One of the most common errors you can encounter when browsing the Internet is “this website cannot provide a secure connection.” Instead of displaying the page, the web browser informs users that it has encountered problems trying to load the website.
This error is usually difficult to identify. Its causes can vary, from incorrect Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) configuration to incorrect date and time settings. However, there are easy ways to fix it, whether you are the website owner or a visitor.
In this article, we will show what the error looks like in two different browsers and explain its causes. Additionally, we will provide six steps to fix it.
| Error code |
Connection refused |
| Error type |
Network communication protocol error |
| Causes of error |
Network problemIncorrect SSHC installationIncorrect credentialsSecurity system configuration |
What is the “this website cannot provide a secure connection” error?
The “this website cannot provide a secure connection” error is a website issue due to invalid SSL certificates, cache, misconfigured date and time settings, or HTTPS connection issues. The message may appear in different browsers, such as Google Chrome and Mozilla Firefox.
Browsers may display different error messages. This is what it looks like in Chrome and Mozilla Firefox.
Google Chrome
If the website you are trying to visit in Chrome does not support the necessary TLS/SSL protocols, the browser will display “this website cannot provide a secure connection.” It also indicates to users that the destination host sent an invalid response.
Chrome suggests three methods to fix the problem: check the connection, examine the proxy settings, and run Windows network diagnostics.
Mozilla Firefox
In Firefox, an invalid SSL certificate may take you to the Secure Connection Failed page. The description tells users that the connection to the server was reestablished while the web page was loading.
Firefox also gives further explanations, saying that the browser was unable to authenticate the data received and asking users to inform the website owner about the error.
What causes the “this website cannot provide a secure connection” error?
There are six common reasons why a browser displays the message “this website cannot provide a secure connection.”
No SSL certificate installed
The error message may appear because the website does not have an SSL certificate installed. This means that you are accessing it over an HTTP connection and the destination host sends all requests and responses in plain text.
The data is not encrypted and can be intercepted by third parties to collect information that passes between the site's web host and a browser. This can expose the site to potential cyberattacks, such as malware and man-in-the-middle attacks.
HTTPS is not forced on the website
The problem may occur when you have installed the SSL certificate but have not enabled the force HTTPS option. This will direct visitors to the HTTP version of the website instead of the secure URL.
Invalid or expired SSL certificate
You may encounter this error when the website uses an invalid or expired SSL certificate. This means that the site currently operates over an HTTP connection.
Outdated SSL cache in browser
An outdated or corrupt SSL cache in the browser can contribute to the website error. Typically, this can happen when you are developing web pages or after installing a new SSL certificate.
QUIC protocol is activated
The Quick UDP Internet Connections (QUIC) protocol is enabled by default in the Google Chrome browser. This is used to reduce connection time, improve congestion control, transport extensibility, and header-free multiplexing.
However, in some cases, it can cause SSL issues, such as the “this website cannot provide a secure connection” issue.
Incorrect date and time settings
Incorrect time and date settings on your computer can cause the Google Chrome browser to block the website. Incorrect information can cause problems during the website certificate authentication process.
As a result, the error occurs.
6 Ways to Fix “This Website Cannot Provide a Secure Connection” Error
Now that you understand why a website may display the “this website cannot provide a secure connection” error, it's time to solve the problem.
Before you begin, we recommend that you check your internet connection, disable Chrome extensions, and disable SSL scanning features in your antivirus and firewall software. If the problem persists, here are six troubleshooting methods you can try.
1. Install an SSL certificate
Installing an SSL certificate is one of the most effective ways to fix the “this website cannot provide a secure connection” error message if you are a website owner.
Depending on the web hosting provider, the configuration of the additional security layer may vary.
At Hostinger, you can install an SSL certificate in hPanel:
- Go to the SSL section and click on the Install Free SSL button.
- Choose a domain and select Install SSL .
- Once the website address shows a green check mark and the status Active , SSL has been successfully installed. If not, make sure the domain points to Hostinger's name servers .
