ERR_SSL_PROTOCOL_ERROR keeps me from using google

Question

ERR_SSL_PROTOCOL_ERROR keeps me from using google

Answer 1

Hi,

R. Cord here, Independent Expert. Hope you are doing well.

The "ERR_SSL_PROTOCOL_ERROR" error message usually indicates a problem with the SSL/TLS certificate or protocol used by a website. Here are some steps you can try to fix this issue.

here we go the 7 Potential Solutions

How to Fix the ERR_SSL_PROTOCOL_ERROR ()

Now that we understand more about this error and its potential causes, let’s discuss how you can resolve it. Here are seven solutions you can use to fix the ERR_SSL_PROTOCOL_ERROR!

1. Clear Your Browser Cache and SSL State

The first solution you can try is to clear your browser cache. A cache is a saved copy of data from a site. It typically includes all the website’s content, including images, HTML files, and videos.

When you request the same website or page for a second time, the computer can save time by retrieving it from the local cache instead of requesting it again from the server. The local cache can be accessed and controlled from your browser.

To clear your cache in Google Chrome, click on the three dots in the upper right corner of your browser window. Then select More tools > Clear browsing data:

Tick the necessary boxes and click on Clear data. Now refresh and reload your browser and try accessing the site again.

If this doesn’t work, you can also try clearing your SSL state. The SSL state is a way for Chrome to determine if a website uses HTTPS. The SSL state will turn green if the website is using an HTTPS connection and a red X if it’s not.

To clear the state, just navigate to your start menu and then go to Control Panel > Network and Internet > Network and Sharing Center. Next, select Internet Options to open the Internet Properties panel.

Under Content, click on the Clear SSL State button:

When you’re done, you should see a success message letting you know the SSL cache was successfully cleared. You can then restart Chrome to see if the error message is still there.

2. Check Your System Clock

Incorrect date or timezone settings can sometimes interfere with the website you’re trying to visit and result in the ERR_SSL_PROTOCOL_ERROR. Therefore, your next step is verifying that your system is using the correct date and time.

You can do this by clicking on the time in the bottom right-hand corner of your screen. This will open your date and time settings:

Verify the current timezone, time, and date are correct. It’s also essential to ensure you’re not using the 24-hour clock or military time format. Then you can try reloading the page to see if this has fixed the issue.

3. Disable Third-Party Browser Extensions And Antivirus Software

Using browser extensions can be an excellent way to extend your browser’s features. However, sometimes these extensions can cause problems with protocol settings.

To identify any potential extensions that could be throwing errors, visit your extensions page by navigating to your Chrome menu and clicking on More tools > Extensions:

Disable all of your extensions. Then revisit the website showing the error message. If it’s gone, you can assume that an extension is to blame.

The next step is to activate each extension and reload the site between activations. Once you’ve identified the culprit, you can look for an alternative. It’s also a good idea to temporarily disable any antivirus software or firewalls you have installed.

4. Check Your SSL Certificate

If you’re still seeing the error message, the next solution is to check your SSL certificate. As we mentioned, it’s possible that a revoked, missing, or expired certificate can cause the error message. Therefore, it’s important to make sure that the one you’re using is valid.

You can use an online SSL checker to verify the validity of your certificate. A popular option is Qualys SSL Labs:

You can enter your domain name and then click on Submit. When it’s done scanning, you’ll see a report with detailed information about your SSL certificate, including its associated domain, port, protocol, and hostname.

5. Disable the QUIC Protocol

QUIC is a new internet protocol initially developed by Google for its Chrome browser. It is an alternative to the HTTP protocol and aims to improve performance.

QUIC is enabled by default in the latest versions of Chrome, but you can disable it from the settings panel. Disabling QUIC will cause the browser to use HTTP instead, which can be helpful for people who are experiencing connection issues.

To disable QUIC in Chrome, go to chrome://flags/#enable-quic:

Next to Experimental QUIC Protocol, click on the dropdown menu and select Disabled. At the bottom of the page, click on the Restart button. Now head back to the website you’re trying to load and see if the protocol error is still displaying.

6. Enable All SSL/TLS Versions

Another method you can try is activating all SSL/TLS versions. This will cause sites with outdated or insecure protocols to load. While this method isn’t typically recommended, it can help you identify the source of the ERR_SSL_PROTOCOL_ERROR.

To enable all SSL/TLS versions, navigate to Advanced Settings in Chrome, then click on System. Next, select Open proxy settings and go to the Advanced tab:

Click on the boxes of all the TLS/SSL versions. When you’re done, reload your browser and see if you can access the website.

7. Change Your Internet Security and Privacy Level

If your internet security and privacy levels are too high, they can restrict your access to certain websites. You can adjust your setting levels to see if they’re causing the ERR_SSL_PROTOCOL_ERROR.

To do this, type “Internet Options” into the search bar of your device, then hit your Enter key. In the Internet Properties window that opens, select the Security tab, then use the slider to set it to the medium level:

When you’re done, click on the OK button. Reload your browser, then try revisiting the website.

If none of these steps work, there may be a more serious issue with your SSL/TLS connection or the website itself. You may need to contact the website's support team or consult a technical expert for further assistance.

With my Best Regards,

R. Cord