"ERR_SSL_PROTOCOL_ERROR": this site can't provide a secure connection

Your browser started a secure connection and the server answered with something that was not a valid one. Usually the certificate is missing, or the server is not set up to speak HTTPS on that address at all.

What to do, in order

  1. Try the address with and without www. Often one has a certificate and the other does not. The fix is to add the missing name to the certificate, or redirect it.
  2. Check the date and time on your own device. A clock that is days off breaks every secure site. If only your device fails, this is it.
  3. Check the certificate exists. In your host's panel, look for SSL or Let's Encrypt. If it says pending or not issued, the domain may not point at the host yet. Fix DNS first, then issue the certificate.
  4. If you use Cloudflare, set SSL mode to Full, not Flexible or Off, and make sure the host also has a certificate. A mismatch between the two causes this error.
  5. Ask the host to check port 443. If nothing listens there, or it serves plain HTTP on that port, every browser shows this error.

If it still fails, send me the address and I will tell you which step is broken.

Want the rest of your site checked after it is back? Run a free 40-point check at tinkeraudit.com.