How To Fix ERR_SSL_PROTOCOL_ERROR

Have you ever tried to visit a website and got an ERR_SSL_PROTOCOL_ERROR message instead? It’s a common issue that can be frustrating for both website visitors and owners. This error pops up when there’s a problem with the website’s SSL certificate, which is crucial for a secure connection.

It’s important to fix this error quickly because SSL errors can make your site look untrustworthy to visitors. They might think your site isn’t safe, and they could leave without seeing your content, which ultimately can hurt your reputation and even your search engine ranking.

Therefore, in this tutorial, we’ll learn what the ERR_SSL_PROTOCOL_ERROR is and why it happens. We’ll also provide step-by-step instructions to help you fix it. Whether you’re a beginner or have some technical knowledge, these tips will help you get your site back up and running securely.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

1. ERR_SSL_PROTOCOL_ERROR occurs due to issues with secure connections.
2. Regularly update your SSL certificates to keep connections secure.
3. Ensure your browser and plugins are updated to avoid compatibility issues.
4. Clear your browser cache and cookies to remove outdated SSL data.
5. Verify your system’s date and time settings for accurate SSL validation.
6. Disable antivirus and firewall temporarily to check for interference.
7. Check server logs for detailed error messages to identify specific issues.
8. Regularly monitor and fix mixed content on your website.
9. Maintain correct server configuration to ensure proper SSL setup.
10. Contact your hosting provider for support if problems persist.

What Is a Secure Connection?

Before diving into secure connections, let’s understand the difference between HTTP and HTTPS.

HTTP (HyperText Transfer Protocol) is the basic protocol used for transferring data on the web. However, it’s not secure because the data is transmitted in the form of plain text, making it vulnerable to interception by hackers.

On the other side, HTTPS (HyperText Transfer Protocol Secure) is the secure version of HTTP. It uses SSL (Secure Sockets Layer) certificates to encrypt the data, ensuring that any information transferred between the website and its visitors is secure and private.

A secure connection is like a safe tunnel between your computer and the website you’re visiting. It makes sure that any data you send or receive is protected from prying eyes. This protection is achieved using SSL certificates or the newer version, TLS (Transport Layer Security).

When you visit a website with HTTPS in the address, it means the site is using SSL/TLS. This ensures that information like passwords, credit card numbers, and personal details are encrypted, making it much harder for hackers to steal.

A secure connection is important because it builds trust with your visitors. They feel safe sharing their information on your site, knowing it’s protected. Plus, search engines like Google prefer secure sites, which can boost your SEO ranking. You might be thinking about how users can know if the site is secure.

That’s very simple. Just click on the tune icon in your web browser. The first thing you will see is the padlock, which says the connection is secure. If that padlock isn’t there, it indicates the site you’re visiting isn’t secure.

However, there is also a downside. For instance, using HTTPS is more challenging, as there are tough rules that must be adhered to before a secure web page can be displayed. This means more can go unexpectedly wrong compared to non-secure HTTP connections.

Furthermore, setting up and managing SSL can be technically challenging for beginners. Encrypted connections can slightly slow down page load times, although this is usually minimal.

So, what you should do? Given the significant benefits, having an SSL certificate is important for entire websites, not just particular pages like admin login and shopping cart. The security, trust, and SEO advantages far outweigh the costs and maintenance efforts.

Even if you’re running a small blog or an affiliate website, SSL can protect your login details and ensure your site is viewed as trustworthy. Moreover, SSL is not just recommended but essential for e-commerce sites or any website handling sensitive information. Thus, investing in SSL is investing in your website’s future and security.

Now, let’s look at the opposite side of it when you don’t install SSL (free or paid) or have invalid SSL certificates. In that case, visitors may encounter a “Your Connection is Not Private” error, preventing them from accessing your website, which can affect your site’s reputation, revenue, and SEO.

What Is ERR_SSL_PROTOCOL_ERROR?

ERR_SSL_PROTOCOL_ERROR is a common issue that occurs when there’s a problem with the secure connection between your web browser and the website you’re trying to visit. This error typically means that the browser cannot establish a secure connection due to issues with the SSL certificate or protocol.

