Today we will talk about SSL Handshake Failed Error and ways to fixing it.
Secure Sockets Layer is the SSL acronym. It is a previous version of the secure data transfer protocol. Several SSL versions have been regularly developed (1.0, 2.0, 3.0). TLS is the safety layer of transport. It is based on the latest SSL 3.0 requirements and has its new protocol sequence (1.0, 1.1, 1.2).
The first releases were slower. The protocols function in the same manner and are not drastically different. Simultaneously and even on the same server, different versions may be used. Any discrepancy in SSL may cause various SSL connection errors,
lugu daro SSL_ERROR_NO_CYPHER_OVERLAP and SSL Handshake Failed Error.
Handshake SSL/TLS is a process in which a client and server strive to agree and initiate communication via the SSL/TLS encrypted data security tunnel. Meeting a client and a server for the first time, a common secret key is generated with encryption.
A browser turns a card number into a random symbol set and only then sends the number to the server if a secure connection is established. With the use of a specific key, the receiving party encrypts the message.
If cybercriminals can intercept the information, they will receive a set of symbols only and won’t understand anything. SSL/ TLS handshakes are also helpful in establishing the authenticity of a client and server.
For instance, a client can be sure that a server that renders information about a bank account is a bank server. The purpose of SSL/ TLS handshake is the protection of privacy and information confidentiality over the internet.
Comprehension of what causes SSL to fail
An SSL handshake or an error of 525 would prevent the server and browser from connecting safely. For several reasons, this can happen. Generally speaking, an Error 525 signifies the SSL grip between a Cloudflare domain and the webserver originating from it failed.
It is crucial to be aware, however, that SSL problems on the client or the server side can occur. Common reasons for client-side SSL issues include.
- False user device date or time.
- A configuration fault of the browser.
- A link that a third party intercepts.
- a client protocol that is not server-supported.
- Incomplete, invalid or expired certificate.
If the SSL handshake fails, anything incorrect with the website or server and its SSL setup may typically be ascribed to the problem.
How to correct failed mistakes in TLS handshake?
To exchange data, a client and a server have to agree on connection settings such as an update of the protocol, verify the authenticity of certificates, mode of data transfer, etc. This is a multi-level process that is difficult. The handshake of SSL/TLS, therefore, failed if one of its levels was unsuccessful.
When you question how to resolve a failed TLS error, the actual causes of the error must be identified and these issues can take place at the server end.
Fortunately, you may utilize a few strategies to start researching and solving potential problems one by one.
Fix 1: Updating the time and date of your system.
This may stop the SSL handshake if your machine is using the incorrect date and time. When the system clock is different from the current time, for example, it may interfere with the verification of the SSL certificate if it is set too far in the future.
Your computer clock may be wrong because of human error or just because of a breakdown in your settings. Anyway, it’s a good idea to inspect the proper time and update it if it doesn’t. your system time is correct. Here is how you can correct the date and time of your system:
Talaabada 1: Click on the bottom right corner of the system where the time and date is visible.
Talaabada 2: Go to change date and time settings and then correct the settings.
Naturally, you may infer that this is not the root of the “SSL Handshake Failed” issue if your clock shows the right information.
Fix 2: Updating the web browser.
You need to maintain your operating system and applications up to current at all times. Along with ‘SSL handshake failure,’ this alone can prevent numerous issues.
Talaabada 1: By launching the Chrome browser, Chrome users may see that by clicking on the top right corner, three vertical points are visible.
Talaabada 2: Click on ‘Settings’ and you will find the ‘About Chrome’ option in the left menu section, here you can see if your Chrome browser needs an upgrade. It just means your browser is up-to-date if you do not.
Fix 3: Checking SSL certificate’s validity
SSL certificates provide expiry dates to ensure that the validation data are accurate. The validity of these certificates often lasts from six months to two years.
