Google Earth cannot connect to server? Here's how to fix it

July 2024 · 5 minute read
Google Earth server error

Google Earth is an amazing tool that helps you explore the globe from the comfort of your home, but sometimes using this program might end in a proxy server error.

Surely enough, you can use Google Earth even if you’re behind a proxy. However, like any other online utilities, Google Earth can also experience connectivity issues.

The server error usually means that the desktop version of this app (called Google Earth Pro) can’t communicate with Google’s servers. As a result, you might not be able to use the program as intended, or at all.

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How to fix Google Earth server error?

1. Use the Repair Tool

  • Launch Google Earth Pro
  • Click the Help button
  • Select Launch Repair Tool from the Help menuThe Help button on Google Earth
  • Click the Clear disk cache button
  • Wait for the operation to come to an end, if necessary
  • Click the Restore default settings buttonGoogle Earth's Repair Tool
  • Check if the problem still persists
  • If this fix doesn’t seem to be working, try closing Google Earth Pro after launching the Repair Tool. Make sure that the tool is still running, even with Google Earth Pro being closed.

    Another possible workaround is backing up the entire My Places folder somewhere on your PC, repeating the steps above, and also selecting the Delete My Places option.

    Note that it’s not mandatory to back up the content of the folder. You should only perform the backup if the content of the folder is important and you don’t want to lose your saved data.

    2. Wait it out

    Sometimes, due to various server-side reasons that have nothing to do with you, Google Earth might not be able to communicate with Google’s servers.

    Thus, in this situation, the best approach would be waiting for the issue to fix itself. More often than not it’s related to maintenance work.

    3. Use a VPN

  • Purchase a Private Internet Access subscriptionPIA Google Earth
  • Download PIA and install it on your PC
  • Launch the VPN client and log into your account
  • Connect to an optimal, fast server (nearby servers are usually the fastest)
  • Launch Google Earth Pro
  • Check if the problem still persists
  • If your network is poorly configured in terms of routing and resource allocation, you may experience the occasional connection error, even with Google Earth.

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    4. Flush your DNS

  • Close the Google Earth Pro app
  • Hit the Win key on your PC
  • Type CMD
  • Right-click Command Prompt
  • Select Run as administratorCmd as admin
  • Type the following commands, in order, one by one:
    • ipconfig /flushdns
      ipconfig /registerdns
      ipconfig /release
      ipconfig /renew
      netsh winsock reset
  • Close the CMD window
  • Restart your computer
  • Check if the error still persists
  • Flushing your DNS is a healthy practice, as it makes sure your system doesn’t cache old, outdated, or inaccurate information.

    In our case, having an old cache can prevent you from accessing Google Earth servers properly, and might even trigger the infamous proxy error.

    5. Check your firewall

    This should be quite obvious. If you’re using a firewall (you should) to manage incoming and outgoing connections to and from your PC, make sure Google Earth connections aren’t blacklisted.Firewall settings Google Earth

    Furthermore, you also need to check if the Google Earth app isn’t blocked in any way by your firewall. The same rule applies to your antivirus software, as this type of utility can also restrict certain apps from functioning properly on your PC.

    6. Disable proxy usage

    While using a proxy server, Google Earth might not be able to access its servers properly. First of all, check that your PC doesn’t rely on a proxy connection.disable proxy in Windows 10

    Try disabling the proxy connection temporarily, just enough to test if Google Earth works without proxy. If it does, it means that the issue is likely to have been triggered by the proxy.

    In this case, you can either check the proxy‘s configuration or switch it off whenever you plan on using Google Earth.

    Final thoughts on Google Earth proxy server error

    All things considered, Google Earth can sometimes have issues connecting to Google’s servers. Although most of the time this issue is only temporary and fixes itself rather quickly, sometimes it can also be triggered by certain factors.

    For instance, poorly-applied firewall filters and rules can tamper with Google Earth’s ability to connect to its servers. The same goes for outdated cached content on your PC, which can be easily solved by flushing your DNS.

    Last, but not least, a VPN can save you from all the headaches of having a poorly-configured connection. However, it’s not guaranteed to work all the time, especially if the underlying issue has nothing to do with improper routing.

    Your connection is not secure - websites you visit can find out your details:

    Companies can sell this information, alongside your location and internet provider name, and profit from it by serving targeted ads or monitoring your data usage.

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