Firefox can't connect to the server at accounts.google

I've have been getting "Firefox can’t connect to the server at accounts.google.com" for a few weeks now and can't find any solution elsewhere in the internet so I hope the assembled knowledge bank here can help.

It is happening on Firefox, Chrome and Edge so I don't think it is a browser problem.

I can access pages that do not require a sign-in like Google Maps or Google Earth but anything that requires a sign in like Google Mail or Drive brings up the can't connect message.

Has anyone seen this before and if so how did they solve it?

Thanks in advance for any help that people can give.

Mobile phone on the same WiFi connects with no problems. Mobile phone uses a Google account while the laptop is logged in on a Microsoft Account.

Edited by GonePostal (Thu 16-Apr-26 19:43:59)

try a new firefox profile and or chrome profile and see if the issue persists ......

You can also try a linux live usb to see if that resolves it

Both routes are suggested to root out any virus /highjack......... And its quicker than to scan your drives .

In reply to a post by Taras:

try a new firefox profile and or chrome profile and see if the issue persists ......

You can also try a linux live usb to see if that resolves it

Both routes are suggested to root out any virus /highjack......... And its quicker than to scan your drives .

No luck with new profiles.

Do you ge a reply if you enter:
"Ping accounts.google.com" at a Windows "Command prompt"

I'd try a live linux usb..

That way you will know if its your windows install.

For those who don't know, a new firefox or chrome profile, removes all plugins and cookies, its about x1000 times better than "clear your browser cookies"

Page opens and log-in successful from Linux USB so looks like Windows and Google are not talking. Ping from Windows does work OK.

The only data from my Google accounts is held in Thunderbird. If I try and access Gmail through the browser I get the access refused message.

Does anyone have any thoughts about how to get Windows to think I have a Google account?

Try booting Windows in "Safe Mode with Networking" to rule out any software problems ?

Not had a problem with Google but have had something similar accessing mail on other domains, using a mail client, which seemed to have one of two causes:

• One was resolved by rebooting my broadband router.
• The other was related to bot management; that probably wouldn't apply with Google.

In reply to a post by Adduxi:

Try booting Windows in "Safe Mode with Networking" to rule out any software problems ?

Sorry for the delay in replying; safe mode made no difference.

Just a thought, could Google have blocked that specific windows device from using your account? I know when I login to Google I sometimes get an email saying a new device has logged in and you can then either allow or block it. Is it worth trying to create a temporary google account to see if that works then you will know if its the device or the account.