10

Method 7: Update or RollBack Network Drivers

If the current drivers in your system are incompatible or outdated with the Google data, then you will face EMPTY_RESPONSE Windows 10. Therefore, you are advised to update your device and drivers to fix or avoid this EMPTY_RESPONSE Windows 10 error.

Option 1: Update Driver

1. Type Device Manager in the Windows 10 search menu.

Click on Start and type Device Manager. Click on Open. Fix ERR_EMPTY_RESPONSE on Windows 10

2. Double-click on Network adapters to expand it.

3. Right-click on your wireless network driver (e.g. Qualcomm Atheros QCA9377 Wireless Network Adapter) and select Update driver, as depicted below.

Double click on Network adapters

4. Next, click on Search automatically for drivers to automatically download and install the best available driver.

Next, click on Search automatically for drivers to locate and install the best available driver. Fix ERR_EMPTY_RESPONSE on Windows 10

5A. Now, the drivers will update and install to the latest version, if they are not updated.

5B. If they are already in an updated stage, the message saying The best drivers for your device are already installed will be shown.

The best driver for your device are already installed. Fix ERR_EMPTY_RESPONSE on Windows 10

6. Click on the Close button to exit the window and restart your PC.

Option 2: Roll Back Driver Updates

1. Go to Device Manager > Network adapters as earlier.

2. Right-click on the Wi-Fi driver (e.g. Intel(R) Dual Band Wireless-AC 3168) and select Properties, as depicted.

Double click on the Network adapters from the panel on the left and expand it

3. Switch to the Driver tab and select Roll Back Driver, as highlighted.

Note: If the option to Roll Back Driver is greyed out, it indicates that your computer does not have the pre-installed driver files or it has never been updated.

Switch to the Driver tab and select Roll Back Driver. Fix ERR_EMPTY_RESPONSE on Windows 10

4. Provide your reason for Why are you rolling back? in Driver Package rollback. Then, click on Yes, as illustrated below.

give reason to roll back drivers and click Yes in driver package rollback window

5. Then, click on OK to apply this change. Finally, restart your PC.

Method 8: Reinstall Network Drivers

If updating drivers does not give you a fix to ERR_EMPTY_RESPONSE Windows 10, you can uninstall the drivers and install them again. Then, follow the below-mentioned steps to implement the same.

1. Launch the Device Manager using the steps mentioned above.

2. Expand Network adapters by double-clicking on it.

3. Now, right-click on the network adapter and select Uninstall device as depicted below.

Now, right click on the driver and select Uninstall device

4. Now, a warning prompt will be displayed on the screen. Check the box marked Delete the driver software for this device and confirm the prompt by clicking Uninstall.

Now, a warning prompt will be displayed on the screen. Check the box Delete the driver software for this device. Fix ERR_EMPTY_RESPONSE on Windows 10

5. Now, visit the manufacturer’s website (e.g. Intel) to download the driver manually.

intel dual band wireless driver download page

7. Once downloaded, double click on the downloaded file and follow the given on-screen instructions to install it.

Also Read: Fix Windows Update Install Error 0x8007012a

Method 9: Disable VPN and Proxy Server

If your network connection blocks you from accessing Google clients, you can try using another connection or disable VPN/proxy. Then, follow the steps to implement the same to fix ERR_EMPTY_RESPONSE Windows 10.

Step I: Disable VPN

1. Hit the Windows key, type VPN Settings in the Windows Search Bar, and click on Open.

type vpn settings and click on Open in Windows 10 search bar. Fix ERR_EMPTY_RESPONSE on Windows 10

2. In the Settings window, select the Connected VPN (e.g. vpn2). 

select the VPN in vpn settings

3. Click on the Disconnect button.

click on Disconnect button to disconnect vpn. Fix ERR_EMPTY_RESPONSE on Windows 10

4. Now, switch Off the toggle for the following VPN options under Advanced Options:

  • Allow VPN over metered networks
  • Allow VPN while roaming

In the Settings window, disconnect the active VPN service and toggle off the VPN options under Advanced Options

