Solved!
Go to SolutionClosed
SSL issues: unable to browse internet, access Microsoft store, get windows update, but have internet.
I have internet and able to access web with other PC, but uninstalled TOTALAV and my AW17R5 is locked out of the website. I have reloaded windows, the only thing that is updating is Alienware software update app. I get email as well. I attempted to recover, not to mention reloaded windows with a disk. I have turned off firewalls open access to dell.com or msn.com, nothing... I am not network guy, especially dealing with security access protocols? any Suggestions, not to mention get my notebook back into the Alienware/Dell windows operating system? one of many error ssl error code: ERR_SSL_PROTOCOL_ERROR. I am throw in the towel... 8)
(edited)
8
0
Posted October 22nd, 2026 05:01
@anne_droid , Good evening, work second shift so sorry I was late getting back to you. I did the first section like you requested, but did not fix anything. I read the rest of your note and keyed in on your 3rd party software issue. So, instead of safe mode, I went out to system configuration, selective startup, disabled eveything but Microsoft services and rebooted. Windows update is currently running, and I am able to get to DELL.COM and MSN.COM. As for MS store, it allowed me to update it and have MS store back.
Once I get everything updated, will go through the services that are not microsoft to determine which one is causing all the chaos in my system. I plan to remove all the killer solfware like you said as well.
ROCKST*R for the win! Thanks anna_droid, I owe you dinner!
I will update discussion on troubleshooting and getting the notebook back in working order! You rule!
8
0
Posted October 22nd, 2026 11:33
Prego.
Thank you for the kind words.
Kind Regards
anne_droid
anne_droid
6 Operator
•
2615 Posts
•
9636 Points
0
1
Posted October 21st, 2026 23:23
Hi
The internet answer is long, complicated and involved, so just try the first part, and report the results please.
This pattern—ordinary browsing may work but HTTPS, Microsoft Store, and Windows Update fail—usually means the AW17R5’s system clock, TLS settings, certificate store, proxy, or Killer networking software is breaking secure connections, not the internet connection itself.
Check the clock first:
Settings → Time & Language → Date & TimeEnable Set time automatically and Set time zone automatically
Select Sync now
An incorrect date invalidates SSL/TLS certificates and breaks Store/Update.
Open an admin Command Prompt and run:
netsh winsock reset netsh int ip reset ipconfig /release ipconfig /renew ipconfig /flushdns shutdown /r /t 0These reset Winsock/TCP-IP and DNS caching; Dell and Microsoft recommend this sequence for stubborn network faults.
Fix Windows TLS settings
Press
Win + R, enter:inetcpl.cplThen go to Advanced:
Disable Use SSL 3.0
Disable Use TLS 1.0
Disable Use TLS 1.1
Enable Use TLS 1.2
Enable Use TLS 1.3 if shown
Click Apply → OK, then reboot.
Also, on the Content tab, select Clear SSL state. Microsoft identifies wrong TLS configuration and stale SSL state as causes for Store/update failures while normal browsing still works.
STOP HERE.
################################################
Remove Killer software
The AW17R5 commonly has Killer-branded Intel networking hardware, and Killer Control Center / Killer Network Suite can interfere with HTTPS traffic. This is a known cause of
ERR_SSL_PROTOCOL_ERRORand similar failures on this model.Control Panel → Programs and FeaturesUninstall anything named Killer Control Center, Killer Network Suite, or similar.
Reboot.
In Device Manager → Network adapters, check whether the Wi-Fi/Ethernet adapters still work.
Install the current Intel Wi-Fi and Ethernet drivers from Dell Support, using the AW17R5’s Service Tag for the exact configuration. Dell specifically notes that updating network drivers can resolve this class of issue.
If Killer software reinstalls itself after Windows Update, uninstall it again, remove its driver from Device Manager, reboot, then install the plain Intel driver package instead.
Check proxy and security software
Go to
Settings → Network & internet → ProxyEnsure Automatically detect settings is on only if you normally use it
Ensure Use a proxy server is Off, unless your network genuinely requires one
Temporarily disable third-party antivirus/firewall/web-protection, then test Store and Windows Update
If you use a VPN, disconnect it completely and reboot. Incorrect proxy configuration is a documented cause of this exact symptom set.