When this error happens, you might see different messages depending on the browser you’re using. Common messages include:

• This site can’t provide a secure connection
• ERR_SSL_PROTOCOL_ERROR
• Secure Connection Failed
• The connection of this site is not secure

Let’s use Google Chrome, Microsoft Edge, and Firefox to see how it appears there:

Google Chrome

Chrome doesn’t provide a detailed response; it just shows that a domain name responds with ERR_SSL_PROTOCOL_ERROR sent an invalid response message. You also get a Reload button to refresh the page if it’s a temporary issue.

Microsoft Edge

Like Chrome, Edge also shows the error with a Refresh button; however, it also provides a Diagnose issue button to analyze the problem.

Firefox

In Firefox, the first part of the error says: “Secure Connection Failed” (as seen below). However, the second part of it is useful. Unlike Chrome and Edge, it provides us with the possible root cause of the error and the corresponding course of action to fix this error.

Causes of ERR_SSL_PROTOCOL_ERROR

Before we start exploring the possible causes of ERR_SSL_PROTOCOL_ERROR, it’s important to recall if you’ve made some changes to your site recently.

Why? Because when you have a secure connection running smoothly, it’s stable. Issues often arise when changes are made on the server side for existing websites or during the initial setup of a new site. If the site you’re trying to access doesn’t exist, you might encounter the DNS_PROBE_FINISHED_NXDOMAIN error.

Have you recently switched hosts or installed a new SSL certificate? These are common triggers for this error. Being mindful of recent changes to your site can help you identify the cause of the secure connection issue.

With that said, the ERR_SSL_PROTOCOL_ERROR can be caused by the following reasons:

• Expired or Invalid SSL Certificate: An SSL certificate encrypts data sent between a visitor’s browser and your site. If your certificate has expired or is invalid, the connection won’t be secure, leading to the ERR_SSL_PROTOCOL_ERROR.
• Browser Issues: Sometimes, the browser itself can cause this error. Outdated browsers or corrupted settings can interfere with SSL connections.
• Incorrect Date and Time Settings: If your computer’s date and time settings are wrong, SSL certificates may appear invalid, causing the error.
• Antivirus or Firewall Interference: Antivirus programs or firewalls might mistakenly block SSL connections, leading to this error.
• Mixed Content on the Website: Mixed content occurs when a website loads both secure (HTTPS) and non-secure (HTTP) elements, which can trigger SSL errors.
• Server Configuration Issues: Incorrect server settings (like misconfigured SSL protocols or ciphers) can also cause this error.

By understanding these causes, you can take specific steps to resolve the ERR_SSL_PROTOCOL_ERROR and ensure a secure connection for your visitors.

Step by Step ERR_SSL_PROTOCOL_ERROR Fixes

There are multiple ways to resolve the ERR_SSL_PROTOCOL_ERROR; let’s start with the easiest ones.

Check SSL Status

Forcing HTTPS without installing SSL will make your site inaccessible, displaying the ERR_SSL_PROTOCOL_ERROR error. It happens when you don’t have the required certificates to enable HTTPS connections.

To fix this, check your site’s SSL status. If you’re hosting your website at Hosted, navigate to cPanel > Security > SSL/TLS Status.

The green lock followed by the domain name means SSL is installed and active for that domain.

Otherwise, you’d see the following red prohibition sign, indicating SSL is not installed:

If the SSL/TLS is not installed, you should consider installing it to fix the error. If you’ve already done that and still face ERR_SSL_PROTOCOL_ERROR, then you should move to the next solution.

Verify SSL Certificate Validity

Sometimes, the ERR_SSL_PROTOCOL_ERROR occurs when an SSL certificate is generated; however, the DNS settings haven’t propagated completely. Here, the SSL certificate will not be associated with the right domain at the time of creation.

To find out if there are any issues with SSL certificates and to perform a site-wide scan, use the SSL checker tool. This approach is reliable because it can bypass your web browser cache to see if the certificate is valid.

To do that, use the SSL Check Tool from Qualys SSL Labs, enter the Hostname (a.k.a domain name), and click Submit.

This may take some time to prepare a report. If everything is fine, you should get an A or A+ score, which will look something like the following:

In case of SSL-related issues, this report will provide you with associated details, including the SSL expiry date which means you need to renew your SSL certificate.

