How To Fix SSL Protocol Errors?

As a website owner (or regular website visitor), you may have experienced the infamous ERR_SSL_PROTOCOL_ERROR at least once. This Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) error happens when a browser is unable to establish a secure connection with a website, typically due to problems with the website's SSL certificate, setup, or the client's browser. The issue is displayed in various major browsers, including Chrome, Firefox, and Microsoft Edge.

Although determining the root cause of the mistake might be complex, there are easy solutions. In this post, I'll go over the reasons for ERR_SSL_PROTOCOL_ERROR, offer extensive instructions on how to repair it for your website, and look at how this problem appears in different browsers. So, let's jump in and learn how to resolve this common error.

What exactly is the ERR_SSL_Protocol Error?

The ERR_SSL_PROTOCOL_ERROR is a typical error that happens when the SSL/TLS connection between a website and the user's browser fails. This error often happens when the browser is unable to create a secure connection that it supports, or when the browser and server settings do not match. It can also show when the website's SSL certificate is misconfigured or when the browser is unable to connect to an SSL-protected website.

What Causes Err_SSL_Protocol_Error?

One of the reasons why SSL connection error is frustrating is that your browser will never give a hint as to where the problem is coming from. As such, you might have to do a lot of troubleshooting to figure out where the problem is coming from. From experience, however, we know this net::err_ssl_protocol_error is indicative of any of the following:

• Your device’s date and time isn’t correct
• Your antivirus software is blocking your connection
• There are bad or corrupted Chrome extensions installed on your browser
• The HOST files of the website you are trying to access have been corrupted
• Your browser cache and cookies need to be cleared.

How Do I Fix Err_SSL_Protocol_Error?

Solution 1: Clear the browser cache.

Clearing the browser cache, while easy, is an effective technique for fixing the majority of browser-server issues.

• To clean your browser cache in Chrome, press the following three keys on your Windows keyboard:
• Shift + Ctrl + Delete.
• This will bring up Chrome's cache settings. Choose "Cookies..." and "Cached..." items.
• Then, use the delete Data option to delete your browsing history. With that, your browser's cache and cookies have been removed.
• The fault should have been addressed by now. If the problem persists, try the following remedy.

Solution 2: Download and install the latest version of Chrome

• Sometimes the problem is caused by your browser, especially if it has not been updated in a long time.
• An outdated browser can cause a variety of connection issues, including net::err_ssl_protocol_error.
• Depending on your internet connection settings, your Chrome browser may update itself automatically.
• However, if you are unsure, visit Google and download and install the most recent version of Chrome.

Solution 3: Audit your Chrome extensions

• As previously stated, a damaged Chrome extension might cause your browser to display connection failures. This is especially true if you have many extensions loaded in your browser.
• As a result, you should disable extensions to see whether it resolves the issue.
• Deactivating each extension separately is the best course of action because it's difficult to determine which one is creating the connection issue.
• To achieve this, open your browser and look in the upper right corner. You'll notice a three-dot vertical icon; click it.
• Next, you may either uninstall or disable each extension one by one. Either click the Remove button or the blue toggle to accomplish this.
• After removing or disabling an extension, reload your browser to see whether the problem has been resolved.
• If it goes away, it indicates that the previous extension you deactivated or uninstalled was the source of the problem.

Solution 4: Check Your Device's Date and Time

• If the system dates are wrong, you will most likely receive an SSL connection problem.
• The explanation for this is really simple. The validity of an SSL certificate is determined by its expiration date and time. That is, an SSL certificate will only stay valid if its expiration date has not passed.
• This is why your date and time must be exact. Otherwise, your computer will assume that the SSL certificate of the website you are attempting to visit has expired.
• To check the date and time on Windows, go to Settings/Control Panel. Then pick Time and Language.

Solution 5: Clear Your Computer's SSL Status to Fix Err_SSL_Protocol_Error

• To increase speed and performance, your browser downloads and saves the SSL certificate of each website you visit in your computer's cache.
• The concern is that the stored SSL certificate may go out of date. If this happens, you will encounter the net::err_ssl_protocol_error.
• As a result, clearing your computer's SSL state can help resolve this issue.
• This may be accomplished via your PC's advanced settings. To access these options, visit Settings/Control Panel and select Network Sharing Centre. There, select Internet Options.
• Finally, click OK and you're finished.

Solution 6: Temporarily disable your antivirus and firewall

• While antivirus products and firewalls assist in safeguarding your computer from viruses, they frequently prevent you from connecting to a web server securely and smoothly.
• If you are still having SSL connection errors, deactivate your antivirus application and check if this resolves the issue.
• If it doesn't work, try changing your antivirus settings.

Solution 7: Check the website's SSL validity

Only a genuine SSL certificate ensures a seamless, secure connection to a web server. Thus, if you are still receiving the net::err_ssl_protocol_error, it is necessary to check the validity of the site's SSL certificate.

To do this, you can utilize online SSL tools such as SSL Labs. You simply need to enter the site's URL, and SSL Labs will verify the authenticity of its certificate.

Solution 8: Disable the QUIC Protocol

• QUIC (Quick UDP Internet Connections) allows Chrome browsers to swiftly connect to a secure website. However, there are situations when it can be problematic.
• So, if your SSL problem hasn't been resolved by now, you should stop your browser's QUIC protocol.
• To accomplish this, copy and paste the code below into your address bar.
• chrome://flags/#enable-quic
• Next, deactivate the Experimental QUIC protocol. When you're done, restart your browser.

Conclusion

This post outlined the most typical troubleshooting procedures for resolving the ERR_SSL_PROTOCOL_ERROR. Because the mistake might occur on both the server and the client side, the article has distinct parts for end users and site administrators.If you're interested in internet security, read our ultimate guide.