In this article, we will explore what causes socket error 10061. Socket Error 10061 is a term used to describe an internet connection that has been terminated or timed out.
It’s not always clear what caused the problem but there are a few things you should check if this happens to you. Keep reading for more information on how to fix socket error 10061 and get back online!
Table of Contents
Firewall
One of the most common causes of socket error 10061 is that your computer’s firewall has blocked something. It’s possible that you’ve tried to connect to or download from a site that your firewall or antivirus software doesn’t like – and as such, it closes the connection.
To check if this is what happened, disable your firewall and anti-virus protection for thirty seconds and see if you can access the internet properly. If so, turn them back on and allow connections for only the program needing access (such as a browser).
You can download a program that can manage your firewall and anti-virus settings – ZoneAlarm is free for personal use, while AVG’s AntiVirus Free is another option. If you have Windows 10 and 11, you can get the tools to manage these settings in Windows Defender Firewall.
Blocked Ports
There is another cause for Socket Error 10061 is blocked ports. This happens when a router or modem is not allowing specific ports to be accessed. You won’t have access to the internet until these blocked ports are opened.
In order to fix this error, the user should contact the server’s customer service and find out what ports are needed. They can also consult a manual or talk with them about opening up those specific TCP/UDP numbers that were listed as being blocked.
This is a fairly advanced task, so you may just want to contact your ISP if this happens to you.
IP Conflict
Another fairly common cause of socket error 10061 is that your computer’s IP address has been used by someone else recently. When two devices try and use the same IP address, it’s called an IP conflict. The other device could be something like another computer or even a game console – but whatever it is, it will need fixing!
If you’re using Wi-Fi, go into Settings and see what other devices are currently connected. If there’s another device, click the network and choose “forget” to disconnect it. In a home environment, you can usually just reconnect to your Wi-Fi with the same password to solve the problem – otherwise, contact your ISP for more information on how to solve an IP conflict.
If this is happening at work or you’re unsure of what’s causing the conflict, try restarting your router and modem. If that doesn’t work and you really need to get online quickly (or don’t want to bother anybody), using a VPN like Atlas VPN will let you use somebody else’s IP address until you can figure out why there’s an IP conflict in the first place.
That should do it! Still, having problems after trying these things? Leave a comment below.