Step II: Disable Proxy Server

1. Press the Windows + I keys simultaneously to open Settings.

2. Then, to open it, click on the Network & Internet setting.

click the Network and Internet section. Fix ERR_EMPTY_RESPONSE on Windows 10

3. Go to the Proxy tab on the left pane.

Go to the Proxy tab in the left pane

4. Toggle off the Use a proxy server option.

Turn off the Use a proxy server option

Method 10: Disable IPV6

In spite of the fact that IPv6 has added advantages over IPv4, there are a few limitations to it. However, if your system does not adapt to the IPv6 protocol, then you will face an EMPTY_RESPONSE error in Windows 10. Hence, you are advised to disable IPv6 as instructed below to fix ERR_EMPTY_RESPONSE Windows 10.

Note: Here, steps are demonstrated for a Wi-Fi connection. If you are using an Ethernet connection, choose the settings accordingly.

1. Right-click on the network icon in the system tray and select Open Network & Internet settings.

Right-click on the network icon in the system tray and select Open Network & Internet settings

2. Click Change adapter options.

Click Change adapter options

3. Now, right-click on the active network adapter and click on Properties as shown.

Now, right-click on your active Network adapter and click on Properties

4. Wi-Fi Properties window will pop up. Here, uncheck the Internet Protocol Version 6(TCP/IPv6) option.

Now, the Wi-Fi Properties window will pop up. Now, uncheck the Internet Protocol Version

5. Finally, click OK to save the changes and Restart your PC.

Also Read: How to Fix Access is Denied Windows 10

Method 11: Disable Multiple Network Adapters

If you use multiple network connections, do the following to disable the additional connections.

1. Open Network & Internet settings > Change adapter options by following steps 1-2 of the previous method.

2. Right-click on the network adapter and select the Disable option for all additional connections except the one you are using currently.

Now right-click on the adapter and select the Disable option.

Method 12: Delete Domain from the Host File (If Applicable)

If you have a corrupt entry in the host file, then you will face ERR_EMPTY_RESPONSE Windows 10 problem. To resolve this, delete the Chrome section having the domain name from the host file as instructed below.

1. Press Windows + E keys together to open Windows Explorer.

2. Now, switch to the View tab and check the Hidden items box shown highlighted.

Now, switch to the View tab and check the Hidden items box in the Show hide section

3. Now, copy and paste C:WindowsSystem32driversetc in the navigation pane as shown.

Now, copy and paste the following path in the navigation path

4. Right-click on the hosts file and select the Open with option as shown.

Now, select and right-click on the hosts file and select the Open with option | How to Fix EMPTY_RESPONSE Windows 10

5. Here, select the Notepad option from the list and click on OK.

Now, select the Notepad option from the list and click on OK | How to Fix EMPTY_RESPONSE Windows 10

The hosts file will be opened in the Notepad as follows.

Now, the hosts file will be opened in Notepad

7. Click on Ctrl + F keys to open the Find window. Here, type a domain name (for example, Wikipedia) in the Find what tab and click on Find Next button as depicted below.

Here, type domain name (for example Wikipedia) in the Find what tab and click on Find Next

8A. If you did not get any search results, it means there are no corrupt domain files on your PC.

8B. If you find the #domain section, click on it and delete it. Save the file by clicking on Ctrl+ S keys together and exit.

Method 13: Whitelist URL or Disable Antivirus Temporarily (If Applicable)

Sometimes, your antivirus program might prevent you from accessing any particular website due to security issues. In this case, whitelist your URL or disable the program temporarily as instructed below. Here, Avast is taken as an example. Follow the steps according to your antivirus program.

Note: Here, Avast Free Antivirus is taken as an example. You can follow the steps according to your antivirus application.

Option 1: Whitelist Website URL

If you do not want Avast to block any specific website, you can also whitelist the URL by following the below-mentioned steps and fix ERR_EMPTY_RESPONSE Windows 10 error.

