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cannot confirm secure connection with one site

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these last days, whenever i visits any page that fall under archiveofourown.org, i often end up with the page just trying to connect for ages, only to give up and say "secure connection" failed. and that " the authentication of the data could not be confirmed" (i don´t get an error code) sometimes it works, sometimes not. i can reach the pages fine on my phone, and on other browsers. i can also connect to other webpages so it´s not my connection that´s the issue. i use the page a lot, so this is really an issue. i recently switched over to firefox, and i don´t wanna have to switch back.

these last days, whenever i visits any page that fall under archiveofourown.org, i often end up with the page just trying to connect for ages, only to give up and say "secure connection" failed. and that " the authentication of the data could not be confirmed" (i don´t get an error code) sometimes it works, sometimes not. i can reach the pages fine on my phone, and on other browsers. i can also connect to other webpages so it´s not my connection that´s the issue. i use the page a lot, so this is really an issue. i recently switched over to firefox, and i don´t wanna have to switch back.

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If you use extensions ("3-bar" menu button or Tools -> Add-ons -> Extensions) that can block content (Adblock Plus, NoScript, DuckDuckGo PE, Disconnect, Ghostery, Privacy Badger, uBlock Origin), always make sure such extensions do not block content.


You can try these steps in case of issues with webpages:

You can reload webpage(s) and bypass the cache to refresh possibly outdated or corrupted files.

  • hold down the Shift key and left-click the Reload button
  • press "Ctrl + F5" or press "Ctrl + Shift + R" (Windows,Linux)
  • press "Command + Shift + R" (Mac)

Clear the Cache and remove the Cookies for websites that cause problems via the "3-bar" Firefox menu button (Settings), click the padlock icon (Clear cookies and site data) for the domain in the selected tab.

"Remove the Cookies" for websites that cause problems:

  • Settings -> Privacy & Security
    Cookies and Site Data: "Manage Data"

"Clear the Cache":

  • Settings -> Privacy & Security
    Cookies and Site Data -> Clear Data -> [X] Cached Web Content -> Clear

Start Firefox in Troubleshoot Mode to check if one of the extensions ("3-bar" menu button or Tools -> Add-ons -> Extensions) or if hardware acceleration or if userChrome.css/userContent.css is causing the problem.

  • switch to the Default System theme: "3-bar" menu button or Tools -> Add-ons -> Themes
  • do NOT click the "Refresh Firefox" button on the Troubleshoot Mode start window

You can check for issues with Enhanced Tracking Protection. Firefox shows a purple shield instead of a gray shield at the left end of the location/address bar in case Enhanced Tracking Protection is blocking content.

  • click the shield icon for more detail and possibly disable the protection

You can check the Web Console for relevant-looking messages like blocked content.