Update (November 10, 2023): Omegle has shut down. Try one of these Omegle alternatives instead.
Omegle was a chat platform that allowed users to have anonymous conversations with strangers from all over the world.
Interacting with random individuals can be quite exhilarating, but sometimes, as you’re trying to connect to a new chat, you will be greeted with an “Error connecting to server” message instead. If you’re facing this issue right now, read these suggestions on what to do to clear the error and continue chatting.
- 1. Check Whether Omegle Is Down
- 2. Check Your Internet Connection
- 3. Restart Your Router
- 4. Connect to Another Network
- 5. Try a Different Web Browser
- 6. Clear Browser Cache and Cookies
- 7. Use a VPN (or Turn It Off)
- 8. Reset DNS and Network Configuration
- 9. Make Sure Both the Camera and Microphone Are Working
- Frequently Asked Questions
1. Check Whether Omegle Is Down
The first thing you should do if you can’t seem to connect to a new Omegle chat is check whether the service is down. Use the DownDetector website to view whether the service is currently working. If you see the “User reports indicate no current problems at Omegle” message displayed at the top, proceed to the next fix. If Omegle servers are down, you will have to wait for it to get resolved.
2. Check Your Internet Connection
Next, check your Internet connection. Try opening another website or app to see if they are working normally. Sometimes, issues like the Omegle “Error connecting to server” will manifest due to slow Internet connectivity. Try refreshing the page or waiting a bit before trying to connect to a chat on Omegle again. Also, check out our guide on how to fix a slow Wi-Fi connection in your home.
3. Restart Your Router
If you still can’t connect to a new Omegle chat, it may be a good idea to try restarting your router by powering off the device for 10 seconds, then powering it back on again. Many times, this is all you need to do to get your Internet connection back on track. If the connectivity issues persist, try waiting it out or contacting your internet service provider (IPS) to learn more details about a possible outage in your area.
Tip: if the problem is more serious, check out our guide on how to troubleshoot a router.
4. Connect to Another Network
Another solution you may want to try is switching to another Internet connection. Try connecting to another Wi-Fi (if one is available in your vicinity) or turning on cellular data on your mobile phone and creating a hotspot on your iPhone or Android to share the Internet connection with your PC. You can also try accessing Omegle from your mobile browser to see if it works. If you’re not getting the error on your mobile device, then your home Internet connection is to blame. These tips on how to troubleshoot an Ethernet connection may come in handy. Alternatively, if the Wi-Fi connection is not working, follow this guide.
5. Try a Different Web Browser
If you’ve been trying to access Omegle in Chrome, fire up Opera or Firefox and try any other browser you have installed on your computer. Just switching to another browser could solve the issue.
6. Clear Browser Cache and Cookies
Over time, the cache stored in the browser can become corrupted or outdated, which can interfere with the proper loading of web pages. Clearing cache and cookies can be a troubleshooting step that can help resolve connectivity issues with a website. Refer to our guide on how to delete the cache and cookies if you’re using Google Chrome, Firefox, or Microsoft Edge. If you’re a Safari user instead, we can show you how to delete the cache.
FYI: if you miss Internet Explorer, you can bring it back to Windows 11.
7. Use a VPN (or Turn It Off)
It’s quite possible that Omegle blocked your IP, and as a result, you’re unable to connect to a new chat. There are many reasons why this can happen. Omegle itself notes in its Community Guidelines that it “reserves the right to ban (temporarily or permanently) or take other appropriate action with or without notice with respect to any user that engages in conduct that Omegle determines to be inappropriate or harmful.”
Some violations of Omegle guidelines include displaying hateful conduct and harassment, impersonation, self-harm, marketing and advertising, bots, getting reported and more. Sometimes the reasons are more arbitrary (such as dropping people too much), so if you suspect you’ve been banned, we suggest that you try using a VPN to regain access to chats.
However, Omegle is well aware that many people use this tactic to circumvent bans. This is why your VPN server IPs may get banned unexpectedly. If the error appears while you’re using a VPN, you should turn off the service and try using another one. You can try one of the more popular options, such as NordVPN, but if that does not work, you can try other options. If you’re accessing Omegle on a phone, check out the best VPN services to use on mobile.
As recommended by some users on Reddit, you can give Hola VPN a try. Note that this option will grant you access for a limited amount of time (interrupted by breaks). If you notice the Omegle error going away after using Hola, consider paying for a premium version to get uninterrupted access.
8. Reset DNS and Network Configuration
Another way to get your Omegle chats working again is to try flushing out the DNS cache via PowerShell or Command Prompt. Doing this also resets your network configuration by releasing and renewing your IP address.
- Type “Powershell” in Windows Search and click on the “Run as Administrator” option to get full privileges.
- Click “Yes” in the User Account Control window.
- Type the following commands in the Command Prompt, and press Enter after each one.
ipconfig /flushdns ipconfig /registerdns ipconfig /release ipconfig /renew netsh winsock reset
- Type exit in PowerShell and restart your computer.
- Check whether the Omegle error is still manifesting.
If you’re accessing Omegle on a Mac computer, learn how to flush the DNS cache on a Mac.
9. Make Sure Both the Camera and Microphone Are Working
If you’ve been seeing this error when trying to start a video conversation on Omegle, make sure both the camera and microphones are working properly. If either of them is not functioning as they should, it could result in the “Error connecting to server” message.
Tip: improve sound and microphone quality on your Windows PC with these tips.
Frequently Asked Questions
I’m getting a camera error when trying to start a video chat on Omegle. What can I do?
Sometimes other apps running in the background can interfere with or use your camera. Before starting a session on Omegle, make sure you close and exit these apps. If the issue persists, try updating your camera drivers or other drivers related to the camera (such as USB drivers).
What can I do to get unbanned on Omegle?
There’s nothing for you to do but wait it out. Unfortunately, depending on the gravity of your violation, the ban could last a few days or months. Omegle does not give you the option to contact them directly to plead your case to get unbanned.
Image credit: Freepik. All screenshots by Alexandra Arici.
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