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Random SSL errors and connection timeout messages on many different websites/browsers

Anonymous
2023-11-17T22:42:01+00:00

I get random SSL errors and connection timeout messages on many different websites. It was working fine until a couple of months ago. It makes the internet unusable. It is only on this Windows 11 machine which has been fully updated. I have a Windows 10 machine right next to it that works fine. Both have Ethernet (not wireless) connections to my router. It occurs on all browsers (Edge, Chrome, Opera). I also use Thunderbird for my email and started getting random 'Can't connect to outgoing SMTP server' when trying to send a message. It occurred on different Gmail accounts. I had both McAfee and Windows Defender show no viruses (prior to turning both off to test).

Running:

Processor Intel(R) Core(TM) i7-10700 CPU @ 2.90GHz 2.90 GHz

Installed RAM 12.0 GB (11.8 GB usable)

Edition Windows 11 Home Version 23H2

Installed on ‎11/‎1/‎2023

OS build 22631.2715

Experience Windows Feature Experience Pack 1000.22677.1000.0

I have tried:

  • Resetting/Rebooting both my PC and router multiple times
  • Checking the system clock
  • Clearing the Browsers' cache and cookies
  • Deleting all browser extensions
  • Adding specific sites to the allowed site list
  • Disabling all anti-virus and firewall programs.
  • Clearing the SSL state in Internet Options->Content
  • Releasing/renewing the Internet connection
  • Flushing the DNS cache
  • Changing the DNS gateway to both Google and Cloudflare servers
  • Changing my security and privacy levels. - Ran a Qualys SSL Browser check - all looks good. TLS1.2 and TLS1.3 active. Even turned SSL 3.0 on briefly. (https://www.ssllabs.com/ssltest/viewMyClient.html)
  • And lastly, I FULLY RESET THE O/S. Nothing worked. I have hit a wall. Any suggestions are welcomed.
Windows for home | Windows 11 | Internet and connectivity

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  1. Anonymous
    2023-11-19T07:09:44+00:00

    Hi HardwallSoftHead，

    Welcome to Microsoft Community.

    It sounds like you've made a thorough effort to troubleshoot the SSL errors and connection timeouts on your Windows 11 machine. Since you've already tried many common troubleshooting steps without success, I can suggest a few additional approaches that may help in diagnosing and resolving the issue:

    • To change DNS.
    1. Click windows+R and type ncpa.cpl
    2. Click on the name of the network you are currently connected to, open the Network Status window, click Properties, and then double-click Internet Protocol version 4 (TCP/IPv4) in the Network Properties window. 3.
    3. Manually set the DNS server to "4.2.2.1" and "4.2.2.2", restart the computer to see if the problem can be solved.
    • Reset the network.
    1. Search CMD, open and find the command prompt (, to administrator) mode run
    2. In the command box that pops up, enter the following commands in order (after each line has finished running, enter the next one) ipconfig /release ipconfig /renew ipconfig /flushdns ipconfig /registerdns netsh int ip reset netsh winsock reset netsh winhttp reset proxy
    3. Restart the computer to see if the problem can be solved.
    • Reset network settings.

    Tap windows+R, type inetcpl.cpl, open Internet Options, click Advanced, and check "Use SSL 3.0" and "Use TLS 1.0", "Use TLS 1.1", "Use TLS 1.2", reboot the computer after the application to see if the problem can be solved.

    • Reset Proxy Server Settings.

    Click windows+R, type inetcpl.cpl, open Internet Options, click Connections, click LAN Settings, check whether the Proxy Server column is checked, if so, uncheck it and click OK, restart your computer after applying it to see if the problem can be solved.

    • Network Adapter Driver: Update the network adapter driver to the latest version available from the manufacturer's website. Sometimes, using the default drivers provided by the operating system may not fully support the hardware.
    • Reset TCP/IP Stack: Open an elevated Command Prompt and run the following commands: 
        Copy Codenetsh winsock reset
  netsh int ip reset
  ipconfig /release
  ipconfig /renew

    Thank you for your patience and understanding, if you have any questions, please feel free to leave us a message.

    Best regards

    Brandon | Microsoft Community Support Specialist

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