How to Solve “This Site Can’t Provide A Secure Connection” Error: Try These Six Solutions in 2023!

By Saurabh On Nov 9, 2023

Have you ever encountered the “This Site Can’t Provide A Secure Connection” error message when using a website? It can be perplexing, particularly if you’re unsure of what it signifies or how to proceed. But don’t panic, this is just a typical browser error message. The problem can be solved with ease.

When browsers believe there is an issue with the site’s SSL certificate, they will usually display the message “This Site Cannot Provide A Secure Connection.” It does not imply that the website is insecure; alternative causes for this error may occasionally arise.

This post will explain what this error code implies, look at various potential reasons, and provide six fixes to assist you in resolving it. Now let’s get going!

What Is Indicated By “This Site Cannot Offer A Secure Connection”?

When a website displays the message “This Site Can’t Provide A Secure Connection,” it usually indicates that there is a security breach preventing your device and the server from connecting securely. It shows up when there is insufficient SSL certificate security on the website you are attempting to visit.

What Exactly Is SSL?

Data exchanged between a web server and a browser is encrypted using SSL, a common security protocol. Preventing third parties from intercepting sensitive personal data, such as credit card numbers, and login credentials, is crucial.

A website is susceptible to hacking attempts, data breaches, and other security risks if it does not have an SSL certificate.

It is crucial to remember that the website you are viewing may be using a legitimate SSL certificate. Even though it may be safe and secure, you may still see this error notice on your screen.

We’ll look at the possible causes of this error message in the next section.

Causes Behind The “This Site Can’t Provide A Secure Connection” Error Message

The error notice “This Site Can’t Provide A Secure Connection” can appear for a variety of reasons. Below are a handful of them:

1. SSL Certificate Issue:

To enable secure communication between the user and the website, SSL certificates provide an SSL/TLS encrypted connection.

Let’s say the SSL certificate that is placed on the website’s server is out-of-date, invalid, or has not received the endorsement of a reliable source. Then, this error message could appear because browsers are unable to create a secure connection.

2. Incorrect Time and Date Settings

The time and date settings on your device are essential for verifying SSL certificates. Let’s say the date and time on your smartphone are off. Then, this error message could appear because browsers are unable to create a secure connection.

3. Problems with the Chrome Browser:

If you have more than one Chrome extension loaded, it could interfere with the SSL verification procedure. The error message will show up in your browser as a result of this disagreement. This issue can occasionally be caused by incorrect browser cache data or by Google’s experimental QUIC protocol.

How Do I Fix The “This Site Can’t Provide A Secure Connection” Error? (Six Solutions)

The “This Site Can’t Provide A Secure Connection” problem can be resolved with ease by following the simple steps listed below.

1. Verify The Website’s SSL Certificate

Before attempting any further fixes, be sure the website you’re attempting to visit is using a current SSL certificate. Let’s say the website you are attempting to visit does not have the SSL certificate, or the certificate is invalid or expired. If so, the owner of the website must be contacted in order to resolve the problem.

To see the details of the SSL certificate, click the padlock icon in Google Chrome and choose “Certificate.” For a visual aid, view the screenshot that follows.

2. Check The Time And Date Settings Of Your Device

Incorrect time and date settings on your device may be interfering with the SSL certificate. SSL certificates may appear invalid if they expire too soon due to incorrect settings. The error “This Site Cannot Provide A Secure Connection” will appear if the certificate is incorrect.

Examine the time and date on your device, then choose to have the settings automatically update them. Check to see if the error notice has been addressed by reopening your browser window after changing the time and date.

3. Disable Chrome Extensions

Conflicts between the SSL certificate and some Chrome extensions can result in the error message “This Site Can’t Provide A Secure Connection.” Try disabling every Chrome Extension you believe is the source of the problem, or open the page in incognito mode.

4. Clear Browser Cache & Cookies

This error message may be resolved by clearing the browser’s cache.

To carry out this:

In your Chrome browser, click the three dots in the upper right corner.
Select “Clear browsing data” under “More Tools.”
Next, choose “Cached images and files” and “Cookies and other site data.”
After confirming that all time is selected, click “Clear data.”

Verify if the error notice still appears. This was the necessary remedy if it had vanished.

5. Turn off the QUIC Protocol in Chrome.

Google implemented the QUIC protocol, which occasionally causes problems for certain websites’ SSL certificates. To see if it fixes the problem, you can try disabling this protocol:

In the Chrome browser’s address box, type chrome://flags.
Look for “Experimental QUIC protocol” (usually the first feature at the top of the page).
“Default” is the default setting. Select “disable” for the function from the drop-down menu, then restart your browser. Try the next solution below if the error notice still appears.

6. Turn Off Your Antivirus Temporarily

This error message may be the result of firewalls or antivirus programs interfering with the SSL certificate. See if turning off your antivirus temporarily resolves the problem. Here is a screenshot provided by McAfee that shows you how to turn off their program temporarily.

Note: You will need to work on a few further steps if the solution to this error is to switch off your antivirus. Since antivirus programs are designed to shield your device against dangerous attacks, it is not a good idea to turn them off for an extended period of time. Put this website in the software’s “safe to browse” list and turn it back on.