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Loading...How to Fix ‘ERR_SSL_PROTOCOL_ERROR’ on Google Chrome
A quick guide on how to fix Chrome’s ‘This site can’t provide a secure connection’ or ‘ERR_SSL_PROTOCOL_ERROR.’
If Google Chrome is your window to the world of the internet, you must have encountered a “This site can’t provide a secure connection” error or an ERR_SSL_PROTOCOL_ERROR message at least once. The frustrating thing about this error (family of errors, really) is that there’s no easily discernible cause behind it a lot of the time. The SSL errors can pop up on the most popular sites as well as on the least ones. Heck, I’ve gotten one on here, on our website, and I can assure you our SSL/TLS configuration is up to snuff.
Like we just discussed, as far as the reason that Google sometimes says “This site can’t provide a secure connection,” it’s almost impossible to pin it down to a single cause. It can be anything from an issue as trivial as an incorrect system date to far more perplexing server issues – it could be almost anything.
Let’s leave the diagnostic part aside for a moment and focus on what you’re here for – the treatment.
Here’s a quick, troubleshooting guide to fix ERR_SSL_PROTOCOL_ERROR on Google Chrome. If one doesn’t work, try the next one. Sooner or later, you should be able get rid of this issue.
Fix ERR_SSL_PROTOCOL_ERROR by setting the correct Date & Time
Sounds too obvious, doesn’t it? Well, most of the time, the simplest solution to a problem is the correct one. In this case, incorrect date & time settings might be causing trouble for you. So, make sure that your system isn’t lagging behind or running ahead.
Why is this a problem? Certificate validity is an extremely important factor in the authentication process, and that means keeping very specific tabs on the time the certificate was signed and when it will expire. If there is an issue with your system’s time and date, it can cause all kinds of problems during authentication. These browsers are designed to err on the side of caution, which is why something as simple as having the wrong time can cause an SSL connection error.
Fix ERR_SSL_PROTOCOL_ERROR by clearing Chrome’s Browsing Data
From one obvious solution to another.
If you already have the correct date & time, it’s time to clear Chrome’s cache and cookies. To do so, press Ctrl + Shift + Delete and erase your browsing data. Even if this hasn’t fixed the “This site can’t provide a secure connection” error, we recommend clearing your browsing data on a regular basis.
Fix ERR_SSL_PROTOCOL_ERROR by clearing your SSL State
If neither of the above works, clearing your SSL State is the next thing you should try. Follow the steps below to do so:
- First, go to Customize and control Google Chrome, the three dots you see just below the X (close) button.
- Now click on Settings.
- Scroll down the page and open the Advanced Settings.
- Go to Open proxy settings by scrolling down or searching in the search bar.
- A window named ‘Internet Properties’ will open up.
- Go to the Content window and click on the Clear SSL State Button.
Fix ERR_SSL_PROTOCOL_ERROR by disabling QUIC Protocol
QUIC (Quick UDP Internet Connections) provides a TLS/SSL equivalent connection to Google’s servers. By default, the QUIC protocol is enabled in Chrome. To disable it, copy chrome://flags/#enable-quic and paste it into the address bar, hit enter. On top of your screen, the Experimental QUIC Protocol would have been set as Default. Disable it and relaunch Chrome.
We don’t necessarily advise this, but it’s been proven to work in some obscure cases so we’re putting it on the list.
Fix ERR_SSL_PROTOCOL_ERROR by checking your Antivirus Settings
Warning: This step isn’t entirely safe as it allows the older, insecure SSL/TLS protocols that some of the websites still use.
You might not know this, but your Antivirus software keeps an eye on the web pages you visit and protects you against any threats they may pose or contain. It does this by checking the SSL/TLS protocol a website uses. Upon finding the protocol to be unsafe and outdated, it prevents you from visiting the site.
There isn’t any one particular way to change the settings for all Antivirus software as the UI and settings differ from one software to another. You’d have to find and see if it’s scanning the SSL protocols. If it does, disable it and see what happens. If the problem persists, revert to the original settings.
Editor’s Note: Generally, the reason you will see an antivirus program cause alarm about an SSL/TLS connection is because the server is attempting to negotiate a connection using a deprecated or vulnerable SSL or TLS version such a SSL 3.0 or TLS 1.0. As we’ve written in similar advice articles, don’t tamper with your antivirus or reduce your TLS version settings to accommodate a website’s bad SSL/TLS configuration. The risks far outweigh the rewards.
Fix ERR_SSL_PROTOCOL_ERROR by Enabling all SSL/TLS Versions – The Last Resort
Warning: This step isn’t entirely safe as it allows the older, insecure SSL/TLS protocols that some of the websites still use.
