No matter, Microsoft is trying hard to make the “Microsoft Edge” browser the best. Even, you search for Chrome in Edge, the browser will tell you that. You don’t need to download Chrome, because Edge provides a similar feature. But still, Chrome will remain the first choice of many Windows users. Because, you can install extensions, sync data between devices. Well, this article isn’t about which browser is better. So let’s come to the point. Are you facing “this site can’t provide a secure connection ERR_SSL_PROTOCOL_ERROR” in Chrome?. Then, you don’t have to worry about it. Because you can fix this error easily. You just have to try the solutions mentioned in this article.
What is “ERR_SSL_PROTOCOL_ERROR”?.
Back in 2017, Google has introduced a new feature of Chrome Browser. Sites that aren’t using SSL protocol will be marked as “not secure”. And, sites which are using trustworthy SSL certificate will be marked as secure. As you can see there is a lock icon before my blog’s URL. This indicates that this site is secured, and using a trustworthy SSL certificate. Though, if a site doesn’t have a trustworthy SSL certificate, then this error occurs. Chrome does check for an SSL certificate, so that, users can browse safely.
What is SSL?.
Secured Socket Layer (SSL) is a standard protocol to create an encrypted connection between the browser and the webserver. An SSL certificate is necessary, to create an SSL Connection. When a site uses SSL, the site URL is prefixed with “HTTPS” instead of “HTTP”.
A secured connection is required when the user is visiting a site that collects personal information. Because, if the site is not using an SSL certificate. Then, cybercriminals can exploit user’s personal information. By personal information my means, debit/credit card details, user’s identity. An SSL connection or secured connection does make sure that. Information shared by users should stay between site and user.
Hope you understood about SSL Protocol and HTTPS. And, why this error is occurring. Though, not always this error occurs due to the site’s SSL issue. It could possible that the client authentication certificate is missing.
Solutions: ERR_SSL_PROTOCOL_ERROR.
1. Disable Experimental QUIC Protocol.
QUIC is an experimental transport layer protocol. It was designed to provide security protection equivalent to SSL/TLS. By default, this protocol comes active in the Chrome browser. And, this is also a reason for “ERR SSL PROTOCOL ERROR”. Though, this solution is suggested by a popular error solution forum. And, many users solved this error by just disabling it. As I mentioned it’s an experimental protocol. So, you can disable it by going into the Chrome experiment section.
To jump directly to Experimental QUIC Protocol settings. Open the following URL in Chrome Web Browser.
chrome://flags/#enable-quic
Now, select disabled from the drop-down menu. And, after that, just restart Chrome Web Browser. And, hopefully, SSL Protocol Error will get solved.
2. Clear SSL State.
To set up an SSL connection, Computer first does download a digital SSL certificate and verifies it. It could possible that data stored on Computer got corrupted. And, when next time you visit on that site, due to wrong certificate information. SSL handshaking process won’t work anymore. Clearing SSL certificates will help you to get rid of SSL caching. And, from errors like “ERR_SSL_PROTOCOL_ERROR”.
1. Open Control Panel.
2. Click on Network and Internet > Internet Options.
3. In the Internet Properties Window, Click on the “content” tab.
4. After that, just click on the “Clear SSL State” option.
You will get a message after clicking on it. “The SSL cache was successfully cleared”. That’s it. Now, try to open the site, which was showing an error.
3. Add Ignore Certificate Errors Shortcut.
As you might understand from the article that, this error is occurring due to an SSL certificate issue. So, by using a simple shortcut, you can skip the error page. And, can visit any site without getting any SSL error. If opening the site is too important for you, then only, you can try this solution. Else, skip this solution.
Because this solution will help you to open any site, which has an SSL certificate issue. But then, attackers will able to access your personal information easily.
1. First, Close Chrome Web Browser Completely.
2. Now, Right-Click on the chrome Icon, and then, click on properties.
3. In the target section you just need to add this line at the end. Press Space first before typing it.
-ignore-certificate-errors
4. Click on OK.
Now, Open Chrome Web Browser, and, hopefully, ERR_SSL_PROTOCOL_ERROR will not appear while opening the site.
4. Delete Hosts File.
This solution is also worth trying if the problem is from your side. This means, if the website is blocked in the host’s file, then also this error could occur. I was able to fix some other Chrome Errors with this solution. So maybe, this solution will solve this chrome protocol error.
1. Press Windows + R key Simultaneously.
2. Type the following directory in run Window and press enter.
C:\Windows\System32\drivers\etc
3. Now, you will able to see the host file. Right-Click on it, and delete it. (Don’t worry, you will not face any error by deleting it.)
5. Check Date & Time.
Though, this isn’t the solution. But an important thing which you should check before using the internet. If the wrong date and time are set in Windows. Then, getting “Err SSL protocol error” is normal. Because the browser downloads the digital certificate and verifies it. And, the SSL certificate comes with an expiry date. So, verification can get wrong, if the date and time are incorrect.
To Update Date & Time, Open Settings App (Press Windows + I) in Windows 10. And, then click on “Time & Language”.
6. Reset Chrome Browser or Remove Extensions.
It could also possible that some extensions are preventing you from accessing the site. So, I suggest you uninstall all Chrome extensions. Or, you can reset Chrome Browser. Resetting Chrome Browser will automatically disable all extensions. And, will delete cookies.
1. Open the following URL in the Browser to RESET it.
chrome://settings/resetProfileSettings?origin=userclick
2. Click on the “Reset Settings” button.
3. And, within few seconds, Chrome will get reset. Now, you can open any site, and, hopefully, “ERR_SSL_PROTOCOL_ERROR” will not occur.
4. If it doesn’t work, then, I suggest you Clear the Browsing Data of Chrome Browser.
5. Open the following URL to Clear Browsing Data in Chrome.
chrome://settings/clearBrowserData
6. Make sure the time range is set to “All time”. And, all options are marked. Then, Click on the “Clear Data” option.
7. The clearing process will take time. So, you have to wait, and, don’t close Chrome.
7. Change Security Level of Internet.
If the security level is set too high, then it could possible that. Your browser is blocking some SSL certificates. And, which leads to “ERR SSL PROTOCOL ERROR”. By setting it to the medium you can fix this problem. Don’t set on low, else, your Computer will be at risk.
1. Open Control Panel.
2. Go to Network & Internet.
3. Click on “Internet Options”.
4. In the Internet Properties tab, click on security.
5. Now, with the slider, set the security level to medium.
That’s it. these are the working solution to fix this error. If after trying all these solutions problems remain the same, then, it is from the website side, you can’t do anything about it. Also. if you’re getting ERR_CONNECTION_RESET error, then you can read my article on it.