Every browser worth its salt will do a TLS handshake with a website before you can connect to it. The TLS handshake checks a site’s SSL certificate to verify its authenticity and encryption status. Without a valid SSL certificate, communications with the website are likely unsafe. While not all websites use SSL certificates, users can still connect to them.
Does this mean a failed TLS handshake will still let you access an unsafe website? Not exactly. Instead, you might get the dreaded err_ssl_version_or_cipher_mismatch error. It’s quite common and can happen in any browser. But it’s not the end of the world, and you can still access your favorite content if you know how to get around it.
Fixing Err_Ssl_Version_or_Cipher_Mismatch in Chrome
The err_ssl_version_or_cipher_mismatch is a common error users receive in Chrome browsers when attempting to access a website. The error notifies of a problem with the SSL certificate.
Websites use SSL certificates to indicate they are secure. An older or outdated certificate will often trigger the err_ssl_version_or_cipher_mismatch error. Granted, this doesn’t appear on every website with an outdated SSL certificate.
However, it’s common on sites that ask users for personal information, specifically online banking or credit card information. Fortunately, there are a few fixes you can try.
Bypassing Err_Ssl_Version_or_Cipher_Mismatch in Chrome
If the error results from incompatibility issues between your browser version and the website’s SSL certificate, take the following steps.
- Launch Google Chrome.
- Type “chrome://flags” in the address bar.
- Type “TLS” in the search field.
- Select “TLS 1.3 support.”
- Enable the option.
If you’re running an up-to-date version of Chrome but the website has an older SSL certificate, you can still get the err_ssl_version_or_cipher_mismatch message. In this case, you can downgrade to an older TLS version in your browser.
- Start Google Chrome.
- Type “chrome://flags” in the address bar.
- Search for the TLS section.
- Locate the “Enforce deprecation of legacy TLS versions” option.
- Select “Disable” from the dropdown menu.
Internet Options Settings
An alternative workaround is to enable all possible TLS versions on your operating system. If you’re a Windows user, the following steps should help.
- Type “Internet Options” in the search bar and hit “Enter.”
- Go to the “Advanced” tab in the “Internet Properties” window.
- Scroll until you see “Use TLS” checkboxes.
- Check every box from “TLS 1.0” through “TLS 1.3.”
- Check the “SSL 3.0” and “SSL 2.0” boxes.
- Hit “Apply.”
- Click “Ok.”
- Restart your Chrome browser and try to reconnect to the website.
Note that these settings can deprive you of web browsing security. If the problem persists, revert to default settings and try implementing a different bypass solution.
Disable QUIC
A QUIC or Quick UDP Internet Connection is designed to enhance User Datagram Protocol (UDP) connections. It’s a common alternative to TLS/SSL and TCP.
Despite that, the protocol can also trigger the err_ssl_version_or_cipher_mismatch error. Here’s how to bypass the error on Chrome if QUIC is the culprit.
- Type “chrome://flags” in your Chrome’s address bar.
- Type “QUIC” in the search field.
- Locate the “Experimental QUIC Protocol” line.
- Select “Disable” from the dropdown menu.
This is the fastest and most user-friendly way to stop the QUIC protocol when using the Chrome browser.
Manage Your Firewall and Antivirus Settings
Incompatible OS, browser, and SSL versions are not the only reasons for the err_ssl_version_or_cipher_mismatch error. Even a poorly configured antivirus or firewall can trigger this notification on websites and prevent users from accessing them.
Disabling the antivirus software should offer a reliable workaround if the configuration is the issue. Alternatively, you may want to disable its automatic SSL scanning feature if it has one.
Clear the Chrome Cache
Storing cache can speed up the browsing experience, but it isn’t without drawbacks. A significant disadvantage is getting the err_ssl_version_or_cipher_mismatch message.
It happens when websites update their systems, but your browser still holds on to the old cache.
Old cache and new website information, like a newer SSL certificate version, can trigger security alerts and prevent you from accessing the site.
Here’s how to delete the Chrome cache.
- Click or tap the vertical dots icon.
- Select “Settings.”
- Go to “Privacy and security.”
- Click the “Clear browsing data” option.
- Check all boxes in the popup window.
- Select a different time range if “All time” is too much.
- Restart the browser and try to access the website again.
Alternatively, you can also clear the SSL state in Windows.
- Go to “Internet Options.”
- Open the “Internet Properties” dialog box.
- Go to the “Content” tab.