This method should resolve the “this website cannot provide a secure connection” issue on your website.
2. Force an HTTPS connection
By forcing HTTPS, visitors will be automatically redirected to the secure URL once they load your website.
If you are a Hostinger user, follow these instructions to force an HTTPS connection on your site:
- Go to the Hosting Control Panel in hPanel .
- Select the Security option and click SSL .
- Select a domain, click the three dots button , and click Force HTTPS .
This should allow you to open the website. If the problem persists, try the following method.
3. Reinstall the SSL certificate
An invalid or broken SSL installation can cause your website to display “this website cannot provide a secure connection.” The best way to fix this is to reinstall the SSL certificate.
Here we explain how to do it in hPanel :
- Open hPanel .
- Go to Security and choose SSL .
- Select the domain, click the three dots button and choose Reinstall .
4. Reset SSL cache and clear browser cache
If the above solutions don't work, try resetting your computer's SSL cache and clearing your browser history . This will allow you to start a new connection.
Follow these instructions to reset the SSL cache on Windows:
- Type Control Panel in the Windows Search tab .
- In the Network and Internet panel , select View network status and tasks and click Internet Options .
-
When the Internet Properties box opens , choose the Content tab and click Clear SSL State .
To clear data in the Google Chrome browser, click the three dots in the upper right corner of the screen → More tools → Clear browsing data .
5. Disable QUIC protocol support
When you encounter the “this website cannot provide a secure connection” error message, another common solution is to disable QUIC protocol support in the Google Chrome browser.
Follow these steps to do it:
- Type chrome://flags/#enable-quic in the address bar.
-
Look for the Experimental QUIC Protocol option , usually located at the top of the page.
- Click the drop-down box and choose Off .
- Restart the browser for the changes to take effect.
If disabling the protocol did not resolve the issue, move on to the next method.
6. Check the Date and Time Settings
Certificate validity is a crucial element in the authentication process. Before accessing a website, the browser will check the signing and expiration dates of the SSL certificate using the system's date and time settings.
If they are incorrect, it may appear that the certificate is no longer valid. Therefore, adjusting the settings is one of the most effective ways for site visitors to fix the “this website cannot provide a secure connection” error message.
Follow these instructions to set the correct date and time zone on different operating systems, such as Windows and macOS.
Windows
- Press the Windows Start button and select Settings .
- Choose Time and Language .
- Activate the Set time automatically button. Do the same with the Set time zone automatically option .
- Check the changes and make sure the settings are correct.
macOS
-
Choose the Apple menu button and click System Settings .
- Select General in the sidebar and scroll down until you find Date & Time .
- To set the date and time automatically, turn on the Set date and time automatically option . To set it manually, turn off the option and enter the current date and time.
- To set the time zone automatically, turn on Set time zone automatically using your current location . To set it manually, turn off the option, enter the nearest city and select its full name from the list.
Conclusion
The “this website cannot provide a secure connection” error appears when the browser encounters problems with the SSL certificate, problems with the QUIC protocol, or incorrect operating system configuration. Depending on the browser, the message will be slightly different.
Before trying to fix the SSL error, check your Internet connection, disable Chrome extensions, and temporarily disable your antivirus and firewall settings.
Whether you own or visit a website, we offer six effective methods to solve the problem:
-
Install an SSL certificate – configure it through your hosting account.
-
Force HTTPS on your website: Make sure visitors are redirected to the secure version of the site.
-
Reinstall the SSL certificate: If it appears you have an invalid SSL certificate, install it again through your hosting account.
-
Clear SSL and browser cache – outdated or corrupted data can cause the error.
-
Deactivate the QUIC protocol: to do this, access the Chrome Flags menu.
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Check the date and time settings: Incorrect date and time settings can cause problems during the validation process.
We hope this article has helped you fix the “this website cannot provide a secure connection” error. If you have questions or suggestions, please leave them in the comments section below.