Are you getting an “err_ssl_protocol_error” message while trying to access a website? Let us tell you that this error is commonly caused by issues with the Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) protocol, which establishes a secure connection between a web server and a client. Nonetheless, there can be some other issues that may cause err_ssl_protocol_error on all browsers – be it Chrome, Opera, Safari, Microsoft Edge, or Mozilla Firefox.
In this blog, we will discuss what causes net::err_ssl_protocol_error and how you can fix err_ssl_protocol_error on windows 10 or in any other system.
So, let’s begin without any further delay.
Why Does net::err_ssl_protocol_error Occur?
Source: ssl2buy.com
There are several reasons why the “err_ssl_protocol_error” message might appear when you try to access a website. There is no certain and specific reason for net::err_ssl_protocol_error to occur.
Some of the common causes include not having an SSL certificate, forced HTTPS connection, incorrect date and time, outdated or unsupported browser, antivirus or firewall settings, and internet security and privacy level, to name a few.
Here’s a quick introduction to each problem that leads to err_ssl_protocol_error, followed by a detailed solution in the upcoming section.
SSL Certificate Is Not Installed on the Website:
Source: hubspot.com
SSL certificates are used to establish a secure connection between a website and a client. The browser will show an error message if the website doesn’t have an SSL certificate installed.
Forced HTTPS Connection:
Some websites enforce a secure connection by redirecting all HTTP traffic to HTTPS. If your browser cannot establish a secure connection with the website, the “err_ssl_protocol_error” message will appear.
Incorrect Date and Time:
Source: aboutssl.org
The SSL protocol uses the current date and time to verify the certificate’s validity. The browser may show an error message if your system’s date and time are incorrect.
Outdated or Unsupported Browser:
Source: pcdn.co
If you’re using an outdated or unsupported browser, it may not be able to establish a secure connection with the website.
Antivirus or Firewall Settings:
Source: static.avast.com
Some antivirus software or firewall settings may block the SSL protocol, causing the “err_ssl_protocol_error” message to appear.
Internet Security and Privacy Level:
If your internet security and privacy level are set to high, it may block the SSL protocol, causing the “err_ssl_protocol_error” message to appear.
Fix err_ssl_protocol_error by Following the Step-by-Step Guide Mentioned Below:
Making Sure SSL Is Installed on Your Website
Source: ytimg.com
If you’re the owner of the website that’s showing the “err_ssl_protocol_error” message, the first thing you should do is make sure that an SSL certificate is installed on your website. Without an SSL certificate, your website won’t be able to establish a secure connection with clients, resulting in the “err_ssl_protocol_error” message.
To verify the validity of your SSL certificate, you’ll need to check the certificate’s expiration date and ensure it hasn’t expired. You can also use a tool like SSL Labs to check the status of your certificate.
Force HTTPS Connection on Your Website
Source: hostinger.com
If you have an SSL certificate installed on your website but still see the “err_ssl_protocol_error” message, you may need to force HTTPS connections on your website. To do this, you’ll need to redirect all HTTP traffic to HTTPS.
This can typically be done through your website’s .htaccess file or by using a plugin like Really Simple SSL or some others that may suit your needs and preferences.
Clear Your Browser’s Cache & Cookies
Sometimes, the err_ssl_protocol_error message can be caused by an outdated cache and cookies in your browser. You’ll need to clear your browser’s cache and cookies to fix this.
Here’s How to Do It for Some Popular Browsers:
Chrome:
Source: aboutssl.org
- Go to Settings,
- Go to Privacy and security,
- Clear browsing data.
- Select “Cookies and other site data” and “Cached images and files” and click “Clear data.”
Firefox:
Source: ytimg.com
- Go to Options,
- Go to Privacy & Security.
- Under “Cookies and Site Data,” click “Manage Data.”
- Select the cookies and cache you want to clear and click “Remove Selected.”
Safari:
Source: wondershare.com
Go to Preferences > Privacy
Fix err_ssl_protocol_error by Setting the correct Date & Time
As mentioned earlier, the SSL protocol uses the current date and time to verify the certificate’s validity. The browser may show an error message if your system’s date and time are incorrect. You’ll need to set the correct date and time on your system to fix this.
Here’s How to Set the Correct Date and Time on Windows 10:
Click on the clock in the taskbar and then click on the “Date and time settings” link.
In the “Date & Time” settings window, click on the “Set time automatically” toggle to turn it on.
Source: thewindowsclub.com
If the toggle is already on, try turning it off and then on again to see if that fixes the issue. If not, you can set the time manually and see if that’s solving the problem.
Clearing Chrome’s Browsing Data
If you’re using Chrome and still see the “err_ssl_protocol_error” message after clearing your browser’s cache and cookies, you may need to clear Chrome’s browsing data.
Here’s How to Clear Chrome’s Browsing Data:
Source: ghacks.net
- Go to Settings > Privacy and security > Clear browsing data in Chrome.
- Select “Cookies and other site data” and “Cached images and files” and click “Clear data.”
Fix err_ssl_protocol_error by Clearing your SSL State
The SSL state is a record of all the secure connections that your browser has made. If the SSL state is corrupt, it can cause the “err_ssl_protocol_error” message to appear. To fix this, you’ll need to clear your SSL state.
Here’s How to Clear the SSL State in Chrome:
Source: dreamhost.com
Go to Settings > Privacy and security > Clear browsing data in Chrome.
Under “Advanced,” click on “Security.”
Check the box next to “SSL state” and click “Clear data.”
