How Do You Stop Browsers from Forcing HTTPS? (Simple Fixes for Firefox, Chrome, and Edge)

Is Your Browser Redirecting HTTP to HTTPS? (Quick Solutions to Fix It Now!)

Browsers like Firefox, Chrome, and Microsoft Edge often redirect HTTP to HTTPS automatically. This happens because HTTPS is more secure—it encrypts your data and protects it from prying eyes. But sometimes, this feature can cause problems. Maybe you’re working with an outdated website, testing something locally, or dealing with SSL certificate issues. Whatever the reason, here’s how you can stop these automatic redirects in each browser.

Why Disable Automatic HTTPS Redirects?

There are a few scenarios where this feature becomes frustrating:

• Accessing Older Websites or Local Networks: Some older sites or local devices (like routers) don’t support HTTPS. When the browser forces HTTPS, the connection fails.
• Testing or Development: Developers often test websites over HTTP on localhost. Forced HTTPS can interrupt workflows.
• SSL Errors: If a site has an expired or misconfigured SSL certificate, browsers may block access entirely.

If any of these apply to you, follow the steps below to disable this feature.

How to Stop Firefox from Changing HTTP to HTTPS

Firefox has an “HTTPS-Only Mode” that might be causing the redirects. Here’s how to turn it off:

1. Open Firefox on your computer.
2. In the address bar, type about:preferences#privacy and press Enter.
3. Scroll down until you see the HTTPS-Only Mode section.
4. Select Don’t enable HTTPS-Only Mode.

That’s it! Firefox will stop redirecting HTTP URLs to HTTPS.

How to Stop Chrome from Changing HTTP to HTTPS

Chrome automatically upgrades connections for security reasons, but you can disable this behavior:

1. Open Chrome on your PC.
2. Type chrome://settings/security into the address bar and hit Enter.
3. Find the Use secure DNS option and toggle it off.

This will prevent Chrome from forcing HTTPS connections.

How to Stop Edge from Changing HTTP to HTTPS

Microsoft Edge also prioritizes secure connections by default but allows users to disable this feature:

1. Open Edge on your computer.
2. Type edge://flags/#edge-automatic-https into the address bar and press Enter.
3. Locate the Automatic HTTPS setting and click the dropdown menu next to it.
4. Select Disabled from the options provided.
5. Restart your browser by clicking the button in the bottom-right corner.

Now Edge will stop redirecting HTTP URLs automatically.

FAQs

Question: Is Disabling HTTPS Redirection Safe?

Answer: No, it’s not safe in most cases! HTTPS encrypts your data and keeps it secure from attackers, especially on public Wi-Fi networks or unsecured connections.

Question: Can a VPN or Proxy Prevent HTTPS Redirects?

Answer: Not really! VPNs or proxies only mask your IP address—they don’t change how browsers handle redirects. However, some proxy tools might allow HTTP traffic if configured specifically.

By following these steps for Firefox, Chrome, and Edge, you can regain control over how your browser handles HTTP connections without unnecessary frustration!