Mozilla Firefox is one of the most popular browsers available for Windows. But like any other web browser, it can jump into different problems from time to time. One such issue is the Firefox Network Protocol error. The exact error message says,
Network Protocol Error
Firefox has experienced a network protocol violation that cannot be repaired.
The page you are trying to view cannot be shown because an error in the network protocol was detected.
Please contact the website owners to inform them of this problem.
There’s nothing to worry about if you are also facing the same error message; we got you covered. Here we will talk about different solutions you can try to fix Firefox Network Protocol Error on Windows PC. Let’s begin.
What causes Firefox Network Protocol Error on Windows PC?
The primary reason behind the problem can be a weak internet connection. But this isn’t the only reason. There are many other culprits behind the issue. Let’s check them out one by one.
- If you have downloaded the latest browser update, you will face the mentioned issue.
- If the browser cache data have been corrupted, you are most likely to face different problems, including the one you are currently facing.
- The problem in question will also occur if the browser hasn’t been configured properly.
Now that you are aware of different reasons causing the issue let’s check out how to eliminate them.
Fix Firefox Network Protocol Error on Windows PC
Below is a list of all the effective solutions you can try to fix Firefox Network Protocol Error on Windows 11/10 PC.
- Restart the browser
- Try network connection
- Download the latest Mozilla Firefox update
- Clear the cache data
- Temporarily disable antivirus
- Clear the DNS cache
- Change the Network profile type.
Now, let’s take a look at all these solutions in detail.
1] Restart the browser
The very first thing you can do is try to restart the browser. The Network Protocol Error can be caused due to a temporary bug in Mozilla Firefox. And the best thing you can do to eliminate such a bug is to restart the browser. To restart, follow the below steps.
- Open the Task Manager by pressing the Ctrl + Shift + Esc.
- Right-click on Mozilla Firefox, and choose the End task option.
- Repeat the process with all the services related to Mozilla Firefox.
Now, restart your system, and open Mozilla Firefox. Try to access any website, and check if you’re still facing the issue.
2] Try network connection
As evident by the error message itself, the problem is related to the network connection. So, the next thing you should check is your connection. If you were connected to a weak internet connection, you would face the issue in the question. Alternatively, the router can also be responsible for weak signals. Restart your router as a solution.
3] Download the latest Mozilla Firefox update
Mozilla Firefox is a popular Windows browser; thus, it keeps releasing updates at regular intervals. But if you haven’t downloaded the update for a long time, it’s no surprise your facing the problem. So, download the latest Mozilla Firefox update to fix the problem. Here are the steps you need to take.
- Launch Mozilla Firefox on your system.
- Click on the hamburger option present at the top-right corner.
- Click on the Help option.
- In the following window, select the About Firefox option.
- Now, Mozilla Firefox will check for any available updates. If found, it will automatically begin the downloading process.
After downloading the update, relaunch the browser and check for the issue.
See: Your connection was interrupted, A network change was detected
4] Clear the cache data
The next thing you can do is try to clear the Mozilla Firefox cache data. As it turns out, a large amount of cache data can be a primary reason causing the problem. Clear the browser to fix the problem. Here are the steps you need to follow to get the work done.
- Open Mozilla Firefox, and click on the hamburger option.
- Go to Settings.
- Click on Privacy & Security present at the left panel of the screen.
- Under Cookies and Site Data, click on Clear Data.
- Now, restart the browser and check if the problem persists.
5] Temporarily disable antivirus
Sometimes, the installed antivirus program can also be the major reason causing the issue. As a solution, temporarily disable the antivirus program and check if it solves the problem. If not, try the next solution on the list.
See: Fix Err_Connection_Closed error on Windows
6] Clear the DNS cache
Similar to browser data, if your system has stored a large amount of DNS cache, you will face the problem in question. You will have to clear the DNS cache data to solve the problem. You can do so by following the below steps.
Launch Command Prompt in the administrator mode.
Type the below-mentioned commands and press the Enter key.
ipconfig /flushdns
Now Command Prompt will take a few seconds to execute the command.
Once done, it will display the following message.
Windows IP Configuration Successfully flushed the DNS Resolver Cache
Now, restart the system and check if the problem is solved or not.
7] Change the Network profile type
You will face the Network Protocol Error on Mozilla Firefox if the network profile type is configured to Public. To solve the problem, you will have to change the profile type to Private. You can do so by following the steps.
- Open the Windows settings.
- Click on Network & internet.
- Depending on the connection you are using, choose Wi-Fi or Ethernet.
- Click on the connected network.
- In the following window, select the Private option.
Read: Fix Corrupted Content Error in Gmail when using Firefox
Why do I keep getting a network protocol error?
The network protocol error is very common on Mozilla Firefox. The error message appears when there’s a large amount of cache memory stored on the browser. So, clear the browser cache data as a solution to the problem. You can also try clearing the DNS cache to solve the issue.
How to reset Mozilla Firefox on Windows?
To reset Mozilla Firefox on Windows, click on the hamburger option and select Help. Choose More troubleshooting information > Refresh Firefox. Choose the Refresh Firefox option in the confirmation box that pops up.