While trying to access the internet, we often come across an error notification that reads ERR_SSL_PROTOCOL_ERROR. The website fails to load correctly, despite being connected to a secure network.
The message might either read, “This site can’t provide a secure connection.” or “Can’t connect securely to this page.”, etc. Several reasons can cause this error. Read this post to find out more about this issue’s roots and the various methods to solve this problem.
In case you come across SSL protocol error alerts, there is no need to panic as it is quite common. The actual cause could range from something as insignificant as incorrect data to major server troubles.
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More often than not, the underlying concern can be corrected manually by us, and external technical support will not be necessary. Sometimes, the message would read as an err SSL protocol error. All of these issues are entirely manageable to a large extent. A quick guide to sorting out all associated problems, which also includes net::err_ssl_protocol_error, is given below:
ERR_SSL_PROTOCOL_ERROR Different Browser Responses:
1. Google Chrome:
Google Chromes most standard response to this issue includes an alert stating that ERR_SSL_PROTOCOL_ERROR has been observed and says the domain has sent an invalid response.
2. Microsoft Edge:
Microsoft Edge states, “Can’t connect securely to this page,” and also mentions what could be the reason for this problem. The site you tried to access could have been outdated or unsafe about TLS settings.
3. Mozilla Firefox:
In Mozilla Firefox, the message display as a warning, which goes like, err_ssl_protocol_error. Along with this, the exact reason for what could have triggered this response briefly.
What Should You Do While Experiencing Err_SSL_PROTOCOL_ERROR?
When you encounter errors such as “This site can’t provide a secure connection err_ssl_protocol_error,” it is essential to keep in mind that this can happen even when you try to access top-rated websites with high user density such as Gmail, YouTube, or Twitter as well.
Sometimes, even necessary steps like modifying your security details or changing the browser might promptly solve the issue.
1. Try changing the default browser:
There are several browsers, including Mozilla Firefox, Safari, Yahoo, etc., other than Chrome. In case the site displays messages like, this site can’t provide a secure connection. or net::err_ssl_protocol_error, you can try switching over to browsers other than Chrome, even vice versa.
2. Use the incognito mode:
The SSL protocol error might occur at times due to uncleaned cache files. In this case, using the incognito mode of your browser can clear the issue.
3. Use HTTP:// instead of HTTPS://:
It is not an advisable method, and hence, Use it as a last resort. The HTTP protocol is insecure, and as a result, your data becomes accessible quickly to hackers. Avoid sharing confidential details on any domain that uses it. You have to try this only when none of the other methods work.
Importance of a Secure Connection:
Let us take a more in-depth look at the differences between HTTP:// and HTTPS:// and what it implies:
- Both of them are protocols that lay the structure of how data has to be stored and transmitted between the main servers and our browsers.
- HTTPS is a more secure HTTP version, which offers enhanced security and gives more leverage in SEO.
- However, since there is a greater emphasis on security as far as HTTPS is concerned, the rules are more stringent, and the sites functioning with it might pose more problems than those with HTTP.
- A legitimate SSL certificate that has been appropriately configured is essential to use an HTTPS browser. In case the certificate is deemed to be invalid, you might receive notifications like Invalid Server Certificate.
- As a result, you will see a warning like, this site can’t provide a secure connection.
- To solve this problem, you need to get a valid SSL certificate, after which a padlock will display next to the website address.
- If clicked, a dialogue box will open, stating that the connection is secure and that the data will transmit safely.
How To Solve SSL Protocol Errors?
Fix 1: Try Clearing the SSL State:
SSL certificates are usually stored in a cache in the browser. It is done to ensure the reasonably good speed of ensuing connections. The following steps can sort out this issue:
Step 1: Navigate to the Customize tab and control Chrome, the three dots below the X button.
Step 2: Select Settings.
Step 3: Keep scrolling till you reach the Advanced Settings option.
Step 4: Now click on Open proxy settings.
Step 5: A window with the title Internet Properties will open now.
Step 6: Open the Content window and click the Clear SSL State option.
Step 7: The slate would have cleared now. You can try restarting Chrome to check if the problem has been rectified or not.
Fix 2: Verify SSL Certificate
- At times, the SSL certificate will be generated, and yet propagation of DNS settings would not have been completed fully. It will cause a disassociation between the time of creation and the domain.
- You will have to cross-check whether a green tick mark is present next to certificate settings.
- An SSL Checker tool can also be employed if required. Just enter the domain under the Hostname section and click Submit.
Fix 3: Check the date and time in the system
It is essential to make sure that your system is not running ahead or behind the actual time. This step might seem too simple to be effective but might turn out to be the necessary action.
This step is recommended as it could play an essential role in deciding your SSL certificate’s validity and authenticity.
In case you use macOS, select the icon on the top left corner of the screen and in the drop-down menu, choose System Preferences. Now select the Date and Time option.
Fix 4: Clear Browser Cache and Cookies
It is another simple yet highly effective method used when faced with an err SSL protocol error.
Try deleting your browser’s cache if it has been a long while since it was cleaned. Cleaning of cookies can also be tried, but this means that you will have to log in again to all the sites you are currently logged into. Follow these steps:
Step 1: Go to the menu and select Settings.
