When exploring the internet, have you ever come across an unsettling warning notice stating that your connection isn’t private? One of the most frequent SSL certificate-related problems that customers see while accessing websites is the NET::ERR_CERT_AUTHORITY_INVALID error. While it may initially seem concerning, knowing what causes this issue and how to resolve it can help you better deal with these circumstances and protect your online safety.
This error usually occurs when your browser cannot authenticate a website’s SSL certificate. It can happen for several reasons, from straightforward caching problems in your browser to more complicated SSL certificate issues. This Article will cover all you need to know about the NET::ERR_CERT_AUTHORITY_INVALID error, from its common causes to step-by-step solutions that can help you resolve it, whether you’re a website owner attempting to fix this error on your site or a user who keeps running into it while browsing.
NET::ERR_CERT_AUTHORITY_INVALID: What Causes It?
There are several reasons why the NET::ERR_CERT_AUTHORITY_INVALID code could show up. The reasons are either associated with a local (browser) problem or SSL-related.
SSL-Related Causes
Common SSL-related causes are:
- Not a certificate. Without an SSL certificate, the browser tries to connect via HTTPS. However, the browser does not start a safe, encrypted session since the website does not have an SSL certificate.
- SSL certificate signed by the user. Although inexpensive, a self-signed SSL certificate is not verifiable by web browsers. Browsers distrust these certificates because the Certificate Authority (CA) does not validate them.
- Certificate Authority (CA) that lacks credibility. If a CA is not on the list of trusted authorities that browsers keep track of, the browser will display an error.
- The certificate was installed incorrectly. Sometimes, problems occur during the SSL certificate installation when a website switches from an insecure HTTP site to a secure HTTPS site.
- Incorrectly configured certificate. Sometimes, the error is produced by configuration issues, such as improperly connecting the certificate to the website’s domain name.
- SSL certificate expired. For security purposes, SSL certificates contain expiration dates. When the expiration date has passed without a renewal, the NET::ERR_CERT_AUTHORITY_INVALID error is displayed.
Browser-Related Reasons
Besides certificate problems, local issues on a user device trigger a NET::ERR_CERT_AUTHORITY_INVALID error. The difficulties on the client side which source the error are:
- A network connection that is not secure. Secure traffic routing is frequently absent from public Wi-Fi. As a result, a NET::ERR_CERT_AUTHORITY_INVALID error code may occasionally appear in the browser when connecting to public internet access.
- Outdated software. The list of trustworthy certificates is out of date when the operating system is out of date. As a result, the browser prevents pages from loading.
- Cookies and cache in the browser have expired. Outdated cookies and an expired browser cache hamper the browser’s ability to confirm an SSL certificate.
- Wrong date and time. When your OS displays an inaccurate Date & Time, it wrongly categorizes a legal certificate as expired.
- Outdated web browser. Browsers must be able to recognize certificates, just like operating systems. New browser versions are further to their lists of trusted certificates. New certificates are not recognized or trusted by an outdated browser.
- Browser extensions. Specific browser allowances disrupt the website connection, resulting in the NET::ERR_CERT_AUTHORITY_INVALID fault.
- VPN or Antivirus software. VPN or antivirus software sometimes restricts access because positive security features clash with a website & flag it as apprehensive.
- Impermanent network connectivity problems. A sluggish or poor internet connection can occasionally interrupt the verification procedure. The browser returns an error if it cannot connect to the CA’s server to verify the certificate’s authenticity.
How the NET::ERR_CERT_AUTHORITY_INVALID Error Appears in Different Browsers
Depending on your browser, an error may look slightly different. Your operating system and the setup of your certificate can also influence the error messages that appear. Therefore, let’s examine the most prevalent browser-by-browser variations of the NET::ERR_CERT_AUTHORITY_INVALID problem.
“NET::ERR_CERT_AUTHORITY_INVALID” in Chrome
A straightforward error page appears when NET::ERR_CERT_AUTHORITY_INVALID occurs in Google Chrome. The message “Your connection is not private,” and the NET::ERR_CERT_AUTHORITY_INVALID code will appear below.
When you click the Advanced button, more details regarding the possible risks are available. The browser alerts you that the certificate is unreliable, but it doesn’t provide guidance on how to resolve the issue.
“NET::ERR_CERT_AUTHORITY_INVALID” in Firefox
“Warning: Potential Security Risk Ahead” appears alongside a yellow warning symbol in Mozilla Firefox. It tells you that the site’s certificate chain is having problems; however, “NET::ERR_CERT_AUTHORITY_INVALID” is not visible.
The notice grows when you click the Advanced button, providing clues about potential issues. The problem code, typically SEC_ERROR_UNKNOWN_ISSUER in Firefox, is also visible.
Although the code might differ, it identifies the same issue as NET::ERR_CERT_AUTHORITY_INVALID.
“NET::ERR_CERT_AUTHORITY_INVALID” in Safari
Safari’s “This Connection Is Not Private” warning admits the issue. It alerts you to the certificate’s invalidity and the possibility of identity theft.
“NET::ERR_CERT_AUTHORITY_INVALID” in Edge
Like Chrome, Microsoft Edge shows an error page. It displays a warning sign and initial message that are nearly identical. The browser tells you what might have gone wrong and how it safeguards you by cutting the connection when you click Advanced.
1. Clear Browser Cache and Cookies
The browser’s cache is probably the source of the issue if putting the browser in incognito mode fixed the NET::ERR_CERT_AUTHORITY_INVALID message. To speed up web browsing, browsers save cookies and cached content. Although this is advantageous, the NET::ERR_CERT_AUTHORITY_INVALID issue may occur because cache and cookies occasionally get corrupted or hold onto out-of-date data.
After clearing the browser’s cache and cookies, reloading the page will fix this problem. If the page loads properly now, the issue was caused by invalid website surfing data.
