Imagine you’re hard at work online. Suddenly, you’re presented with a security warning and, therefore, the scary-looking message PR_END_OF_FILE_ERROR. this can be a touch alarming to most user
PR_END_OF_FILE_ERROR may be a secure connection error that happens within the Firefox browser. It happens when Firefox isn’t ready to establish a secure connection to a site, thanks to the browser’s “cipher suites” failing. In other words, it’s reached the top of the file containing the cipher suites, and none have worked. While it does not appear all the time, it generally affects all sites the user tries to go to when it shows up.
Usually, a secure connection error would be cause for concern. Still, within the case of the PR_END_OF_FILE_ERROR, the matter lies with the configuration of either some third-party service or the browser. That was coming in between the browser and, therefore, the site instead of a real security issue.
What is causing the PR_END_OF_FILE_ERROR (Secure Connection Failed) on Firefox?
VPN or Proxy interference –
One likely culprit which may cause this issue may be a proxy or VPN interference. Any software that’s intercepting the connection (acting as a middle man) has the potential of triggering this particular error message. If this scenario is applicable, you’ll fix the difficulty by disabling the proxy server or by uninstalling the VPN application that’s protecting your anonymity.
It is common to use VPN or proxy in the middle while connecting to the web. It helps in ensuring security and also protecting privacy. Sometimes the interference from this software can trigger PR_END_OF_FILE_ERROR.
If you’re using one such software, it’s always a simple idea to undertake connecting on to the web. Uninstalling the VPN application or disabling the proxy server can confirm if they were causing the difficulty.
There are various reasons why your profile could be corrupted, but one among the foremost common seems to be Firefox Sync issues between desktop browser and mobile version. Third-Party Security Software. Security suites like Kaspersky, Avast, and BitDefender can sometimes be too aggressive to dam traffic. While these antivirus programs can do tons to guard your computer, they’re also a standard explanation for seemingly random issues like this.
Ways to Fix the PR_END_OF_FILE_ERROR for Secure Connection Error (Three Things to Try)
Once you’ve identified many possible causes of the PR_END_OF_FILE_ERROR, it’s time to correct the matter. Fortunately, these are all relatively simple fixes. You ought to try each process within the order they’re presented and only advance to subsequent if you’re still experiencing the error.
- Disable Proxy Server or Your VPN, and Antivirus
If you’re employing a VPN or proxy to attach to the web, the primary thing you ought to do is disable it and see if the error persists. For VPNs, you’ll either turn it off to check or uninstall it entirely if you would like to be sure. The procedure for turning your VPN off varies depending on which program you are using, but it should be just by flipping a switch within the settings.
If you’re employing a proxy server to attach, you’ll easily disable it from settings. For instance, on a Windows 10, click the search bar and sort in “proxy.”. Click it to open up the settings :
The Windows 10 proxy settings.
Scroll down until you can find the section for Manual proxy setup and toggle. Use a proxy server to off. Then, simply reboot your computer.
Once you’ve disabled your VPN or proxy, revisit an equivalent website you received the error on and see if it happens again. If you still see the Secure Connection Error, head to the subsequent section.
It would help if you also deactivated or uninstall any antivirus or security software you’re using, given the simplicity of this method. You would like to deactivate the unique feature named “real-time protection” (or something similar).
The exact procedure here will vary, counting on the web security suite you’re using, but typically there’s a choice to disable it if you click the icon in your Windows taskbar or Mac menu bar.
Once it’s disabled or uninstalled, please reboot your computer and check out revisiting the location to make sure it’s working correctly now.
- Reset Firefox SSL Settings
As mentioned above, if you have modified Firefox’s SSL settings, this might cause the PR_END_OF_FILE_ERROR. Fortunately, this is often a simple fix. However, albeit you haven’t consciously touched the settings, we’d still recommend following these steps, given how quick the method is.
In Firefox, click the hamburger menu within the top right (the three horizontal lines). Within the menu, navigate to assist > Troubleshooting Information:
The Firefox Help menu.
On the subsequent screen, click Refresh Firefox on the right side of the screen under Giving Firefox a tune-up:
The Troubleshooting Information settings page in Firefox.
