Cloudflare Not Working on Chrome? How to Fix

Published On - January 22, 2026

Emily Harris

Encountering issues with Cloudflare while using Google Chrome can be frustrating, especially when you’re trying to access important websites or manage your own web assets. When Cloudflare doesn’t function correctly, it interrupts your browsing experience and raises concerns about your connectivity, security, or website settings. If you’ve been facing this challenge, you’re not alone—and the good news is, there are reliable fixes.

TL;DR

Cloudflare not working on Chrome may be caused by browser cache issues, conflicting extensions, incorrect DNS settings, or outdated Chrome installations. Start by clearing your browser cache and disabling questionable browser extensions. If problems persist, adjusting DNS and resetting browser settings can help. For website administrators, check your SSL certificates and Cloudflare configuration on the backend as well.

Why Cloudflare Might Not Work Properly on Chrome

Cloudflare is designed to act as a protective and performance-enhancing intermediary between a website and its visitors. However, several browser-related issues can hinder its functionality on Chrome. Common causes include:

  • Corrupted or outdated browser cache and cookies
  • Security settings and privacy extensions interfering with Cloudflare’s scripts
  • DNS resolution errors or misconfigurations
  • Outdated browser version or incompatible settings

Identifying the root cause will help in applying the most effective solution.

1. Clear Browser Cache and Cookies

Outdated or corrupted cached files can interfere with Cloudflare-served websites. Chrome stores these files for quicker access, but when they become problematic, the browser may fail to properly connect to the Cloudflare proxy or might show broken pages.

Steps to clear cache and cookies:

  1. Open Chrome and click on the three-dot menu at the top right.
  2. Navigate to More tools > Clear browsing data.
  3. Select All time as the time range.
  4. Check the boxes for Cookies and other site data and Cached images and files.
  5. Click Clear data.

After finishing, restart Chrome and attempt to visit the site again.

2. Disable Browser Extensions

Some Chrome extensions can block elements Cloudflare uses to function—particularly security or privacy tools. Extensions like ad blockers, VPNs, and anti-tracking plugins might inhibit proper Cloudflare communication with the website.

To test this:

  1. Click the three dots in Chrome and go to Extensions under More tools.
  2. Toggle off or remove suspicious or unnecessary plugins—especially content-blockers and VPNs.
  3. Reload the page and see if Cloudflare works now.

If the issue resolves after disabling a specific extension, you’ve found your culprit. Consider replacing it with a less aggressive alternative or adjusting its settings.

3. Flush DNS Cache (Local and Chrome)

Cloudflare relies on DNS (Domain Name System) to function correctly. If the local DNS cache is outdated, it could result in Cloudflare’s error pages like “ERR_SSL_VERSION_OR_CIPHER_MISMATCH” or timeouts.

Flush the local DNS cache on your OS:

  • Windows: Open Command Prompt as Administrator and type: ipconfig /flushdns
  • macOS: Open Terminal and type: sudo dscacheutil -flushcache; sudo killall -HUP mDNSResponder

Clear DNS cache in Chrome:

  1. In Chrome’s address bar, type chrome://net-internals/#dns and press Enter.
  2. Click the Clear host cache button.

This ensures that Chrome re-resolves DNS using updated records the next time you attempt to access a Cloudflare-enabled website.

4. Update Google Chrome

An outdated browser can lead to compatibility issues with certain web protocols, including those implemented by Cloudflare. In such cases, updating Chrome can solve a variety of rendering and security issues.

Steps to check for updates:

  1. Go to the three-dot menu > Help > About Google Chrome
  2. Let Chrome check for updates. If available, it will auto-update and ask to relaunch.

After restarting, revisit the website to see if the problem persists.

5. Temporarily Disable Antivirus or Firewall

Some overly protective antivirus or firewall software might block requests made through Cloudflare or misinterpret its encrypted traffic as a threat. Test this by temporarily disabling your antivirus/firewall and reloading the page.

Important: Only disable your antivirus temporarily for diagnostic purposes. If it proves to be the issue, adjust your settings to whitelist specific sites or the Chrome browser.

6. Use Google or Cloudflare DNS

If your current DNS provider is struggling to resolve connections to Cloudflare-based resources, switching DNS servers could resolve loading or security issues.

Recommended DNS Servers:

  • Google DNS: 8.8.8.8 and 8.8.4.4
  • Cloudflare DNS: 1.1.1.1 and 1.0.0.1

To change DNS:

  1. Go to your system’s network settings.
  2. Open your active connection’s properties and find DNS settings.
  3. Manually enter the IP addresses of your chosen DNS service.

Restart Chrome or reboot the system after making changes.

7. Check for Site-Specific Cloudflare Errors

Sometimes, the issue is not with your browser but with the website itself. If Cloudflare shows an error like “Error 522” or “Error 1020,” this indicates server-side problems.

If you’re a site visitor:

  • Try accessing the site in incognito mode or from another browser/device.
  • If the error persists, contact the site administrator.

If you’re the site owner:

  • Log in to your Cloudflare dashboard to check for misconfigurations.
  • Verify SSL/TLS settings, DNS records, and firewall rules.
  • Ensure your web server responds correctly to Cloudflare’s IPs.

8. Reset Chrome Settings

If all else fails, resetting Chrome to its default settings could eliminate deeply buried configuration issues without affecting your saved passwords and bookmarks.

To reset Chrome:

  1. Go to chrome://settings/reset
  2. Click on Restore settings to their original defaults
  3. Confirm your choice when prompted

After resetting, retry accessing Cloudflare-enabled websites.

Conclusion

Cloudflare issues on Chrome can stem from a wide range of relatively minor problems. Whether due to browser caching, DNS hiccups, software conflicts, or configuration errors, most issues can be resolved with systematic troubleshooting.

If you’re a website owner, it’s also a good idea to regularly monitor your Cloudflare settings and scripts for compatibility across major browsers, including Chrome. Keeping both your browser and web tools updated remains the best defense against technical disruptions.

In a world where secure browsing is paramount, ensuring Cloudflare operates seamlessly in Chrome is essential—not just for your personal experience but also for providing a smooth, protected journey for your website’s visitors.