Easy Fix: ERR_SSL_PROTOCOL_ERROR

The ERR_SSL_PROTOCOL_ERROR can have significant negative impacts on your WordPress site and its users. One of the immediate consequences is that it blocks users from accessing your site securely. This can lead to a loss of traffic and potential revenue. 

Moreover, this error can affect your site’s SEO performance. Search engines like Google prioritize sites with secure HTTPS protocols, and an unresolved SSL error may result in lower search rankings. 

The good news is that ERR_SSL_PROTOCOL_ERROR is often fixable with just a few simple WordPress troubleshooting methods. We’ll walk you through everything you need to know. 

TL;DR: The error means that there is an issue with your SSL certificate. So, check the validity and fix the errors accordingly. However, we recommend that you back up your website before you start. 

What is the ERR_SSL_PROTOCOL_ERROR?

The ERR_SSL_PROTOCOL_ERROR is a browser error that occurs when your browser is unable to securely connect to a website using the HTTPS protocol. HTTPS connections rely on SSL (Secure Sockets Layer) or TLS (Transport Layer Security) certificates to encrypt communications and ensure the information exchanged remains secure. When this error occurs, it indicates that something is preventing the browser and the website server from establishing a secure, encrypted connection. As a result, the website is inaccessible until the issue is resolved.

Here are the most common causes to look out for:

• If you installed an SSL certificate incorrectly or it has expired, browsers will reject the connection, leading to this error.
• If your browser has stored outdated or corrupted cache files and cookies, this data may disrupt SSL verification and connection.
• Errors in server SSL/TLS configurations, including protocol incompatibilities or configuration mismatches, may lead to failures in establishing secure connections.

How to fix the “ERR_SSL_PROTOCOL_ERROR” error?

Encountering the “ERR_SSL_PROTOCOL_ERROR” can be frustrating. It disrupts your WordPress site’s access and visitor experience. Thankfully, fixing this SSL error is usually straightforward. You don’t need advanced technical knowledge.

In this section, we’ll guide you step-by-step. We’ll clearly outline simple solutions to fix the “ERR_SSL_PROTOCOL_ERROR.”

1. Verify SSL certificate

The very first step to fix the ERR_SSL_PROTOCOL_ERROR is to check the status of your SSL certificate. An SSL certificate helps secure your site’s data and confirms your website’s identity. If the certificate has issues or has expired, browsers will block users from connecting securely.

To make sure your SSL is working, you can use free online tools like Qualys SSL Labs. This tool clearly shows the current status of your SSL certificate. It tests the certificate on your website server and gives you a detailed report.

Here’s what you should do:

1. Visit the Qualys SSL Labs website.
2. Enter your website’s URL in the test box.
3. Click Submit to start the test.
4. You’ll receive information about the SSL certificate and whether it’s working or expired.

If your SSL certificate has expired, you’ll need to renew it right away. Go to the provider who issued your SSL certificate. Purchase or renew the certificate from their website.

2. Correct mixed content issues

Mixed content happens when your WordPress site uses HTTPS but loads some elements over HTTP. Your website relies on HTTPS for secure data transfer. But mixed content makes parts of your site less secure.

Browsers usually warn visitors about mixed content with errors like the  “Was Loaded Over HTTPS, But Requested An Insecure Script” error. 

To fix it, you have to identify the problematic HTTP content and change it to HTTPS. We don’t recommend fixing mixed content manually because it takes too much time and can cause mistakes. You must look at every page to find unsecured links one by one. This process can be hard and time-consuming. You also run the risk of missing something. 

Instead, we recommend using Really Simple SSL.. This plugin helps your site automatically move from HTTP to HTTPS. It scans your entire website and fixes mixed content without you doing it manually. Just install the plugin and activate it. 

3. Review the .htaccess File

The .htaccess file is a configuration file located on your WordPress site’s server. It helps control how your website behaves and communicates with visitors’ web browsers. For example, you can add security rules to .htaccess. You can also use it to set redirects, manage custom error pages, and improve website performance.

