How to Fix ERR SSL Protocol Error: A Comprehensive Guide 

Key takeaways  

• ERR SSL protocol error can disrupt browsing experience and raise privacy and data security concerns. 
• Understanding the causes of ERR SSL protocol error is essential when it comes to addressing it. 
• By employing certain measures, ERR SSL protocol error can be prevented.  

An ERR SSL Protocol Error is one of the most common errors many web users encounter. Major browsers like Edge, Safari, Chrome, and Firefox run into the issue, which can be frustrating. It can disrupt browsing experience and raise concerns about privacy and data security.  

If you neglect proper safeguard measures, sensitive information, like login and banking credentials, can be at risk of misuse and theft. This is the reason many business entities put a premium on internet security. The good news is that everything isn’t lost if your website encounters the said error. With a few fixes, it can be immediately addressed and prevented. Read on to find out more.      

What is an ERR SSL protocol error? 

ERR SSL Protocol Error is a glitch that occurs when a browser can’t verify a secure sockets layer (SSL) and transport layer security (TLS). In other cases, failure to establish a secure hypertext transfer protocol secure protocol (HTTPS) is the culprit. When users encounter it, their browser displays “Can’t connect securely to this site” or “This site cannot establish a secure location.”  

This usually happens because irregularities happen during the SSL/TLS handshake process, which is a procedure required for establishing an encrypted and secure connection between a browser and a server.      

Let’s take a look at the causes of the said issue.   

What are the causes of an ERR SSL protocol error? 

No matter how hard you try to ensure the security of your site, sometimes, an ERR SSL Protocol Error is inevitable. You must understand its causes to properly address it. 

Here are some of its most common causes. 

Expired or invalid SSL certificate   

SSL certificates are temporary; you must renew them before expiry. It’s easy to forget SSL renewal, as most service providers offer monthly or yearly packages. Neglecting an expired SSL certificate can harm your business.   

If an SSL is improperly installed or mismatched with a domain, it may be flagged as an invalid certificate. Because of this, a browser cannot establish a secure connection to the server.   

Misconfigured SSL certificates 

Improper SSL configuration certificates can contribute to data leakage and vulnerabilities. They can negatively impact encryption strength and compromise a secure connection. Leaving doors open for attackers who want to hijack sessions. 

An outdated browser or operating system 

SSL protocols evolve to keep up with security requirements. Outdated browsers or operating systems may lack support for modern encryption, so there may be a mismatch between the security protocols supported by your browser or security system.

Incorrect date and time settings    

SSL certificates rely on precise date and time to confirm their validity. If they are incorrect, verification procedures can’t be performed. That’s because the browser or operating system may misinterpret their validity. 

Additionally, SSL certificates are time sensitive. They have specific validity periods if your system time is not updated. If this is the case, the following may take place:   

• Expired certificate. A browser identifies the set date after the expiration. When this happens, it determines the certificate as expired and displays an error.  
• Premature certificate. Suppose your operating system is set before the certificate’s “valid from” date. Here, an error occurs since the browser determines the latter as not yet active.    

Corrupt browser cache or SSL data 

Corrupt browser cache or SSL data interferes with your browser’s and intended website’s secure connection procedures. This interference prevents appropriate security verification and breaks the encryption protocols for secure communication.   

Firewall and antivirus issues 

Some firewall or antivirus software scans SSL/TLS connections to safeguard against cyber threats. This can sometimes lead to interference or blocked connections that trigger errors.    

Conflicting extensions 

Some security, privacy, or adblocking extensions may disrupt the SSL/TLS handshake. This is a cryptographic process where a browser and a website’s server negotiate a secure connection. When browser extensions disrupt the said process, it can lead to errors. 

Ways to Fix ERR SSL protocol error 

Check SSL/TLS certificate validity 

It’s important to regularly check your SSL certificate’s validity to maintain a secure and reputable site. Many user-friendly SSL certificate checkers are available. Some of the most notable ones include SSL Shopper, SSL Labs, and DigiCert SSL Checker. 