The browser will identify this and be unable to complete the handshake SSL if an SSL certificate is revoked or expires. It could be time to reissue your SSL Certificate if it is over a year or so since you have put it on your website.
You can use an SSL certificate checking tool , to view the status of your SSL certificate. This tool is dependable and usable free of charge. All you have to do is enter the hostname section with your domain name and click on Submission. Once the checker is finished, it will provide you some results when you analyze your SSL configuration.
You may find on this website if your certificate is still valid and see if for any reason it was revoked. The handshake error should be resolved by updating your SSL certificate.
Fix 4: Configuring the browser for supporting the latest SSL or TLS protocols.
The best way to uncover the root cause of a problem is sometimes through the elimination process. As we have already indicated, a browser configuration can often result in SSL handshake failure.
The simplest way to establish if the problem is for a specific browser is to try to switch to another. At least this can help to alleviate the situation. You can also try to deactivate any plugins and reset to the default settings of your browser.
A protocol malfunction is also a possible browser-related problem. There’s no mutually supported protocol available, for example, if your server only supports TLS 1.2, but the browser is configured only for TLS 1.0 or TLS 1.1.
This leads to a manual SSL failure.
How you can verify if this issue occurs depends on the browser you use. As an example, we will examine how Chrome works.
Talaabada 1: First, go to Settings>Advanced and open your browser. The number of menu options is expanded.
Talaabada 2: Click Open your computer’s proxy settings under the System section.
Talaabada 3: A new window will be opened. Choose the Advanced tab next. See the box next to Use TLS 1.2 under the security area. Select TLS 1.2. Check the option if not.
Talaabada 4: You should also uncheck the SSL 2.0 and SSL 3.0 boxes.
Talaabada 5: The same goes for TLS 1.0 and TLS 1.1 as they are gradually eliminated. Once completed, click the OK button and verify that you have resolved a handshake mistake.
Note that there is not an option to enable or disable SSL protocols if you are using Apple Safari or Mac OS. By default, TLS 1.2 is activated automatically. You can see the Red Hat Guide about TLS hardening while you are running Linux.
Fix 5: Verifying that the server is configured properly for supporting SNI.
It is also possible that an unsatisfactory server name indicator (SNI) setting is causing the SSL handshake failure. SNI permits the secure hosting of multiple TLS certificates for one IP address on a web server.
There is a private certificate on each website on a server. If the server is not SNI, it could cause an SSL handshake failed since the server cannot tell which certificate to present. This is not possible.
Some means of checking and seeing if a site is SNI necessary. One alternative is to take the SSL Server Test that we covered in the last section. Enter the domain name of your site and click Submit.
Search for a warning on the results page that reads “This website only works for SNI browsers”:
The ‘client hello message is another method for identifying if a server is using SNI. This is a more technical procedure yet a lot of information can be provided.
It entails checking for a ‘server name’ field in the extended hello header to see whether correct certificates have been submitted.
You might find this way preferable if you are comfortable with the use of tools such as OpenSSL and Wireshark. With and without the -server name option, you can use openssl s client:
# without SNI
$ openssl s_client –connect host:port
# use SNI
$ openssl s_client –connect host:port –servername host
It signifies that SNI is supported and appropriately configured for two separate certificates with the same name.
However, where there is a different output in the returned certificates or it is not possible to establish a call, an SSL connection without SNI, the call indicates the requirement for SNI but is not properly set up. This can require switching to a special IP address to resolve this problem.
Ugu Dambeyn
These were some of the most successful SSL handshake solutions that might be made because of the browser or system settings. In most situations, the problem is solved by fixing the time and date settings or removing from the browser the problem causing extensions.
For server-related concerns, the issue of ‘SSL handshake failed’ can be resolved solely by the Website owner or administrator. Some typical server-side concerns are an invalid SSL certificate, a freely available SSL certificate, and an erroneous SSL Certificate Installation.
You should contact the owner or administrator of the website in that situation to make an effective decision.
