When you connect to a website, your browser, and the website use protocols to ensure your connection is safe and secure. All of these secrets can be delivered and exchanged using a variety of protocols, one of which is SSL or Secure Sockets Layer which encrypts the data protection.
It is from hackers However, sometimes there can be a problem with your browser and it gives the error ERR_SSL_PROTOCOL_ERROR. This means the browsers could not connect securely to the website.
This error can be annoying, but in most situations, it is caused by simple issues such as wrong settings, outdated software, or an issue with the website itself.
What Is ERR_SSL_PROTOCOL_ERROR?
ERR_SSL_PROTOCOL_ERROR is a common error in browsers like Google Chrome, Firefox, and Edge. It is typically displayed when there is an issue with either the SSL certificate or the protocol the site uses to open a secure connection. In such cases, the browser prevents you from accessing the website to safeguard your data.
For instance, you might encounter something similar:
“This site can’t provide a secure connection. ERR_SSL_PROTOCOL_ERROR.”
Hi there, that it errored out at the SSL handshake, meaning there was an issue somewhere in the process of establishing a secure connection.
What causes the ERR_SSL_PROTOCOL_ERROR?
Possible causes for different error types are shown below. It has many commonplace triggers, including:
- Date and Time Issues: Your device’s date and time must be correct; otherwise, it can create confusion with SSL certificates depending on accurate timestamps.
- Older Browser: Some browsers from 2016 and older do not support that SSL protocol.
- Cached data: Sometimes corrupted or outdated cache and cookies can create problems.
- Antivirus or Firewall Interference Security software can potentially block SSL connections if a minor threat has been detected.
- Website SSL Problems: The website you are trying to access may have an expired or incorrectly configured SSL certificate.
- Internet Connectivity Issues: Your internet connection or the proxy settings can also be the reason for this error.
Knowing what those causes are can help you identify the issue and give the appropriate solution.
How to Fix ERR_SSL_PROTOCOL_ERROR?
So, here are some easy ways to resolve the ERR_SSL_PROTOCOL_ERROR and secure access to websites again.
- If possible, Adjust Your Device’s Date and Time.
- SSL certificates depend on the correct date and time settings. Incorrect time and date on your device might result in errors. To fix this:
- Go to your device’s date and time settings.
- Check that the date, time, and time zone are accurate.
- If you can, turn on automatic updates.
After changing the settings, refresh the website to check if the error is resolved.
Update Your Browser
Older web browsers may not have support for newer SSL protocols causing this kind of error Update your browser: You want to make sure it has the latest features and security fixes. To update Google Chrome:
Open Chrome
Tap the three-dot menu on the top-right corner.
- Click on “Help” > “About Google Chrome.”
- Chrome checks for and installs updates automatically.
- Once Pretty Much, close your browser and try again.
Clear Cache and Cookies on the Browser
The corrupted or outdated cache files and the cookies can interrupt the SSL connection This can help you solve the error by clearing them. Here’s how to delete cache and cookies in Chrome:
- Launch Chrome, and head to the three-dot menu.
- Click “More tools,” then click “Clear browsing data.”
- Choose “Cookies and other site data” and “Cached images and files.”
- Select a time range (such as “All time”) and click “Clear data.”
If the website problem is resolved, you can now clear the cache and reload.
Temporarily Disable Antivirus or Firewall
If they suspect a possible danger, antivirus software or firewalls may block SSL connections. Disabling these tools temporarily can help you determine whether they are the source of the error. To disable antivirus:
- Open your antivirus program.
- Search for settings related to real-time protection and disable or pause it.
- Try accessing the website.
If you still get the error, then go ahead and change your antivirus settings to allow SSL connections. Make sure to turn the protection back on after you are done testing.
Configure Proxy and Network Settings
This error can also be caused by incorrect proxy or network settings. To reset these preferences in Windows:
- Open the Control Panel.
- Under “Connections,” click on “LAN settings.”
- Then uncheck “Use a proxy server for your LAN” and check “Automatically detect settings.”
- Click “OK” to save changes.
For Mac users:
- Open, “System Preferences” > “Network.”
- Choose your network and press “Advanced.”
- Select the “Proxies” tab, and then uncheck any checked proxy options.
- Reconnect to the internet and check the website after resetting the settings.
Verify the Website’s SSL Certificate
You may get the ERR_SSL_PROTOCOL_ERROR if the website you are trying to connect to has an expired or invalid SSL certificate. To check the certificate:
- Click on the padlock icon in the browser’s address bar.
- Click “Certificate” or “Connection is secure.”
- Check the certificate details, including the expiration date.
Either way, if the certificate has expired (or is invalid), the issue isn’t with your browser, but rather the website. If this is the case, then contact the website owner or try to access it afterward.
Disabling QUIC Protocol in Chrome
QUIC (Quick UDP Internet Connections) is a protocol used in Chrome to accelerate connections. This may sometimes lead to SSL errors. To disable it:
- Type chrome://flags in the address bar and hit enter.
- In the search bar, type “QUIC”.
- Change the “Experimental QUIC protocol” setting to “Disabled.”
Restart Chrome
Restart your browser and see if the error is gone after disabling QUIC.
Reset SSL State
Reset SSL State will remove your stored “old” or “invalid” SSL certificates from your device. To reset it on Windows:
- Open the Control Panel.
- Internet Options > Content.
- Click “Clear SSL state.”
This will refresh the SSL cache and perhaps the error will be fixed.
Try Another Network
In some cases, network-specific issues are causing me errors. Errors on a different Wi-Fi network or switch to mobile data to check if the website opens. If the website is functioning on another network, there may be a problem with your original connection.
What If the Error Persists?
If none of these steps resolves the ERR_SSL_PROTOCOL_ERROR, take these actions:
- Test on another browser to see if it is a browser issue.
- Reach out to your internet service provider (ISP) for support
- If you suspect the problem is a server-side issue, report it to the website owner.
Conclusion
The ERR_SSL_PROTOCOL_ERROR can feel frustrating to see, but more often than not, it has relatively simple causes, whether they be configuration issues, software being out of date, or SSL certificate problems.
After reading this guide, you will be able to troubleshoot and resolve the error while ensuring that the access to websites is secure. Adjusting your device’s clock, clearing browser cache, and network settings are all solutions to a cause. Now that you discovered these solutions, you should be able to fix the error and navigate without problems.