- Click the “Clear SSL State” button.
- Hit “Ok.”
Reinstall Your Browser
Reinstalling Chrome will ensure that the newly installed version will have the latest updates. It’s a simple trick to use when you can’t update Chrome automatically, and manual updates are incomplete.
By reinstalling the browser, you’ll clear the cache and all previously stored information, revert to default settings, and have the latest patches.
- Press “Win+I” to open “Windows Settings.”
- Go to “Apps & Features.”
- Find Chrome and click the “More” button.
- Click “Uninstall” and confirm.
- Download Chrome again.
If the err_ssl_version_or_cipher_mismatch error persists, the issue could be server-side or OS-side.
Err_Ssl_Version_or_Cipher_Mismatch Edge
The err_ssl_version_or_cipher_mismatch is an SSL-type browser error that users may get when attempting to connect to a website. If you get this error in your Microsoft Edge browser, it could be from the following causes.
- The website has an invalid SSL certificate.
- You’re using an older TLS version.
- Your browser or operating system is out of date.
- The browser cache is accessing invalid information.
Even if the website is still functional, SSL-type errors often indicate security and encryption problems. Therefore, your Edge browser is likely trying to protect you from accessing an insecure website.
Fortunately, there are a few ways you can try to overcome the err_ssl_version_or_cipher_mismatch error.
Err_Ssl_Version_or_Cipher_Mismatch Edge Bypass
Many workarounds for the err_ssl_version_or_cipher_mismatch error in the Edge browser have simple steps to follow and don’t require technical expertise.
Clear the Edge Cache
Clearing cookies and old cache data may help you bypass an err_ssl_version_or_cipher_mismatch error if you’re trying to access a cached website with updated SSL information.
- Launch Microsoft Edge.
- Go to “Menu” by clicking the three-dot icon.
- Go to “Settings.”
- Navigate to “Privacy & services.”
- Select “Cookies and other site data” from under the “Clear browsing data” tab.
- Restart the browser and attempt to reconnect.
Clearing the SSL state in Windows might also help.
- Go to “Internet Options.”
- Select “Content” in the “Internet Properties” window.
- Click the “Clear SSL State” button.
- Hit “Ok.”
Taking these actions is like giving your SSL library and browser a blank slate.
Change Internet Options Settings
A quick way to deal with the err_ssl_version_or_cipher_mismatch error when using the Edge browser is to enable all TLS protocols in Windows.
- Type “Internet Options” in the search bar.
- Bring up the “Internet Properties” window.
- Go to the “Advanced” tab.
- Search for the “Use TLS” checkboxes.
- Check every box from “TLS 1.0” to “TLS 1.3.”
- Check the “SSL 3.0” and “SSL 2.0” boxes.
- Click “Apply.”
- Tap “Ok.”
- Restart Edge and try to reconnect.
Alternatively, you may want to reset your computer as well.
Drop the “S” in HTTPS
Some websites with SSL certificates are still accessible through HTTP.
For example, http://alphr.com instead of https://alphr.com. Type the website address you want to access and drop the “S” in HTTPS. If the problem persists, it’s likely that the issue isn’t on your end but rather a server-side problem.
Sync the Computer Date and Time
Sometimes, the err_ssl_version_cipher_or_mismatch notification appears when some system settings are off. It’s important to check if the computer time and date are synchronized with your local time zone.
Occasionally, users may change these to install pirated software, forcefully extend trial licenses, etc. Double-check that everything is in sync. The solution will apply to all internet browsers if this is the issue.
Delete SSL Certificate Cache
Clearing the local SSL certificate cache might be necessary even after clearing the browser cache. Here’s how to do it.
- Bring up the Windows Run dialog box (Logo Key + R).
- Type “C:\Windows\System32\inetcpl.cpl”.
- Hit “Enter.”
This will delete the local cache giving you an even cleaner system than a browser cache purge can achieve.
Troubleshooting Made Easy
The err_ssl_version_cipher_or_mismatch message isn’t fun, especially when you’re in a hurry to connect to a website. However, all client-side issues can be resolved easily enough without technical expertise and third-party software.
Should the problem lie with the host server, there’s nothing you can do except notifying the website owner or administrator to fix the issue on their end. Going through all possible client-side workarounds for Chrome and Edge browsers shouldn’t take more than 10 minutes.
Have these tips been of help to you? Have you found other ways to bypass the err_ssl_version_cipher_or_mismatch error when browsing? Let us know in the comments section below.
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