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Fix ERR_SSL_PROTOCOL_ERROR

Struggling with ERR_SSL_PROTOCOL_ERROR? Learn common causes and step-by-step fixes to restore secure HTTPS connections and protect your browsing.

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Fix ERR_SSL_PROTOCOL_ERROR
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I am J P Mehta, Passionate about Cyber-Security and keenly follow the evolving landscape of Web and Cyber Security. I translate my understanding into practice by educating users on the required security precautions they need to stay safe online.

SSL State

If this warning continues disturbing you, you can try erasing your System's SSL state. To achieve it, follow the instructions below:

  • Click on the Windows icon

  • Type "Internet Options ", and a new Internet Properties view will appear

  • Click on the Content Tab

  • In the Certificate section, click on "Clear SSL State "

  • SSL State will be cleared in seconds.

Now, proceed to reopen the web page with Chrome.

Browsing Data

Sometimes, browsing data may also get in the way of your internet browsing, causing you to get that annoying SSL error. Follow the instructions below to remove browsing history from your Chrome browser if your computer's date is accurate:

  • Ctrl + Shift + Delete when using Chrome.

  • Ensure "All Time" is selected as the time range.

  • "Cookies and other site data " should be checked in the checkbox.

  • Check the "Cached images and files" checkbox.

  • Click on Clear Data.

Please wait for it to finish, then attempt to reload the webpage in your Browser when it is completed. There is an excellent possibility that it will open without any issues.

System's Date &Time

The most common cause of SSL failures is the date. Your Chrome browser will display this error when the dates on your computer and the server you're attempting to access are out of sync. Change your system's date to the current date to rectify the issue, and then try reassessing the website. You won't run across any problems.

Turn off Antivirus Software and Third-Party Browser Extensions

Extensions are a great approach to increasing the functionality of your browser. These extensions can often interfere with protocol settings.

Visit your extensions page by selecting More Tools> Extensions from the Chrome menu to see any possible extensions causing issues.

Turn off all your extensions. Then, go back to the webpage where the issue appeared. You may conclude that an extension is at fault if it disappears.

The next step is activating each extension and refreshing the page between each one. You can start looking for a solution when you've identified who the criminal is. Disabling any installed firewalls or antivirus programs is also a brilliant idea.

QUIC Protocol

Google first created a novel internet protocol called QUIC for its Chrome browser. It is a replacement for the HTTP protocol to enhance performance.

The most recent versions of Chrome have QUIC enabled by default, but you may turn it off from the options panel. Disabling QUIC will force the browser to use HTTP instead for those with connection issues.

QUIC could be turned off in Chrome by entering chrome://flags/#enable-quic:

  • Click the dropdown menu next to Experimental QUIC Protocol

  • Select Disabled.

  • Click the Relaunch button, which is at the bottom of the page.

  • Return to the website you are trying to load and check whether the protocol challenge is still there.

Antivirus Settings

Sometimes, the source of an SSL problem may also be your antivirus software. All current antivirus software analyses websites for potentially harmful malware and other security risks, which includes looking at a site's SSL/TLS version.

The antivirus prevents us from visiting a website if it is utilizing an out-of-date SSL version. In this instance, the issue can be fixed by momentarily turning off the antivirus. Turn off your antivirus software to check if you can access the erroneous website.

SSL/TLS Versions

Activating all SSL/TLS versions is an additional strategy you could do. It will make sites using outdated or unsafe protocols load. Although not usually advised, this technique can assist you in locating the source.

  • Select System from the Advanced Settings menu in Chrome to enable all SSL/TLS versions.

  • Then choose Open Proxy settings

  • Click the Advanced tab:

  • The boxes for each TLS/SSL version should be clicked.

  • Once you are done, refresh your browser to check if you can still access the page.

Internet Security and Privacy

Your access to specific websites can be restricted if your internet security and privacy settings are too extreme. You can alter your settings to see if it solves this Error.

  • To accomplish this, enter "Internet Options " into your device's search bar and press Enter.

  • Select the Security tab and use the slider to adjust it to the medium level in the Internet Properties window that shows up:

  • Click the OK button once you're done.

  • Try visiting the website once more after refreshing your Browser.

Firewall

Chrome will be unable to access any websites that are included on your Internet Firewall's block list. Verify your Firewall's block list to make sure the website you're attempting to access is not on there. Removing it will allow you to reload the webpage if you find it there.

SSL Certificate

Checking your SSL certificate is another option if you still see an issue notice. As previously stated, a revoked, lost, or expired certificate could trigger the error message. Therefore, it's crucial to ensure that the one you're using is legitimate.

You can verify your certificate's validity with an online SSL checker Tool.

Reach out to the Site Owner

If you go through all the previously mentioned steps but cannot access the website, there could be a server-side conflict. Inform the website owner regarding the issue; they might be able to resolve it.

Use VPN

If your internet provider or the site stops you from accessing the website, your browser could show various error messages. Nevertheless, you may still access the website using a virtual private network. To test whether you can access the website, switch your VPN's default zone.

Here, an important note is to execute this process only if you have complete confidence that visiting the website you seek to access won't result in legal action being taken against you by the authorities.

Reference

How to Fix ERR_SSL_PROTOCOL_ERROR in Chrome & Android?