When you visit an SSL-enabled website, it uses SSL/TLS protocols to communicate with the server. Sometimes, the SSL/TLS version of a website might not be compatible with your Chrome version as Chrome doesn’t permit deprecated SSL/TLS protocols to run by default. Therefore, you’d need to change those SSL/TLS protocol settings. Here’s how you can do it:
- Click on the three dots you see in the top-right corner of Chrome and click on Settings.
- Now scroll down and go to Advanced Settings.
- Find the Proxy settings and open it.
- Click on Advanced
- Scroll down till the Security section comes up. Now make sure that you have checked all SSL and TLS versions.
- Click Apply.
- Relaunch your Chrome.
Editor’s Note: Again, consider this suggestion entirely academic. The major browsers have all announced plans to disable support for all previous TLS versions, save TLS 1.2 and the recently-published TLS 1.3. This is being done for security reasons. Don’t enable support for outmoded TLS and SSL versions with known vulnerabilities. No legitimate organization will ask you to compromise your browser’s security settings to interact with its website.
We hope that this guide has helped you fix ERR_SSL_PROTOCOL_ERROR or “This site can’t provide a secure connection” messages on Chrome. And if it doesn’t, share your concerns in the comments section and we’ll try to help you out with it.
As always, leave any comments or questions below…
thanks for every thing
thanks last one ssl tsl works for me.
Nothing worked for me
same here bro
but still cannot
Can’t clear the SSL state in Google using Linus OS !
ERR_SSL_PROTOCOL_ERROR Not Solved by above any thing.. Give me solution.
i want to open cleartrip.com
I Appreciate your efforts thank you
What a lifesaver you are! It was “The Last Resort” option that worked for me. How fortunate that your article was just written a few weeks ago. Happy New Year!
Its not working for me (windows vista)
First, are you using a Firewall? If you’re, disable it (not recommended from a security point of view) and see if the error persists. If you’re not connected to a Firewall, try below steps:
Remove the hosts file
• Open Run by pressing Windows logo key and R
• Type C:\Windows\System32\drivers\etc in the Open: search space and press
• Right-click on the hosts file and press Delete.
If this doesn’t work, disable all Chrome’s extensions.
And if any of these solutions don’t work, it’d be a deeper issue. I’d recommend contacting any technical person to sort it out.
Removing the hosts file in System32 worked for me! Thanks a ton
Nothing u said is working in my comp…… Amy more ideas?
First, are you using a Firewall? If you’re, disable it (not recommended from a security point of view) and see if the error persists. If you’re not connected to a Firewall, try below steps:
Remove the hosts file
• Open Run by pressing Windows logo key and R
• Type C:\Windows\System32\drivers\etc in the Open: search space and press
• Right-click on the hosts file and press Delete.
If this doesn’t work, disable all Chrome’s extensions.
And if any of these solutions don’t work, it’d be a deeper issue. I’d recommend contacting any technical person to sort it out.
Thanks for all the fixes. Unfortunately none of them have worked for me and my laptop still won’t connect to dropbox, don’t suppose you have any other ideas?
First, are you using a Firewall? If you’re, disable it (not recommended from a security point of view) and see if the error persists. If you’re not connected to a Firewall, try below steps:
Remove the hosts file
• Open Run by pressing Windows logo key and R
• Type C:\Windows\System32\drivers\etc in the Open: search space and press
• Right-click on the hosts file and press Delete.
If this doesn’t work, disable all Chrome’s extensions.
And if any of these solutions don’t work, it’d be a deeper issue. I’d recommend contacting any technical person to sort it out.
[…] tried all of the suggestions I found at https://www.thesslstore.com/blog/fix-err-ssl-protocol-error/ to no availI decided to try using Fiddler just to see if anything stood […]
I’ve tried all suggestions, but i still get the message and i get it on gmail website 🙁
First, are you using a Firewall? If you’re, disable it (not recommended from a security point of view) and see if the error persists. If you’re not connected to a Firewall, try below steps:
Remove the hosts file
• Open Run by pressing Windows logo key and R
• Type C:\Windows\System32\drivers\etc in the Open: search space and press
• Right-click on the hosts file and press Delete.
If this doesn’t work, disable all Chrome’s extensions.
And if any of these solutions don’t work, it’d be a deeper issue. I’d recommend contacting any technical person to sort it out.
It still show same ERR_SSL_PROTOCOL_ERROR. What i do i can not under stand . i think my isp block network level my site . Any one help me what i do?
Thanks for the tips. Tried all but the last two. Want to remain safe. I get the ERR_SSL_PROTOCOL_ERROR when I attempt accessing Facebook.
You can try this:
• Open Run by pressing Windows logo key and R
• Type C:\Windows\System32\drivers\etc in the Open: search space and press
• Right-click on the hosts file and press Delete. Restart your PC.
you are the god man
thanks..
but not working on windows 7 for print in.pinterest.com
This site can’t provide a secure connection in.pinterest.com sent an invalid response.
