How To Fix ERR_QUIC_PROTOCOL_ERROR In Chrome

Have you ever tried to visit a website, but instead of the page you requested, you find a message saying ERR_QUIC_PROTOCOL_ERROR? This error happens when there’s a problem with the QUIC protocol, which helps your browser connect to websites quickly.

When this error shows up, it can stop you from accessing your desired websites, whether static or dynamic. This can be frustrating, especially if you’re trying to look up something important or watch a fun video.

In this tutorial, we’ll walk you through some easy steps to fix the ERR_QUIC_PROTOCOL_ERROR in your Chrome browser. We’ll explain what this error means, why it happens, and how you can solve it to return to smooth browsing.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

1. ERR_QUIC_PROTOCOL_ERROR can disrupt browsing and is often related to the QUIC protocol used by Chrome.
2. Disabling the QUIC protocol in Chrome can resolve the error.
3. Checking and disabling browser extensions can help identify and fix conflicts causing the error.
4. Ensure that proxy settings are not incorrectly configured; this can also cause the error.
5. If all else fails, the issue might be with the website’s server, which is beyond your control. Then, contact your web hosting provider.

What Is ERR_QUIC_PROTOCOL_ERROR?

The ERR_QUIC_PROTOCOL_ERROR is an error message that may appear when browsing the internet, indicating a problem with the QUIC protocol. QUIC stands for “Quick UDP Internet Connections”, a modern transport protocol designed to speed up and secure internet communications.

It’s an advanced version of HTTP/2 built by Google that improves web performance by reducing latency and enhancing data transfer efficiency.

To understand the ERR_QUIC_PROTOCOL_ERROR meaning, let’s use a simple analogy. Imagine you’re sending packages via a super-fast courier service (QUIC protocol) that promises quick deliveries by bundling multiple items into a single shipment.

However, if there’s a mistake in the packaging process or a problem at the courier’s end, the packages might not reach their destination as planned. The ERR QUIC PROTOCOL ERROR is like receiving a notification that there was an issue with the delivery and the packages couldn’t be delivered properly.

Similarly, the ERR QUIC PROTOCOL ERROR occurs when the browser or the web server can’t communicate using the QUIC protocol. This can be due to misconfigurations, proxy issues, or even bugs in the browser’s handling of QUIC.

Now, you might be wondering if all websites use the QUIC protocol. Currently, QUIC is not universally adopted, but its usage is growing. It’s primarily used by websites that prioritize speed and performance, such as Google’s services (like YouTube and Google Search) and some other major platforms.

According to W3Techs, 8.1% of all websites currently use QUIC, with more adopting it as its benefits become clearer. If you’re a WordPress user, you might wonder if this error affects WordPress websites.

The ERR_QUIC_PROTOCOL_ERROR cannot directly affect WordPress sites; however, it can potentially impact them if hosted on servers that utilize the QUIC protocol for faster data delivery.

Additionally, this is more common on platforms that optimize mainly for speed, such as those using content delivery networks (CDNs) or specific server configurations. For WordPress site owners, ensuring that their hosting provider supports QUIC and that their site is correctly configured to use it can help avoid this error.

Variations Of ERR_QUIC_PROTOCOL_ERROR

The ERR QUIC PROTOCOL ERROR can show up in various forms across different browsers and devices. While the specific message may differ, the core issue remains consistent. Here are some of the variations you might see:

• ERR_QUIC_PROTOCOL_ERROR
• QUIC Protocol Error
• QUIC Handshake Failed

This error can appear on any device or operating system that supports the QUIC protocol, such as desktops, laptops, and mobile devices. It’s most frequently reported in Google Chrome, as Chrome has been a leading platform for implementing and testing QUIC. Here’s how it appears on Chrome:

Important:

In some cases, you might see the same message that reads as “This site can’t be reached. The webpage at https://domain.com/ might be temporarily down or it may have moved permanently to a new web address”. However, if the error code is ERR_HTTP2_PROTOCOL_ERROR, then you can use the solutions that we discussed in How to Fix ERR_HTTP2_PROTOCOL_ERROR (add link to Tut OS – 019 – How to Fix ERR_HTTP2_PROTOCOL_ERROR) tutorial.

Causes Of ERR_QUIC_PROTOCOL_ERROR

There are several common scenarios where the ERR QUIC PROTOCOL ERROR might pop up:

QUIC Protocol Issues:

Sometimes, the QUIC protocol can have problems, like bugs or compatibility issues with your browser. This can provoke errors to pop up and prevent you from accessing websites smoothly.

Browser Extensions Conflicts:

Certain browser extensions, like ad blockers or security tools, might conflict with the QUIC protocol. These conflicts can lead to the ERR_QUIC_PROTOCOL_ERROR because the extension interferes with how your browser communicates with websites.

Incorrect Proxy Settings:

If your browser’s proxy settings are misconfigured, it can cause problems with the QUIC protocol. Proxies act like middlemen between your browser and the internet. If they aren’t set up correctly, they can block or misroute data, leading to this error.

Browser Issues:

Outdated or corrupted browsers can also cause this error. Just as a phone with an old operating system might not support new apps, an old browser might not handle the QUIC protocol correctly. Sometimes, simply updating your browser can fix the issue.

Server Issues:

Sometimes, the problem isn’t on your end but on the website’s server. If the server doesn’t support the QUIC protocol or is misconfigured, you might see this error. It’s like trying to call someone, but their phone is off; no matter what you do, you can’t reach them.

