Have you ever typed a website URL in a browser, and instead of accessing the site, you are presented with the “ERR_SSL_VERSION_OR_CIPHER_MISMATCH” error? This annoying error simply signifies that there is an incompatibility in terms of security between the browser you are using right now and the server of the website that you are trying to access. But do not fret as this problem is actually quite common and can be fixed with a few minor modifications to your browser or site settings.
In this guide, we will explore the possible reasons behind the ERR_SSL_VERSION_OR_CIPHER_MISMATCH issue and the best approaches to deal with this problem once and for all. Are you a novice to internet using or a website owner, let this guide teach you everything about how to solve ERR_SSL_VERSION_OR_CIPHER_MISMATCH issue for the last time!
Read article on How to Fix ERR_QUIC_PROTOCOL_ERROR in Google Chrome: 3 Methods.
Table of Contents
Key Takeaways: How to Fix ERR_SSL_VERSION_OR_CIPHER_MISMATCH
The error occurs when the browsers and web server do not support the same SSL/TLS protocols or ciphers.
On the browser side, it is necessary to enable TLS 1. 0/1. 1/1. 2 and change cipher suites.
For site owners, to improve the overall encryption level, enable only TLS 1. 2 on the web server side and use the strong cipher suites.
Sometimes, the browser extensions, antivirus software, and other programs can cause this error as well.
- If all else fails, then it is best to utilize third party tools to decrypt SSL connection to determine the actual issue.
Now let’s explore the common causes and solutions in more detail:Now let’s explore the common causes and solutions in more detail:
Why Does the ERR_SSL_VERSION_OR_CIPHER_MISMATCH Error Occur?
Nonetheless, it’s imperative to know what leads to the generation of ERR_SSL_VERSION_OR_CIPHER_MISMATCH errors before proceeding to the fix.
This error arises when the particular protocol or encryption algorithms provided by the server of the website being accessed are not aligned to the ones recognized by the browser. In other words, the browser and server have no consensus of which SSL/TLS protocol version and cipher suite to adopt in creating a secure connection between the two.
Some potential reasons for this mismatch include:Some potential reasons for this mismatch include:
- Weak SSL/TLS protocols – It is common to have servers that employ older SSL versions such as SSLv. 3/TLS 1. 0, which has low or no compatibility with modern browsers.
- Weak cipher suites – The server uses weak cipher suites that are not considered secure by browsers like Chrome, Firefox, and others.
- Server configuration issues – The problems with SSL/TLS can be flawed on servers that are not set up properly.
- Browser extensions – Interference with security certificates through browser add-ons is also a primary cause of ERR_SSL_VERSION_OR_CIPHER_MISMATCH.
- Antivirus products – To the same extent as browser extensions, some antivirus software interferes with the SSL traffic by inspecting it, which in turn leads to the breaking of connections.
Now that you understand the cause of the problem, let us proceed to learn the most suitable measures to take in order to deal with ERR_SSL_VERSION_OR_CIPHER_MISMATCH errors.
Step-by-Step Guide to Fix ERR_SSL_VERSION_OR_CIPHER_MISMATCH
There are a few troubleshooting steps you can take to fix the ERR_SSL_VERSION_OR_CIPHER_MISMATCH error:
1. Always upgrade your browser and the operating system you are using.
The first step that one is encouraged to take is to ensure that the browser together with the operating system is updated to the most current releases. Updates can also be typically released to fix newly discovered security vulnerabilities, such as adding support for newer TLS protocols and cipher suites.
To update:
- Google Chrome – right click the top right corner > This is Chrome > About Google Chrome. Chrome will check online if there is an update for the browser and automatically downloads it if there is.
Mozilla Firefox – The 3-line menu is located at the top right corner click it then select Help and finally About Firefox. The regular updates will download automatically in Firefox.
- Windows OS – Click the Start button on the task bar, followed by the settings icon > update & security. Install any available updates.
- MacOS – You need to click ‘System Preferences’ in the Finder window and then click the ‘Software Update’ tab. Ensure that your Mac is up to date with the current versions of macOS.
- Linux distro packages – You can upgrade your application with new packages available in your distro.
Updating means necessary protocols and ciphers are used in software and there are no problems associated with the version difference.
2. This article also highlights the importance of examining Browser and Website TLS settings.
If updating failed to work, one can be very sure that there is a mismatch between the protocols and the ciphers that the browser supports and the one that the web server provides.
These settings will have to be checked and certain compatible options on both sides enabled on your end.
A. Browser Side Configuration
To check your browser’s TLS settings:To check your browser’s TLS settings:
Chrome
- Go to chrome:Microsoft Edge: Menu > Settings > Advanced > Privacy and Security
- Go further down the page until you come to Security.
- Enable the following checkboxes:
In this context, the possible values are “Use TLS 1. 0”, “Use TLS 1. 1”, and “Use TLS 1. 2”.- “SHA-1 certificates”
- Restart Chrome
Firefox
- Navigate to about:config
- Look for the keywords “tls” and “security”.
- Enable the following preferences by setting them to true:Enable the following preferences by setting them to true:
- security. tls. version. max = 4
- security. ssl3. rsa_aes_256_sha = true
- Restart Firefox
Safari
- Settings can be accessed by opening Safari, then choosing Preferences, and finally selecting the Advanced tab.
- In the section called Develop, make sure there is a checkbox for “Show Develop menu in menu bar” checked.
- Now click on the browser menu Develop > Show SSL Errors
- This will enable you to observe and identify TLS mismatches where the Transport Layer is not in sync with the Layer 7 protocols.
The above steps will help configure your browsers to the use of a number of SSL/TLS versions and cipher suites making it compatible with most websites.