Here’s how to do fix the error using .htaccess:

1. Access your .htaccess file: You can access the .htaccess file through your WordPress hosting account’s file manager or by using an FTP client.
2. Add HTTPS redirection rules: To redirect all HTTP traffic to HTTPS, add the following code to your .htaccess file at the beginning:

<IfModule mod_rewrite.c>
RewriteEngine On
RewriteCond %{HTTPS} off
RewriteRule ^(.*)$ https://%{HTTP_HOST}%{REQUEST_URI} [L,R=301]
</IfModule>

3. Save and test: Once you’ve added the code, save the .htaccess file and test your site to ensure that it correctly redirects to HTTPS.

4. Update WordPress core, themes, and plugins

Keeping your WordPress website updated is very important. WordPress updates improve security, fix bugs, and boost your site’s overall performance. Most importantly, updates help prevent problems—such as ERR_SSL_PROTOCOL_ERROR—by making sure everything runs smoothly and safely.

An outdated WordPress site, plugin, or theme might bring SSL errors. Old software may have insecure or outdated code that causes conflicts. When you update WordPress core, themes, and plugins, you make sure your website uses secure connections and works well with SSL certificates.

But updating your website has some risks. These risks include:

• Failed theme updates can break your website if done incorrectly.
• New versions of plugins or themes might conflict with other parts of your site.
• You could lose custom settings and changes you’ve made.

It’s always a good idea to be extra cautious. That’s why we recommend using a staging site. 

A staging site is a copy of your real website. You can test updates, changes, and fixes safely on a staging site. Then, if everything works correctly, you push the changes to your main site. Tools like MalCare help you easily create and use staging sites.

5. Clear browser cache

When you visit websites, your browser stores some files and data. This stored data is called browser cache. Caching helps websites load faster the next time you visit.

But sometimes, old cache files create problems such as ERR_SSL_PROTOCOL_ERROR. If your browser cache is outdated or corrupted, it can cause SSL connection issues.

Clearing your cache can quickly solve this issue. It forces your browser to load fresh content and secure connections from your site.

Here’s how to clear your browser cache on Chrome:

1. Click on the three-dot menu (top right corner of your browser).
2. Go to More tools > Clear browsing data.
3. Select a time range (All time is best to clear everything).
4. Check the option Cached images and files.
5. Click Clear data.

6. Contact the hosting provider

If you’ve tried all the methods listed and nothing worked, it’s time to contact your web host. Sometimes the issue could be on your hosting provider’s side. Contact their support team, tell them about the ERR_SSL_PROTOCOL_ERROR, and explain steps you’ve already tried. They can check your SSL certificate and server settings closely. This solution saves you time and effort, letting hosting experts handle tough SSL issues for you.

How to prevent the “ERR_SSL_PROTOCOL_ERROR”?

xing the ERR_SSL_PROTOCOL_ERROR is great, but avoiding it altogether is even better. Prevention saves you time and reduces visitor problems. It also helps keep your WordPress site secure, working well, and trusted by users. Let’s look at some simple and effective ways you can avoid SSL errors and keep your site running smoothly.

• Implement an SSL monitor: An SSL monitor is a helpful tool that regularly checks your site’s SSL certificate. It tracks important details, such as the validity and expiration date of your SSL certificate. If your certificate’s expiration date is getting close, the tool will alert you early. This gives you plenty of time to renew before it expires. Regular alerts prevent sudden downtime and make sure your visitors always have a secure connection.
• Use trusted SSL certificate providers: SSL certificates come from providers called Certificate Authorities (CAs). It’s important to choose a trusted, well-known CA. Trusted providers follow strict security rules, keeping certificates safe and secure. Choosing reliable CAs gives your visitors confidence that your site is protected by strong encryption. This practice reduces the chances of SSL errors caused by bad or weak certificates.
• Enable auto-renewal for SSL certificates: Forgetting to renew SSL certificates is common, yet serious. Expired SSL certificates quickly result in errors like ERR_SSL_PROTOCOL_ERROR that can hurt your site’s credibility. Setting your SSL certificate to auto-renew makes this easier. When auto-renew is active, your website will automatically renew and install fresh certificates before they expire. This helps your website run securely without interruption or surprise errors.
• Keep everything updated: Keeping WordPress core, themes, and plugins updated helps maintain the security and performance of your site. Updates include security fixes, improved compatibility, and important feature upgrades. Out-of-date themes or plugins often cause SSL or compatibility issues, leading to errors like ERR_SSL_PROTOCOL_ERROR. Always updating helps ensure that all parts of your site handle secure HTTPS connections properly, reducing the chances of SSL errors happening.