By understanding what the ERR_QUIC_PROTOCOL_ERROR is and why it happens, you can navigate the web better and know what to do when things don’t go as expected. Remember, even though technology can sometimes be tricky, there are always solutions to help you get back on track!

How To Fix ERR_QUIC_PROTOCOL_ERROR

There are a few various methods to resolve the ERR QUIC PROTOCOL ERROR in Chrome. We have listed these below.

Disable The QUIC Protocol In Chrome

If you’re encountering issues with the QUIC protocol in Google Chrome, like the ERR_QUIC_PROTOCOL_ERROR, you might want to disable it. Here’s a simple guide to help you turn off the QUIC protocol in Chrome:

Start by launching Google Chrome on your PC or computer. In the address bar at the top, type chrome://flags/#enable-quic and hit Enter. This will take you to the Chrome Experiments page, where you can access various advanced settings.

Once you’re on the Experiments page, you’ll see a list of experimental features. Look for the one labeled Experimental QUIC protocol. The quickest way to find it is to use the search bar at the top of the page. Type “quic” and the option should appear.

Next to the Experimental QUIC protocol option, there’s a dropdown menu. Click on it and select Disabled from the options. This action turns off the QUIC protocol in Chrome, which might help resolve any related errors you’re experiencing.

After that, restart your Chrome browser to ensure the changes take effect. You can do this by closing all Chrome windows and reopening the browser.

If you want to enable Chrome again in the future, return to the same setting and select Default or Enabled from the dropdown menu. This process can help you troubleshoot and potentially resolve issues related to the QUIC protocol in your browsing experience.

Disable Chrome Extensions

If the ERR_QUIC_PROTOCOL_ERROR persists, the next best step is to check if any browser extensions are causing the issue. However, before you disable extensions, ensure you’re using the updated Chrome Browser. If it’s already the newest version, you can continue with the following steps to disable Chrome extensions.

Open Google Chrome, type chrome://extensions/ in the address bar, and press Enter. This will take you to the Extensions page where all your installed extensions are listed. Alternatively, you can go to the same page by navigating to ⋮  (at top-right) → Extensions → Manage Extensions.

On the Extensions page, you’ll see a list of all active extensions. Turn off each extension by clicking the toggle switch next to them. This action will disable the extension.

After disabling all extensions, restart Chrome and check if the error is resolved. If the error disappears, reactivate each extension one at a time by switching them back on. Then, go to the website to see if the error persists.

This way, you can identify which extension is causing the conflict by checking for the error after reactivating each one. Once you identify the culprit, remove it and look for an alternate extension to do your task.

Check Proxy Settings (Windows)

If the ERR_QUIC_PROTOCOL_ERROR continues, it might be due to incorrect proxy settings. A proxy is like a middleman or a helper that sits between your computer and the internet.

Suppose you want to send a letter to a friend but don’t want them to know your address. Instead of sending it directly, you give the letter to another friend (a middleman), who then sends it to your friend for you. This way, your friend gets the letter, but they don’t know where it originated. This middleman friend is like a proxy.

In the same way, when you want to visit a site, your computer sends a request to see that website. Instead of sending the request directly to the site, it first goes to the proxy server (the middleman). The proxy server then sends your request to your desired website. The site sends the information to the proxy server, which then sends it to your computer.

This can help keep your identity private, make your internet browsing faster, or let you access websites that might be blocked in your area. Now, the point is, why should you check proxy settings?

A proxy server can sometimes cause the ERR QUIC PROTOCOL ERROR for a few reasons:

• Some proxy servers aren’t configured to handle the QUIC protocol. QUIC uses UDP (User Datagram Protocol) instead of the more common TCP (Transmission Control Protocol). Since many proxy servers are set up to work primarily with TCP traffic, they might block or not support QUIC traffic.
• Proxy servers can sometimes interfere with how data is transmitted between your browser and the website. If the proxy modifies the data packets in a way that the QUIC protocol doesn’t expect, this can lead to communication errors.
• Sometimes, the proxy server might be misconfigured or incompatible with the QUIC protocol. This can happen if the proxy is outdated or not set up properly to handle modern protocols like QUIC. This misconfiguration can prevent the browser from successfully connecting to websites using QUIC, which leads to the error.

So, if you suspect that a proxy server is causing the ERR_QUIC_PROTOCOL_ERROR, you can try the following solutions:

First, if you control the proxy server settings, check if it supports QUIC and update its configuration accordingly. If not, consider using a different proxy server that supports the protocol. Otherwise, you may need to disable the proxy server temporarily. This is how to do it:

Go to your computer’s Control Panel → Network and Internet → Internet Options. Alternatively, you can search for Internet Options in the Start menu search bar.

Once in Internet Options, click on the Connections tab, then on LAN settings.

In the new window, ensure the checkbox next to Use a proxy server for your LAN is unchecked. This setting should be off unless you use a specific proxy server for work or other purposes. After ensuring the proxy server is disabled, click OK to save the settings.

Afterward, restart your computer to apply the changes. This can often resolve the ERR QUIC PROTOCOL ERROR if proxy settings were the cause.

What If All Fails?

If you’ve tried all the previous methods and are still encountering the ERR_QUIC_PROTOCOL_ERROR, it might mean a problem with the server where the website is hosted.

This could happen if the server doesn’t support the QUIC protocol or is misconfigured. Unfortunately, in this case, there’s not much you can do on your end. However, if you’re a site wonder, you may contact the website’s support team or wait for them to fix the issue.

If you’re a Hosted customer, you can contact us via the submit a ticket and let us fix it.

FAQs

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