Refused immediately
Likely causes
- - Nothing listening on the port
- - Local firewall rule
Verified remedy
Re-copy the port; probe it with nc/telnet; add a firewall allow rule for the endpoint.
Proxy troubleshooting
Fix ERR_CONNECTION_REFUSED through a proxy
Ranked causes, ordered diagnostics, and a verified remedy for err_connection_refused through a proxy - ending with a final connection check.
Quick answer
Fix: connection refused while using a proxy. Confirm endpoint values, test with curl through the endpoint, apply the matched remedy, then re-verify the exit IP is your assigned endpoint.
Exact symptom text
Causes ranked by likelihood
Ordered diagnostics
Final connection check
When this is the right fit
- Exact symptom text
- Causes ranked by likelihood
- Ordered diagnostics
Who this page is for
Ranked causes, ordered diagnostics, and a verified remedy for err_connection_refused through a proxy - ending with a final connection check.
Fix: connection refused while using a proxy. Confirm endpoint values, test with curl through the endpoint, apply the matched remedy, then re-verify the exit IP is your assigned endpoint.
Diagnosis tree
Refused after network change
Likely causes
- - New network blocks the endpoint port
- - VPN split tunneling
Verified remedy
Test from another network to isolate, then allow the port or switch networks.
Final connection check
- 1Apply the matched remedy
- 2Test the endpoint with curl
- 3Repeat the original action
- 4Confirm the exit IP is the assigned endpoint
Working connection
The action completes and the exit IP matches the endpoint.
Broken connection
If curl also fails, the endpoint is unhealthy: swap to a spare.
Sources
Facts last reviewed 2026-09-01.
Prevent it recurring
Keep one profile on one static endpoint, verify exit IPs daily, and rotate credentials on a documented schedule.
195+ countries
99.9% uptime guarantee
Unlimited bandwidth
4.9/5 from 127 ratings
Frequently asked questions
How do I fix ERR_CONNECTION_REFUSED through a proxy?
Work the diagnosis tree top to bottom, confirm endpoint values, test with curl through the endpoint, then run the final connection check.
Choose one stable proxy for every active profile
Buy self-serve now, or talk with us about a larger agency inventory.