Test in a clean state
Boot into Safe Mode with Networking and try Microsoft Edge plus Windows Update:
Hold
Shiftand select Restart from the Start menuTroubleshoot → Advanced options → Startup Settings → RestartPress
5for Safe Mode with NetworkingIf SSL works in Safe Mode, the fault is almost certainly third-party software—especially Killer, antivirus, VPN, or a filtering/proxy utility.
If it still fails
Run these checks in an admin Command Prompt:
w32tm /resync certutil -verify -urlfetch C:\Windows\System32\cmd.exe sfc /scannow DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealthThen reboot and retry Windows Update. If certificates remain broken, or the problem survives another network and a clean boot, back up your data and perform a Windows repair install or clean reinstall; persistent SSL failures on the AW17R5 have been resolved this way when software/driver cleanup did not help.
Most likely fix for an AW17R5: correct the clock, clear SSL state/enable TLS 1.2 and 1.3, then fully remove Killer Control Center and install the Intel network drivers.
How do I completely uninstall Killer Control Center
To remove it completely, uninstall the Killer apps first, then remove the Killer driver from Device Manager, disable/remove its services, and clear leftover files. Keep the Wi-Fi/Ethernet driver itself available before you start, or have another device ready to download it.
1. Create a restore point
Press
Win + R, run:sysdm.cplGo to System Protection → Create, name it
Before Killer removal. This gives you a quick rollback if networking stops working.2. Uninstall the Killer applications
Disconnect Ethernet/Wi-Fi temporarily. This prevents Windows Update from immediately reinstalling a Killer package during the process.
Open Settings → Apps → Installed apps.
Search for Killer.
Uninstall every entry found, typically:
Killer Control Center
Killer Performance Suite
Killer Network Manager, if present
Any Killer driver package listed separately
Reboot when prompted.
3. Remove leftover Killer services
Press
Win + R, run:services.mscLook for services such as:
Killer Network Service
Killer Analytics Service
Killer Network Extension Service
Any service beginning with xTend
For each one:
Double-click it.
Set Startup type to Disabled.
Click Stop if it is running.
Click OK.
Intel confirms that removing the Control Center app does not necessarily remove the Killer services, so this step matters.
4. Remove the Killer driver
Right-click Start → Device Manager.
Expand Network adapters.
Find entries such as:
Killer Wireless-n/a/ac 1535
Killer E2500 Gigabit Ethernet
Killer Wi-Fi 6 AX1650
Right-click each Killer adapter → Uninstall device.
Tick Attempt to remove the driver for this device if shown.
Repeat until the Delete the driver software for this device option no longer appears.
Do not physically remove the adapter—only remove its Windows driver.
5. Clean leftovers
In an admin Command Prompt:
del /q /f "%TEMP%\*.*" for /d %%D in ("%TEMP%\*") do rd /s /q "%%D" ipconfig /flushdns netsh winsock reset shutdown /r /t 0MSI’s guidance specifically recommends clearing
%TEMP%after removing Killer driver files.6. Install a normal Intel driver
After rebooting:
Reconnect to the internet.
Download the driver-only Intel Wi-Fi/Ethernet package for your AW17R5 from Dell Support, using its Service Tag.
Install the driver but choose driver only if the installer offers that option.
Avoid reinstalling Killer Control Center or the full Killer Performance Suite.
A driver-only setup keeps Wi-Fi/Ethernet working while eliminating the Killer prioritisation software that can interfere with HTTPS, Store, and Windows Update traffic.
Stop Windows reinstalling it
If Windows Update reinstalls Killer Control Center later:
In Settings → Windows Update → Advanced options, temporarily pause updates.
Install Dell’s driver-only Intel package.
If it returns, use Intel’s guidance to disable the Killer Prioritization Engine, disable Killer Control Center in Task Manager’s Startup tab, and disable Killer Network Service in
services.msc; this gives an effectively driver-only configuration.For your SSL problem, the important target is Killer Control Center and its services—the basic Intel network driver can remain installed.
Kind Regards
anne_droid