Have you ever faced an error message when browsing a website, which reads, “This Site Can’t Provide A Secure Connection”? It can be confusing, especially when you don’t know what it means or what to do. But don’t worry; it’s a standard error message that appears on browsers. There are easy fixes to resolve the issue.
Browsers will typically display “This Site Can’t Provide A Secure Connection” when they think there is a problem with the site’s SSL certificate. It doesn’t mean that the website is not secure; sometimes, there are other reasons why this error could appear.
In this article, we’ll examine what this error means, explore some possible causes, and offer six solutions to help you fix this error code. Let’s get started!
What Does “This Site Can’t Provide A Secure Connection” Mean?
“This Site Can’t Provide A Secure Connection” typically means that the website you are trying to visit cannot establish a secure connection between your device and the server. It appears when the website you are trying to access is not properly secured with an SSL certificate.
What Is SSL, Exactly?
SSL is a standard security technology used to encrypt data between a web server and a browser. It is important to protect sensitive personal data, such as login credentials and credit card details, from being intercepted by third parties.
Without an SSL certificate, a website is vulnerable to hacking attacks, data breaches, and other security threats.
However, it is important to note that the website you are visiting might have a valid SSL certificate. It can be safe and secure, yet this error message can appear on your screen.
The following section will explore why you could be facing this error message.
Causes Behind The “This Site Can’t Provide A Secure Connection” Error Message
There are many reasons why the “This Site Can’t Provide A Secure Connection” error message can occur. Here are a few of them:
#1. SSL Certificate Issue:
SSL certificates establish an SSL/TLS encrypted connection, which is necessary for secure communication between the website and the user.
Suppose the SSL certificate installed on the website’s server is outdated, invalid, or lacks trust from a trusted authority. In that case, browsers may fail to establish a secure connection, leading to this error message.
#2. Incorrect Time and Date Settings
Your device’s time and date settings are vital in SSL certificate verification. Suppose your device’s time and date are incorrect. In that case, browsers may fail to establish a secure connection, leading to this error message.
#3. Chrome Browser Issues:
If multiple Chrome extensions are installed in your browser, these extensions may conflict with the SSL verification process. This conflict will lead to the error message appearing on your browser. Sometimes, corrupted browser cache data or Google’s experimental QUIC protocol can cause this error.
How Do I Fix The “This Site Can’t Provide A Secure Connection” Error? (Six Solutions)
Below are some easy solutions that can help you fix the “This Site Can’t Provide A Secure Connection” error.
#1. Check The SSL Certificate Of The Website
Before you try any other solution, check whether the website you are trying to access has a valid SSL certificate. Suppose the SSL certificate is invalid, expired, or doesn’t match the website’s URL you are trying to access. In that case, you’ll need to contact the website owner to address the issue.
If you’re using Google Chrome, click on the padlock icon and select “Certificate” to view the SSL certificate details. Check out the screenshot below for a visual aid.
#2. Check The Time And Date Settings Of Your Device
Your device’s incorrect time and date settings can conflict with the SSL certificate. Incorrect settings may cause SSL certificates to expire prematurely, making them appear invalid. The invalid certificate means the “This Site Can’t Provide A Secure Connection” error will pop up.
Check the date and time on your device and select the option to update them in the settings automatically. After updating the time and date, reopen your browser window to see if the error message has been resolved.
#3. Disable Chrome Extensions
Certain Chrome extensions can cause conflicts with the SSL certificate, leading to the error message “This Site Can’t Provide A Secure Connection.” If you suspect Chrome Extensions are causing the issue, try deactivating all of them or accessing the website in incognito mode.
- First, click the vertical dots in the top right corner of your Chrome browser window
- Next, select “Extensions” and select “Manage Extensions.”
- Toggle the extensions you want to disable.
Note: I suggest you disable all and re-enable them one by one to see which one might be causing the error.
#4. Clear Browser Cache & Cookies
Clearing the browser data can help resolve this error message.
To do this:
1. Click on the three dots in the top right corner of your Chrome browser
2. Go to “More Tools” and click “Clear browsing data.”
3. Next, select “Cookies and other site data” and “Cached images and files.”
4. Make sure you select all time, and then click “Clear data.”
Check if the error message persists. If it has disappeared, then this was the fix that you needed.
#5. Disable Chrome’s QUIC Protocol
Google has introduced the QUIC protocol that can sometimes cause issues with the SSL certificate of some websites. You can try to disable this protocol to see if it resolves the issue:
1. Go to chrome://flags in the address bar of your Chrome browser.
2. Search for “Experimental QUIC protocol” (typically found at the top of the page as the first feature)
3. It is usually set to “default”. From the drop-down menu, choose “disable” for the feature and relaunch your browser. If the error message persists, try the next fix below.
#6. Temporarily Disable Your Antivirus
Some antivirus software or firewalls can interfere with the SSL certificate and cause this error message. Try temporarily disabling your antivirus to check if this fixes the issue. Below is a screenshot from McAfee on how to temporarily disable their software.
Note: If turning off your antivirus was the fix that resolved this error, you will need to work on a few next steps. Turning off your antivirus for a long time is a bad idea, as these apps exist to protect your device from malicious attacks. Add this website to your “safe to browse” list in the software and switch it back on.
Conclusion: To Wrap Up
The “This Site Can’t Provide A Secure Connection” error message is a common browser error you might encounter. Having your work interrupted with this error code can be annoying, but easy fixes are available.
I hope this guide helps you resolve the error and gets you back to your browsing! Always check the SSL certificate of the website you are visiting, double-check your device’s time and date settings, clear your browser’s cache and cookies, and temporarily disable your antivirus software and browser extensions.
If you’re still having trouble after trying these solutions, the website may be experiencing issues beyond your control. Reach out to the website administrator and ask for support.
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Nirali has over a decade of experience working in marketing with startups in a variety of sectors, including e-commerce, ed-tech, and SaaS. She has a keen understanding of the unique challenges and opportunities facing early-stage companies and a track record of developing effective content strategies that drive growth and engagement.
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