Fix err_ssl_protocol_error by Disabling QUIC Protocol
QUIC (Quick UDP Internet Connections) is a transport layer protocol that can improve the performance of secure connections. However, it has been known to cause issues with the SSL protocol, resulting in the “err_ssl_protocol_error” message. You’ll need to disable the QUIC protocol in Chrome to fix this.
Here’s How to Disable the QUIC Protocol
Source: informations.com
- In Chrome, type “chrome://flags” in the address bar and press Enter.
- Search for “QUIC protocol” and click on the dropdown menu next to it.
- Select “Disabled” and then click on the “Relaunch” button at the bottom of the page.
Fix err_ssl_protocol_error by Checking your Antivirus Settings
If you have antivirus software installed on your system, it may be blocking the SSL protocol, causing the “err_ssl_protocol_error” message to appear. To fix this, you’ll need to check your antivirus settings and ensure that the SSL protocol is not blocked.
Fix err_ssl_protocol_error by Enabling all SSL/TLS Versions
If you’re using an older version of the SSL/TLS protocol, the website you’re trying to access may not support it, resulting in the “err_ssl_protocol_error” message. To fix this, you’ll need to enable all SSL/TLS versions in your browser.
Here’s How to Enable All SSL/TLS Versions in Chrome:
In Chrome, type “chrome://flags” in the address bar and press Enter.
Search for “SSL/TLS” and click on the dropdown menu next to “Minimum SSL/TLS version supported.”
Select “TLS 1.0” and then click on the “Relaunch” button at the bottom of the page.
Fix err_ssl_protocol_error by Update Browsers to Latest Version
If you’re using an outdated browser, it may not be able to establish a secure connection with the website, resulting in the “err_ssl_protocol_error” message. You’ll need to update your browser to the latest version to fix this.
Here’s How to Update Some Popular Browsers to Their Latest Version:
Chrome:
Source: aurorasolar.com
Click on the three dots in the browser’s top-right corner and select “Help > About Google Chrome.” If an update is available, it will automatically be downloaded and installed.
Firefox:
Source: computernetworkingnotes.org
Click on the three lines in the browser’s top-right corner and select “Help > About Firefox.” If an update is available, it will automatically be downloaded and installed.
Safari:
Source: wikihow.com
Click on the “Safari” menu in the top-left corner of the browser and select “Preferences.” Click on the “Software Update” button and follow the prompts to install any available updates.
Microsoft Edge:
Source: windowsreport.com
Click on the three dots in the browser’s top-right corner and select “Help and feedback > About Microsoft Edge.” If an update is available, it will automatically be downloaded and installed.
Fix err_ssl_protocol_error by Updating Your Operating System
If you’re using an outdated operating system, it may not be able to establish a secure connection with the website, resulting in the “err_ssl_protocol_error” message. To fix this, you’ll need to update your operating system to the latest version.
Here’s How to Update the Operating System for Windows 10:
Source: easylifeit.com
- Click on the “Start” button and click on the gear icon to open the “Settings” window.
- Click on “Update & Security.”
- Under “Windows Update,” click on “Check for updates.”
- If an update is available, it will be downloaded and installed automatically.
Also Read: Top 11 Metaverse Trends 2023 That Everyone Should Know
Fix err_ssl_protocol_error by Removing Your System’s Host File
Simply put, the host file on your system maps domain names to IP addresses. If there’s an issue with the host’s file, it can cause the “err_ssl_protocol_error” message to appear. You’ll need to remove the host’s file from your system to fix this.
Here’s How to Remove Your System’s Host Files on Windows 10:
Source: informations.com
Press the “Windows” and “R” keys on your keyboard to open the “Run” dialog.
Type “notepad c:\windows\system32\drivers\etc\hosts” and press Enter.
Delete the contents of the file and save it.
Fix err_ssl_protocol_error by Adjusting Your Internet Security and Privacy Level
If your internet security and privacy level are set to high, it may block the SSL protocol, causing the “err_ssl_protocol_error” message to appear. You’ll need to adjust your internet security and privacy level to fix this.
Here’s How to Adjust Chrome’s Internet Security and Privacy Level:
- Go to Settings > Privacy and security.
- Under “Security,” click on “Site Settings.”
- Scroll down to “Security and privacy” and click “Security.”
- Change the setting to “Medium” or lower and click “Done.”
- Disable your Internet Browser Extensions
Source: eginnovations.com
Moreover, If you have any internet browser extensions installed, they may block the SSL protocol, causing the “err_ssl_protocol_error” message to appear. To fix this, you’ll need to disable your internet browser extensions.
Here’s How to Disable Internet Browser Extensions in Chrome:
Source: techhelpkb.com
In Chrome, click on the three dots in the browser’s top-right corner and select “More tools > Extensions.”
Click on the toggle switch next to each or respective extension to disable it.
Also Read: What Is Flutter and Is Flutter Best for App Development?
Fix err_ssl_protocol_error by Checking Your Firewall
Source: wikihow.com
A firewall installed on your system may block the SSL protocol, causing the “err_ssl_protocol_error” message to appear. To fix this, you’ll need to check your firewall settings and make sure that the SSL protocol is not being blocked.
Source: sectigostore.com
Conclusion:
The “err_ssl_protocol_error” message can be caused by various issues, including problems with the SSL certificate, outdated cache and cookies, incorrect date and time, and antivirus or firewall settings.
You’ll need to check the various causes and try the appropriate solutions to fix this error. With the steps outlined in this blog, you should be able to solve the “err_ssl_protocol_error” message on all major browsers, including Chrome, Opera, Safari, Microsoft Edge, and Mozilla Firefox.
After executing all the fixes above for err_ssl_protocol_error, if you are still facing the error, we would recommend checking the site on another device to see if it is only with you or other users as well or contact the software operator to sort the issue.
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