8 Best Ways to Fix Google Chrome Security Certification Error

Do you frequently get a “Your connection is not private” message in Chrome? Also, is it associated with the “Not Secure” warning in the address bar of Google Chrome? You have to trust the message and assume it’s there to protect you from sketchy websites. However, this might be a problem on your part, and in that case, resolve the issue before you continue to encounter an SSL error.

SSL stands for Secure Socket Layer, a universally recognized security protocol responsible for ensuring the security of the websites you visit on the Internet and the encryption of data exchanged between the web server and your Internet browser.

SSL certificate errors also have unique error codes with different meanings. In this troubleshooting guide, we’ll show you what some of these error codes mean, what causes the errors, and how to fix them.

1. Change the date and time of the computer

If the time and date settings on your computer are incorrect, the following SSL error codes may appear in Chrome when browsing web pages.

Net :: ERR_CERT_DATE_INVALID

NET :: ERR_CERT_AUTHORITY_INVALID

One way to correct this error and avoid future occurrences is to configure your computer to automatically update its date and time settings.

For Windows, open the Settings app and navigate to Time & language> Date & time and enable the Set time automatically and Set time zone automatically option.

Mac users can go to System Preferences> Date & Time> Confirm Identity to make changes in the lower left corner and enable the Set Date & Time automatic toggle.

2. Clear SSL state cache

Follow the steps below to clear the SSL state cache from the Internet Properties menu.

Step 1: Press Windows key + R then type inetcpl.cpl and press Enter to open Internet properties.

2nd step: Go to the “Content” tab and click on the Clear SSL Status button.

Step 3: Close everything and restart your PC to save the changes.

If this does not resolve the SSL certificate error in Chrome, proceed to the next method.

3. Clear Google cache and cookies

A corrupted cache can ruin your day. It’s almost always safe to clear the cache, so there’s no reason not to try it.

If there is overloaded browsing data in your Google Chrome, it may cause the browser to generate SSL error.

Follow the steps below to clear your browser’s browsing history, cache, and cookies.

Step 1: Open Google Chrome, tap the three-dot menu at the top.

2nd step: Go to More Tools> Clear Browsing Data.

Step 3: In the next menu, go to Advanced and select Cache files and cookies to delete.

Then relaunch the Google Chrome browser and check if the Google Chrome security certification error issues have been resolved or not.

4. Disable Google Chrome extensions

Extensions play a vital role in the Chrome ecosystem. By using extensions, one can add more functionality to the interface and basic functionality of Chrome. However, some may not be actively maintained, may be out of date, or may develop incompatibilities with newer versions of Chrome.

If dozens of Chrome extensions are installed, it can be difficult to determine which of them is causing the problem.

For this reason, the easiest solution is to deactivate all extensions and then activate only the ones you need one at a time.

Step 1: Open Google Chrome, tap the three-dot menu at the top.

2nd step: Go to More Tools> Extensions.

Step 3: This will open the Extension menu. Hit the Remove button and remove the Chrome extensions.

5. Use Chrome in incognito mode

Disabling all Chrome extensions is not a logical solution for most users, as you might need them in your day-to-day use. Instead, you can opt for Chrome’s Incognito Mode for browsing the web as it temporarily disables all Chrome extensions.

This can help determine if malicious extensions are responsible for Google Chrome security errors. Tap the three-dot menu icon in the upper right corner and select New incognito window.

If you are not getting SSL security certificate errors in Chrome while browsing the affected website (s) in an incognito window, you probably installed the wrong extension. In such cases, you can apply the above trick and fix the problem.

6. Reset all Chrome settings

This can help, as there are times when changing the wrong settings could potentially cause issues with Chrome, especially if you enable beta features.

You can fix all of this by resetting Chrome.

Step 1: Launch Chrome and open Settings.

2nd step: Scroll down and click on Advanced to open all settings.

Step 3: Scroll down to the Reset & Clean section and click on Restore Default Settings.

This will open a window with a warning that Windows will reset all of Chrome’s settings. Just select Reset Settings to continue.

Remember that this will disable all your extensions, erase temporary data, and erase all cookies. However, it will not affect saved favorites, history and passwords.

7. Use Chrome Malware Scanner

If none of the above tips work, your system may contain malware that is interfering with Chrome. The good news is that Google has built in an anti-malware scanner that will scan your computer and detect any issues.

Step 1: Open Chrome and go to settings.

2nd step: Scroll down and click on Advanced to open all settings.

Step 3: Scroll down to the Reset and clean section and click Clean up computer.

This will open a window where you can launch the Chrome malware scan. Simply select the Search button to start the scan.

8. Contact the website administrator

Website builders should periodically review SSL certificates. You may experience the following SSL security errors in Chrome if a website’s SSL certificate expires and the administrator is unable to renew the authentication license:

• NET :: ERR_CERT_AUTHORITY_INVALID
• NET :: ERR_CERT_COMMON_NAME_INVALID
• NET :: ERR_CERT_REVOKED
• NET :: ERR_CERT_AUTHORITY_INVALID
• ERR_SSL_WEAK_EPHEMERAL_DH_KEY
• ERR_SSL_VERSION_OR_CIPHER_MISMATCH

If you cannot visit a website due to any of these security certificate errors in Chrome or other browsers, contact the website administrator.

Browse Google Chrome safely

Follow the steps above and fix the security certification error on Google Chrome. While you’re at it, let us know which trick worked for you in the comments section below.