Every minute you try to link to a website, your browser will automatically check its SSL certificate. It’s a way to verify that the website you’re visiting is legitimate and has used the proper protocol to protect your connection.
This is known as the Handshake protocol. TLS is a protocol that encrypts data sent across a user’s computer or a web server.
Assume that during the TLS handshake, both the user’s browser & the web server do not assist a common SSL protocol and cypher suite When this happens, the browser displays the error message saying ERR_SSL_VERSION_OR_CIPHER_MISMATCH.
In the digital realm, ensuring secure communication between web servers and browsers is crucial. This security is often provided through the SSL/TLS protocol. However, sometimes, users may encounter SSL-related errors when browsing.
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This article deciphers these common SSL errors, providing solutions and shedding light on their causes.
Contents
What Does ERR_SSL_VERSION_OR_CIPHER_MISMATCH Mean?
This error arises when the browser you’re using cannot establish a secure connection with the server. The primary reasons include:
- Outdated SSL Certificate: The web server’s SSL certificate may be outdated or not configured correctly.
- Incompatible Cipher Suites: The browser and server might not have a common cipher suite to use for establishing the connection.
- Server Misconfigurations: The server might not be properly set up for serving sites over HTTPS.
What Causes The ERR_SSL_VERSION_OR_CIPHER_MISMATCH?
For a number of reasons, this website refuses to offer a network connection. One of the most likely reasons are:
Invalid SSL certificates – Domain’s SSL certificate may have been assigned with different website domain alias, resulting in a certificate mismatch.
Outdated web browsers – Older operating systems and web browsers may not be suitable with the latest TLS version.
The QUIC protocol is a Google project that serves as a substitute to common security solutions, but it may cause the error.
The cache of a web browser – the cached data may well not reflect the website’s security update.
Antivirus software – a malfunction in the antivirus software may cause a false alarm, resulting in the
How To Fix The ERR_SSL_VERSION_OR_CIPHER_MISMATCH Error
Despite its complicated & intimidating appearance to beginners, the ERR_SSL_VERSION_OR_CIPHER_MISMATCH error is simple to resolve.
Let’s look at six solutions to the ERR_SSL_VERSION_OR_CIPHER_MISMATCH error.
Method 1: Clear The SSL State
Removing the SSL state is another thing you should try if you can’t create a strong connection with Chrome. To check the SSL state through Browsers on Windows, perform the following steps:
Step 1: Then, click the Google Chrome and go to Settings icon (Settings) icon. Click the Show advanced settings button.
Step 2: Change proxy settings can be found under Network. The Web Properties dialogue box appears.
Step 3: Go to Content tab.
Step 4: Click OK after selecting Clear SSL state.
Step 5: Chrome should be restarted.
Method 2: Enable SSL/TLS Versions
Please keep in mind that this step includes allowing older, insecure protocols. You do this entirely with your own risk.
Step 1: Launch Chrome.
Step 2: Right – click dots in the upper-right corner.
Step 3: Then go to Settings & type ‘proxy’ into the search field.
Step 4: Click on the Open proxy options menu if you see it.
Step 5: Navigate to the Advanced tab.
Step 6: Mark all SSL and TLS versions now.
Step 7: Click the Apply button.
Step 8: Restart Google Chrome.
Method 3: Check Your Internet Connectivity
A defective internet connection is frequently to blame for this error. Check your internet service to ensure that everything is working properly, & inform your Internet Provider if you require assistance.
Method 4: Examine The SSL Certificate
When the client or server do not support the same SSL protocol version and cypher suite, one of the very first things you need to do is check the SSL certificate.
Chrome allows you to view certificates and perform in-depth analysis and assessment of free online tools. We recommend using the one supplied by Server SSL Labs.
Method 5: Delete Browser Cache and Cookies
When you experience a web error, one of the very first things you need to do is clear your browser cache and cookies, as these are frequently the source of all kinds of problems. This step may vary based on the internet browser you use.
Since you’ve never done this earlier & are unsure how to proceed, search engine for the actions needed to clear the data stored on your preferred internet explorer.
In some cases, pressing CTRL + SHIFT + DELETE would then take you to the clear web surfing data page.
Disabling SSL Errors:
It’s essential to tread with caution here. Disabling SSL errors can expose you to various threats:
- Chrome: Navigate to
chrome://flags/#ignore-certificate-errors. However, be careful; this can make your browsing insecure. - Firefox: Go to
about:configand setsecurity.tls.version.minto 0. Again, this is not recommended for daily browsing.
Updating an SSL Certificate:
Renewing or updating your SSL certificate is essential for maintaining site security:
- Purchase a new SSL certificate from a Certificate Authority (CA).
- Generate a Certificate Signing Request (CSR) on your web server.
- Submit the CSR to the CA and get your certificate.
- Install the new certificate on your server, replacing the old one.
- Restart your server to apply changes.
Resetting SSL Certificates:
If you’re having issues with an SSL certificate, you might need to reset or re-install it:
- Access your server’s control panel or SSL/TLS management tool.
- Locate the installed certificate causing issues.
- Uninstall or delete the certificate.
- Follow the certificate installation process again using either a new certificate or the existing one.
Understanding Err_ssl_protocol_error:
This error indicates that the browser can’t establish a secure connection to the server using the SSL/TLS protocol. Causes include:
- Outdated Browser: Ensure you are using the latest version.
- Incorrect System Date and Time: An inaccurate system clock can conflict with the server’s SSL certificate validity period.
- Firewall or Antivirus Interference: Sometimes, these security tools can wrongly block secure connections.
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Conclusion
If none of the above fix’s work, you could always try to install the internet browser and the extensions that are enabled in it.
Please remember that maybe you are using an older operating system, you must consider upgrading although some of the new systems, such as TLS 1.3 and the latest cypher suites, are not endorsed in several of the older systems, such as Windows XP & similar.
SSL errors, though disruptive, primarily aim to keep users safe from potentially insecure content. It’s always crucial to approach these errors with an understanding of their implications on security.
If you’re a site owner, ensure your server’s SSL setup is correctly configured and up-to-date. Regular users should be cautious when attempting to bypass SSL warnings, as it can expose them to risks. Always prioritize secure browsing practices.
