Software⏱️ 3 min read📅 2026-06-19

How to Fix: Error downloading file with Internet Explorer using HTTPS

Error downloading file with Internet Explorer using HTTPS

Quick Answer: Apply the registry setting [HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Internet Settings] "BypassSSLNoCacheCheck"=dword:00000001 and "BypassHTTPNoCacheCheck"=dword:00000001 to fix the issue.

Error downloading file with Internet Explorer using HTTPS: This issue affects users who are trying to download files over HTTPS from specific applications. The error message displayed in Internet Explorer indicates that the site is either unavailable or cannot be found.

The frustration caused by this error can be significant, especially if it's affecting multiple employees of a company. To resolve this issue, we will explore different possible causes and provide step-by-step instructions for fixing it.

🛑 Root Causes of the Error

  • The primary cause of this error is related to the configuration of Internet Explorer's security settings. Specifically, the 'BypassSSLNoCacheCheck' and 'BypassHTTPNoCacheCheck' registry keys are set to a value that prevents Internet Explorer from bypassing cache checks for HTTPS downloads.
  • An alternative reason for this error could be due to the expiration date of the SSL certificate used by the server hosting the downloadable file. In such cases, the Expire header is set to an earlier date, causing Internet Explorer to fail the download.

🛠️ Step-by-Step Verified Fixes

Enabling BypassSSLNoCacheCheck and BypassHTTPNoCacheCheck registry keys

  1. Step 1: Open the Registry Editor by typing 'regedit' in the Run dialog box (Windows key + R). Navigate to HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Internet Settings.
  2. Step 2: Double-click on the 'BypassSSLNoCacheCheck' and 'BypassHTTPNoCacheCheck' registry keys and set their values to 1 (dword:00000001). This will enable the bypass of cache checks for HTTPS downloads.
  3. Step 3: Close the Registry Editor and restart Internet Explorer. The error should be resolved after the browser is restarted.

Removing Expire header from server

  1. Step 1: Contact the server administrator to remove the Expire header from the SSL certificate used by the server hosting the downloadable file.
  2. Step 2: Verify that the Expire header has been removed and the download should work successfully with unpatched Internet Explorer.

🎯 Final Words

To resolve the error downloading files with Internet Explorer using HTTPS, you can try enabling the 'BypassSSLNoCacheCheck' and 'BypassHTTPNoCacheCheck' registry keys or removing the Expire header from the server hosting the downloadable file. If one method doesn't work, try the other. In some cases, restarting Internet Explorer may also resolve the issue.

Did this fix your problem?

If not, try searching for specific error codes.

🔍 Search Error Database

❓ Frequently Asked Questions