Clear SSL State

SSL state in Chrome refers to the stored SSL certificates and session data that the browser uses to establish secure connections with websites. Chrome stores SSL certificates to speed up future connections to secure sites, ensuring a smooth and secure browsing experience.

Why is it necessary? If Chrome didn’t store SSL certificates, it would have to verify the SSL certificate every time you visit a secure site. This would slow down your browsing experience and put more load on the servers, leading to potential delays and a less efficient connection.

To fix it, you cannot directly clear the SSL state in Google Chrome. However, it can be done using the Internet Options utility, which is a component of the Windows operating system, allowing users to configure and manage the various aspects of their internet connection and web browsing experience.

To access the utility on Windows, go to Control Panel > Network and Internet > Internet Options.

Once you click on Internet Options, a new screen will appear. Go to the Content tab and click on the Clear SSL State. Finally, hit OK to apply changes.

After that, restart your web browser and visit your site. This time, you should be able to access it.

Furthermore, you’ll also need to clear the SSL state if you’ve migrated your website to Hosted.com. In this case, you may encounter the issues when DNS settings have been modified to point at Hosted.com and a free SSL certificate from Let’s Encrypt has been installed.

Once the DNS settings are propagated and you access your site with an HTTPS request, the error can sometimes appear due to the browser cache storing the outdated version of the SSL certificate.

Here, clearing the SSL state can resolve issues with outdated or corrupted SSL certificates, helping to fix the ERR_SSL_PROTOCOL_ERROR.

Check System Time and Date

You’ve installed an SSL certificate that is up and running without any issues. You also cleared the SSL state cache and are still facing the ERR_SSL_PROTOCOL_ERROR. In that case, your PC’s date and time might be the culprit.

How? SSL certificates have a fixed expiry date. When your system’s date/time is incorrect, it conflicts with the authentication process. Therefore, having the correct system time and date is crucial for SSL certificates to function properly.

To check the date and time on the Windows, right-click on the clock in the bottom-right corner of your screen. Select the Adjust date/time option.

Make sure you are in the Date & Time area. Once there, toggle the switch to set the time automatically. If it’s already on, toggle it off and then on again. Ensure your time zone is correct. Optionally, you can click the Sync now button (if required).

Keep in mind that correct system time and date settings ensure that SSL certificates are recognized correctly, helping to maintain a secure connection and preventing SSL errors.

Clear Browser Cache and Cookies

Browser cache and cookies store website data to speed up loading times and remember user preferences. However, outdated or corrupted cache and cookies can cause SSL-related errors, including ERR_SSL_PROTOCOL_ERROR.

This happens because the browser might be using old SSL certificates or session data that no longer match the current server settings. Here, you need to clear the browser cache and cookies to fix this error.

Disable Browser Extensions

If you are using multiple browser extensions, particularly ad blockers, then it could potentially lead to ERR_SSL_PROTOCOL_ERROR. Try temporarily disabling them one by one to see if this was causing problems with the HTTPS requests.

Once you find a problematic extension, remove it or look for alternatives. If there is no faulty extension, you may need to investigate further.

Update Browser to Latest Version

This is the last browser-related solution. Running older versions of a web browser increases the possibility of encountering errors like ERR_SSL_PROTOCOL_ERROR. To fix this, update your web browser. Moreover, keeping your browser updated is crucial for several other reasons:

• Security: New browser versions come with security patches that protect you from vulnerabilities and threats. Older versions may lack these protections, making your data and browsing experience less secure.
• Compatibility: Websites and web applications are constantly evolving. The latest browser versions support new technologies and standards, ensuring that websites load correctly and work as intended.
• Performance: Updates often include performance improvements that make your browser faster and more efficient.
• Bug Fixes: Each new version fixes bugs and glitches from previous versions, providing a smoother browsing experience.

By keeping your browser up to date, you ensure a secure, compatible, and smooth browsing experience, reducing the chances of encountering errors like ERR_SSL_PROTOCOL_ERROR.

If updating the web browser doesn’t fix the problem, you should try reinstalling it.

Update your Operating System

Your operating system (OS) plays a key role in the functionality and security of your computer, including its ability to handle SSL certificates. An outdated OS might not support the latest SSL protocols and security updates, leading to errors like ERR_SSL_PROTOCOL_ERROR. However, keeping your OS updated ensures that it can properly verify SSL certificates and establish secure connections.