Step 2: Enter Security in the search bar at the top.
Step 3: Now click the Clear browsing data option.
Step 4: 3 options, including history, cache, and cookies, will appear on the screen. Select Clear data.
Fix 5: Disabling of browser extensions
We often tend to add several browser extensions to our default search engine. There are chances that one of these extensions has been causing this issue. Disabling the extensions in a sequential order might reveal if any one of them was the problematic factor. To do so:
Step 1: Click the three dots at the right top corner of the browser.
Step 2: Navigate through More tools > Extensions from the dialogue box which opens.
Step 3: Keep disabling the extensions one by one while simultaneously checking your browser to see if the issue has been rectified.
Step 4: Check if any particular extension has been causing err_ssl_protocol_error and then either disable it or remove it after looking for an alternative.
Fix 6: QUIC Protocol disabling
Step 1: Copy and paste chrome://flags/#enable-quic in Chrome and click enter.
Step 2: If the Experimental QUIC Protocol is in Default or Enabled setting, make sure to reset it to Disabled.
Step 3: At the bottom of the page, press on the Relaunch Now tab.
Fix 7: Removing the host files of the system
The below-given steps need to be followed to remove the host files of your system:
Step 1: First, press the Windows logo key and R to open Run.
Step 2: Now type C:\Windows\System32\drivers\etc in Open: search region & press
Step 3: Right-click the hosts file. Select Delete.
Fix 8: Try disabling your antivirus settings
The primary duty of the antivirus software, which we have, is to check for security breaches and other malicious elements that try to intrude on our privacy. The software also scans the SSL/TLS version of the site, which is in use.
In case the browser is outdated, the antivirus blocks our access to the site. Hence, we can try disabling the security tools and reloading the site again. The step-by-step navigation given below is to be followed:
Step 1: Navigate to Start >> Settings >> Update & Security >> Windows Security >> Virus & threat protection >> Manage Settings.
Step 2: Select the Real-time Protection option and switch it off.
Do not forget to turn on the protection settings after you have tried this step. It is mandatory to ensure that your system is always protected.
Fix 9: Check the Firewall settings
Sometimes, errors such as This site can’t provide a secure connection err_ssl_protocol_error might occur due to some blocking by the firewall you use. Check your firewall listing and if you find that particular website or IP address, remove it. The basic walk-through to go about this method is given below:
Step 1:
- First, choose the Start button >> Settings >> Update & Security >> Windows Security and then Firewall & Network protection.
- Now, open Windows Security Settings.
- On the left pane on the screen, you will see many options, including Turn Windows Firewall on or off. Select the Off option to switch off the firewall security.
Fix 10: Update your search engine
An outdated browser could also be the root cause of all the issues. It can trigger several errors, which include err_ssl_protocol_error. Usually, the browser will be on auto-update mode, but it is advisable to recheck the settings just in case.
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Fix 11: Try to open using Virtual Private Network (VPN)
There are chances that the website you have been trying to access has been blocked by your government or internet service provider. There can be a plethora of reasons for this. It could likely be a factor for various errors, which also includes net::err_ssl_protocol_error. You can try to solve this issue by simply changing your actual country by using VPN.
Fix 12: Clear DNS Cache
DNS stands for Domain Name Systems, which is an index that primarily stores all domain names, along with their IP addresses. You will find the list of all the websites you had visited earlier in this system.
In case any website you previously accessed had an SSL issue then, the cache might still have records of it. As a result, there are chances that currently, your access might be denied by the website.
The DNS cache has to be cleaned periodically. The procedure is as given below:
Step 1: In Chromes address bar, type chrome://net-internals/#dns.
Step 2: In the left-side menu, select DNS.
Step 3: Under Host resolver cache, you will find a button that says Clear Host Cache. Click it to clear the DNS cache.
Fix 13: Try using an older version of SSL/TLS
It is an unsafe method, and hence it is not recommended. However, it is worth a try in case of failure of all other ways. Browsers often block websites that have outdated SSL settings. Such browsers can easily access by disabling their TLS settings.
Step 1: In the address bar, type chrome://flags.
Step 2: Another search bar will pop up on the top of the page. You will have to search for #show-legacy-tls-warnings and disable it.
Step 3:
Next, search for #legacy-tls-enforced and enable the option.
Step 4: Try relaunching the browser now.
Fix 14: Update your Operating System
This step will be unrequired in most cases as almost all operating systems have the automatic update feature. However, there are chances that this feature is turned off accidentally, or the system might not have this option.
Hence, it is a good idea to recheck whether the operating system has been updated correctly.
Fix 15: Check for Error Messages in Server Log
All the issues involving the server is kept track of in the server log. Going through all the recent activities in this section might present you with a fair idea of any other undiscovered problem.
Fix 16: Readjust your Internets privacy and security levels
At times, your browsers security level might be too high, which will cause obstacles, thereby blocking access to specific websites. Lowering your security levels is not that good of an idea, but it can be looked into once in case the SSL protocol error persists.
Conclusion:
We have covered almost all of how errors such as err_ssl_protocol_error and This site can’t provide a secure connection. can be rectified. The issue is bound to resolve through one of these methods, but it is advisable to contact a certified service provider for further guidance if it doesn’t.
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