Try running Windows Network Diagnostics.
ERR_SSL_PROTOCOL_ERROR
please help to me…
You can try this:
• Open Run by pressing Windows logo key and R
• Type C:\Windows\System32\drivers\etc in the Open: search space and press
• Right-click on the hosts file and press Delete. Restart your PC
And if this doesn’t work, try opening it in a different browser–through another internet connection.
Not working.
its not working for me. i am using an android phone. i cant find the said type of advanced settings in chrome. i think in android phones there is no such options.
Thank you so much, I’d just about given up hope when I found this site.
What about for Chromebooks? (i.e. Google Admin Console)
The “last resort” fix worked perfectly for my PC, but I need some student Chromebooks to work as well, and the same setting is not available on it (that I can find.) Any ideas??
Thanks so much for your time!
have been using a neighbors wifi [talktalk] certain sites have been blocked is there any way of overriding this?
Only disabling the firewall worked 🙁
I don’t really feel safe having that off though. Is there anything I can do to fix this without disabling my firewall?
Chill out dudes!!!…you keep getting that error because that specific website you’ve just visited might have been blocked by your ISP. Just copy paste and enter that URL in any site that offers a proxy to browse. For example on https://hide.me/en/proxy and you can actually visit that site now!!
Hope this method works out for y’all. It worked for me 🙂
Thanks ND01 worked for me!!!
I just recently started getting that error This site can’t provide a secure connection
ERR_SSL_PROTOCOL_ERROR, I don’t have a firewall at the moment, and it only happens on just one website, I’m using a RCA Viking Pro Android tablet, so I don’t have as much to work with, I have cleared everything I can and it’s still not working and it’s just the one site, any idea what I could try now? And yes I have reset my day and time…still nothing!
thank you so much
JAY THAKKAR, please leave explicit instructions, for those of us who are completely baffled by this, putting ETC in your instructions is confusing. is this a specific location or a generic one and advise. Thaks.
Jay, please ignore my previous message apart from, Please use Quotations for instructions so i know for certain whether its in instruction or, in this instance, a location. Thanks.
The 3rd step saved me. thanks a lot
Hellooo, none of these have worked for me including deleting the hosts file 🙁 can’t follow any links or even open amazon
i m facing problem in browsing moviespur.com It shows: This site can’t provide a secure connection
moviespur.info sent an invalid response.
Try running Windows Network Diagnostics.
ERR_SSL_PROTOCOL_ERROR
before this happens once a popup window comes on my screen with a pic of lock (yellow colour) and askd for something which i din’t read carefully and enabled that and facing browsing the site now. i think that was some kind of internet security protection . i have tried all the process mentioned above but unfortunately nothing workd out.so please help me
thank you very much.clearing the cache and the cookies worked for me.
While clearing the cache is reasonable and can resolve this sort of issue. It’s worth advising people reach out to the site owner and advise them you’re having this problem.
As I had to debug this myself on my own server. Some browsers were fine with it, while a new browser coming to the site thru this error. Turns out I had some misconfiguration internally, and the cached versions were fine.
Great article, just worth mentioning.
This happend on my site, after i chang name servers. but i still can access it with VPN
Changing https:// to http:// can also fix the issue, but is really insecure so use with caution.
Clearing the SSL state worked! Thank you so much!
Fix ERR_SSL_PROTOCOL_ERROR by disabling QUIC Protocol: Worked out perfectly 🙂
Thanks a lot
Please, does anyone have any fixes for CHROMEBOOKS? The above instructions don’t work with them and I have two now that are paperweights because of this and one is new. Thanks so much!!
youtube webside not open on my system but other lan system work this side. When i click on you tube webside then show following error.
This site can’t provide a secure connection
http://www.youtube.com sent an invalid response.
Try running Windows Network Diagnostics.
ERR_SSL_PROTOCOL_ERROR
please solve the error
Thank you so much for the following advices !!!!!!
SSL CONNECTIO ERROR
Ssl connection error
Thanks. Last resort did it. Except I disselected all.
Nothing worked, at all. bro, and this “firewall” i dont know how to disable, and there is no file that you keep telling people to search. nothing had worked. i tried everything but the antivirus one.
since it wouldn’t take the site, here it is. https://www.roblox.com/home?nl=true
and u know what. i couldn’t access the games page, i could access the home page. and deleting my search history was stupid. it started it all over, now i can’t access the home page or anything!
Thanks for the article. You might also tell your readers to try the site without https (use http). When I did that with the target site, my Sophos antivirus told me it blocked the page as having a virus. That was more info than I got with https.
Thanks dear..the last option worked. Thanks again for this wonderful article.
Tks! Last one worked perfectly.
Worked for me, thank you
it didn’t work.please help
its not working for me im trying to open roblox.