You need to type your website’s URL into any of the said tools. They will perform an extensive check and show certificate issues. They may show expired, invalid, or misconfigured certificates. Immediately implement the necessary adjustments to ensure your website’s security is not compromised.       

Update your web browser  

You need to update your browser to obtain patches for bugs that compromise SSL connections. Newer versions are also designed to seamlessly work with the latest web technologies to reduce the probability of issues that cause SSL errors. 

Chrome:

• Click the three-dot menu (top right).
• Go to “Help” then “About Google Chrome.”
• Chrome checks for updates and installs them.
• Relaunch Chrome to apply the updates.

Firefox:

• Click the three lines menu (top right).
• Go to “Help” then “About Firefox.”
• Firefox checks for updates and installs them.
• Relaunch Firefox to apply the updates.

Safari:

• Safari updates are included with macOS updates.
• Go to the Apple menu (top left), then “System Preferences,” then “Software Update.”
• Install any available macOS updates.

Edge:

• Click the three-dot menu (top right).
• Go to “Help and feedback” then “About Microsoft Edge.”
• Edge will automatically check for and install updates
• Relaunch Edge to apply the updates.

Note: Browser menu navigation may change without prior notice.

Update system time and date  

One of the easiest ways to prevent SSL errors is synchronizing your time and date. Operating systems generally have a feature that automatically synchronizes their clock with a reliable time server. This can keep time accurate and prevent errors related to time discrepancies from developing.    

Clear browsing cache and cookies 

Your browser needs to interpret newer data to secure website data. However, there are instances when it reads older ones. Plus, corrupt files may compromise session conditions. The good news is that the issues can be fixed by clearing caches and cookies from your browser. It’s best to check all time ranges, cached files, and cookies. Reload pages that were affected by the SSL error to test whether it’s resolved.     

Temporarily disable firewall and antivirus 

When troubleshooting an SSL error, disable the firewall and antivirus for a set time. This will help you identify potential causes and pinpoint the source. If you’re able to fix the issue after disabling the security programs, they are likely the culprits.       

Perform this with caution, temporarily, and for diagnostic purposes only. Re-enable them as soon as the troubleshooting is over since this can leave your website unprotected and vulnerable to cyber-attacks.  

Disable extensions systematically  

Disabling extensions individually or in groups can pinpoint a problematic extension. Don’t disable them all at once and test your site after each disablement. If you find a problematic extension, check if there’s an update since it may contain a fix for the SSL issue.

Perform SSL best practices to prevent future errors 

Following SSL practices is important for preventing errors. Here are some measures that should not be taken for granted:   

Automation certificate management  

Automatically managing the lifecycle of SSL certificates on every device and identifying certificate authority from a single control panel is a must. This allows the revocation of compromised SSL certificates; drastically reducing the probability of security compromises.  

Utilize strong private keys 

Generate robust private keys of at least 2,048 bits since this can make it difficult for attackers to harm your site. They are much more difficult to crack than their 1,024-bit counterparts since they require more computational effort. 

Opting for 2,048-bit keys can help prevent future SSL errors, as they factor in more advanced computing powers. 

Configure server 

On your server, activate the latest versions of the TLS protocol and disable the older ones. Older TLS protocols are less secure and have several vulnerabilities. Along the way, utilize strong cipher suites (connections composed of a set of algorithms) that provide superb encryption.    

Securing your website by addressing an SSL protocol error 

Addressing an ERR SSL protocol error is a must and neglecting it can be detrimental to your website’s success. That’s because it may turn off visitors and can ruin its reputation. 

So, make it a point to understand its causes and implement best practices to prevent them from happening.  

Consider signing up with Domain.com for your SSL certificates needs. We deliver a high level of encryption at a low cost to ensure that visitor confidence in your website is not compromised in any way. 

Frequently asked questions