How to Disable HSTS in Chrome & Firefox on Windows

When browsing the web, you might encounter issues with certain websites not loading correctly due to HTTP Strict Transport Security (HSTS). This security feature forces browsers to use secure HTTPS connections, but it can cause problems, especially when a website’s SSL certificate has expired or isn’t set up correctly.

What is HSTS and Why Disable It?

HSTS (HTTP Strict Transport Security) is a web security mechanism that protects websites from protocol downgrade attacks and cookie hijacking. While it enhances security, it can sometimes block access to websites with outdated SSL certificates or misconfigured HTTPS. In these cases, disabling HSTS might be necessary to regain access.

However, disabling HSTS should be done cautiously, as it could expose your system to security vulnerabilities.

How to Disable HSTS in Chrome on Windows PC

Chrome doesn’t provide an easy option to disable HSTS, but you can clear the HSTS settings through its advanced browser settings. Here’s how to do it:

1. Open Chrome and type chrome://net-internals/#hsts in the address bar.
2. Under “Query HSTS/PKP domain,” enter the domain causing the issue and click Query.
3. If the domain is listed, scroll down to “Delete domain security policies,” enter the domain again, and click Delete.
4. Restart Chrome to apply the changes.

Once the HSTS cache is cleared, the site should load correctly unless there are other SSL issues.

How to Disable HSTS in Firefox on Windows PC

Firefox, like Chrome, doesn’t have a direct setting to disable HSTS. However, you can remove the HSTS data for specific sites by clearing the site’s cache and data.

Steps to Disable HSTS in Firefox:

1. Open Firefox and type about:config in the address bar.
2. Accept the warning to enter advanced settings.
3. Search for security.mixed_content.block_active_content and make sure it’s set to false.
4. To clear a site’s HSTS data, click the Menu button (three horizontal lines), choose Settings, and navigate to Privacy & Security.
5. Scroll to Cookies and Site Data, click Manage Data, find the site causing the problem, and click Remove Selected.
6. Restart Firefox to apply the changes.

The Risks of Disabling HSTS

While disabling HSTS can help access problematic websites, it can also increase your exposure to security threats, particularly on sites that don’t enforce proper security standards. HSTS protects your browsing data by enforcing HTTPS, and disabling it removes an important security layer.

Protect Your PC with Fortect

If you disable HSTS, ensure your system is protected against potential threats. Fortect offers a reliable PC solution with real-time malware protection and automatic scanning, keeping your Windows PC safe from security risks while ensuring smooth performance.

Download and install Fortect today to keep your system secure while you browse.

Troubleshooting Chrome HSTS Issues

If clearing the HSTS cache doesn’t resolve the issue in Chrome, there may be other underlying problems, such as cache corruption or SSL errors.

Additional troubleshooting steps include:

• Clear Browser Cache: Go to Settings > Privacy and Security > Clear browsing data. Select Cached images and files and click Clear data.
• Check SSL Certificates: Visit the site and click the padlock icon to inspect its SSL certificate. Ensure the certificate is valid.
• Disable Extensions: Some extensions can interfere with SSL connections. Disable them and try again.
• Update Chrome: Ensure your Chrome browser is current, as updates can resolve compatibility and security issues.

Troubleshooting Firefox HSTS Issues

If disabling HSTS doesn’t solve the problem in Firefox, try these additional steps:

• To clear Cache and Cookies, Go to Menu > Settings > Privacy & Security > Cookies and Site Data > Clear Data.
• Check SSL Certificates: When visiting the website, click the padlock icon to inspect the SSL certificate. If it’s expired, the issue is likely with the site itself.
• Disable Extensions: Go to Add-ons and Themes and disable any third-party extensions blocking the site’s connection.
• Update Firefox: Navigate to Help > About Firefox and ensure you have the latest version installed.

Following these steps, you can disable HSTS in Chrome and Firefox to fix browsing issues while protecting your PC from security threats.