How to Fix “THIS SITE CAN’T PROVIDE A SECURE CONNECTION”

The “This site can’t provide a secure connection” error is a common issue when browsing websites with HTTPS in Google Chrome, Firefox, and other browsers. It typically occurs when the browser is unable to establish a secure connection with the website due to issues with the SSL/TLS certificate or the browser’s settings. This error is often accompanied by the error code ERR_SSL_PROTOCOL_ERROR or ERR_SSL_VERSION_INTERFERENCE.

In this guide, we’ll explore the most common causes of this error and various methods to fix it.

What Causes the “This Site Can’t Provide a Secure Connection” Error?

This error can be caused by several issues, including:

• Problems with the website’s SSL certificate (expired, misconfigured, or invalid).
• Browser cache or cookies causing SSL conflicts.
• Incorrect date and time settings on your computer.
• Issues with SSL/TLS protocols on your browser.
• Interference from antivirus software or firewall settings.

Methods to Fix the “This Site Can’t Provide a Secure Connection” Error

1. Check the Website’s SSL Certificate

Before making changes on your end, verify that the website’s SSL certificate is valid:

1. Click on the padlock icon in the address bar of the browser.
2. Select Certificate or Connection is secure (depending on the browser).
3. Check the validity dates and issuer of the SSL certificate.

If the certificate is expired or invalid, there may be nothing you can do except to contact the website owner or administrator.

2. Clear Browser Cache and Cookies

Outdated cache or cookies can interfere with SSL certificates and cause connection errors.

1. Open Chrome and go to Settings > Privacy and security > Clear browsing data.
2. Select Cookies and other site data and Cached images and files.
3. Choose All time as the time range.
4. Click Clear data.

Restart your browser and try accessing the website again.

3. Adjust Date and Time Settings

Incorrect date and time settings on your computer can prevent the browser from verifying SSL certificates.

1. Windows: Right-click on the date and time in the system tray and select Adjust date/time. Make sure Set time automatically is turned on.
2. Mac: Go to System Preferences > Date & Time. Enable Set date and time automatically.

Restart your browser and check if the issue is resolved.

4. Disable SSL/TLS Protocol Filters in Antivirus Software

Some antivirus software has features that interfere with SSL/TLS certificates. Temporarily disable these features to see if they are causing the issue.

1. Open your antivirus software.
2. Look for settings related to SSL scanning or HTTPS scanning.
3. Disable this feature and restart your browser.

If the problem is resolved, consider adding an exception for the affected website or adjusting your antivirus settings.

5. Update Your Browser

An outdated browser might lack support for newer SSL/TLS protocols, causing connection errors.

1. Open Chrome and go to Settings > About Chrome.
2. Chrome will automatically check for updates and install the latest version.
3. Restart your browser.

This process is similar for other browsers like Firefox, Edge, and Safari.

6. Check SSL/TLS Protocol Settings in the Browser

Ensure that your browser is using the correct SSL/TLS protocols.

In Google Chrome:

1. Type chrome://flags in the address bar and press Enter.
2. Search for TLS.
3. Make sure that TLS 1.2 and TLS 1.3 are enabled.

In Internet Explorer:

1. Go to Internet Options > Advanced tab.
2. Scroll down to the Security section.
3. Ensure that Use TLS 1.2 and Use TLS 1.3 are checked.

7. Clear the SSL State on Your Computer

Clearing the SSL state can help resolve conflicts with SSL certificates.

On Windows:

1. Open the Control Panel > Network and Internet > Internet Options.
2. Go to the Content tab.
3. Click Clear SSL state.
4. Click OK and restart your browser.

On Mac:

1. Open Keychain Access from Applications > Utilities.
2. Go to Preferences.
3. Click on Reset My Default Keychains.

8. Disable Browser Extensions

Some browser extensions, especially security-related ones, can interfere with SSL connections.

1. Go to chrome://extensions/ in the address bar.
2. Disable all extensions by toggling them off.
3. Restart Chrome and try accessing the website.

If the error disappears, re-enable the extensions one by one to identify the culprit.

9. Change DNS Servers

Using a public DNS like Google DNS or Cloudflare can help resolve DNS-related SSL issues.

1. Windows: Go to Control Panel > Network and Internet > Network and Sharing Center > Change adapter settings.
2. Right-click on your active network and select Properties.
3. Select Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4) and click Properties.
4. Choose Use the following DNS server addresses and enter:
   • Preferred DNS server: 8.8.8.8
   • Alternate DNS server: 8.8.4.4

   Alternatively, use Cloudflare DNS: 1.1.1.1 and 1.0.0.1.

5. Click OK and restart your computer.

10. Reset Network Settings

Resetting your network settings can resolve underlying connectivity issues.

On Windows:

1. Open Command Prompt as an administrator.
2. Run the following commands:
   netsh int ip reset netsh winsock reset ipconfig /release ipconfig /renew ipconfig /flushdns
3. Restart your computer and try accessing the website again.

11. Check for Network Issues

If none of the above methods work, try accessing the website from a different network or device. If it works on another network, the issue might be related to your ISP or home network settings.

• Restart your router by unplugging it for 10 seconds and plugging it back in.
• Contact your ISP to see if there are any network-level blocks or issues.

12. Contact the Website Administrator

If you have tried all the above steps and the issue persists, it may be due to an issue with the website’s SSL certificate. Contact the website’s support or administrator to notify them of the issue.

Summary

The “This site can’t provide a secure connection” error can be caused by a variety of factors, ranging from SSL certificate issues to browser and network settings. By following the methods outlined above, you can troubleshoot and resolve this issue effectively. If the problem persists, it may be best to reach out to the website administrator or consult with a network specialist to investigate further.