ConnectionRefusedError: [Errno 111] Connection refused
Nothing is listening on the host/port Python tried to connect to.
Exact message you may see
Connection refused[WinError 10061]
Seen on:
Python
Meaning
The target service (database, Redis, API) is down, on another port, or — in Docker — you’re connecting to localhost inside a container.
Common causes
- Target service not running
- Wrong port
- localhost inside Docker
- Service listening only on 127.0.0.1 while connecting remotely
⚡ Quick fix
- Start the service and check its port
- Use the compose service name as host
- Bind the service to 0.0.0.0 when accessed remotely
Detailed fix by platform
Python
- Retry with backoff on startup while dependencies come up
How to diagnose
- Target — host:port in the traceback
- Service — Running?
🔧 Still not fixed?
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Where this error sits
Origin: Application & API. Errors that are often confused with or caused by this one (click to open):
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Last updated 12 Oct 2026