Therefore, keeping your OS updated is essential for maintaining security and compatibility with the latest technologies. If you’ve enabled automatic updates, then you don’t need to do anything; otherwise, navigate to Windows Security > Update & Security > Windows Update.

Then, click on the Check for updates to update Windows OS.

Once the update is complete, restart your PC and revisit your website to see if the error is resolved.

Temporarily Disable Antivirus and Firewall

“>Antivirus programs and firewallsare designed to protect your computer from threats, but sometimes they can be overly cautious. They might block secure connections, causing the ERR_SSL_PROTOCOL_ERROR. This happens because these security tools may misread SSL certificates as threats.

To decide if your antivirus or firewall is causing the issue, temporarily disable them and check if the error persists. To disable the antivirus program, open it. Look for an option to disable or turn off the protection (this is usually in the settings or control panel). Confirm the action and try accessing the website again.

On the other hand, to disable the firewall on Windows, navigate to Control Panel > System and Security > Windows Defender Firewall. Click on Turn Windows Defender Firewall on or off.

On the next screen, turn off Windows Defender and Firewall and click OK to apply changes.

Now, try accessing the website again. After testing, make sure to re-enable your antivirus and firewall to keep your computer protected.

Check for Mixed Content

Mixed content occurs when a website uses both secure (HTTPS) and non-secure (HTTP) elements, causing SSL errors. To identify mixed content, inspect your website and look for resources (like images, scripts, or styles) that are loaded over HTTP.

To fix this, open your website in Google Chrome. Right-click anywhere on the screen and choose Inspect to open Developer Tools.

Once the Developers Tools are open, go to the Console tab to see warnings and errors about mixed content.

If you’re a WordPress user, install a plugin like Really Simple SSL to detect and fix mixed content automatically. Alternatively, you can use various online tools, such as Why No Padlock, to scan your site for mixed content issues.

Remember, fixing mixed content ensures that all resources on your site are loaded over HTTPS, maintains a secure connection, and avoids SSL errors.

 

Check Server Log for Error Messages

If you’ve reached this solution, it means the error is much more complex than you thought at the beginning. In this case, you need to check server logs that provide valuable information about what’s happening on your server and can help you identify the cause of the ERR_SSL_PROTOCOL_ERROR.

To check server logs, log in to your web hosting control panel and go to Metrics > Errors to view the most recent entries in the error log.

These logs show detailed messages about issues occurring on your server. Look for entries related to SSL certificates or HTTPS connections. These entries can provide clues about what’s causing the error.

If you’re unsure about what the log entries mean, contact your hosting provider for assistance.

Contact Hosting Provider

If you’ve tried all the previous steps and the ERR_SSL_PROTOCOL_ERROR still isn’t resolved, it’s time to reach out to your hosting provider. They have the technical expertise to dig deeper into server-side issues that might be causing the error.

For this, access your hosting dashboard. Look for live chat, email support, or a support ticket system. If you’re a Hosted.com client, you will find it under account information:

Provide details about the ERR_SSL_PROTOCOL_ERROR and the steps you’ve already taken to resolve it. Your hosting provider can help diagnose server-related problems, reconfigure SSL settings, or provide additional support to get your website back up and running securely.

Preventive Measures

Regularly Update SSL Certificates:

Ensure your SSL certificates are always updated to maintain secure connections. Set reminders to renew them before they expire to avoid any disruptions.

Maintain Up-to-Date Browsers and Plugins:

Keep your web browser and plugins updated to the latest versions. This helps ensure compatibility with the latest security protocols and reduces the risk of encountering SSL errors.

Monitor Website for Mixed Content:

Regularly check your website to ensure all elements (images, scripts, etc.) are loaded over HTTPS. Tools like browser developer tools and online services can help identify and fix mixed content.

Regularly Check Server Configuration:

Periodically review your server settings to ensure SSL configurations are correct and secure. This helps prevent problems that could lead to SSL errors and keeps your site running smoothly.

Following these measures, you can reduce the risk of SSL-related errors and ensure a secure, seamless experience for your website visitors.

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