A specific site refuses to load while the rest of the web responds normally. This discrepancy between a functional internet connection and an inaccessible service points to a local blockage or an incompatibility between the browser and the remote server. Sharecloudy regularly generates this type of situation, with a message like “does not allow the connection” that suggests a network outage when the problem lies elsewhere.
DNS Resolution and Cache: The First Link to Check
When a browser displays a connection error for a single site, DNS resolution is the first avenue to explore. The DNS system translates the domain name into an IP address. If this translation fails or returns an outdated address, the browser cannot reach the server, even if the internet connection works perfectly for other sites.
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Cleaning the DNS cache resolves most of these persistent blockages. On Windows, opening the command prompt and typing ipconfig /flushdns is enough to purge outdated entries. On macOS, the equivalent command is sudo dscacheutil -flushcache. This operation forces the system to query the DNS servers again to obtain the current address of the site.
When the problem occurs and sharecloudy does not allow internet connection, clearing the DNS cache is the quickest reflex before any other manipulation.
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The hosts file also deserves a look. This text file, present on every operating system, can contain manual redirects that divert a domain name to the wrong IP address, or even to localhost. A line added by third-party software or an old setting is enough to block access to a specific site without affecting the rest of the browsing.
Browser Extensions and Firewalls: Invisible Blockages
Installed extensions in the browser represent a frequent and often overlooked cause. An ad blocker, anti-tracking script, or security extension can intercept requests to certain domains and prevent the page from loading.
The diagnosis is simple: open a private browsing window. This mode disables most extensions by default. If Sharecloudy loads normally in private browsing, an extension is responsible for the blockage.
- Disable extensions one by one to identify the problematic one, starting with content blockers and privacy tools
- Check custom filtering lists in ad blockers, as some rules block entire domains indiscriminately
- Test with another browser (Firefox if the main browser is Chrome, or vice versa) to confirm that the problem is related to the browser profile and not the network
The software firewall is another filter to examine. On Windows, the built-in firewall or a third-party antivirus may block outgoing connections to certain IP addresses or ports. The message “does not allow the connection” corresponds exactly to this type of filtering: the request leaves the computer but hits a local security rule before reaching the server.
To test this hypothesis, temporarily disabling the firewall can confirm or rule out this avenue. If the site becomes accessible, an exception should be added to the firewall rules rather than leaving it disabled.
ERR_CONNECTION_REFUSED Error: What the Browser Really Reports
The ERR_CONNECTION_REFUSED code in Chrome (or its equivalent in other browsers) indicates that the TCP connection was actively refused. The remote server, or an intermediate device, rejected the connection request. This is not a DNS resolution problem or a timeout exceeded: the request did reach its destination, but the door was closed.
Several situations produce this code:
- The Sharecloudy web server is temporarily down or under maintenance, causing an active refusal on the relevant port
- A network proxy (in a business or public network) filters connections and blocks access to certain domains deemed unauthorized
- The Internet Service Provider applies DNS or IP filtering that redirects the request to a blocking server
- An active VPN alters the network path and the request reaches a server that refuses the connection for geographical reasons
Differentiating these cases requires cross-referencing two tests. The first: attempt access from another device connected to the same network. If the other device accesses the site, the problem is local. The second: attempt access from a different network (mobile hotspot, for example). If the site works on another network, the blockage comes from the local network or the ISP.
Proxy Settings and Network Configuration on the Computer
A manually configured or automatically detected proxy can interfere with access to certain sites. On Windows, the settings are found in Settings > Network & Internet > Proxy. If the “Use a proxy server” option is enabled without known reason, disabling it may restore access.
On macOS, the equivalent setting is found in System Preferences > Network > Advanced > Proxies. Some software (VPNs, security tools, enterprise applications) modify these settings without notifying the user.
Changing the DNS server offers an alternative when the ISP’s DNS poses problems. Replacing the default DNS with those of Google (8.8.8.8 and 8.8.4.4) or Cloudflare (1.1.1.1) can bypass potential filtering or outages of the ISP’s DNS servers. This modification is made in the network adapter properties on Windows or in the network settings on macOS.
The blockage of a single site with an otherwise functional internet connection remains an application layer or local configuration issue in the vast majority of cases. Going through these checks in order (DNS, hosts file, extensions, firewall, proxy, multi-device testing) allows isolating the cause in a few minutes without needing to contact technical support.