Although it differs depending on the browser, clearing the cache and cookies is simple.
2. Adjust the Time and Date Settings on Your Computer
Sometimes, the error may occur due to minor issues such as setting incorrect times and dates on your PC. You can resolve this quickly. Choice Settings from the Start menu in Windows. Select “Set time” and “Set time zone automatically” from the Time and Date menu.
- Go to the webpage that was displaying the problem before restarting Chrome.
- If it fixes the problem, then that would be great.
3. Temporarily Disable Browser Extensions
Browser extensions improve web browsing’s usability and functionality. Some of them, nevertheless, can alter how browsers load content, which could result in SSL issues. To discover if browser extensions are the source of the NET::ERR_CERT_AUTHORITY_INVALID issue, deactivate them.
All mainstream browsers have a similar procedure for deactivating browser addons. It is how Google Chrome does it:
- Choose Extensions → Manage Extensions from the three dots menu in the upper right corner.
- Turn off every extension that is currently in use.
- To see if the issue still exists, reload the webpage. If this fixes the problem, turn on each extension individually to find the offender.
4. Update Your Browser
Older browsers unable to recognize an SSL certificate on a website frequently display this message. The latest browser versions usually include an updated list of SSL certificates. Consequently, the problem can be fixed by updating the browser to the most recent version.
To find and update Google Chrome, take the following actions:
- Choose Settings -> About Chrome from the three dots menu in the upper right corner.
- If your browser is current, the message “Chrome is up to date” will appear.
- The Update Google Chrome button will show up if an update is available. To download the update, click it, and to finish the process, choose Relaunch.
5. Clear the SSL State
Computers expedite SSL verification by saving cached certificates from previously visited websites, even though SSL verification is quick. The NET::ERR_CERT_AUTHORITY_INVALID error, however, arises if a website updates or replaces its SSL certificate while the device still has an old version. Let the computer save an updated certificate version by clearing the cache to fix this. To find out if the error still exists, try reloading the website.
6. Deactivate VPN
The service itself might be the cause of the NET::ERR_CERT_AUTHORITY_INVALID problem if you’re already utilizing a VPN. Antivirus software is another frequent offender. We advise you to temporarily restrict your antivirus program and switch off your VPN after you’ve done everything else. Following that, try viewing your website again and utilizing force refresh to ensure it hasn’t been entirely erased from your browser’s cache. If the error has disappeared, try turning both services back on one at a time and check to see if the message about the incorrect certificate appears again. You can determine who is at fault by doing this. After that, you can update the software, ask for assistance from its support staff, or search for another solution.
7. Disable Firewall or Antivirus
Because they shield you from various threats, antivirus software is essential to your online security. However, occasionally, they might mark safe websites as harmful and cut off the connection. You will most likely encounter the NET::ERR_CERT_AUTHORITY_INVALID issue when it occurs. Turn off your firewall or antivirus program, then see if you can still access the page. If you can now get in, it is a sign that it is the problem. You could need to hunt for other software, contact the antivirus support staff, or safelist the website’s URL.
8. Run an SSL Test
If you installed your SSL certificate right before the error appeared, it can result from a setup problem. That frequently happens if you installed the certificate personally rather than via your web host.
- An SSL check tool, like the one provided by Qualys SSL Labs, is the simplest method to determine whether your certificate is organized correctly. You can use this specific utility for free.
- All you have to do is enter the domain where the error pops up and click the Submit button.
- Now, watch for the results for a few minutes. Ideally, You should receive an A+ and
- Scroll down to the list of credentials the tool displays if you don’t receive a perfect score. A portion indicating the trustworthiness of your certificate has to be present. Installing a certificate from a reliable source is necessary if the utility returns a lousy result.
9. Get a Trusted SSL Certificate
Get a new SSL certificate from a reliable Certificate Authority if the SSL check report indicates that yours is invalid or self-signed.
Reputable web hosts include free SSL certificates in their hosting packages. Hostinger customers on basic web and cloud hosting plans receive complimentary lifetime SSL certificates for all their domains and subdomains. Your certificate is always valid, thanks to our auto-renewal option.
For further methods to obtain an SSL certificate for your website, see our page.
Choose the SSL certificate type that best suits your website’s requirements because several varieties are available. For instance, because Extended Validation (EV) SSL certificates undergo a more thorough validation procedure and provide a higher level of confidence, major organizations may choose to utilize them.
WordPress SSL improves a website’s search engine optimization (SEO) ranking and protects site data from online threats.
10. Renew the SSL Certificate
Since SSL certificates are only valid for a certain amount of time, they have an expiration date. Depending on the certificate supplier, the renewal period varies.
It is necessary to renew the SSL certificate when it expires. If you don’t, it becomes invalid, and the website will display an NET::ERR_CERT_AUTHORITY_INVALID error.
The renewal procedure often carried out via the hosting company, confirms the domain’s identification and guarantees the certificate’s ongoing reliability.
Try revisiting the website after renewing the SSL certificate to see whether the NET::ERR_CERT_AUTHORITY_INVALID message still appears.
Conclusion
The NET::ERR_CERT_AUTHORITY_INVALID error can take a while to troubleshoot if you cannot determine what’s causing it. The fixes we’ve provided should assist you in navigating and resolving this frequent security alert, regardless of whether the problem is related to the SSL certificate on the website, your browser settings, or system configuration. Even though they can sometimes be annoying, remember that these error notifications are essential to protecting and safeguarding your online activity.
Always trust the website you are attempting to access before ignoring security warnings. Keeping a current SSL certificate from a reliable source is crucial for website owners who want to give their visitors a safe online experience and keep their confidence. You and your users can benefit from a more secure and dependable online presence if you follow the instructions in this Article.