Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) lets you securely access web sites. Web sites that use SSL will have "https" at the start of their address. Most banking sites and online stores use SSL.

If Firefox can't access a secure site, it will show the error "Firefox cannot connect securely to www.example.com because the SSL protocol has been disabled.". This article will describe how to enable SSL in Firefox if you get this message.

If you additionally receive the message "Could not initialize the browser's security component. The most likely cause is problems with files in your browser's profile directory. Please check that this directory has no read/write restrictions and your hard disk is not full or close to full. It is recommended that you exit the browser and fix the problem. If you continue to use this browser session, you might see incorrect browser behavior when accessing security features.", see Could not initialize the browser security component.

For any other errors, see Error loading web sites.

Table Of Contents

• Check your SSL settings
• Check your proxy settings
• Security software
• Problem with a specific site

Check your SSL settings

1. At the top of the Firefox windowOn the menu bar, click on the ToolsFirefoxEdit menu, and select Options...Preferences....
2. Select the Advanced panel.
3. Click the Encryption tab.
4. Verify that Use SSL 3.0 and Use TLS 1.0 are check marked.
   • If both boxes are check marked, this section does not apply. You can skip to the next section.
   • If they are not, check mark both of them, and click OKclose the preferences window.

Try to access a secure site again. If it still doesn't work, continue in the next section.

Check your proxy settings

Some computers are configured to access the Internet through a proxy.

1. At the top of the Firefox windowOn the menu bar, click on the ToolsFirefoxEdit menu, and select Options...Preferences....
2. Select the Advanced panel.
3. Click the Network tab.
4. Click Settings....
5. If Manual proxy configuration is selected, you are using a manually configured proxy server. Verify that all protocols listed in the dialog box are pointing to the address of your proxy server. Contact your network administrator if you don't know this address.
   • If Manual proxy configuration is not selected, this section does not apply. You can skip to the next section.
6. Make any changes, and click OKclose the preferences window.

Try to access a secure site again. If it still doesn't work, continue in the next section.

Security software

To use SSL protocol, Firefox needs to make a connection to itself. Some security software can block this connection. For information on how to configure security software to allow Firefox the access it needs, see Firewalls.

Problem with a specific site

You can test your browser for SSL functionality. If your browser passes the test, the problem may be specific to the site you're trying to access.

Based on information from SSL is disabled (mozillaZine KB)