How to Fix the ERR_SSL_PROTOCOL_ERROR in Your WordPress Website Instantly

Quick Guide on How to Fix the Google Chrome Error “This Site Can’t Provide a Secure Connection” Also Known As “ERR_SSL_PROTOCOL_ERROR”

Google Chrome is among the most popular Web Browsers. Most internet users rely upon it due to its sleek user interface and extensions. However, you may have come across some SSL security error messages if you’re a regular user. Among them is one error that users often encounter – the SSL security error “This site can’t provide a secure connection,” also known as “ERR_SSL_PROTOCOL_ERROR.”

Usually, this SSL error message goes away on its own after refreshing the page, but sometimes it doesn’t and comes back repeatedly. This SSL error message ERR_SSL_PROTOCOL_ERROR can be due to different reasons, such as an issue with your WordPress website server, local computer, or even a combination of both. It’s among the common SSL error messages, but it’s based on different reasons. So, sometimes it becomes quite annoying.

That’s why we wrote this which focuses on fixing the issue. Here we’ve got a quick troubleshooting guide that will help you fix EER_SSL_PROTOCOL_ERROR on Google Chrome. If one doesn’t work, then you can look at the next one. Indeed, one will help you fix this error message and get rid of the issue.

Steps You Should Take to Fix the Google Chrome SSL Error ERR_SSL_PROTOCOL_ERROR

Go through the below steps one by one, and we assure that one will help you solve the “This site can’t provide a secure connection” error message from Google Chrome.

Correct Your System’s Region, Date & Time

Sounds too good to be true, right? Yes, it’s one of the simplest and easiest steps that works and solves the “This site can’t provide a secure connection” error message. All you need to do is verify whether your system’s region, date, and time are correct or not. If it’s not correct, then rectify it with the correct one.

How come the system’s date, time, and region can become a problem? Well, the validity of an SSL/TLS certificate is a critical factor for the authentication process. It means keeping tabs on the time the SSL/TLS certificate was signed and when it’ll expire. Therefore, if any issue arises with your system’s date and time, it’ll likely create a problem at the time of authentication. Also, web browsers are designed in a way that it creates an error message like “This site can’t provide a secure connection,” also called “EER_SSL_PROTOCOL_ERROR,” so users will know there’s something wrong. Henceforth, even a simple reason like the wrong date or time can create this SSL connection error.

Clear Google Chrome’s Cache & Cookie Files

If it’s persisting, that’s a reason you’re reading this step. As the name implies, clear Google Chrome’s cache and cookies files.

Click Ctrl + Shift + Delete and clear all the browsing data. Usually, the first step or this second step solves the “This site can’t provide a secure connection” error. However, if you’re still facing this issue, then go to the third step.

Clearing SSL State to Resolve ERR_SSL_PROTOCOL_ERROR

If the above steps haven’t worked and you’re still facing ERR_SSL_PROTOCOL_ERROR, then try clearing your SSL state with the below-mentioned steps.

• Go to Start Menu >> Control Panel >> Network and Internet >> Network and Sharing Center.
• Click Internet Options.
• Once Internet Properties opens, select a tab named Content and select the option Clear SSL State.

Once you complete the above step, it’ll solve the ERR_SSL_PROTOCOL_ERROR issue, and if it doesn’t, then go through the below step.

Disable QUIC Protocol to Resolve ERR_SSL_PROTOCOL_ERROR

QUIC abbreviation of Quick UDP Internet Connections offers an SSL/TLS type of connection to Google’s server. By default, Google keeps the QUIC protocol enabled in their Chrome web browser. And, sometimes, disabling this option resolves the “This site can’t provide a secure connection” or ERR_SSL_PROTOCOL_ERROR issue.

Below are the steps to disable QUIC protocol:

• Once you open Google Chrome, copy and paste: chrome://flags/#enable-quic in the address bar and hit enter.
• It’ll open the Experimental QUIC Protocol. It’s Default or Enabled. Click on it, and from the drop-down menu, select Disabled.
• Now, go to the bottom of the webpage and click the button Relaunch Now.

Mostly, it’ll resolve the error message. If it doesn’t, don’t get disappointed, and go to the next recommended tip.

Removing System Hosts File

For removing systems host file:

• Press the Windows logo key and R together. It’ll open the Run window.
• Type following path: C:\Windows\System32\drivers\etc
• Select the file named hosts and delete it.

Lower Internet & Privacy Level

Sometimes websites create an issue and stops loading if the security level is set too high. Therefore, to resolve such SSL error messages, you can lower them down:

• Go to Start Menu >> Control Panel >> Network and Internet >> Network and Sharing Center.
• Click on Internet Options. It’ll open the Internet Properties window.
• Now, go to the tab named Security and set the Security level for this zone to Medium.
• For the Privacy tab beside the Security tab, follow the same step and set it to Medium.

Disable Security Tools Like Antivirus for a Moment

Sometimes an installed Antivirus or Windows Firewall creates an issue. Therefore, it’s recommended that for a moment, you disable installed security tools such as Antivirus or Firewall, or at least for the time you’re visiting a website that’s showing ERR_SSL_PROTOCOL_ERROR error.

How This Google Chrome Error Err_SSL_PROTOCOL_ERROR Looks in Other Browers

Err_SSL_PROTOCOL_ERROR in Mozilla Firefox

In Mozilla, Firefox ERR_SSL_PROTOCOL_ERROR is shown as a warning message that a secure connection failed. The actual message that appears is Warning: “Potential Security Risk Ahead” along with the security warning message “SEC_ERROR_UNKOWN_ISSUER.”

Err_SSL_PROTOCOL_ERROR in Microsoft Edge

Microsoft Edge simply shows a message, “Can’t connect securely to this page.”  This error message is helpful because it tells you that the website might be using an older version of its SSL/TLS certificate. Therefore, once you get further clarification, you can take action accordingly.

Wrapping Up

Google Chrome does show SSL errors from time to time. And the “This Site Can’t Provide a Secure Connection” AKA”ERR_SSL_PROTOCOL_ERROR” is no different. Here, we’ve went over a few different steps, and out of them, at least one will certainly solve your SSL error. If it persists, then we suggest getting help from your SSL provider. If you’re a site visitor, you can certainly wait and visit after some time to see if it’s working or not.