What is ERR-SSL-PROTOCOL-ERR?
ERR-SSL-PROTOCOL-ERR shows up as a medium-severity network adapter fault. The browser refuses to load the web page due to an HTTPS/SSL error. Typical causes include the date and time are incorrectly set on the computer, anti-virus programs (e.g. ESET, Avast) scan SSL transmission poorly and outdated operating system without root certificates. See the troubleshooting steps below for the fix.
Common Causes
- The date and time are incorrectly set on the computer
- Anti-virus programs (e.g. ESET, Avast) scan SSL transmission poorly
- Outdated operating system without root certificates
Step-by-Step Fix Guide
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1
Synchronize time in Windows (NTP)
Synchronize time in Windows (NTP) tends to be the quickest win here, addressing the most typical cause of ERR-SSL-PROTOCOL-ERR.
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2
Turn off 'HTTPS Scan' in the antivirus
A second occurrence often means a less common network instability cause is at play, which later steps address.
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3
Try clearing your browser's cache and cookies
"Try clearing your browser's cache and cookies" covers a less common but documented cause of ERR-SSL-PROTOCOL-ERR.
Commands & Diagnostics
w32tm /resync
Frequently Asked Questions
The date and time are incorrectly set on the computer accounts for the majority of ERR-SSL-PROTOCOL-ERR reports; anti-virus programs (e.g. ESET, Avast) scan SSL transmission poorly and outdated operating system without root certificates come up less often but are documented.
Most ERR-SSL-PROTOCOL-ERR reports resolve after "Synchronize time in Windows (NTP)". The rest of the guide above is there for the cases that don't.
ERR-SSL-PROTOCOL-ERR is a medium-severity issue. It can affect system stability, but the fix steps above typically resolve it without lasting damage.
Usually. ERR-SSL-PROTOCOL-ERR is fixable with the steps above; a full Windows reinstall is rarely necessary unless everything else has failed.
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