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Ways to Fix the ‘PR_END_OF_FILE_ERROR’ in Firefox

A brief guide to fix ‘PR_END_OF_FILE_ERROR’ in Firefox

Firefox is a widely used browser by millions of people. It frequently brings updates to solve bugs and errors to provide the best user experience. However, this error appears in the Firefox browser and it throws errors like PR_END_OF_FILE_ERROR that interrupts browser activities.

In this article, we will discuss the PR_END_OF_FILE_ERROR error.

What is PR_END_OF_FILE_ERROR?

What is PR_END_OF_FILE_ERROR?

PR_END_OF_FILE_ERROR occurs when a browser fails to establish a secure connection with a website.

This error happens on the client side and is connected to the cipher suite. This cipher suite is related to network connections that use encryption protocols (SSL/TLS).

When a user tries to connect to a website, a browser tries to create an SSL connection using a cipher suite. However, if the browser finds no match in the cipher suite list, it displays a secure connection failed PR_END_OF_FILE_ERROR.

PR_END_OF_FILE_ERROR is a different type of secure connection error that a user faces in other browsers. The error shows about third party program configuration or change in SSL settings in Mozilla browser.

What Causes PR_END_OF_FILE_ERROR?

There are specific reasons behind PR_END_OF_FILE_ERROR, which are as follows.

Cipher Suites

If you change SSL settings on your browser or PC, the browser applies a cipher version that a browser or the site may not support. In this case, you need to import the proper cipher.

Third-Party Software

It is a classic case that third-party antivirus software can affect Windows machines. Such software can block access to the site by interfering with the SSL handshake process. It may try to modify encrypted data, which can cause PR_END_OF_FILE_ERROR.

Browser Profile

If a Mozilla Firefox profile is corrupted due to a synchronization issue between the mobile and desktop browsers, then it can cause a secure connection to fail.

VPN Server

A VPN server is an intermediator between your computer and a server. It hides your location and IP address. If the VPN is not configured correctly, it can cause a secure connection error

How to Fix the “PR_END_OF_FILE_ERROR”?

After viewing the above causes, below are fixes of PR_END_OF_FILE_ERROR.

Change Browse Settings

A changed setting in the Firefox browser can cause PR_END_OF_FILE_ERROR, and to fix it, you need to change browser settings.

  • First, click on the hamburger menu in the right corner and click the Help option.
  • Now, click on ‘More Troubleshooting Information.’
  • It shows details and diagnostics; you need to click on the Refresh Firefox button under the heading named ‘Give Firefox a tune-up’.
  • You will have a screen where you need to click the Refresh button.
    Change Browse Settings
  • The browser will be closed, and a new window will be opened showing reset progress.
  • After this process, the browser will use the default configuration and SSL settings.
  • You should check a particular website that shows an error earlier. If the error continues, you can try the next solution.

Disable DNS Over HTTPS

When you access a website, a browser sends a request to the server. Such DNS requests can be sent via HTTPS. When DNS over HTTPS is enabled, it prohibits malicious actors from eavesdropping and spying. However, these settings can also cause PR_END_OF_FILE_ERROR.

You can follow the steps to turn it off in the Firefox browser.

In Firefox Browser, click on the hamburger menu and click on ‘Settings.’

Settings

On the left side, click on Privacy & Security.

Privacy & Security

Now, scroll down to the bottom and click on Manage Exception under DNS Over HTTPS heading.

Manage Exceptions

Now, you can type the website name that you want to keep excluded. After that, click on the Add button.

Add

Click on Save Changes button then restart the browser and check if the error is solved. If not, then proceed to the next step.

Save changes

Make New Firefox Profile

It may happen that the Firefox file is corrupted if the above solutions do not work.

Note: Export all bookmarks in a browser before you apply this tip. For that, you need to click on the hamburger menu and browse Bookmarks>> Manage Bookmarks>> All Bookmarks.

All Bookmarks

Click the Import and Backup tab and Export Bookmarks to HTML option.

Export Bookmarks to HTML option

Then, choose the folder to save bookmark data and click the ‘Save’ button.

Now, it is time to create a new Firefox profile

Type ‘about:profiles’ in the Firefox address bar and press Enter.

Click Create a New Profile.

Create a New Profile

You can see the Create Profile Wizard window, where you must follow the instructions.

Create Profile Wizard window

Once completed, a new profile will be on the Profile Manager Page.

Profile Manager Page

Click Launch Profile in a new browser.

Now, access the site and check if the error continues. If it works, import bookmarks to the new profile in the bookmark manager option. You need to select Import Bookmarks from HTML and save the file.

Disable VPN/ Proxy

When you browse a website through a VPN or proxy server, it may cause PR_END_OF_FILE_ERROR. VPN acts like an intermediary and interrupts the connection. You need to disable the VPN or Proxy per the provider’s settings.

In the case of proxy settings, you need to access the system’s proxy settings, which are different for Windows and Mac OS.

For Windows:

Open Window settings and click on Network & Internet

On the left side, choose Proxy.

Under the Manual Proxy Setup, turn off the ‘Use a Proxy server’ option.

Use a Proxy server

Restart the computer to take effect.

For Mac OS:

Navigate to System Preferences and choose the Network option.

On the left side, choose the Wi-Fi and Advance option on the right side of the window.

Wi-Fi and Advance option

Click the Proxy tab and uncheck all listed items under the ‘Select a protocol to configure’ tag. Finally, click the OK button.

Select a protocol to configure

Restart the computer.

Disable Proxy Settings on Firefox

You should turn off proxy settings in the Firefox browser by following the steps below.

Click the hamburger menu in the Firefox browser

Choose the Settings button.

Under the Network Settings option, Click Settings button at the right bottom side.

Network Settings

In the Connection Settings window, check the ‘No proxy’ option found under Configure Proxy Access to the internet.

Click the OK button.

No proxy Configure Proxy Access to the internet.

Finally, restart the browser.

Disable Security Software

Third-party antivirus software or security software often creates PR_END_OF_FILE_ERROR. Generally, Windows users use third party security software. Such software sometimes considers cipher suites potential threats and blocks them. To solve this issue, you need to turn off real-time protection, as the software can detect any activity that it finds susceptible. You can manually turn off the software entirely and check whether the error is solved.

Conclusion

Firefox is a popular browser and is used by millions of people. However, the browser also faces many errors and PR_END_OF_FILE_ERROR is specially a Firefox browser error that can be solved from the above steps. A user should follow each solution until the error is resolved.

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About the Author

Apurva Barve

Apurva holds a master’s in Computer Science and has spent over 6 years immersing in SaaS Customer Services with a focus on SSL technologies. With a natural ability to understand customer needs, she has thrived in highly competitive markets, showcasing her adaptability and prowess in the ever-evolving SSL industry. When not decoding tech jargon, you'll find her sipping on coffee and enjoying the digital landscape.