How to Fix Chrome ERR_TOO_MANY_REDIRECTS Error

The Chrome ERR_TOO_MANY_REDIRECTS error, also known as a redirect loop, occurs when a website keeps redirecting between URLs endlessly. This usually happens when there are more than 20 redirects, causing Chrome to stop the process. Users will see a message stating, “This page isn’t working – [site] redirected you too many times.” This guide will help you understand and fix the Chrome too many redirects issue.

Quick Fixes to Try First

Before diving into detailed solutions, try these quick fixes:

  1. Clear cookies for the specific website.
  2. Access the site in incognito mode.
  3. Try a different browser to see if it’s a server-side issue.
  4. Ensure you’re using the correct URL format (e.g., http vs https, www vs non-www).
  5. Access a different page on the same website.

Fix 1: Clear Cookies for Specific Site

Corrupted cookies often cause redirect loops. Here’s how to clear them:

Chrome Desktop

  1. Click the lock/info icon in the address bar.
  2. Select “Cookies.”
  3. Click “Remove” for each cookie listed.
  4. Refresh the page.

Or, to clear all cookies:

  1. Press Ctrl+Shift+Delete (Cmd+Shift+Delete on Mac).
  2. Select “Cookies and other site data.”
  3. Select time range “All time.”
  4. Click “Clear data.”

Fix 2: Use Incognito Mode

  1. Press Ctrl+Shift+N (Cmd+Shift+N on Mac) to open incognito mode.
  2. Try accessing the website.
  3. If it works, the issue is likely with cookies or extensions.

Fix 3: Clear Entire Browser Cache

  1. Press Ctrl+Shift+Delete (Cmd+Shift+Delete on Mac).
  2. Select “All time” for the time range.
  3. Check all boxes: Browsing history, Cookies and other site data, Cached images and files.
  4. Click “Clear data.”
  5. Restart Chrome.

Fix 4: Disable Extensions

Extensions can interfere with redirects, especially ad blockers and privacy extensions.

  1. Go to chrome://extensions.
  2. Toggle off all extensions.
  3. Try accessing the website.
  4. If it works, re-enable extensions one by one to find the culprit.

Common problematic extensions include:

  • Ad blockers (uBlock, AdBlock)
  • Privacy extensions
  • VPN extensions
  • Cookie management extensions

Fix 5: Check URL Format

Try different URL variations:

  • https://www.example.com
  • https://example.com
  • http://www.example.com
  • http://example.com

Sometimes the site only works with a specific format.

Fix 6: Reset Chrome Settings

  1. Go to Chrome Settings.
  2. Click “Reset settings” in the left sidebar.
  3. Click “Restore settings to their original defaults.”
  4. Click “Reset settings.”
  5. Restart Chrome.

Windows-Specific Fixes

  1. Flush DNS Cache:
    • Open Command Prompt as Administrator.
    • Run: ipconfig /flushdns
    • Restart browser.
  2. Clear SSL State:
    • Go to Control Panel > Internet Options > Content tab.
    • Click “Clear SSL State.”

macOS-Specific Fixes

  1. Flush DNS Cache:
    • Open Terminal.
    • Run: sudo dscacheutil -flushcache; sudo killall -HUP mDNSResponder
  2. Check Keychain for old certificates that might cause redirect issues.

Android Fixes

  1. Open Chrome menu > Settings > Privacy.
  2. Select “Clear browsing data.”
  3. Select “Cookies and Cached images.”
  4. Tap “Clear data.”
  5. Or: Go to Settings > Apps > Chrome > Clear Cache and Clear Data.

iOS Fixes

  1. Open Chrome and tap the three dots > Settings.
  2. Go to Privacy > Clear Browsing Data.
  3. Select “Cookies and Cached Images.”
  4. Tap “Clear Browsing Data.”
  5. Or delete and reinstall the Chrome app.

Advanced Troubleshooting

  1. Check Chrome DevTools:
    • Press F12 to open DevTools.
    • Go to the Network tab.
    • Reload the page and look at the redirect chain to see where the loop occurs.
  2. Check if VPN or Proxy is causing the issue:
    • Disable VPN temporarily.
    • Check Chrome Settings > System > Proxy settings.
  3. Try a different network:
    • Switch from WiFi to mobile data.
    • This can help identify if it’s a network-level issue.
  4. Check if the site is down:

If It’s a Website You Own/Manage

  • Check .htaccess file for redirect rules.
  • Verify WordPress Site URL and Home URL settings.
  • Check SSL/HTTPS redirect configuration.
  • Review CDN settings (Cloudflare, etc.).
  • Check for conflicting redirect plugins.
  • Verify domain and hosting configuration.

When the Problem is Server-Side

  • Wait for the website to fix the issue.
  • Contact the website owner.
  • Try using a cached version from Google: Search cache:example.com in Google.
  • Use Wayback Machine: web.archive.org.

By following these steps, you should be able to resolve the ERR_TOO_MANY_REDIRECTS error in Chrome. If the problem persists, it may be due to a server-side issue, which requires attention from the website’s administrator.