A Complete Guide to Fix SSL_PROTOCOL_ERROR on Google Chrome

Are you facing “this site can’t provide a secure connection ERR_SSL_PROTOCOL_ERROR” on Google Chrome? There are hundreds of thousands of users like you in the same boat. But, don’t you worry as we’ve got your back. This article will walk you through a series of straightforward steps that will help you terminate the err SSL protocol error like net::ERR_SSL_PROTOCOL_ERROR chrome, finally leaving you in peace.

Why Is Chrome Displaying an SSL Connection Error?

Well, there could be tons of reasons behind it. It could be as simple as the wrong system date, and it could be a complex server issue. In any case, our course of action will probably help you throw this SSL error out of Chrome.

Reasons Behind ERR_SSL_PROTOCOL_ERROR in Chrome

1. Invalid system time
2. Firewall blocking the website or IP address
3. A website could be blacklisted in the Hosts file
4. Browser extension blocking the website
5. Cookies and Cache not cleared for a long time

Important Tips to Solve “ERR_SSL_PROTOCOL_ERROR”

Here’s the course of action to solve SSL Connection Error Chrome ERR_SSL_PROTOCOL_ERROR. If one doesn’t work out, try the next one and so on. Don’t shy away from trying any of these steps, because you never know!

1) Disable QUIC Protocol

Disabling QUIC protocol will remove this error permanently from Chrome. Here’s how you can do it:

1. In your chrome browser URL, type chrome://flags/#enable-quic and hit enter.
2. Experimental QUIC protocol would probably have been set as Default. Change it to Disabled.
3. Now, go to the bottom of the page and click on RELAUNCH NOW.

Worked? Great. Didn’t? Try the next one.

2) Remove the Hosts File

1. Press Windows + R, type in C:\Windows\System32\drivers\etc, and hit the enter button
2. You will find a file named hosts. Delete it.

Restart Chrome and see whether this has had any effects or not. If not, try the next one!

3) Clear SSL State

If the SSL State is not cleared, it might block SSL connection and cause the SSL Connection Error. Follow the steps below to clear the SSL state.

1. Go to Start Menu > Control Panel > Network and Internet > Network and Sharing Center
2. Now, click on Internet Options from the bottom-left corner.
3. A new Internet Properties window will appear.
4. Now, move to the Content tab and click on Clear SSL State.

“The SSL cache was successfully cleared” alert should be on your screen.

Again, restart Chrome and check the err SSL protocol error if net::ERR_SSL_PROTOCOL_ERROR is still there.

Still nothing? Move on to the next step.

4) Update the System Time

The error could be occurring if the system time is running behind or ahead. Check to see if your date and time settings are updated.

5) Check Firewall Settings

If the website or its IP address has been blocked by your firewall, chrome will display the error. Check your firewall settings, and if you find that website/IP address, quickly remove it.

6) Remove or Disable Extension

Sometimes, the browser extensions could be causing the SSL connection error. It’s hard to know which one is behind it. The best strategy would be removing or disabling extensions one by one.

To view all Chrome Extension, type chrome://extensions/ in the URL bar.

7) Clear Cache and Cookies

Whether you’re getting this error or not, you should clear the cache and cookies of your browser on a regular basis. To do so in Chrome, type Ctrl + Shift + Delete and delete your cache and cookies.

Congrats! Hopefully, you’ve finally gotten rid of your ERR_SSL_PROTOCOL_ERROR in Chrome.