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Fix the ERR_HTTP2_PROTOCOL_ERROR

by | Jan 7, 2024

When you use the HTTP/2 Network Protocol, websites load faster. But sometimes, you might see an error called err_http2_protocol_error, which stops you from opening some web pages.

The good news is there are ways to fix this error. Whether you do it in your web browser or operating system, you can get rid of the problem message. After that, you can go back to browsing the internet like usual.

What does “err_http2_protocol_error” mean?

If you’re trying to search for something, you might see this message. It stops you from getting to a webpage and tells you that the site is either down or has been moved to a different address. To understand what “err_http2_protocol_error” means, let’s talk about the Hypertext Transfer Protocol (HTTP). This is a set of rules that lets you get things from the internet.

A protocol is like a rulebook for how information moves between your device and the internet. In this case, it guides how your device talks to the internet to get webpages.

Most browsers and systems nowadays use the HTTP/2 protocol. It’s an improved set of rules that makes getting information from the internet work better.

Even though this update is good, you might still face issues when trying to open web content. Sometimes, you’ll see the “err_http2_protocol_error” message, and it stops you from reaching the webpage you want.

What causes the “err_http2_protocol_error”?

Usually, this error happens because of problems with your browser, network, or conflicts with other software. It often occurs when the HTTP/2 is not up to date or not supported.

When there’s an HTTP/2 protocol error, something disrupts the communication between your device and the internet. This issue can affect various applications or systems, but it’s most common in web browsers like Google Chrome.

If you’re getting this error, here are some common reasons:

  1. Outdated software: If your operating system or web browser is old, it might not work well with certain websites, leading to the err_http2_protocol_error.
  2. Corrupted browser cache: If your browser’s saved data is messed up, the website may not recognize your device correctly, causing the error.
  3. Conflicting browser extensions: Some extra tools you add to your browser can interfere with the website’s server, preventing it from loading.
  4. Third-party antivirus or firewall software: Security software can sometimes stop you from accessing certain websites.

There are several reasons for the HTTP/2 protocol error, but the good news is that there are also many ways to fix it.

How to fix the “err_http2_protocol_error” in a browser:

When you get the “err_http2_protocol_error,” you can try a few simple fixes before moving on to more advanced methods.

Refresh the Web Page

Press the F5 key on your keyboard to refresh the page.

This sends a request to the website, and if the issue was temporary, it might solve the problem.

Try Another Browser

Open the website using a different browser.

If the error doesn’t show up in the new browser, it could be a problem with your original browser.

Close Unnecessary Tabs

If you have too many tabs open, close some of them. Too many open tabs can sometimes cause errors. If the error persists, you can proceed with the following methods.

Update Your Browser

An outdated browser can cause the HTTP/2 protocol error.

For Google Chrome, click on the three-dot icon in the top-right corner and select “Update Google Chrome.”

If you don’t see this option, your browser is likely already up-to-date. You can check by going to Help > About Google Chrome.

This will make Google Chrome check for a new update. If there’s an update available, it will install automatically. To complete the update, you’ll need to close and reopen the browser.

If you’re using the Google Chrome mobile app, just open the App Store (for iOS) or Play Store (for Android) on your device. Look for any updates for the Chrome app and install them.

Fix the ERR_HTTP2_PROTOCOL_ERROR

Clear Your Browser Data

If you’re having trouble with how web pages are loading, it’s a good idea to clear your browser data. This includes your cache, cookies, and history, which helps websites recognize your device and fulfill your requests.

Here’s how to do it on different browsers:

Google Chrome

  • Click on “More Tools” and then choose “Clear Browsing Data.”
  • In the pop-up window, select “Cached images and files.”
  • You can also choose to clear your browsing history, cookies, and other data.
  • Click “Clear Data.”

Fix the ERR_HTTP2_PROTOCOL_ERROR

Safari

  • Go to “Safari” and select “Clear History.”
  • Choose to clear your cache, cookies, and site data from a specific time range.
  • Click on “Clear History” when you’re done.

Mozilla Firefox

  • Click on the hamburger icon in the upper right corner.
  • Select “History” and then click on “Clear recent history.”
  • Choose to clear the cache.
  • Click “Clear Now.”

After clearing your browser cache, try visiting the website where you saw the err_http2_protocol_error. If the issue persists, you may need to try other solutions.

Open a Private or Incognito Browser Window

When you visit a website, your browser saves information about it to make the site load faster on future visits. This stored data is called the cache. Instead of requesting the server again, your browser pulls the cached data.

If you want to avoid clearing your browser cache to bypass the HTTP/2 protocol error, you can use the private or incognito mode.

Here’s how to do it in Google Chrome:

  • Click on the menu.
  • Select “New Incognito Window.”

This opens a private browser where you can try visiting the website again. It’s a quick solution without permanently deleting your cache or disabling extensions. Keep in mind that this is more of a short-term fix.

Disable or Uninstall Browser Extensions

If you’re getting the err_http2_protocol_error message, third-party extensions in your browser might be causing the issue. Here’s how you can check and disable them in Google Chrome:

  1. Go to “More Tools” and select “Extensions.”
  2. You’ll be taken to a page listing your Chrome extensions.
  3. Use the switches in the bottom-right corner to turn off each extension.

