How to Fix ERR_SPDY_PROTOCOL_ERROR in Chrome

The ERR_SPDY_PROTOCOL_ERROR is an error message that users often encounter when browsing certain websites on Google Chrome. SPDY is a network protocol designed by Google to improve the speed of loading web pages. Although it has been replaced by HTTP/2, you may still experience this error due to conflicts with browser settings, cached data, or outdated website protocols.

If you’re encountering the ERR_SPDY_PROTOCOL_ERROR in Chrome, follow these troubleshooting steps to resolve the issue:

1. Clear Your Browser Cache and Cookies

Cached files and cookies can sometimes cause conflicts, leading to the ERR_SPDY_PROTOCOL_ERROR. Clearing your browser’s cache and cookies can often resolve the issue.

Steps:

1. Open Google Chrome.
2. Click on the three dots in the top-right corner and go to Settings.
3. Scroll down and click on Privacy and security.
4. Select Clear browsing data.
5. Choose a Time range (select All time for best results).
6. Check the boxes for Cookies and other site data and Cached images and files.
7. Click Clear data.

After clearing the cache and cookies, restart Chrome and check if the issue is resolved.

2. Update Google Chrome

Outdated browser versions may lead to protocol errors like ERR_SPDY_PROTOCOL_ERROR. Updating Chrome to the latest version can help fix any bugs or issues related to this error.

Steps:

1. Open Google Chrome.
2. Click on the three dots in the top-right corner and go to Help > About Google Chrome.
3. Chrome will automatically check for updates and install them if available.
4. After the update is complete, click Relaunch to restart Chrome.

Check whether the error persists after updating the browser.

3. Flush the SPDY Sockets

Flushing SPDY sockets can help resolve the ERR_SPDY_PROTOCOL_ERROR by clearing any outdated or corrupted socket connections.

Steps:

1. Open a new tab in Google Chrome.
2. Type the following URL into the address bar and press Enter:
   chrome://net-internals/#events&q=type:SPDY_SESSION%20is:active
3. On this page, click on the arrow next to the search box (three vertical dots) and select Flush sockets.
4. Close this tab and restart Google Chrome.

This should clear any problematic SPDY socket connections that could be causing the error.

4. Disable VPN or Proxy Settings

Using a VPN or proxy server may interfere with network protocols like SPDY, leading to the ERR_SPDY_PROTOCOL_ERROR. Disabling your VPN or proxy temporarily can help determine whether they are causing the issue.

Steps to Disable Proxy in Windows:

1. Open Settings (press Windows + I).
2. Go to Network & Internet > Proxy.
3. Toggle Automatically detect settings to ON and Use a proxy server to OFF.

Steps to Disable VPN:

• If you’re using a VPN client, turn it off temporarily and check if the error disappears.

After disabling the VPN or proxy, try accessing the site again to see if the issue is resolved.

5. Reset TCP/IP and Flush DNS

Network configurations like TCP/IP settings or DNS caches can cause issues with website loading. Resetting these settings might resolve the ERR_SPDY_PROTOCOL_ERROR.

Steps:

1. Open Command Prompt (Windows):
   • Press Windows + R, type cmd, and press Enter.
2. Reset TCP/IP Settings:
   • Type the following command and press Enter:
     netsh int ip reset
3. Flush DNS Cache:
   • In the same Command Prompt window, type:
     ipconfig /flushdns
4. Restart your computer and try accessing the website again.

6. Disable Browser Extensions

Some browser extensions can interfere with network protocols, including SPDY/HTTP2, causing the ERR_SPDY_PROTOCOL_ERROR.

Steps:

1. Open Google Chrome.
2. Click the three dots in the top-right corner and select More tools > Extensions.
3. Disable extensions by toggling off each one (especially ad blockers, antivirus extensions, or proxy/VPN-related extensions).
4. Restart Chrome and check if the issue is resolved.

If disabling the extensions fixes the issue, re-enable them one by one to identify the problematic extension.

7. Restart Your Router or Modem

Sometimes, network-related issues like ERR_SPDY_PROTOCOL_ERROR can be resolved by simply restarting your router or modem. Restarting your network devices refreshes the connection and can resolve temporary glitches.

Steps:

1. Turn off your router/modem.
2. Wait for about 30 seconds.
3. Turn the router/modem back on and allow it to reconnect.

Once your internet connection is back, try accessing the website again in Chrome.

8. Temporarily Disable Antivirus or Firewall

Certain antivirus software or firewalls may block specific protocols, including SPDY or HTTP2, resulting in the ERR_SPDY_PROTOCOL_ERROR. Temporarily disabling these tools can help determine if they are causing the issue.

Steps:

1. Open your antivirus or firewall software.
2. Temporarily disable web protection or network protection settings.
3. Try loading the website again in Chrome.

If disabling the antivirus/firewall fixes the error, consider adjusting the settings or switching to a different security tool.

9. Contact Website Administrator

If none of the above steps work, the issue might be with the website itself. The website may be using outdated protocols or experiencing server-side issues.

In this case, contact the website administrator and report the issue. They may need to update their server configuration or SSL certificates to resolve the ERR_SPDY_PROTOCOL_ERROR.

Conclusion

The ERR_SPDY_PROTOCOL_ERROR in Chrome can be caused by various factors, including outdated browser versions, cached data, network configuration issues, or problematic extensions. By following the steps outlined above, you should be able to troubleshoot and resolve the error. If the problem persists, the issue may be with the website’s server configuration, in which case reaching out to the website administrator is the best course of action.