Postman Error: connect ECONNREFUSED

How to fix it

Try these in order — the most common fix is first.

1. 1. Confirm the server is running

   Copy steps
   1. Start your API and open the same URL in a browser or curl
   2. Check the port printed in your server logs matches the Postman URL
   Did this fix it? Yes No

2. 2. Use 127.0.0.1 instead of localhost

   Copy steps
   1. Replace localhost with 127.0.0.1 (or the reverse) in the URL
   2. Make sure your server binds to the address you use
   Did this fix it? Yes No

3. 3. Use the Desktop Agent on Postman web

   Copy steps
   1. In the web app footer click the agent name and choose Desktop Agent
   2. Install it if needed via Download Desktop Agent, then keep it running (Cloud Agent cannot reach local servers)
   Did this fix it? Yes No

4. 4. Check proxy settings

   1. Settings > Proxy and disable any custom proxy that sends traffic to a different port, e.g. 127.0.0.1:8080
   Did this fix it? Yes No

5. 5. Rule out firewall

   1. Temporarily disable local firewall or security software and retry
   Did this fix it? Yes No

Symptoms

Response pane shows 'Error: connect ECONNREFUSED 127.0.0.1:3000' (or another host and port).

Why it happens

• Your API server is not running or crashed
• Wrong port or protocol in the URL
• localhost resolves to IPv6 (::1) while the server listens on IPv4
• Postman web cannot reach your local machine
• Proxy pointing to a different local port
• Firewall or security software blocking local traffic

This guide also covers

• postman econnrefused
• postman connect econnrefused 127.0.0.1
• postman localhost not working

Other Postman errors

• Postman Could Not Get Response Error
• Postman SSL Error: Self Signed Certificate
• Postman CORS Error in Web App
• Postman Scratch Pad Removed: Login Required to Save
• Postman Collection Runner Limit: You've Exhausted All Available Runs
• Postman Collections Not Syncing
• Postman Lost My Collections
• Postman Slow and High Memory or CPU Usage