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SSL certificate errors can be frustrating whether you're a user or an administrator. Learn how to troubleshoot them effectively.
Resolving SSL Certificate Errors
Here are steps to fix SSL certificate errors:
1. Ensure your computer's date and time are accurate.
2. Add the website to your trusted sites.
3. Consider disabling certificate revocation checks.
4. Clear your SSL state.
5. Empty your web browser's cache.
6. Restore your browser to its default settings.
7. Contact the website administrator if needed.
Follow these Steps to Resolve SSL Certificate Errors
For Windows Users
Decipher the error message. Error messages vary across web browsers, but understanding them can help determine if the issue lies with your computer or the server. If it's the latter, the website administrator needs to address it. If encountering any of these errors, the problem is with the website:
- 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
Verify your computer's date and time settings. Incorrect system time settings can cause issues. Ensure your computer retrieves date and time automatically:
- Right-click the taskbar date and time.
- Select Adjust date and time.
- Check Set time automatically.
- Check Set timezone automatically.
Access Internet Options. Follow these steps:
- Press the Windows key.
- Type internet options.
- Select Internet Options.
Add the desired website to trusted sites. Proceed only if confident in the website's safety:
- Go to the Security tab.
- Click the checkmark above 'Trusted sites.'
- Choose Sites.
- Paste the website URL under 'Add this site to the zone.'
- Click Add.
- Click Close.
- Click Apply.
Bypass Certificate Revocation Checks. Temporarily disable these checks while visiting a specific site. Ensure your security by reactivating this feature after your browsing session. To disable certificate revocation checks:
- Access the Advanced tab.
- Untick 'Check for publisher's certificate revocation' and 'Check for server certificate revocation' under 'Security.'
- Click Apply.
Clear SSL State on Your Computer. Resolve SSL errors affecting various applications by clearing your SSL state. If your computer holds an incorrect SSL certificate version, delete it by:Navigating to the Content tab in Internet Options. Clicking Clear SSL state.
Flush Cache and Cookies. Eliminate SSL errors by removing specific files stored by websites. This action, along with clearing cache, can rectify various browsing errors, including certificate issues.
Keep Your Browser Updated. SSL errors may arise from outdated browser versions. Ensure your browser is up-to-date, or try an alternative browser. If the error persists across browsers, it likely indicates a certificate problem.
Reset Browser Settings. If clearing data and updating your browser fails, your browser settings may be at fault. Resetting your browser to default can resolve conflicts with certificates. Access your browser's settings menu or reinstall it if needed.
Reach out to the website administrator. If you're unable to bypass the SSL certificate error on your own, it's likely an issue with the web server. Contact the server administrator to report the problem for resolution.
For macOS Users
Decode the error message. Although the appearance of errors may vary by browser, you can usually discern whether the certificate error originates from your system or the website itself. If you encounter any of the following errors, the issue lies with the website, not your computer:
Verify your Mac's date and time settings. Incorrect date or time settings on your Mac could lead to SSL errors. Ensure your system's date and time settings are accurate by enabling automatic date and time synchronization through the following steps:
Elevate trust for the certificate on your Mac. If SSL errors persist in various applications, such as email or SFTP, clearing your SSL state may resolve the issue. If your Mac has retained an incorrect SSL certificate version, you can rectify this by:
Clear SSL State. If trusting the SSL certificate fails or if your computer retains an incorrect version of it, you can remove it. Here's how:
- Press Command + Spacebar to open Spotlight search.
- Type keychain.
- Click Keychain Access to open the app.
- In the left pane, click Login.
- Under 'Category,' click Certificates.
- Right-click the problematic SSL certificate.
- Click Delete.
Clear Cache and Cookies. Resolve SSL errors by deleting specific files that websites store on your computer. Clearing cookies and cache can address various browsing errors, including certificate issues.
Update Your Browser. SSL certificate errors and other anomalies may arise from using outdated browser versions. Check for updates and install them. Consider trying a different browser if the issue persists across multiple browsers, indicating a problem with the certificate.
Restore Browser Defaults. If clearing browser data and updating software fails, the issue may stem from browser settings. Resetting your browser to default can resolve conflicts with the certificate by disabling interfering extensions and settings.
Notify the Website Administrator. If you're unable to bypass the SSL certificate error, it likely originates from the web server. Contact the server administrator to report the issue for resolution.
