How do I fix network error in Free Download Manager?

When I try to download any file with IDM it just tries to connect to the Internet and cannot start downloading or shows some message that connection is refused. What can be a source of the problem?

See below:

• IDM shows "Cannot download this file" error message on download start:

• IDM shows "Permission denied" error message on download start:

• IDM shows "Connection refused" error message on download start:

• Windows shows an error message below on IDM launch, or IDM launches, but IDM shows "Error connecting" message on download start.


• On download start, IDM process is killed, and IDM window is closed.

Reason 1:  In IDM settings is set proxy/socks server that does not work anymore or has some other problems.

Solution:  Open "Options→Proxy / Socks" IDM dialog (arrow 1 on the image) and select "No proxy/socks" option (arrow 2 on the image).

Reason 2: IDM is not allowed to download or run in FireWall settings. Many FireWalls check the size of application executable file that try to access the Internet. That's because a virus can replace the file with its own, and get access to the Internet. Probably when you updated IDM, its executable file size changed, and your FireWall blocked the Internet access for IDM. If you have a FireWall installed, please check that IDMan.exe file has appropriate access rights. In some cases our customers reported that they also had to set same access rights for Uninstall.exe file from IDM root folder.

Solution: Change incorrect FireWall settings. Please choose instruction for your Internet Security (FireWall) software below:

If the instructions above do not help, please try to completely uninstall your FireWall TEMPORARILY. Disabling the FireWall is not enough, because FireWall keeps blocking access even if you switch it off. After uninstalling and rebooting, check if your problem persists. If it is resolved, then the problem is definitely caused by your FireWall software. You should try to contact its developers, and ask them for a solution, or try another FireWall.

Please also check that your computer does not have Air plane mode enabled in its Windows settings.

If you still cannot solve the problem, or do not know what application can block IDM, try to rename IDM executable file "IDMan.exe" from IDM root folder (usually "C:\Program Files\Internet Download Manager\") into "IDMan2.exe", and run it. Try to download with IDM again, and check whether your problem still persists.

For fixing the download failed error in your Google Chrome Browser, you may need to check and configure a few settings to make it work.

To fix Download Failed Network Error in Google Chrome, perform the below fixes:

• Fix:01 – Make Sure Your Internet Connection Is Working
• Fix:02 – Clear Cache & Cookies
• Fix:03 – Try To Download In Incognito Window
• Fix:04 – Update Google Chrome
• Fix:05 – Create A New Chrome Profile
• Fix:06 – Change Download Destination Folder
• Fix:07 – Reset Chrome Settings to fix Download Failed Network Error
• Fix:08 – Use A Different Browser
• Fix:09 – Check Security Setting & Disable HTTP/Port Checking for Antivirus
• Fix:10 – Remove Harmful Programs Using Chrome
• Fix:11 – Install Latest Versions Of Your Network Drivers
• Fix:12 – Uninstall & Reinstall Chrome
• Fix:13 – Edit host files

1. Make Sure Your Internet Connection Is Working

To fix failed network error, the first thing you need to do is to check whether the Internet connection is working or not. Most of the misconceptions happen due to the poor network. And if you are facing issues in loading or downloading, do restart your wi-fi and wait for at least 60 sec.

And I suggest you use a mobile hotspot because it is the best alternative to a wi-fi router. It will smoothly download all the files for you. And you can wait for your ISP to repair the Internet problem.  

2. Clear Cache & Cookies

Several times the problem is due to cookies and cache, which get stored in our system. And it could be the reason behind errors in downloading. So you have to do some cleaning of your browser. 

Method:01 – Go to the Settings option and scroll a little down. Under the head Privacy and Settings, you will see the Clear browsing data option, click on it, and now click Clear data. It will clear all the cache and cookies from your Chrome browser. 

Method:02- Alternatively, you can use a shortcut for this execute Ctrl+shift+del in the Chrome browser and it will open the window for clearing the browsing data. And click Clear data.

3. Try To Download In Incognito Window

Sometimes you can not download files in a regular window. So you may need to switch to an incognito window. To open incognito mode, execute Shift+CTRL+N on Windows. And for Mac, you can do Shift+Command+N. Now, try downloading the files and see if this works.

