Trusted browsers like Google Chrome, Microsoft Edge, and Firefox make it easy to navigate the web. However, none of these services are immune to errors like the pesky ERR_CONTENT_DECODING_FAILED.

The good news is that the ERR_CONTENT_DECODING_FAILED error is quite easy to fix. As long as you have the patience to try out some troubleshooting tactics, like turning off your firewall or clearing your browser cache, you should be able to resolve the issue without any hassle.

In this article, we’ll take a closer look at the ERR_CONTENT_DECODING_FAILED error and what causes it. Then, we’ll show you six ways to fix it. Let’s get started!

Check Out Our Video Guide To Fixing ERR_CONTENT_DECODING_FAILED :

What Is the ERR_CONTENT_DECODING_FAILED Error?

When you’re trying to access a website, you might see an ERR_CONTENT_DECODING_FAILED message. This can be frustrating, as it prevents you from viewing the site:

This error can occur on different browsers, including Google Chrome and Safari:

In order to understand this error, it’s important to know that it’s often dependent upon GZIP compression . This type of compression is an easy way to optimize your WordPress website.

In a nutshell, when someone tries to access your site, the browser checks for GZIP compression by looking for the content-encoding: gzip response header. If it finds it, it will automatically retrieve the compressed files, decompress them, and deliver them to the user:

If something goes wrong during this process (and there are lots of possibilities here), you’ll get the ERR_CONTENT_DECODING_FAILED error.