How to Fix ERR_SSL_VERSION_INTERFERENCE Error in Google Chrome?

Have you ever been halted by an ERR_SSL_VERSION_INTERFERENCE error while browsing the internet? This error mainly occurs in Google Chrome and remains stubbornly in place, unaffected by how often you refresh the web page. Apart from this, adding to the frustration, Google might also present a cautionary message, hinting that the website you’re attempting to access is unsafe, which only compounds the issue. In short, it’s quite a frustrating and persistent error.

All this leads us to the pivotal question: “Are there any ways or methods that we can utilize to resolve or fix the ERR_SSL_VERSION_INTERFERENCE error?” The answer to this query is – Yes, there are! But before we discuss those methods, it would be better to comprehend what precisely the ERR_SSL_VERSION_INTERFERENCE error is and why it occurs.

What is ERR_SSL_VERSION_INTERFERENCE Error?

The ERR_SSL_VERSION_INTERFERENCE error signifies a failure in establishing a secure connection between a web browser and a server caused by incompatible SSL protocol versions. This discrepancy prevents the encryption process necessary for a secure data exchange, blocking access to the website until the protocol alignment is corrected.

Why Does the ERR_SSL_VERSION_INTERFERENCE Error Occurs?

Several culprits can lead to this error. It may occur if the website doesn’t support a common TLS protocol version (if only one party (client or server) supports TLS 1.3, while the other party does not), incorrect system date and time, outdated browser or antivirus software, corrupted cache, hardware acceleration issues, and many more.

How to Fix the ERR_SSL_VERSION_INTERFERENCE Error?

To fix the ERR_SSL_VERSION_INTERFERENCE error, you can perform any one of the methods mentioned below.

Disable TLS 1.3
Flush DNS Cache
Clear Browsing Data
Verify SSL certificate
Disable QUIC Protocol
Disable Third-Party Antivirus
Correct Your System’s Time & Date
Uninstall or Deactivate Clashing Browser Extensions

Method 1: Disable TLS 1.3

Occasionally, the security protocols of TLS 1.3 might clash with the existing SSL configuration on Google Chrome. When this happens, turning off (deactivating) TLS 1.3 is often required to restore browser functionality.

Follow the steps mentioned below to deactivate TLS 1.3:

Open a fresh tab in Chrome.
In the URL bar, type chrome://flags/#tls13-variant and press Enter.
In the Search flags bar, type TLS 1.3 and press Enter.
From the drop-down list, on the right of the TLS 1.3 hybridized Kyber support option, select Disabled.
Restart the browser.

Method 2: Flush Domain Name System (DNS) Cache

Clearing your DNS cache can resolve the ERR_SSL_VERSION_INTERFERENCE error by eliminating outdated or corrupted cache entries that may be causing the issue.

Follow the steps mentioned below to accomplish the same:

Click Search, placed on the taskbar.
Type cmd in the right pane, and click Run as administrator.
The Command Prompt window will appear.
In the Command Prompt window, type ipconfig /flushdns.
Press Enter.
A message stating “Windows IP configuration Successfully flushed the DNS Resolver Cache” message will appear.
Try accessing the website again.

Method 3: Clear Browsing Data

Occasionally, corrupted cache data in the browser can lead to SSL-related errors, including ERR_SSL_VERSION_INTERFERENCE. So, try to access the website after clearing it and see if the issues persist or not.

Follow the steps mentioned below to clear the browsing data:

Open a fresh tab in Google Chrome.
Click the Customize and Control Google Chrome icon, placed at the top right corner.
From the list, select More Tools, and click Clear browsing data.
The Clear browsing data window will appear.
Under the Basic tab, verify all three checkboxes are checked.
Select the Time range from the drop-down, and click Clear data.

Method 4: Verify the SSL Certificate

An invalid or improperly installed SSL certificate on the website can cause this error. Ensure the certificate is valid and correctly installed.

Follow the steps mentioned below to check the SSL certificate:

Click the View site information icon (the padlock icon) in the address bar.
From the list, click the right arrowhead (Connection is secure) option.
Click Certificate is valid.
The Certificate Viewer window will appear.
In the Certificate Viewer window, view the certificate details and confirm whether it is up to date or not.

Note: You can also use free online SSL checker tools to know about SSL certificate that is installed on a respective domain.

Method 5: Disable QUIC Protocol

Google’s QUIC protocol, designed to speed up web browsing and optimize online gaming graphics, is still under development. Its experimental nature can occasionally disrupt web page access. If you’re experiencing the ERR_SSL_VERSION_INTERFERENCE error, disabling QUIC in your Chrome settings may help.

Follow the steps mentioned below to disable the Quick UDP Internet Connections protocol:

Open a fresh tab in Chrome.
In the URL bar, type chrome://flags/#tls13-variant and press Enter.
In the Search flags bar, type QUIC and press Enter.
From the drop-down list, on the right of the Experimental QUIC protocol option, select Disabled.
Restart the browser.

Method 6: Disable Third-Party Antivirus

Antivirus programs and network security tools can sometimes disrupt the SSL handshake, the critical process for establishing a secure connection. By trying to scan or alter encrypted traffic, these applications can inadvertently trigger the ERR_SSL_VERSION_INTERFERENCE error. So, disable them temporarily and try accessing the site again.

Follow the steps mentioned below to disable third-party antivirus software:

Click the Show hidden icons icon on the bottom right of the taskbar.
Right-click the Avast antivirus icon.
From the list, select Avast shields control.
Click Disable for 20 minutes.
Click on the OK, Stop button.
Restart the browser and check if the error is resolved.

Method 7: Verify Date and Time Settings

Sometimes, the issue in the discussion can be because of the system’s incorrect date and time settings. Hence, double-check those settings, and if they’re incorrect, modify them. Once done, reaccess the website and see if the error continues.

Follow the steps given below to adjust the date and time settings:

Click Search, placed on the taskbar.
Type Set the time zone automatically and press Enter.
Click on the Set time automatically toggle button.
Click on the Set time zone automatically toggle button.

Method 8: Uninstall Clashing Browser Extensions

Browser extensions can cause ERR_SSL_VERSION_INTERFERENCE error. To find the culprit, remove each extension individually and check if the error persists. If it disappears after removing an extension, it was causing the issue

Follow the steps given below to remove extensions individually:

Open a fresh tab in Google Chrome.
Click the Extensions icon.
Click on the More Options icon (three vertical lines) placed adjacent to any extension of your choice (that you want to disable), and click Remove from Chrome.
Click Remove again.
Reload the website and verify whether the error exists or not.
If it does, repeat the process from Step 2.

Conclusion

To resolve the ERR_SSL_VERSION_INTERFERENCE error, disable TLS 1.3 in Chrome, and clear your DNS cache and browser data. Check the SSL certificate’s validity, and disable Chrome’s QUIC protocol and any conflicting antivirus software.

Ensure your computer’s date and time are accurate, and remove problematic browser extensions. These steps will definitely clear this error.