How to Fix Chrome SSL Certificate Errors

Encountering SSL certificate errors in Chrome can be a frustrating experience, especially when you’re trying to access important websites. These errors can manifest in various forms, such as ERR_SSL_PROTOCOL_ERROR, NET::ERR_CERT_AUTHORITY_INVALID, and other certificate warnings. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll explore the causes of these errors and provide you with actionable solutions to resolve them.

Quick Fixes to Try First

Before diving into more detailed troubleshooting steps, try these quick fixes:

1. Check Date and Time: Ensure your computer’s date and time are correct.
2. Refresh the Page: Use Ctrl+R (Cmd+R on Mac) to refresh the page.
3. Try Incognito Mode: Open a new incognito window to see if the issue persists.
4. Clear Cache and Cookies: Sometimes, old cache data can cause issues.
5. Try a Different Browser: Confirm if the issue is specific to Chrome.

Fix 1 – Check Your System Date and Time

The most common cause of SSL errors is an incorrect system date and time. Follow these steps to ensure they are correct:

Windows

1. Right-click the clock on the taskbar.
2. Select Adjust date/time.
3. Enable Set time automatically.
4. Click Sync now.

macOS

1. Open System Preferences.
2. Select Date & Time.
3. Check Set date and time automatically.

Linux

1. Open a terminal and run: sudo timedatectl set-ntp true

Chrome-Specific Fixes

Clear SSL State (Windows)

1. Open Chrome Settings.
2. Go to Privacy and Security > Security.
3. Scroll down and click Manage certificates.
4. Alternatively, go to Control Panel > Internet Options > Content > Clear SSL State.

Clear Chrome Cache

1. Press Ctrl+Shift+Delete (Cmd+Shift+Delete on Mac).
2. Select All time.
3. Check Cookies and site data and Cached images and files.
4. Click Clear data.

Disable QUIC Protocol

1. Navigate to chrome://flags.
2. Search for QUIC.
3. Set Experimental QUIC protocol to Disabled.
4. Relaunch Chrome.

Check Chrome Version

1. Go to chrome://settings/help.
2. Update Chrome if a newer version is available.

Reset Chrome Settings

1. Go to Settings > Reset settings > Restore settings to original defaults.

Windows-Specific Fixes

Update Root Certificates

1. Run Windows Update.
2. Install all available certificate updates.

Import Trusted Certificate Manually

1. Click on the certificate error icon in the address bar.
2. Select View certificate > Details > Copy to File.
3. Open certmgr.msc.
4. Import the certificate to Trusted Root Certification Authorities.

Check Antivirus SSL Scanning

Some antivirus programs intercept SSL connections, causing errors. Disable “HTTPS scanning” or “SSL inspection” in your antivirus settings. Common culprits include Avast, Kaspersky, ESET, and Bitdefender.

Reset Network Settings

1. Open Command Prompt as Admin.
2. Run: netsh winsock reset
3. Restart your computer.

macOS-Specific Fixes

Update Keychain Certificates

1. Open Keychain Access.
2. Go to Keychain Access > Certificate Assistant > Evaluate.
3. Check for expired or untrusted certificates.

Delete Cached Certificates

1. Open Keychain Access.
2. Search for the problematic site.
3. Delete any associated certificates.
4. Restart Chrome.

Trust a Certificate Manually

1. Click the certificate error > View certificate.
2. Drag the certificate to your desktop.
3. Double-click to add it to Keychain.
4. Right-click > Get Info > Trust > Always Trust.

Advanced Fixes

Disable Extensions

Extensions can interfere with SSL connections. Test by using Chrome in incognito mode (where extensions are disabled). If the issue resolves, disable extensions one by one to find the culprit.

Check VPN/Proxy Settings

VPNs and proxies can cause certificate issues. Try disabling your VPN temporarily and check your proxy settings under Chrome Settings > System.

For Developers: Temporarily Bypass

Type “thisisunsafe” on the warning page to bypass SSL errors (not recommended for sensitive sites). Alternatively, visit chrome://flags and enable Allow invalid certificates for localhost.

Check for Malware

Run an antivirus scan and use Chrome’s cleanup tool (Windows) to check for malware, which can inject fake certificates.

Android Fixes

1. Go to Settings > Date & time > Automatic date and time.
2. Clear Chrome app data.
3. Check if the issue occurs in other apps.

iOS Fixes

1. Go to Settings > General > Date & Time > Set Automatically.
2. Delete and reinstall the Chrome app.
3. Update iOS to the latest version.

Corporate/Enterprise Solutions

If you’re on a work network, contact your IT department. Corporate proxies may intercept SSL traffic, and you may need to install a company root certificate.

By following these steps, you should be able to resolve most Chrome SSL certificate errors. Remember, SSL errors can indicate serious security issues, so always proceed with caution.