How to Fix the 'ERR_SPDY_PROTOCOL_ERROR'

Modern applications use a wide range of error codes and messages to help users troubleshoot the issues they face. One of the apps that excels in this aspect is Google Chrome – users are automatically redirected to a suitable troubleshooting guide after they encounter an error while trying to load a page. And while some of the errors are pretty easy to troubleshoot, there are some that may be more challenging – such as the ERR_SPDY_PROTOCOL_ERROR. Another example of a Google Chrome issue that users encounter often is the 'Aw, Snap' Chrome Error.

If you encounter the ERR_SPDY_PROTOCOL_ERROR in Google Chrome, then it is likely that you were trying to access a website that Google runs – Gmail, YouTube, etc. However, there are also some non-Google affiliated sites that may also show this error. But what causes the problem? The abbreviation SPDY refers to a now discontinued networking protocol that some of Google's services use. It is meant to enhance the security and performance when loading sites or services using the SPDY protocol. However, as the ERR_SPDY_PROTOCOL_ERROR shows, this network protocol is prone to unexpected bugs.

So, what should you do if you encounter ERR_SPDY_PROTOCOL_ERROR while browsing the Web? There is not a guaranteed fix to use, so you might need to try out the troubleshooting steps below:

Reload the Page

Often, the simplest fixes are the most effective. Sometimes, the SPDY protocol might bug out temporarily, and all it takes to fix the issue is to refresh the website. Use either the button F5 or combination Control + R to refresh the site, which showed the ERR_SPDY_PROTOCOL_ERROR.

Update Google Chrome

An outdated Web browser may also trigger this issue. You can head to Google Chrome's About -> Help section to see if there are pending updates. You can access the same menu by using Chrome to navigate to the URL chrome://settings/help.

Try Incognito Mode

This fix might sound strange, but it may sometimes work. Incognito mode tends to ignore data saved about your past browsing sessions – this way, you can access the site without using cookies, site data, history, or autofill credentials. This might sometimes allow you to view sites that show the ERR_SPDY_PROTOCOL_ERROR otherwise.

Flush the Windows DNS Cache

DNS, or Domain Name System, is responsible for resolving domain names (e.g., google.com) and then load the server's specific IP address. Issues with the DNS cache might trigger the ERR_SPDY_PROTOCOL_ERROR in Google Chrome. You can flush the DNS on Windows by going to Start Menu -> Command Prompt. After this, enter the command ipconfig /flushdns.

Clear the Browsing Cache

If you have not resolved the issue yet, then it might be time to clean out Google Chrome's cache. You can do this by opening the browser and pressing the combination Control + Shift + Delete. Select All Time in the Time Range section, and then choose to delete Browsing History, Cookies and other site data, Cached images and files.