How to Fix ‘Your Connection Is Not Private’ Error in Chrome

Understanding the ‘Your Connection Is Not Private’ Error in Chrome

Encountering the ‘Your connection is not private’ error in Chrome can be frustrating, especially when you’re trying to access a website quickly. This warning indicates that your browser is unable to establish a secure connection, potentially exposing your data to security risks. While it serves as a protective measure, there are safe ways to bypass or fix this issue.

Quick Fixes to Try First

• Refresh the webpage by pressing F5 or Cmd + R on Mac.
• Try accessing the site in Incognito Mode by pressing Ctrl + Shift + N (Windows/Linux) or Cmd + Shift + N (Mac).
• Clear your browser’s cache and cookies (Settings > Privacy and Security > Clear Browsing Data).

Common Causes of the ‘Your Connection Is Not Private’ Error

The error can be triggered by several factors, including:

• Incorrect date and time settings on your device.
• An expired SSL certificate from the website.
• Interference from VPNs or antivirus software.

Bypassing the Warning Safely

If you trust the website, you can bypass the warning:

1. Click on Advanced on the error page.
2. Select Proceed to [website] (unsafe).

Note: Bypassing this warning should only be done if you are certain the website is trustworthy.

Fixing Date and Time Settings

Windows

1. Right-click on the date and time display in the taskbar.
2. Select Adjust date/time.
3. Toggle Set time automatically to On.
4. Restart Chrome and check if the error persists.

macOS

1. Click on the Apple menu and select System Preferences.
2. Go to Date & Time.
3. Ensure Set date and time automatically is checked.
4. Restart Chrome to see if the issue is resolved.

Linux

1. Open the terminal and type date to check current settings.
2. Use sudo timedatectl set-ntp true to enable automatic time synchronization.
3. Restart Chrome and verify the fix.

Clearing SSL State

Clearing SSL state can resolve certificate issues:

Windows

1. Open the Control Panel.
2. Navigate to Internet Options > Content.
3. Click on Clear SSL state.

macOS

1. Close Chrome and open Keychain Access.
2. Go to System Roots and remove any expired certificates.
3. Restart Chrome.

Disabling VPN or Antivirus Interference

Your VPN or antivirus software might be interfering with Chrome:

1. Disable your VPN and check if the error persists.
2. Open your antivirus software and disable HTTPS scanning or web protection.
3. Restart Chrome and test the connection again.

Additional Solutions for Android and iOS

Android

1. Open Settings and go to Apps.
2. Select Chrome and tap on Storage.
3. Clear Cache and Data.
4. Ensure your date and time settings are set to automatic.

iOS

1. Go to Settings, then General.
2. Tap on Date & Time and enable Set Automatically.
3. Clear Safari cache by going to Settings > Safari > Clear History and Website Data.

Conclusion

The ‘Your connection is not private’ error in Chrome is essential for your security, but it can be bypassed or fixed using the steps outlined above. Always ensure that your system’s date and time settings are correct and that your SSL state is clear. If the error persists, consider disabling VPNs or antivirus software temporarily. For further assistance, consult the official Google Chrome Help articles.