B. Website Side Configuration
When working as a website owner, you should make sure that your web server is using strong protocols and cipher suites that would comply with the requirement of contemporary browsers.
To configure the website side:To configure the website side:
- TLS 1. 2 – These should be enabled while disabling SSLv3 and TLS 1. 0 and the latest acceptable value is TLS 1. 2.
- Use Strong Ciphers – By default, the server should be set to use higher encryption such as AES256-SHA instead of the older ciphers such as 3DES or RC4.
- Test Server – SSL testing tools should be used to test your server to check if it is secure and does not have misconfigurations.
As we know TLS is used to encrypt data between browser and your server and website, proper configuration of TLS will make sure that browsers could handshake with your server.
3. Ensure There Is No Clash from Extensions on the Browser
Add-ons that alter or tap into SSL connections are also more likely to cause ERR_SSL_VERSION_OR_CIPHER_MISMATCH errors.
Even if you have the proper settings for the base browser and the website, you may face TLS issues if you have extensions installed, such as ad blockers, VPNs, or anti-tracking software.
To diagnose, attempt deactivating your extensions with one going at a time and then visiting the website that failed. If one disables some extension and the condition ceases, then the extension has to be configured properly, or uninstalled.
4. How to Exclude a Site from Antivirus and Firewall tkinter
Similar to browser extensions, third-party antivirus products and firewalls that monitor SSL networks also disrupt TLS handshakes. This results in cipher mismatch as they change the default TLS settings from their recommended values.
Try to include the given website in the list of sites to be scanned by the antivirus as well as the sites that are blocked by the network firewalls. This will prevent them from taming with the SSL certificates and protocols in order to alter or manipulate them.
5. Use SSL Decryption Tools
If you have carefully completed the above procedures and are still receiving ERR_SSL_VERSION_OR_CIPHER_MISMATCH error, Wireshark is required for deeper SSL decryption between a browser and a server based on the TLS handshake.
These tools sniffs and decrypts SSL traffic enabling one compare the cipher suites and protocol versions supported on both side to get a mismatch identification.
Though troublesome for everyday consumers, IT administrators can use Wireshark to locate and resolve TLS problems that cause the outlined connection errors.
6. If You Operate the Site From Your Web Host Server, Notify Your Web Host
Finally, if you are an end-entity, and you cannot update any of the server settings on your own for one reason or another, then you should reach out to the webmaster of the site you are visiting, the SSL certificate issuer, or the hosting company that manages the site in question.
Share with them all the specific error details and steps that you might have taken if any so far. They should be able to address configuration problems on the server-side leading to the ERR_SSL_VERSION_OR_CIPHER_MISMATCH and other TLS problems.
FAQs About ERR_SSL_VERSION_OR_CIPHER_MISMATCH
Here are some common questions regarding the ERR_SSL_VERSION_OR_CIPHER_MISMATCH error:
Q1. Is the error script: ERR_SSL_VERSION_OR_CIPHER_MISMATCH caused by malware or viruses?
I know it does not mean our computer has a malware or virus attacking it. It is a result of seemingly harmless disparities between the certificates and protocols of the site and the browser. It can be resolved by either party automatically through a patch update or change in the security settings.
Q2. Why does this error code: ERR_SSL_VERSION_OR_CIPHER_MISMATCH appear in the URL bar of web sites I frequently browse?
If for instance, the websites that you often use to access internet resources start displaying this error, then it means that while using the internet, the website has recently updated its server-side TLS settings while the browser you are using locally is still using the outdated settings. All that is required in order to resolve the error is to refresh the browser and the operating system so that the TLS support is in line.
Q3. In simple terms, how do you determine the TLS settings that a given website utilizes?
To analyze the TLS configuration on the website side, use online SSL checking tools like the [Qualys SSL Labs Tests](https:You can use the [SSLLabs](<|implied-author|>//www. ssllabs. com/ssltest/) or Mozilla [Observer](https://observatory. mozilla. org/). Provide the failing website address and also look at the TLS standards section in the reports produced to determine whether there are problems with protocols or ciphers being provided.
Q4. Is there a way to avoid encountering ERR_SSL_VERSION_OR_CIPHER_MISMATCH when browsing through the site by using the latest version of the browser?
In most cases, yes; as you update your browser to the latest version it will automatically increase your TLS configuration to compatibility with best practices in the industry. But for website owners it is not enough to keep client-side SSL settings in order to ensure no clashes – you have to maintain server-side TLS settings too.
Q5. Hey there, I was wondering if using your method to solve the ERR_SSL_VERSION_OR_CIPHER_MISMATCH issue makes my browser slow?
No, I did not observe any changes in the browsers’ performance after trying to fix this error by changing the TLS settings. It can only enhance the page load times in some ways, perhaps reducing the likelihood of failed requests. It is, therefore, important to understand that the protocols mentioned above are meant to enhance security and not the rate at which they are accomplished. The only thing that you need to do is to make sure that it allows a lot of compatible protocol versions and cipher suites.
In Closing
Well people, that’s all folks – here we have provided a detailed article about the ERR_SSL_VERSION_OR_CIPHER_MISMATCH and the steps to follow to get rid of this error permanently!
However, the focus is the SSL/TLS security protocols that are at the core of secured web sites and the identification of the differences in configurations between the browser-based and server-based. To fix issues, refer to the outlined troubleshooting procedure to update old settings, identify conflicts, and apply decryption tools if needed.
That said, now that you have a handy guide to follow, you should be able to easily identify and resolve cases of ERR_SSL_VERSION_OR_CIPHER_MISMATCH when attempting to open websites. No more wasted time because of connection errors that hinder you from browsing!