1. Navigate to the Search Menu, type Avast and click on Open, as shown.

type avast and click open in windows search bar. Fix ERR_EMPTY_RESPONSE on Windows 10

2. Click on the Menu option at the top right corner.

Now, click on the Menu option at the top right corne

3. Next, click on Settings from the drop-down list.

Now, click on Settings from the drop down list. Fix ERR_EMPTY_RESPONSE on Windows 10

4. In the General tab, switch to the Exceptions tab and click on ADD ADVANCED EXCEPTION as illustrated below.

In the General tab, switch to the Exceptions tab and click on ADD ADVANCED EXCEPTION under the Exceptions field

5. Now, in the new window, click on Website/Domain as highlighted below.

Now, in the new window, click on Website or Domain. Fix ERR_EMPTY_RESPONSE on Windows 10

6. Now, paste the URL under the Type in url path section. Next, click on ADD EXCEPTION option. Refer to the pic.

Now, paste the URL in the Type in url path. Next, click on ADD EXCEPTION option

7. If you want to remove the URL from the Avast whitelist, go to the Settings > General > Exceptions menu and click on the Trash icon as depicted below.

If you want to remove the URL from the Avast whitelist, then in the main Settings window, hover over your URL and click on the Trash icon. Fix ERR_EMPTY_RESPONSE on Windows 10

Option 2: Disable Antivirus Temporarily

If you did not fix ERR_EMPTY_RESPONSE Windows 10 issue by adding an exception of the URL in your antivirus program, you could disable them by implementing the steps as instructed below.

1. Navigate to the Antivirus icon in the Taskbar and right-click on it.

Navigate to the Antivirus icon in the Taskbar and right click on it

2. Now, select the Avast shields control option, and you can temporarily disable Avast using the below options:

  • Disable for 10 minutes
  • Disable for 1 hour
  • Disable until computer is restarted
  • Disable permanently

Now, select the Avast shields control option, and you can temporarily disable. Fix ERR_EMPTY_RESPONSE on Windows 10

3. Choose the option according to your convenience and confirm the prompt displayed on the screen.

Choose the option according to your convenience and confirm the prompt displayed on the screen

4. Now, go back to the main window. Here, you have turned off all shields from Avast. To activate the settings, click on TURN ON.

To activate the settings, click on TURN ON. Fix ERR_EMPTY_RESPONSE on Windows 10

Check if you have fixed this EMPTY_RESPONSE Windows 10 error.

Also Read: C:windowssystem32configsystemprofileDesktop is Unavailable: Fixed

Method 14: Run Malware Scan

The built-in Windows defender sometimes fails to recognize the threat when any virus or malware uses the host local system files. Few anti-malware programs routinely scan and safeguard your system to overcome malicious software. Therefore, to avoid EMPTY_RESPONSE Windows 10 issue, run an antivirus scan in your system and check if the problem is solved.

1. Hit Windows + I keys simultaneously to launch Settings.

2. Here, click on Update & Security settings as shown.

click on Update and security in Settings

3. Go to Windows Security in the left pane.

Go to Windows Security on the left pane. Fix ERR_EMPTY_RESPONSE on Windows 10

4. Click on the Virus & threat protection option in the right pane.

Click on the Virus and threat protection option

5. Click on the Quick Scan button to search for malware.

Click on the Quick Scan button

6A. Once the scan is done, all the threats will be displayed. Click on Start Actions under Current threats.

Click on Start Actions under Current threats

6B. If there is no threat in your device, the device will show the No current threats alert.

show the No current threats alert. Fix ERR_EMPTY_RESPONSE on Windows 10

Method 15: Update Windows

Follow the below-mentioned steps to update your Windows operating system to fix EMPTY_RESPONSE Windows 10 issue:

1. Press Windows + I keys simultaneously to launch Settings.

2. Click on the Update & Security tile, as shown.

Update and Security

3. In the Windows Update tab, click on Check for updates button.

Click on Check for updates button. Fix ERR_EMPTY_RESPONSE on Windows 10

4A. If a new update is available, then click Install Now and follow the instructions to update.

Click on install now to download the available updates

4B. Otherwise, if the Windows is up-to-date, then it will show You’re up to date message.

windows update you're up to date message. Fix ERR_EMPTY_RESPONSE on Windows 10

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We hope that this guide was helpful and you could fix ERR_EMPTY_RESPONSE on Windows 10. Let us know which method worked for you the best. Also, if you have any queries/suggestions regarding this article, then feel free to drop them in the comments section.