4. Update Google Chrome

Many times we do not focus on which version of the browser we are using. And many times, this becomes a hurdle in file download. So to update it follow the below commands:

1. Open Google Chrome Browser.
2. Click on the three dots present in the top right corner.
3. Now, click on Help, followed by About Google Chrome.

1. Now, if updates are available, install the updates and then try downloading the files.

5. Create A New Chrome Profile

You may also try creating a new Chrome Profile instead. Create a new profile and download the same file. If this does not help you, then delete the old profile and use the new one. For creating a New Chrome Profile, obey the below instructions:

1. In Google Chrome, click on the profile icon and then click on add.

1. Now, sign in with your Gmail account or if you own any other profile already, continue with that account. 

6. Change Download Destination Folder

To change the download destination folder, open chrome browser and then open browser settings. Now, scroll down to the bottom of the settings page and click on Advanced. As you click on it, more options will appear on the page. Now scroll a little more and, under the Downloads heading, you must see the option to change the destination folder. Now you can set the download destination folder according to your leisure.

7. Reset Chrome Settings to fix Download Failed Network Error

Chrome comes with a default setting in it. And you can change it according to your needs. But a few times, due to incorrect settings, problems may occur in downloading the files. So for switching all the details to its default configuration:

1. Open Chrome settings. 
2. Scroll down to the bottom and click on Advanced.

1. Now, again scroll down to the bottom and click on Restore settings to their original defaults.

8. Use A Different Browser

Another way to resolve this issue is to change your browser. When you experience such errors on your browsers, try using another browser to download a file. Many users say that the difficulty is solved by this method and then check if you can download the file or not.

9. Check Internet Security Settings & Disable HTTP/Port Checking for Antivirus

While launching applications and unsafe files from an unknown source, your Antivirus software may consider it suspicious or risky. And which may further cause you errors while downloading files from that particular source. So to fix this, you may need to disable those settings. 

1. Open your Antivirus software.
2. Go to the Settings page.
3. Now, locate Advanced settings, Additional, or Components settings that may differ in each of the Antivirus programs.  
4. And find HTTPS scanning or Encrypted connection scanning. 
5. Once you get to the HTTP scanning and ports scanning. Uncheck it and save all the settings.

Now try downloading the files. And see if the problem is gone.

10. Remove Harmful Programs Using Chrome

To remove the unwanted program, follow the steps given below:

1. Open your Google Chrome.
2. Type chrome://settings/ in the address bar and go to the advanced option. [Open Google Chrome Settings]
3. Select the advanced option and scroll down to where you can see the Clean up computer option. 

1. Click on find and wait for the process to finish.

11. Install Latest Versions Of Your Network Drivers

Open Device Manager by searching it on the taskbar. Alternatively, you can also do – Windows key + R. This will open the Run application. Now, type devmgmt. MSC in the dialog box. And hit enter. Expand Network adapters and right-click on the adapters to update or uninstall them.

12. Uninstall & Reinstall Chrome

Still, your chrome issue is not solved? Then you may go with uninstalling the Chrome browser and then reinstalling it. First, uninstall your Chrome browser and reinstall it from the official website of Chrome, and now set up all the settings with your needs. And then check whether your problem is solved or not. For uninstalling Chrome:

1. Search Chrome in the taskbar.

1. Now click on the Uninstall from the options stated. And proceed with the uninstallation process.

13. Edit host files

For editing the host files, follow the following steps:

1. Open Run by executing the Windows key + R command. 
2. Now, copy-paste C:\windows\system32\drivers\etc in the input window and press enter. 
3. Open the file name as hosts in the notepad.

1. Remove all the lines containing 127.0.0.1 clients2.google.com and save the file. And if no such entries exist, do not make any modifications to the file.

Now, scan your device for malware with the Windows defender firewall or any antivirus you have and try downloading the file again.

FAQs

How do I fix the error in Chrome?

First of all, reset all the settings to default and clear all the cache files. Now check for updates. If updates are available, install them. And now check if this works. If it doesn’t, try reinstalling Chrome.

How do I fix the network manager free download error?

Try downloading the same file in the incognito window. If the download error still prevails, make sure to check your antivirus settings. It may happen that your antivirus is blocking the download. And if nothing helps you, then try to download the file on some other browsers.

Why is my download failed network error?

Why my downloads keep failing?

How do I resolve a download problem?