After disabling the extensions, try visiting the webpage again. If it loads without the error, it means one of your extensions was causing the problem.

Now, go back to the Extensions page and enable them one by one. After turning on an extension, check if the error comes back. When you identify the problematic extension, consider uninstalling it to resolve the issue.

Turn Off the Browser’s QUIC Protocol

Quick UDP Internet Connections (QUIC) is a secure network protocol developed by Google to enhance the speed, security, and efficiency of HTTP traffic.

Since only eight percent of websites currently use QUIC, if a site isn’t set up to handle this kind of traffic, it can cause issues between the client and server, resulting in an HTTP/2 protocol error.

To fix this, you can disable the QUIC protocol in your browser. In Chrome, follow these steps:

  1. Enter the following URL in your search bar: chrome://flags/#enable-quic
  2. Look for “Experimental QUIC protocol” and change the setting to “Disabled.”

After making this change, relaunch your browser. Disabling QUIC allows you to access websites that may be incompatible with this protocol.

Fix the ERR_HTTP2_PROTOCOL_ERROR

Restore the Browser’s Default Settings

While using Google Chrome, you might encounter small issues that lead to errors like err_http2_protocol_error. Restoring your browser to its default settings can help resolve such problems. Here’s how to do it:

  1. Open the Google Chrome Settings page.
  2. On the left, find the “Reset settings” tab.
  3. Select the “Restore settings to their original defaults” option.

Confirm that you want to erase your current Chrome settings by clicking on “Reset settings.” Keep in mind that this action will delete your search engine history, startup page, pinned tabs, extensions, bookmarks, and more. It essentially brings your browser back to a clean slate, removing conflicting software or settings causing the HTTP/2 protocol error.

You can also consider resetting experimental settings by navigating to: chrome://flags/

In the upper right-hand corner, select “Reset All.” This will revert any accidentally enabled experimental features to their default settings. The changes take effect when you relaunch Chrome.

 

Reinstall Google Chrome

Even after trying the previous methods, if the HTTP/2 protocol error persists, there might be an issue with the Google Chrome app itself. In such cases, reinstalling the entire browser can be a solution.

Here are the steps:

  1. Delete Chrome on macOS:
    • Open the Applications folder.
    • Move the Google Chrome app to the trash.
    • Also, delete any Chrome software updates by searching for ‘~/Library/Google’ and removing the “GoogleSoftwareUpdate” folder from the results.
  2. Delete Chrome on Windows:
    • Click on the Windows Start button and search for the Control Panel.
    • Open the Control Panel and find the Programs option.
    • Click on “Uninstall a Program” under Programs.
    • Locate Google Chrome, right-click on it, and select Uninstall.
  3. After deleting Chrome, you can reinstall it by downloading the file from the official Google Chrome website.

Note: Reinstalling Chrome is a last resort as it removes all data associated with the browser. It’s advisable to try simpler solutions before resorting to this method.

How to Fix the err_http2_protocol_error on Your Device

While we’ve discussed fixing this error in a web browser, sometimes the issue originates from the device itself. Here’s how to make your device compatible with the HTTP/2 protocol:

Reset Your Device’s Date and Time

Ensure your device displays the correct date and time, as incorrectly timestamped data packets can cause the err_http2_protocol_error.

    • For Windows:
      • Right-click on the clock in the bottom-right corner.
      • Select “Adjust date and time.”
      • Disable “Set time automatically” and set the correct time zone.
      • Click “Change” to set the date and time manually.
    • For Mac:
      • Click on the Apple menu, then select “System Preferences.”
      • Find “Date & Time.”
      • Click the lock to make changes.
      • Deselect “Set date and time automatically” and enter the correct values.

After making these changes, try reopening the web page to see if the error persists. Having accurate date and time settings is crucial for preventing the err_http2_protocol_error.

Update Your Operating System

If your device hasn’t been updated recently, it can lead to various performance issues and conflicts with visited websites. Ensure compatibility by checking for updates:

  • macOS:
    • Perform a backup.
    • Go to System Preferences > Software Update.
    • Install any available updates by clicking “Update Now.”
  • Windows:
    • Navigate to Start > Settings > Windows Update.
    • Install the latest updates if you haven’t already.

After updating your device, check if the HTTP/2 protocol error is resolved. If not, proceed with the following methods.

Flush the DNS

    • Mac:
      • Open Terminal and enter: sudo killall -HUP mDNSResponder
    • For older macOS versions, use a different process.
    • Windows (10, 8, 7, XP):
      • Open Command Prompt and paste: ipconfig /flushdns
      • Confirm the successful flush.

Check Antivirus Software

    • Open your antivirus software and check notifications for security issues.
    • Review the quarantine list for flagged applications.
    • If flagged, consider temporarily disabling antivirus.

Conclusion

In summary, these steps can help resolve the err_http2_protocol_error. As a website owner, ensure your web pages are accessible using tools like Kinsta’s HTTP Status and Redirect Checker and monitoring disk usage in the MyKinsta dashboard.

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