Member Avatar for Foxcow

Whenever I open Python I get Socket error: No connection could be made because the target machine actively refused it. Also I get IDLE's subprocess or personal firewall software is blocking the connection.
I was wondering how to fix this?

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The error message means IDLE (the editor) could not connect to its Python subprocess over a local socket. IDLE runs the editor and the interpreter in separate processes and they communicate via localhost; a “connection refused” (WSAECONNREFUSED / Errno 10061) simply means IDLE tried to connect but no subprocess was listening. See the official IDLE documentation for the architecture and troubleshooting notes: IDLE docs.

The quick fix reported by (ending stuck python processes) is the common immediate remedy: a hung or orphaned python.exe/pythonw.exe subprocess will prevent a new session from starting. For clarity: use Task Manager (or Process Explorer) to stop only Python processes, then restart IDLE. To isolate the problem you can also run IDLE in “no subprocess” mode (this avoids the socket connection) — for example:

python -m idlelib -n

If the problem recurs, check these next steps: confirm no third‑party firewall or antivirus is blocking localhost/127.0.0.1 (add exceptions for both python.exe and pythonw.exe); make sure the IDLE you launch matches the Python installation you expect (multiple installs can confuse shortcuts); start IDLE from a console to capture any error text printed by the subprocess; and, if needed, repair or reinstall Python. As an alternative while debugging, use a different editor/REPL (Thonny, VS Code, REPL in a terminal) until the underlying cause is fixed.

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Member Avatar for lllllIllIlllI

I fixed that on my machine (XP) by opening up task manager, and going to process and ending any "python.exe" processes. That fixed it for me every time.

But it really depends, sometimes it works others it dosent do a thing.

Member Avatar for Foxcow

Thanks it worked!

Member Avatar for lllllIllIlllI

No worries! glad it helped someone else.

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