If you’re seeing the “Check Internet Connection” error in Google Chrome while trying to download files — but you’re clearly connected to the internet — you’re not alone. This frustrating issue can block critical downloads despite a working network connection.
In this blog post, we’ll break down why this happens and walk you through how to fix it.
Why Does Chrome Say “Check Internet Connection”?
Chrome throws this error when something prevents it from downloading files properly. Surprisingly, it’s often not the internet causing the problem. Here are the most common reasons:
- Windows security or Group Policy settings
- Antivirus or firewall interference
- Corrupted browser profiles or extensions
- File system permission errors
- Registry modifications related to file security
Step-by-Step Fixes
Undo Any Registry Tweaks for Zone Identification
If you’ve recently disabled Windows’ “Zone.Identifier” tagging for downloads (commonly done via this registry key):
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Attachments
SaveZoneInformation = 1
Try setting it to:
SaveZoneInformation = 2
Or delete the key entirely. Chrome uses this tag for security — and disabling it can break the download process.
Check Antivirus or Firewall Restrictions
Your security software might block file downloads. Common culprits include:
- Sophos
- Bitdefender
- Kaspersky
What to do:
- Temporarily disable your antivirus
- Check logs for blocked downloads
- Add Chrome to your software’s exception list
Reset Chrome Flags & Security Settings
Sometimes experimental features in Chrome cause issues.
- Go to:
chrome://flags - Click Reset all to default
- Relaunch Chrome
Also, check:
chrome://settings/security- Set Safe Browsing to Standard Protection
Try a New Chrome Profile
Corrupted user profiles or cached data can cause strange behavior.
Steps:
- Click the profile icon (top right)
- Select Add new profile
- Try downloading with the new profile
If it works, your old profile may need resetting or deletion.
Change the Default Download Location
Chrome may not have permission to write to the default download folder.
To fix:
- Visit
chrome://settings/downloads - Change to a folder like
C:\Downloads\Test - Make sure Chrome has full access to that folder
Check Group Policy or Windows Defender Settings
On business or domain-managed devices, Group Policy or Microsoft Defender settings may block downloads.
Look out for:
- Controlled Folder Access blocking Chrome
- GPO restrictions under
Administrative Templates > Google Chrome
Disable Extensions Temporarily
Some extensions interfere with downloads, especially download managers or privacy tools.
Try this:
- Go to
chrome://extensions - Disable all
- Re-enable one-by-one to isolate the issue
Still Not Working?
If none of the above helps:
- Reinstall Chrome completely
- Scan your system for malware
- Try another browser (e.g., Edge) to confirm if it’s a Chrome-specific issue
The “Check Internet Connection” error in Chrome doesn’t always mean you’re offline. It’s often a sign that something on your system is interfering with file downloads — and now you have the tools to fix it.