Confirm your choice, and therefore the browser will restart. Once it does, attempt to reaccess the problematic site. If it is still not working, proceed to the next tip.
- Create a replacement Profile in Firefox
The next step is to see if a corrupted Firefox profile could be causing the PR_END_OF_FILE_ERROR. This is often easy to see by simply creating a replacement profile. If it resolves the matter, you’ll import your bookmarks to the new profile, and you’ll be ready.
Before we start, plough ahead and export your bookmarks. To Open the bookmark manager by pressing Ctrl+Shift+B on your keyboard or Cmd+Shift+B on a Mac:
The Firefox bookmark manager.
Click Import and Backup at the highest and choose Export Bookmarks to HTML. Save the file to your desktop. You’ll be ready to find it quickly.
Next, type “about profiles” into your Firefox navigation bar:
The Firefox Profiles page.
On the profiles page, click Create a replacement Profile. Follow the steps to offer your profile a reputation. When the wizard is finished, click to Launch profile in the new browser:
A recent profile in Firefox.
Visit the problematic website to see if the error has been resolved. If so, you’ll import all your bookmarks to the new profile. Open up all the bookmark manager again and click on Import and then Backup. Now, this time, choose Import Bookmarks from HTML and select the file you exported earlier; if you still see the error, head to the ultimate step.
Incorrect cipher variants
Suppose you previously went ahead and modified SSL settings. In that case, you’re likely seeing this error thanks to the very fact that your browser is now enforcing some cipher variants that aren’t supported by Firefox or by the website that you’re trying to access. To repair this problem, you would like to refresh your Firefox browser via the Troubleshooting Information menu. Incorrect cipher suites
Firefox starts to trigger the error message PR_END_OF_FILE_ERROR after users make changes to the SSL settings when we receive requests. These settings may attempt to enforce cipher suites that aren’t supported by Firefox or the site.
Obvious fix here is to simply revert it to its initial state. Sometimes refreshing Firefox can also help to repair the difficulty.
To refresh Firefox, navigate to the Help > Troubleshooting Information section and quickly click on the Refresh Firefox option.
Corrupted Firefox profile
It seems this error code also can be caused by a corrupted profile. Several affected users are ready to fix the difficulty by exporting their bookmarks, creating a replacement profile then importing the bookmarks from their old profile to stop any data loss.
A corrupted firefox profile occasionally triggers the error PR_END_OF_FILE_ERROR. Accessing the website over a replacement profile can verify if it’s a problem with the Firefox profile.
Security Suite/Antivirus Interference
Overprotective antivirus/similar third-party security suites can trigger the PR_END_OF_FILE_ERROR error easily. as an example, antivirus Softwares like Avast, Kaspersky, etc. send their certificates by intercepting the connection. As a result, this might trigger a Secure Connection Failed error.
The solution for this scenario would be to disable your antivirus software. For the foremost part, this helps to avoid their interception and thereby fixes the Secure Connection Failed error.
3rd party security suite interference
It’s been confirmed that some overprotective 3rd party suites will cause this problem (Avast, Kaspersky, BitDefender, Eset), which will cause this problem after intercepting connection certificates and sending their own. During this case, you’ll work around the issue either by disabling the real-time protection or by uninstalling the overprotective suite altogether.
Ways to Avoid the PR_END_OF_FILE_ERROR Secure Connection Error within the Future
Once you’ve fixed this error, you’ll want to make sure it won’t crop up again in the future. While there are not any guarantees, there are a few of belongings you can do:
Leave your SSL settings alone. There’s generally little or no reason to vary these, and as we’ve seen, incorrect configurations can cause problems.
Proxy settings or Avoid VPNs that have caused errors in the past. If you recognize you see this error with a given VPN, for instance, experiment with other options to seek out one that works better with the sites you visit regularly. Consider only using one when necessary.
Try a replacement antivirus suite, or leave real-time protection disabled and stick with scheduled scans. If you’re on a Mac, you almost certainly don’t need an antivirus in the least – although you ought to perform your research here.
In short, “PR_END_OF_FILE_ERROR” is triggered when Browser Firefox cannot determine a secure connection to the website.