Expert tip: Use tools like UpdateLens to reduce the chances of data loss. It will assess how risky an update is based on multiple factors. It will tell you a score based on that assessment. Higher the score, the safer it is. 

• Conduct regular site audits: Regularly auditing your WordPress site helps prevent SSL errors by catching potential issues early. Site audits check and find mixed content—content such as images, links, or scripts loaded over insecure HTTP instead of HTTPS. Mixed content weakens your site’s SSL connection and triggers security warnings or errors. Audits let you quickly spot and correct mixed content issues, helping your site’s SSL certificate work smoothly and reliably.

Final thoughts

The ERR_SSL_PROTOCOL_ERROR is more than a simple inconvenience. It shows possible weak spots in your WordPress site’s security. Fixing and preventing this error is important to keep your visitors safe and maintain trust in your website.

For better ongoing security, use reliable monitoring tools like MalCare. Such tools tell you quickly if your site has issues, so you can fix them early. Keeping your site secure is a constant job, and this proactive approach helps ensure your visitors have a safe, smooth online experience.

FAQs

How does SSL work?

SSL (Secure Sockets Layer) helps protect information as it moves between a browser and a web server. It sets up a secure, encrypted channel. When a visitor opens your website, their browser creates an SSL connection with your server. The server first sends an SSL certificate to the browser as identification. If the browser trusts this certificate, it confirms the server is safe. Now, the browser and server share data securely using encryption.

How do I fix SSL errors in WordPress?

Follow these simple steps to fix SSL errors on your WordPress site:

Check your SSL certificate using online tools like Qualys SSL Labs to confirm it’s valid and active.

Use WordPress plugins such as Really Simple SSL. These plugins help find and fix mixed content issues automatically.

Set your website to redirect all visitors automatically to HTTPS instead of HTTP.

Update WordPress itself, plus themes and plugins, frequently to prevent conflicts.

Clear old cache files from your web browser since these can sometimes trigger SSL errors.

If nothing above works, contact your hosting provider support to check for issues with your server.

What is ERR_SSL_PROTOCOL_ERROR in local WordPress?

An ERR_SSL_PROTOCOL_ERROR in your local WordPress setup usually means your local server doesn’t correctly support SSL connections. This typically happens if local SSL settings aren’t configured the same way as your live site’s server. Even though you’re working locally, keep your SSL setup similar to your live environment. This helps you spot and catch problems sooner.

How to fix error code ERR_SSL_PROTOCOL_ERROR?

Try these solutions to fix the ERR_SSL_PROTOCOL_ERROR:

Make sure your SSL certificate hasn’t expired and is installed correctly.

Clear the cache in your web browser to remove outdated or corrupted files causing issues.

Find and fix mixed content on your website, ensuring all links and resources load securely over HTTPS.

Check and fix your server’s SSL configuration if needed. Your web host can help confirm it’s correct.

Always update WordPress, plugins, and themes regularly to avoid conflicts or outdated settings.

If you still see the error, contact your web host support team to check server-side problems.

How do I fix my WordPress site showing as “not secure”?

If your WordPress website says “not secure,” here is what to do:

Get an SSL certificate from a trusted SSL provider and install it properly on your hosting server.

Update your WordPress website URLs to display HTTPS in your website settings.

Use plugins, like Really Simple SSL, to automatically fix and make sure all your site content loads securely over HTTPS.

Manually check pages and content to correct or replace any leftover HTTP links with HTTPS URLs.

Add rules in your .htaccess file to automatically redirect visitors from HTTP to HTTPS.

Use a plugin like Really Simple SSL to handle redirection and site resources easily and securely.