Troubleshooting

Adjust Date & Time on PC

1. Right-click the taskbar clock on the bottom right corner of the screen.

2. Select Adjust date and time.

3. Turn on the switches next to Set time automatically and Set time zone automatically to sync your PC’s date and time with the Microsoft servers.

Clearing your PC’s SSL state can also help fix SSL-related issues. You can do that via the Internet Properties – Control Panel app.

1. Open the Start menu (or press Ctrl + S) and type Internet Options. Then, select Open to load Internet Properties.

2. Switch to the Content tab.

3. Select Clear SSL Cache.

A corrupt DNS (Domain Name Service) cache on your Mac or PC can cause site-loading issues. Clear it before reloading the site again.

Flush DNS Cache on PC

1. Right-click the Start icon and select Windows PowerShell (Admin) or Windows Terminal (Admin).

2. Type in the following command:

ipconfig /flushdns

3. Press Enter.

Flush DNS Cache on Mac

1. Open the Launchpad and select Other > Terminal.

2. Type in the following command:

sudo killall -HUP mDNSResponder

3. Press Enter.

4. Type in your Mac’s administrator password.

5. Press Enter again.

Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) can enhance your privacy online, but they can also prevent Chrome from checking a site’s connection for authenticity. So if you use a VPN, deactivate it and try reloading the site again.

Do you use a third-party antivirus program or internet security utility on your PC or Mac? Disable it and check if the site loads correctly. Try adding the site as an exception to the antivirus settings. Check the utility’s online documentation or user manual for instructions.

If you have a habit of editing your computer’s Hosts file, remove any mentions of the site’s IP address or domain name. Learn how to edit the Hosts file on PC and Mac.

An outdated browser version can also prevent the browser from establishing a secure connection to a website.

Browser extensions are a primary underlying reason for numerous site-related issues. Disable all active extensions, and check if the ERR_SSL_PROTOCOL_ERROR recurs. If it doesn’t, isolate the problematic extension and keep it disabled.

Chrome’s Extensions screen (select More Tools > Extensions on the Chrome menu),

Firefox's Extension screen (three lines > Add ons and themes)

Another way to fix ERR_SSL_PROTOCOL_ERROR involves disabling automatic or manual proxies.

Proxy Settings on PC

1. Open the Start menu (or press Ctrl + S) and type Proxy Settings. Open Proxy Settings

2. Turn off the switch next to Automatically detect settings and disable any setup scripts or manual proxies.

Proxy Settings on Mac

Uncheck all boxes underneath the Select a protocol to configure section.