Firefox is probably the second most popular web browser today, next to Google Chrome. It has a lot of features and is compatible with most plug-ins or add-ons. Over the years, Mozilla Firefox has improved a lot in terms of UI, speed, and security features.
You can use Firefox to browse the internet, do a Google search, or visit a particular website. But there are times when users encounter the Secure Connection Failed error when browsing using Mozilla Firefox. This error also happens with other web browsers, such as Chrome and Internet Explorer, but it is more common in Firefox.
When this error happens, the user cannot load the web page he or she is trying to visit, causing a major inconvenience. It can also cause productivity loss, especially if you’re at work or doing school work.
If this error happens once or twice, then it’s probably a temporary issue. But if you get the Secure Connection Failed error every time you load a page, then there is something wrong with either your browser, your internet connection, or your computer itself.
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If you come across this article because you don’t know what to do about Secure Connection Failed in Firefox, then you’re in luck. This guide discusses why this error happens and what you can do to resolve it.
What is Secure Connection Failed in Firefox?
Secure Connection Failed is a common error for Firefox users, but it can also occur on Google Chrome and other browsers. When you type in the URL on the address bar of your web browser, it sends a request via DNS in order to connect to the desired page. This way, the browser tries to establish a secure connection.
The Secure Connection Failed bug is usually related to the security certificate, also known as SSL. Some of the other error codes that might accompany Secure Connection Failed error, include:
- PR_END_OF_FILE_ERROR
- PR_CONNECT_RESET_ERROR
- SSL.ENABLE_OCSP_STAPLING[2]
- SEC_ERROR_REVOKED_CERTIFICATE
- SSL_ERROR_RX_MALFORMED_HANDSHAKE
What Causes Secure Connection Failed in Firefox?
As mentioned earlier, this error is related to the SSL certificate. Getting this error means that the certificate is either not valid, expired, or simply missing. This error notification is the browser’s way of trying to warn you that the connection is not secure and that you might suffer from serious problems if you proceed. For instance, if sensitive information is typed in, cybercriminals might get access to it due to a lack of protection that should have been implemented by the website you are trying to access.
However, it is also possible that the error is probably due to a problem with your internet connection. If you don’t have a stable internet connection, your browser might have trouble connecting to the URL you want to visit, leading to this error.
You should also not discount the fact that the error might be limited to a specific website or web page only. In that case, you need to check by visiting other web pages first to see if the error also pops up.
What to Do About Secure Connection Failed in Firefox?
When you get this error, the first thing you need to check is your internet connection. Visit a different website or use a different app to check whether you have an internet connection. If everything seems working, then you should try visiting that URL using a different browser to rule out the possibility of the error being limited to that URL alone.
It is also recommended to optimize your computer by using Outbyte PC Repair and installing all available updates, especially those related to your web browser. Restart your computer after installing all the updates to see if these steps were able to resolve your Secure Connection Failed. If not, jump to the solutions below.
Solution #1: Check your Firefox Browser’s SSL Setting.
Sometimes the error appears because of incorrect SSL settings of your browser, especially if the problem does not affect other browsers. If you encounter this issue when using Firefox, you can use the instructions below to check your web browser’s SSL settings.
- Open Mozilla Firefox and type in About:Config in the address bar.
- Press Enter.
- When you get the This Might void your warranty! warning, click on I’ll be careful, I Promise button.
- Type in security.ssl.enable_ocsp_stapling in the search box.
- If you see that the value field is True, double click on it to switch to False.
Now type in the URL of the website you want to visit again to check whether the Secure Connection Failed error has been resolved.
Solution #2: Check Your Firefox Proxy Setting.
If your computer is configured to connect to the internet via a proxy, then your proxy settings might be the reason you’re getting this error. To fix this:
- Open Firefox and click on Tools in the menu bar.
- Select the Options tab.
- Go to the Advance panel and click on the Network tab.
- Click on the Settings button under Connection.
- Once you see the Connection Setting window pop up on your screen, see if Manual proxy connection is selected.
- If it is selected, then it means that your computer is configured to connect using a manual proxy server. You will need to verify if all the protocol fields, including the HTTP Proxy, SSL Proxy, FTP Proxy, and SOCKS Host have been entered correctly.
- If any of these values are incorrect, type in the correct value and press OK.
- If you encounter any problems during this process, contact your network administrator.
- If Manual proxy connection is not selected, simply close the window and do not make any changes to it.
Solution #3: Check the Website’s SSL Configuration.
If you are getting the ‘Secure Connection Failed’ error or ‘Your Connection is not Secure’ error when visiting certain websites only, then it is possible that the SSL of that website is not configured or installed properly.
To check the website’s SSL configuration/installation, enter the URL in this SSL checker.
Solution #4: Test Your Firefox Browser.
Sometimes the Secure Connection Failed error occurs if Firefox considers the website to be dangerous or untrustworthy. Hence, Firefox browser testing is critical. If Firefox has approved the website and you still get this error, it means that there’s an issue with the SSL connection.
SSL or Secure Socket Layer is a cryptographic protocol that enables users to communicate securely over the internet. If the website uses HTTPS:// in its URL, then it means that it is a secure website. If Firefox thinks that your website is not secure, it will trigger an error displaying Secure Connection Failed. You can test your browser using this tool.
Summary
The Secure Connection Failed in Firefox can be caused by various factors and it is a common occurrence among web browsers. You need to check all possible factors, but if you don’t know what’s causing it, you can try the solutions above one by one to see which one works.