WSAECONNREFUSED - 10061 (0x274D)
No connection could be made because the target machine actively refused it.
Updated: Feb 21, 2026
Technical Meaning
The WSAECONNREFUSED error code indicates that a connection attempt was made to a remote host and port, but the connection was refused. This typically occurs when the target machine is actively rejecting incoming connections on the specified port.
Error Details
- Error Name: WSAECONNREFUSED
- Numeric Code: 10061 (0x274D)
- Short Description: No connection could be made because the target machine actively refused it.
This error is commonly encountered in socket programming and network communication scenarios where a client attempts to establish a connection with a server but fails due to explicit rejection by the server.
Usage Context
WSAECONNREFUSED is returned when a connect() function call on a socket fails because the target host or port is not accepting connections. This can happen for various reasons, such as the service being stopped, incorrect port number, or firewall rules blocking the connection attempt.
Developer Interpretation
Developers should interpret this error code to indicate that the remote endpoint is not available or willing to accept a connection at the time of the request. It is important to handle this error appropriately in your application logic to ensure robustness and reliability.
Related Errors
- WSAEACCES (10013): Permission denied, indicating insufficient permissions for the operation.
- WSAEADDRINUSE (98): Address already in use, suggesting that the port is already being used by another process.
- WSAECONNRESET (10054): Connection reset by peer, indicating an abrupt termination of a connection.
FAQ
Q: What does WSAECONNREFUSED mean?
A: WSAECONNREFUSED indicates that the target machine actively refused the connection attempt. This can occur if the server is not running or has explicitly rejected the connection request.
Q: How should I handle this error in my application?
A: You should log the error and take appropriate action, such as retrying the connection after a delay or informing the user that the service may be unavailable.
Summary
WSAECONNREFUSED is an important error code for developers working with networked applications. It indicates that a connection attempt was refused by the target machine, which can be due to various reasons such as server unavailability or incorrect port settings. Proper handling of this error ensures that your application can gracefully manage connection failures and maintain robustness.