What is ERR_SSL_PROTOCOL_ERROR and How to Fix It?

The ERR_SSL_PROTOCOL_ERROR is a common error message that appears on Google Chrome when there is a problem with the SSL/TLS certificate. This error occurs when the website’s SSL certificate is not configured properly or when the website is using an outdated SSL/TLS protocol. In this article, we will discuss in detail what causes ERR_SSL_PROTOCOL_ERROR and how to fix it.

1. Understanding SSL/TLS Protocol

The SSL (Secure Sockets Layer) and TLS (Transport Layer Security) protocols are used to encrypt data that is transmitted over the internet. These protocols provide secure communication between web servers and web browsers. The SSL/TLS protocol is used to establish a secure connection between the client (web browser) and the server (web server).

2. What is ERR_SSL_PROTOCOL_ERROR?

The ERR_SSL_PROTOCOL_ERROR is an error message that appears on Google Chrome when the SSL/TLS certificate of the website is not configured properly. This error occurs when the website is using an outdated SSL/TLS protocol, or the SSL certificate is not valid.

3. Causes of ERR_SSL_PROTOCOL_ERROR

There are several reasons why you may encounter the ERR_SSL_PROTOCOL_ERROR message. Some of the most common causes include:

• SSL certificate is not installed properly
• SSL certificate has expired
• SSL certificate is not trusted by the browser
• Outdated SSL/TLS protocol version
• Incorrect date and time on the system
• Antivirus and firewall blocking the SSL connection

4. How to Fix ERR_SSL_PROTOCOL_ERROR?

Here are some methods that you can use to fix the ERR_SSL_PROTOCOL_ERROR on your web browser.

Clear Browser Cache and Cookies

Clearing the cache and cookies of your web browser can help in resolving the ERR_SSL_PROTOCOL_ERROR. To clear cache and cookies, follow these steps:

1. Open Google Chrome and click on the three-dot icon in the top right corner.
2. Select “Settings” from the drop-down menu.
3. Scroll down and click on “Advanced”.
4. Under “Privacy and security”, click on “Clear browsing data”.
5. Select the time range and check the boxes for “Cookies and other site data” and “Cached images and files”.
6. Click on “Clear data”.

Check SSL Certificate Expiration Date

If the SSL certificate of the website has expired, you will encounter the ERR_SSL_PROTOCOL_ERROR message. To check the SSL certificate expiration date, follow these steps:

1. Click on the lock icon next to the website URL.
2. Click on “Certificate”.
3. Check the “Validity” section to see if the SSL certificate has expired.

Disable Antivirus and Firewall Temporarily

Antivirus and firewall software can sometimes interfere with the SSL connection and cause the ERR_SSL_PROTOCOL_ERROR message to appear. To temporarily disable antivirus and firewall, follow these steps:

1. Open the antivirus or firewall software.
2. Disable the software temporarily.
3. Check if the ERR_SSL_PROTOCOL_ERROR message has been resolved.

Check SSL/TLS Protocol Version

Outdated SSL/TLS protocol versions can also cause the ERR_SSL_PROTOCOL_ERROR message to appear. To check the SSL/TLS protocol version, follow these steps:

1. Open Google Chrome and type “chrome”
2. Scroll down and click on “Advanced”.
3. Under “System”, click on “Open proxy settings”.
4. Click on the “Advanced” tab.
5. Scroll down to the “Security” section and check the boxes for “Use SSL 3.0” and “Use TLS 1.0”.
6. Click on “Apply” and “OK”.

Update Browser

Outdated web browsers can also cause the ERR_SSL_PROTOCOL_ERROR message to appear. To update your web browser, follow these steps:

1. Open Google Chrome and click on the three-dot icon in the top right corner.
2. Select “Help” from the drop-down menu.
3. Click on “About Google Chrome”.
4. If there is an update available, it will automatically start downloading and installing.

5. Conclusion

The ERR_SSL_PROTOCOL_ERROR is a common error message that can appear on Google Chrome when there is a problem with the SSL/TLS certificate. This error occurs when the website’s SSL certificate is not configured properly or when the website is using an outdated SSL/TLS protocol. By following the methods mentioned in this article, you can easily fix the ERR_SSL_PROTOCOL_ERROR message on your web browser.

6. FAQs