You’re browsing along in Firefox and suddenly get hit with a funky “SSL_ERROR_RX_MALFORMED_HANDSHAKE” error. Ugh! Don’t you just love incomprehensible technical jargon?
Though this error on Firefox sounds complex, resolving it can be simple with a few easy troubleshooting steps. In this guide, I’ll break down the top fixes and workarounds to squash this error, so you can get back to browsing in Firefox frustration-free. Let’s do it!
Why Does This SSL Handshake Error Occur on Firefox?
Before jumping into solutions, let’s briefly unpack what causes this Firefox browser error.
SSL (Secure Sockets Layer) is the technology that encrypts and secures connections between your browser and a website.
The “SSL handshake” is the process of establishing this secure connection.
The malformed handshake error means something went wrong during the initial setup of the SSL encrypted session between Firefox and the website’s server.
Top Solutions to Fix Error SSL_ERROR_RX_MALFORMED_HANDSHAKE on Firefox Browser
Now that we know the root of the problem, let’s move on to the fixes for Firefox!
Method #1 – Clear Your Firefox Browsing Data
As a first step, clear out your Firefox browsing history, cookies, and cache. Built-up junk in the browser can sometimes interfere with SSL connections.
- Click the menu button > Options > Privacy & Security
- Under Cookies and Site Data, click Clear Data Select all options and click Clear.
This wipe should help establish a clean SSL handshake next time you browse.
Method #2 – Adjust Firefox’s SSL Configuration
You may need to adjust Firefox’s SSL protocol settings to play nicely with certain sites:
- Type about:config in the address bar and press Enter
- Accept the risk warning
- Search for security.tls.version.max
Try toggling the value between 3 and 4 to use different SSL protocols. Restart Firefox and revisit the site.
Method #3 – Make Sure Firefox is Up-to-Date
An outdated Firefox version could explain the TLS issues. Be sure you’re running the latest version of the browser.
- Click the menu button > Help > About Firefox
- If an update is pending, click Restart to Update
Firefox will automatically update itself to fix bugs like SSL handshake problems.
Method #4 – Verify Your Computer System Date & Time
If your computer’s date and time are inaccurate, it will wreak havoc on SSL connections that require valid timestamps to establish securely.
Double check your system clock is set to the right date and time. If not, update it. SSL handshakes should smooth out.
Method #5 – Try Disabling Security Software Temporarily
Antivirus software or firewalls can sometimes interfere with SSL traffic, causing malformed handshake errors.
Try temporarily disabling any security software as a test to see if that’s the culprit.
Don’t leave it off permanently, but this can help isolate software blocking the connection.
Method #6 – Check System Proxy Settings
Incorrectly configured proxy server settings can also disrupt the SSL handshake process and cause issues.
Double check your proxy settings are properly set up for your network environment. Consult your network admin for help if unsure.
Method #7 – Reset Firefox to Default Settings
If all else fails, reset Firefox to factory default settings to wipe out any problematic configurations or add-ons that may be mucking up SSL handshakes.
- Type about:support in the address bar
- Click the Refresh Firefox button
- Firefox will reset with default settings
Hopefully after resetting Firefox, those pesky SSL handshake errors will vanish for good!
Method #8 – Review Your SSL Certificates
Finally, check for any invalid security certificates that could be interfering with the handshake process.
Click the menu button > Preferences > Privacy & Security > Certificates Review for any unusual or untrusted certificates Remove any invalid ones you find
This ensures only legitimate certificates are in place.
