How To Fix The ERR_SSL_VERSION_OR_CIPHER_MISMATCH Error?

Are you seeing the ERR_SSL_VERSION_OR_CIPHER_MISMATCH error on your screen right now? If so, there’s no need to worry. This error is a standard SSL error, and many factors can cause it.

This SSL protocol error occurs when a browser cannot establish a secure SSL/TLS connection with the site’s web server. ERR_SSL_VERSION_OR_CIPHER_MISMATCH error can show up on your screen for a bunch of different reasons. These include an invalid SSL certificate, a certificate name mismatch, or an outdated operating system.

I’ll help you understand what this error message means and how to fix it in this article. Let’s start so you can get your website up and running again!

What Does ERR_SSL_VERSION_OR_CIPHER_MISMATCH Mean, Exactly?

ERR_SSL_VERSION_OR_CIPHER_MISMATCH is a standard SSL error that occurs when the SSL/TLS encryption that secures the website fails.

If the name on your website’s SSL certificate and the site’s domain name are not the same, you will see the ERR_SSL_VERSION_OR_CIPHER_MISMATCH error on your screen.

What Causes The ERR_SSL_VERSION_OR_CIPHER_MISMATCH Error?

ERR_SSL_VERSION_OR_CIPHER_MISMATCH appears on your screen when the browser cannot establish a secure SSL/TLS connection with the web server. The error message usually indicates that the server and browser encryption protocols do not match.

There are many reasons this mismatch could happen:

• An invalid SSL certificate
• A mismatch between name on the SSL certificate and the domain name of the website
• Conflicts with your browser or operating system
• Conflicts with your firewall settings or antivirus programs

How Can You Fix The ERR_SSL_VERSION_OR_CIPHER_MISMATCH Error (8 Easy Ways)

There are many easy ways to quickly resolve the ERR_SSL_VERSION_OR_CIPHER_MISMATCH error. I’m listing down eight methods below:

#1. Check The Validity Of Your SSL Certificate

Start with checking if your SSL certificate is installed correctly. You can use free online SSL checkers such as the Qualys SSL labs tool to verify your certificate and check if it is valid. If the SSL certificate for your site is invalid, get a new one right away.

All you need to do is type in your website’s URL in SSL lab’s form and wait for their scorecard report.

Note: Web Hosting, Reseller Hosting, and VPS/Cloud Dedicated servers at Namehero come with free and automatic SSL certificates. All domains and subdomains hosted with us will have complete SSL coverage (i.e., HTTPS).

#2. Check For A SSL Certificate Name Mismatch

A mismatched SSL certificate name can also cause the ERR_SSL_VERSION_OR_CIPHER_MISMATCH error. Ensure that the certificate’s domain name matches the URL’s domain name. If they do not match, you need to install a new SSL certificate right away!

One quick way to check this for websites on Chrome is to click the padlock button in the browser’s address bar and access the SSL certificate. Check out the screenshot below for a visual aid.

#3. Update Your Operating System

Outdated operating systems sometimes prevent browsers from connecting to secure websites, resulting in the ERR_SSL_VERSION_OR_CIPHER_MISMATCH error.

For instance, I use a MacBook, and here’s what I do to check for OS updates. First, click on ‘System Preferences’ and then select ‘Software Updates.’ If any OS updates are available for my device, they will show up here if I need to upgrade.

#4. Try Another Browser

Sometimes, the browser you’re using can be the cause behind an SSL error. Try using any other web browsers besides Chrome to access the same website. If the error does not show up on other browsers, then the error might have something to do to with just Chrome.

#5. Disable The QUIC Protocol

The QUIC protocol is a new network protocol offered by Google Chrome to enable secure and faster connections. However, the QUIC protocol can sometimes also cause compatibility issues with some websites, resulting in error messages like the ERR_SSL_VERSION_OR_CIPHER_MISMATCH error.

To turn off this protocol, go to chrome://flags/ on Google Chrome and disable Experimental QUIC Protocol.

Check if the error message persists. If the SSL error hasn’t disappeared, try the next solution.

#6. Clear Browser Cache

Clearing the browser cache can sometimes help fix ERR_SSL_VERSION_OR_CIPHER_MISMATCH by removing old and corrupt data.

To clear the cache, follow the instructions below:

• Go to browser settings, select ‘More Tools’, and click ‘Clear browsing data.’
• Make sure to select both ‘Cached images and files’, ‘Cookies and other site data’.
• Select ‘Clear Data’ and reload your website. Restart chrome and check if the error message disappears.

#7. Disable Your Antivirus (Temporarily)

Sometimes, antivirus programs can interfere even with secure SSL/TLS connections. This will result in the ERR_SSL_VERSION_OR_CIPHER_MISMATCH error popping up on your screen. Turn off your antivirus software temporarily to see if the error message disappears.

Note: Switching off your antivirus and firewall might temporarily help resolve the ERR_SSL_VERSION_OR_CIPHER_MISMATCH message. But this isn’t a safe long-term solution, in my opinion. You shouldn’t disable an antivirus program long-term. If the error message disappears, I suggest adding your website to your antivirus software’s safe list.

#8. Contact Your Hosting Provider

If you still need help despite trying all the methods above, contact your hosting provider to identify the issue. They can help you resolve the error by providing technical support and fixing web server-side issues.

Note: If you continue to experience this error despite trying all the above solutions, it’s time to switch to a better hosting provider for your website.

Conclusion: Final Thoughts

Fixing the ERR_SSL_VERSION_OR_CIPHER_MISMATCH error is a simple task. I hope that you can resolve the error message by following the solutions listed above.

Ensure your SSL certificate is valid and installed correctly. Also make sure that your device’s operating system and browser are updated to their latest versions. However, if the error persists, don’t hesitate to contact your hosting provider for additional support.

If you require help with any other SSL errors, check out our ultimate guide to fixing SSL certificate errors.

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