Are you getting an error message saying “This webpage is not available” with the error code “err_spdy_protocol_error” while browsing webpages on Google Chrome?

If you are looking for a permanent resolution to get rid of the “err_spdy_protocol_error” error message, this article can help you out.

 

What is SPDY Protocol?

Before we go through the steps to fix the error, let’s first get the fundamentals right.

SPDY (pronounced “speedy”), an open-specification application-layer network protocol, is used to transport web content by manipulating parts of the HyperText Transfer Protocol (HTTP) to improve web performance.

It makes use of SSL/TLS protocols to transport web content in a faster and safer manner. The ultimate goal is to reduce page load latency and improve web security.

 

When Can You Encounter the SPDY Protocol Error?

Users often encounter “err_spdy_protocol_error” while browsing HTTPS-enabled websites. It’s a commonly reported problem on HTTP secured websites like Wikipedia and Reddit, a reason why the error is commonly termed as “SPDY Reddit.”

However, that doesn’t mean non-HTTPS websites are immune to this problem. SPDY supports TCP (Transmission Control Protocol) in non-HTTPS sites, so it’s quite possible to get the error message while browsing HTTP websites as well.

 

 

Although the error is usually prevalent in Google Chrome, you may also face this issue while using Mozilla Firefox and Internet Explorer.

 

What Causes “err_spdy_protocol_error”?

You can come across “err_spdy_protocol_error” for a variety of reasons, the most common one being the use of an outdated browser. Issues with TCP sockets may also generate the same error. It may even be a case of a DNS configuration issue.

 

How to Fix “err_spdy_protocol_error”?

As already mentioned, “err_spdy_protocol_error” can be encountered due to quite a few different reasons. While a browser update often solves the problem, before attempting that, you should try out a couple of other alternatives.

 

Strategy 1: Flushing the TCP Sockets

The first thing you should do is flush the TCP sockets. Follow the steps below in order to do that.

1. 1. Open Google Chrome.
   2. In the address bar, type “chrome://net-internals/#sockets” and press Enter.
   3. Now click on the downward arrow link on the top-right corner of your screen.
   4. From the list of options, click on “Flush sockets.”

 

Now close your browser and wait for a few seconds before reopening it. Check whether the issue is resolved or not. If you are still encountering “err_spdy_protocol_error,” then try out the next strategy.

 

Strategy 2: Flushing DNS and Renewing IP

Let’s now alter the DNS configuration in order to find out the possible solution.

1. Open a new command prompt console as an administrator. To do so, simultaneously press the Windows key and “R.” In the Run box, type “cmd” and press Enter.
2. Type “ipconfig/flushdns” and then press Enter. It will erase your existing DNS records.
3. The next step is to renew the IP address. In the command prompt, type “ipconfig/release” to free up your existing IP address.
4. Now type “ipconfig/renew” and press Enter to get a new IP address.

Renewing the IP has solved the issue for lots of users. See if you are lucky with this fix. If not, then move on to the next strategy.

 

Strategy 3: Clear the Cache and Temporary Files

According to some users, clearing the cache and temporary files can be a possible remedy. Follow the steps listed below to clear your Google Chrome cache.

1. Open Google Chrome. Click on the three vertical dots located in the top-right corner of your screen.
2. Hover over “More tools” and click on “Clear browsing data.”
3. Make sure the checkboxes for “Cookies and other site data” and “Cached images and files” are ticked. Now click on the “Clear Data” button.

The next step is to remove the temporary files located in the “Temp” folder.

1. Press Windows + R to open the Run prompt. Type “%temp%” and press Enter.
2. A new window will open with lots of files and folders. Select all and then press Shift + Delete. Don’t worry, these are useless files, so removing them won’t cause you any problems whatsoever!

Now try visiting the webpage that was showing you the error message earlier. Did it solve the problem? We hope your answer is yes. If not, don’t worry, and move on to the next tip.

 

Strategy 4: Use Chrome Cleanup Tool

Sometimes the default process may not be able to clear all browsing data and registry settings. Thankfully, Google has developed a tool to remove all traces of unwanted browsing data.

You can download the Chrome Cleanup Tool from here.

It shouldn’t take more than a few seconds to download the 3.75 MB executable file. After downloading, run the exe file to install the program on your computer.

After successful installation, open the program and perform a browser scan. It will automatically fix all browser errors and network issues within a few minutes.

Now restart your computer and check to see if your problem is resolved. If the issue still persists, your last option is to update your browser.

 

Strategy 5: Update Google Chrome

If automatic update is disabled in your Chrome settings, then it is quite possible that you are running an outdated version. This is the main culprit in most cases.

Updating to the latest version of Google Chrome is a straightforward task. Just follow the steps listed below and you will be up and running in a few minutes.

1. Open Chrome and click on the three vertical dots located in the top-right corner.
2. Select Settings. Expand the Settings menu in the top-left corner and click on “About Chrome.”
3. It will show you the current version of Google Chrome installed on your computer.
4. If you see a “Update Google Chrome” button there, that means your browser is outdated. Select “Update Google Chrome” and then click on “Relaunch.”

Google Chrome will save your current windows/tabs before closing down. The update will take place in the background and then Chrome will restart.

You may need to reboot your computer for the registry changes to take effect. Upon restart, open Google Chrome and browse the webpage that was giving you troubles previously.