PC guru wanted: how to fix error "SSL protocol error" on websites?

[Nomad]

Hi. I'm getting the same error on a few website that have worked in the past on my laptops etc, now they fail.
I've tried on 2 laptops (Ubunto & Win10, also Android tablet + 2 phones)
Different browsers give the same error.

This site can’t provide a secure connection​

(website sent an invalid response)

ERR_SSL_PROTOCOL_ERROR

It's odd, some "sort of similar" websites work, some give the error.
At worst I might expect to see a warning "This Football / Homebrew / Politics website might offend - prove you are over 18" but that's not the error I get.

For info, I'm using my UK mobile data but browsing in Europe (I tested it in UK last week, same error).

Is this a common problem on UK mobile networks??

Technical explanations are also welcome, I tried using developer options but I can't see the detail behind the error (Google says the error can be caused by lots of things which isn't very helpful...)

 

[Kayos]

Is the time or time zone correct?

 

[qwakers]

check you devices time and date are correct then clear your cookies. that will deal with the 90% of causes you have control over. the rest are down to the website itself and out of your control.

 

[Nomad]

Hi. To confirm,
Date + Time are correct (and set to auto update for Summertime / Wintertime etc)
All cookies were cleared, I closed the browsers and tried again - I still get the same error.

It looks like it's not an "Easy to fix 90%" item that's causing the problem

Thanks for the suggestions, if I can't find a simple solution I might have to just put it down as "One of those things"


One small bonus, while I was looking at the config I found where the browser dictionary setting is hidden so it should stop nagging me to "remove the S and replace with Z" on many of the words I type. I live in hope !

 

[skotl]

On first glance, that would be an error that would be attributed to the website in question.
However, on the assumption that they are relatively well known sites and that you’re getting it for a reasonable quantity of sites then this probably means there’s an issue on your pc.

I’d be concerned that something is getting in the middle of your requests (in which case the error is 100% valid and doing what it’s intended to do).

Do you have a VPN client permanently enabled? Do you have any “off piste” malware / antivirus running?

You’ve tried different browsers - have you tried InPrivate/Incognito mode to ensure all browser extensions are disabled? Can you manually disable all browser extensions?

Finally, is there another machine that you can borrow to attach to the same mobile network to see whether that has the same issues?