[3 Fixes] ERR_SSL_PROTOCOL_ERROR in Chrome

If you are a heavy internet user and uses Google Chrome on a regular basis, then you must have been through this ERR_SSL_PROTOCOL_ERROR Chrome Error. This is a very common SSL connection error and happens with almost everyone using Google Chrome on Windows 10 devices to the MAC, iPhone, and Android users. The worst part about this error is that it can also happen very often as ERR_CONNECTION_RESET Chrome error occurs again and again while browsing the internet with or without a VPN. This error tends to prohibit complete internet connectivity in Chrome. It can happen in other browsers too that makes it a more complicated issue. But, you don’t have to worry at all, we are here to solve this issue for you. We will provide you some of the easiest solution possible for this error so you can try it out and get rid out of this error in the Google Chrome Browser.

What is “ERR_SSL_PROTOCOL_ERROR” and Why it appears in the Chrome Browser?

This is a very common error that happens to almost every Chrome user. It is an error that happens when the server does not follow the proper SSL protocol. It can happen very often. For instance, When one attempts to interface with a site one may get a blunder message saying: “This site can’t provide a secure connection” and it then displays an error code as ERR_SSL_PROTOCOL_ERROR.

In nearly every case, this problem occurs because of some sort of issue with the server, or it may require a customer validation declaration that won’t be accessible. You might be the site owner and might be facing SSL connection error on your own website hosted on Godaddy VPS and have installed WordPress on the base of Nginx or Apache servers.  Furthermore, a similar issue could be caused by a few reasons. It can be easily caused if the Date and Time of the Device don’t match with the Server Time and also if the data connection limit of Chrome has been set. This might be an issue with the server, or it might require a customer verification endorsement that you don’t have. And can even happen if you haven’t cleared the data of Google Chrome for a long period. By the way, no need to worry, here are the top three methods that can help you in solving this protocol issue of Google Chrome.

Fix ERR_SSL_PROTOCOL_ERROR in Chrome

We can fix ERR_SSL_PROTOCOL_ERROR in chrome by Clearing the SSL State or by Disabling The Google Chrome’s QUIC Protocol or either by removing all the Google Chrome Browser’s Extensions. Before following any of these steps make sure you have checked the server time with the device time as it can cause this protocol error. Installed Antivirus can also cause this error. So, try Disabling the AntiVirus Software for some time to solve this protocol error in Google Chrome. If they don’t work, then try three solutions.

Solution 1: Clear the SSL State

This method of clearing SSL State works for most of the users having this SSL Protocol error. On clearing the SSL state files the data and setting of SSL goes back to the default that can easily solve this error. The steps of this solution are as below:

1. First, Open Google Chrome on your device.
2. On the Customization Tab and Control Tab in Google Chrome, you will see Three Dots just below the Close button of the Google Chrome.
3. Then, Go to Setting to Change the SSL State settings.
4. Now, you have to scroll down the page and click on the Advanced Settings Tab.
5. Then, Find the “Open proxy settings” either by searching it in the search box or by scrolling the page down.
6. If you didn’t find any settings on searching for “Open proxy settings” then try searching for “internet options” in Windows Start Menu.
7. After doing so a window will pop up as ‘Internet Properties’.
8. Now, select the “Content” tab and then click on the “Clear SSL State” button.

After doing so, The SSL State will be cleared. And thus, the ERR_SSL_PROTOCOL_ERROR and other internet protocol errors like ERR_CACHE_MISS will also be solved by applying this solution. If it doesn’t work, then follow other methods.

Solution 2: Disable Google Chrome’s QUIC Protocol

If clearing the SSL state method doesn’t work then there is also another method that can also work like a magic solution for this error. In this method, we will disable Chrome’s QUIC Protocol to solve the ERR SSL Protocol Error. So, follow the steps to disable the Google Chrome Browser’s QUIC protocol settings.

1. Open Chrome Google Browser On your Device, While making sure you have a working internet connection.
2. Now you have to do some copy paste work. You have to copy the address and have to paste it into Google Chrome’s address bar. Copy and paste the quoted address and press the Enter key, “chrome://flags/#enable-quic”.
3. Now, You must have seen a dialog box having “Default” as it prescribed settings. Now you have select “Disabled” from the drop-down list in that page to change it from ‘Default’ to ‘Disabled’.

Chrome QUIC made of a combination of TCP, TLS and HTTP/2, check more information about QUIC on Chromium official developer pages. You also have to restart your Google Chrome browser after apply its experimental settings.

Now, try browsing the internet to check whether this SSL protocol error is solved or not. If you have followed each step correctly, it might have been solved.

Solutions 3: Disable all the Google Chrome Browser Extensions

In most of the cases, Above two given method can easily solve such ERR_CONNECTION_REFUSED Chrome protocol error. But, if it doesn’t work for you then we have a method we call ‘The Last Fix’ as it will definitely solve this error. In this last method, we will disable the extensions to solve this ERR_SSL_PROTOCOL_ERROR in Chrome. When you confront this SSL Protocol Error, then you must try starting the browser and try loading that similar website having the same error in the incognito or private mode. If you find that the connection starts working then there must be some issue with the current extension of the Google Chrome. So, we have to disable it to solve this err SSL protocol error. Follow the steps to disable the Google Chrome Browser’s Extensions.

1. First, launch the Google Chrome browser.
2. Now, head the mouse cursor on the three dots menu on the top right corner and select the ‘More Tools‘ options. Then, from the more tools options select the Extensions tab.
3. Now, start disabling all extensions one by one.
4. You can permanently get rid of the extension permanently by clicking on the “REMOVE” button beneath the extension. It will make their settings go to the default conditions.

So, If you are able to browse the internet without any sort of error in the Incognito mode then disabling and removing chrome extension will definitely solve this SSL protocol error for you.

If this problem still persists, then you can also try to “Change the Internet Security And Privacy Level”. As on the High internet security and Privacy Level, this issue can occur often, so by changing the privacy level from Enhanced Protection to Standard or No Protection, this issue may get solved. To do so, you just have to go to the Security tab in Google Chrome and have to Select the Standard Protection or No Protection (not recommended). This will remove the SSL protocol blockage and the internet connection will be established after that.

In order to effectively apply all the solutions and methods, you must restart your computer and WiFi router. Also, let us know your views on ERR_SSL_PROTOCOL_ERROR Chrome error and fixes in the comment section.