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Fix SSL Error ERR_SSL_PROTOCOL_ERROR
By Crumb Peter
June 23, 2019
SSL Certificate

Fix SSL Error ERR_SSL_PROTOCOL_ERROR

The ERR_SSL_PROTOCOL_ERROR in Google Chrome occurs when the browser cannot establish a secure connection to a website due to issues with the SSL/TLS protocol. This error can be caused by a variety of issues, such as outdated browser settings, problems with the website’s SSL certificate, network problems, or issues with Chrome itself. If you’re facing this error, here is a detailed guide on how to fix it.

Step 1: Check Your Date and Time Settings

Incorrect date and time settings on your computer can cause SSL/TLS errors, as SSL certificates are time-sensitive. If your system clock is out of sync with the certificate’s validity period, you will see the ERR_SSL_PROTOCOL_ERROR.

How to fix:

  1. Right-click on the date and time in the bottom-right corner of your screen.
  2. Select Adjust date/time.
  3. Toggle Set time automatically to On.
  4. If it’s already on, manually correct the date and time.
  5. After updating, restart Chrome and check if the error is fixed.

Step 2: Clear Browser Cache and Cookies

Cached data or cookies stored by your browser might be interfering with the secure connection. Clearing your cache can help resolve SSL errors, including ERR_SSL_PROTOCOL_ERROR.

How to clear the cache:

  1. Open Google Chrome.
  2. Click the three dots (menu) in the top-right corner and select More tools > Clear browsing data.
  3. Select the time range as All time.
  4. Check the boxes for Cookies and other site data and Cached images and files.
  5. Click Clear data.
  6. Restart Chrome and visit the website again to see if the error persists.

Step 3: Disable QUIC Protocol

The QUIC protocol (Quick UDP Internet Connections) is an experimental protocol used by Chrome to speed up web browsing. Sometimes, QUIC can cause issues with SSL/TLS connections, resulting in the ERR_SSL_PROTOCOL_ERROR.

How to disable QUIC protocol:

  1. Open Google Chrome and type chrome://flags in the address bar.
  2. Press Enter and use the search bar to find QUIC.
  3. Look for the option Experimental QUIC protocol and set it to Disabled.
  4. Click Relaunch at the bottom of the page to restart Chrome.
  5. Check if the error is resolved.

Step 4: Disable SSL Scanning in Antivirus Software

Some antivirus software can interfere with SSL certificates and cause SSL errors by scanning encrypted connections. Disabling SSL scanning temporarily might help fix the ERR_SSL_PROTOCOL_ERROR.

How to disable SSL scanning:

  1. Open your antivirus program (e.g., Norton, McAfee, Kaspersky).
  2. Navigate to the settings or privacy settings.
  3. Find an option related to SSL scanning or HTTPS scanning.
  4. Turn off this feature or disable it temporarily.
  5. Restart Chrome and visit the website again to check if the issue is fixed.

Step 5: Check for Chrome Updates

Outdated versions of Chrome may have bugs or compatibility issues that can lead to SSL errors. Make sure you are using the latest version of Chrome.

How to update Chrome:

  1. Open Google Chrome.
  2. Click the three dots in the top-right corner and select Help > About Google Chrome.
  3. Chrome will automatically check for updates. If an update is available, it will be downloaded and installed.
  4. Once the update is complete, restart Chrome.
  5. Visit the website again to check if the error is resolved.

Step 6: Reset Chrome Settings to Default

If none of the above solutions work, resetting Chrome to its default settings can help fix the error. This will remove any conflicting settings or extensions that might be causing the issue.

How to reset Chrome settings:

  1. Open Google Chrome.
  2. Click the three dots in the top-right corner and select Settings.
  3. Scroll down and click Advanced to show more options.
  4. Under the Reset and clean up section, click Restore settings to their original defaults.
  5. Confirm by clicking Reset settings.
  6. Restart Chrome and check if the error is fixed.

Step 7: Check Website’s SSL Certificate

If the problem is only happening with one specific website, the website’s SSL certificate might be misconfigured or expired. You can check the SSL certificate to see if it’s valid and issued by a trusted Certificate Authority (CA).

How to check the SSL certificate:

  1. Open the website in Google Chrome.
  2. Click on the padlock icon in the address bar.
  3. Click on Certificate (Valid).
  4. Check the issuer of the certificate and ensure it is from a trusted CA.
  5. If the certificate is self-signed or expired, the issue is with the website, and you may need to contact the website’s administrator to fix the issue.

Step 8: Try Incognito Mode

Browser extensions can sometimes interfere with SSL certificates and cause errors. To test if an extension is causing the issue, try loading the website in Incognito Mode, which disables all extensions.

How to open Incognito Mode:

  1. Press Ctrl + Shift + N (Windows) or Cmd + Shift + N (Mac).
  2. In the new Incognito window, visit the website that was giving the error.
  3. If the website loads without the ERR_SSL_PROTOCOL_ERROR, an extension might be causing the problem.
  4. To find the problematic extension, disable extensions one by one and re-enable them to identify the culprit.

Step 9: Temporarily Disable Proxy Settings

If you’re using a proxy server, it might be causing SSL errors. Temporarily disabling proxy settings can help resolve the ERR_SSL_PROTOCOL_ERROR.

How to disable proxy settings:

  1. Open Control Panel (Windows) or System Preferences (Mac).
  2. Go to Network and Internet > Internet Options (Windows) or Network (Mac).
  3. In the Connections tab, click LAN settings.
  4. Uncheck Use a proxy server for your LAN (if checked).
  5. Click OK and restart Chrome.
  6. Check if the error is fixed.

Step 10: Contact the Website Administrator

If the ERR_SSL_PROTOCOL_ERROR only occurs on one specific website, it is likely an issue with that website’s SSL/TLS certificate configuration. The website administrator may need to update the certificate or resolve issues related to SSL/TLS encryption.

What to do:

  1. Contact the website administrator or support team.
  2. Report the SSL error and ask them to check the SSL certificate configuration.
  3. Wait for them to resolve the issue.

Conclusion

The ERR_SSL_PROTOCOL_ERROR is a common SSL/TLS error in Chrome that prevents secure connections to websites. It can be caused by various factors, such as incorrect date and time, expired SSL certificates, misconfigured network settings, or issues with Chrome itself. By following the steps outlined in this guide, you can resolve this error and restore secure browsing.

If the problem persists, it is likely related to the website’s SSL configuration, and contacting the website administrator would be the next best step.

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Crumb Peter
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    Crumb Peter is a passionate cyber security enthusiast, driven by a constant desire to stay ahead of the curve in this ever-evolving landscape. With an insatiable thirst for knowledge, Crumb actively seeks out and absorbs new advancements in the web and cyber security niche.