How to enable TLS 1.2 in various versions of Windows
Transport Layer Security (TLS) is a replacement of the Secure Sockets Layer protocol (SSL). It provides secure communications on the internet. It is used for web browsers and other applications that require data to be securely exchanged over a network
such as an email, file transfers, VPN connection, and voice over IP.
HMRC have stopped supporting older security methods of TLS 1.0 and TLS 1.1 which were built into Microsoft Windows operating systems.
As we have mentioned in the FAQ for Requested security protocol is not supported.
Step to enable TLS 1.2 in Google Chrome
(Instructions based on Google Chrome version 90.0.4480.85)
- Open Google Chrome
- Press Alt + F and select Settings
- Select the Advanced tab
- Select the System category
- Select Open your computer's proxy settings
- Select Advanced tab
- Scroll down to Security category and tick the box for Use TLS 1.2
- Click OK
- Close your browser and restart Google Chrome
Step to enable TLS 1.2 in Internet Explorer Version 11
(TLS 1.2 is not supported on older versions)
- Open Internet Explorer
- Click on Tools menu
- Select Internet options
- Select the Advanced tab
- Scroll down to Security category and tick the box for Use TLS 1.2
- Click OK
- Close your browser and restart Internet Explorer
Step to enable TLS 1.2 in Mozilla Firefox
(Instructions based on Firefox version 88.0 )
- Open Mozilla Firefox
- In the address bar, type about:config and press Enter
- Click on Accept the Risk and Continue button
- In the Search field, enter tls .
- Find and double-click the entry for security.tls.version.min
- Set the integer value to 2 to force protocol of TLS 1.2
- Click OK
- Close your browser and restart Mozilla Firefox
Step to enable TLS 1.2 in Google Chrome
(Instructions based on Google Chrome version 90.0.4480.85)
- Open Google Chrome
- Press Alt + F and select Settings
- Select the Advanced tab
- Scroll down to the System section
- Select Open your computer's proxy settings
- Select Internet options
- Select Advanced tab
- Scroll down to Security category and tick the box for Use TLS 1.2
- Click OK
- Close your browser and restart Google Chrome
Step to enable TLS 1.2 in Internet Explorer Version 11
(TLS 1.2 is not supported on older versions)
- Open Internet Explorer
- Click on Tools menu
- Select Internet options
- Select the Advanced tab
- Scroll down to Security category and tick the box for Use TLS 1.2
- Click OK
- Close your browser and restart Internet Explorer
Step to enable TLS 1.2 in Mozilla Firefox
(Instructions based on Firefox version 88.0)
- Open Mozilla Firefox
- In the address bar, type about:config and press Enter
- Click on Accept the Risk and Continue button
- In the Search field, enter tls
- Find and double-click the entry for security.tls.version.min
- Set the integer value to 2 to force protocol of TLS 1.2
- Click OK
- Close your browser and restart Mozilla Firefox
Step to enable TLS 1.2 in Microsoft Edge
(Instructions based on Microsoft Edge version Version 90.0.818.46)
- Open Microsoft Edge
- Click on Settings
- Click on System
- Click on Open your computer's proxy settings
- In the search bar, type Internet options and press Enter
- Select the Advanced tab
- Scroll down to Security category and tick the box for Use TLS 1.2
- Click OK
- Close your browser and restart Microsoft Edge