How to Fix NET::ERR_CERT_AUTHORITY_INVALID Error on Chrome?

A Step-by-Step Guide to Resolve the NET::ERR_CERT_AUTHORITY_INVALID Error

If you’re getting the “NET:ERR_CERT_AUTHORITY_INVALID” (or “ERR_CERT_AUTHORITY_INVALID” or “NET::ERR_CERT_AUTHORITY_INVALID”) error in Google Chrome, you’re not alone. Thousands of people all over the world have to deal with this annoying SSL error, which is annoying, to say the least.

If you’re looking for a solution through this post, you’re either the owner of a website that’s getting this error or a user trying to get to a website that’s showing this error. This post will help you fix the SSL certificate error in Chrome, no matter what.

What is NET::ERR_CERT_AUTHORITY_INVALID Error?

As the name of the error suggests, this happens when your browser can’t check if your website’s SSL certificate is valid. For website owners, this error can hurt their traffic and conversions because visitors can’t get to their sites. You shouldn’t get this error if you haven’t set up a certificate or if your website is using HTTP, which isn’t a good idea.

See Also: How to Fix ERR_SSL_SERVER_CERT_BAD_FORMAT Error

What Are The Causes Of The NET::ERR_CERT_AUTHORITY_INVALID Error?

In general, the invalid certificate authority error is caused by the following:

• You have a self-signed SSL certificate. You can save money by using a self-signed certificate, but since browsers can’t check if it’s real, your visitors may see the error in question. We don’t recommend this method because browser warnings can scare away a lot of users.

• Your certificate is no longer valid. As a safety measure, SSL certificates expire. The length of time your certificate is good for can vary, but at some point, you’ll need to renew it or make the process of renewing it automatic.

• The certificate doesn’t come from a trustworthy source. Just like with self-signed certificates, browsers will show an error if they can’t check the authority that made your certificate.

Best Tips To Fix ERR_CERT_AUTHORITY_INVALID Error on Google Chrome

For Website Owners

1. Check Your SSL Certificate

If your website shows the NET::ERR_CERT_AUTHORITY_INVALID error, it’s a worrying sign that something is wrong. When people see security warnings, they may leave your site and never come back because they are afraid for their safety online.

• Make sure your SSL hasn’t run out. To check, go to the Google Chrome address bar and click on the padlock icon.
• Tap on Valid under the Certificate tag in the box that comes up.
• Check the expiration date of your SSL certificate from there and renew if already expired.

2. Run An SSL Server Test

If you recently installed your SSL certificate, something may have gone wrong during setup. This happens when you install the certificate manually, not through your web host.

Using SSL checker tool is the easiest way to verify your certificate’s installation.

3. Get Your SSL Certificate From A Valid certifying Authority

Certificates that are free need to be renewed often, which can be a hassle. Premium SSL certificates have more benefits, like insurance in case of a data breach, encryption for multiple domains, and more.

Paying for a premium SSL certificate can be worth it for ecommerce sites in particular. If you do buy a certificate, make sure it comes from a valid authority to avoid getting the NET::ERR_CERT_AUTHORITY_INVALID error.

4. Renew Your SSL Certificate Regularly

In order to keep things safe, SSL certificates need to be renewed every so often. Your domain’s “identity” is checked during the renewal process. Without it, certificates would lose some of their value.

Try loading your website again after you’ve renewed your SSL certificate to see if the NET::ERR_CERT_AUTHORITY_INVALID error is still there.

For Website Visitors

1. Reload The Page Or Use The Incognito Mode

When you try to reload the page, the NET::ERR_CERT_AUTHORITY_INVALID error often goes away on its own. It only takes a second, so there’s no harm in trying.

If the error keeps happening even after you’ve tried to reload the page several times, we suggest you try going to the site in “incognito mode”.

2. Avoid Public Networks And Use A VPN

NET::ERR CERT AUTHORITY INVALID may appear when using a public network, like those in coffee shops or tourist spots. Insecure networks can cause this error.

If you’re on a public network, use your phone’s mobile data to access your website. Determine if the original network caused the problem.

If the error disappears with mobile data, switch networks.

Sign up for a VPN if you use the public internet to protect your privacy (VPN).

A good VPN protects your data even if you’re using an unsecured access point. A quality VPN service costs money, but it’s worth it if you’re constantly traveling.

3. Wipe The SSL State Of Your Computer

When you get invalid certificate authority errors, you can wipe your computer’s SSL state.

• In Windows, go to Internet Options > Content tab.
• Try reloading your website after clicking Clear SSL state.
• If you’re using macOS and accepted an untrusted certificate in the past, delete the certificate exception from your Mac Keychain.
• Click Finder, then Go > Utilities > Keychain Access.
• Category: Certificates. Untrusted certificates should have a red ‘X.’ To delete, click Edit, then Delete.

4. Change The Time And Date Settings In Your P.C.

Sometimes the error happens because of something small, like setting the wrong time and date on your P.C. Changing the time and date settings on your computer is an easy way to fix this.

Start Chrome over and go to the website that was giving you trouble before.

If it takes care of the problem, that’s great!

5. Update Google Chrome Browser

• Open Chrome to get the most recent version of your web browser.
• Click on Menu in the upper right corner.
• Then, go to Help and click About Google Chrome.
• Chrome will check for updates and download them right away if there are any.
• If the updates have already been downloaded and are waiting to be installed, you will see an up arrow instead of the “Menu” icon.
• If the update has been out for two days, the color will be green. When you see an orange up arrow, it means that a new version has been out for four days. If the icon is red, it has been a week since an update was made available.
• Click on Relaunch after installation or after a few days of waiting.
• Go back to chrome:/settings/help to make sure you’re using the latest version of Chrome.

6. Clear Browsing Data

Most likely, the error is caused by cookies that have expired or by the browser’s cache.

If you open the site in “incognito mode,” you can see if the error is caused by cookies and cache. Hit Ctrl, Shift, and n. If you can still go to the site in this mode, the problem is with your browser cache and cookies.

This means that Chrome’s browsing history needs to be cleared. Here’s how to do it.

• Click on the icon in the top right corner of Chrome. Select “More tools,” then “Clear browsing data.”
• Select All time in the Time range. Check your browsing history, cookies and other site data, and images and files that have already been saved.
• Click “Erase data.”
• Start your system up again to see if the problem is gone.

7. Deactivate Chrome’s Extensions

The error could be caused by your browser’s add-ons. Turn them off to see if that fixes the problem.

To deactivate:

Start up Chrome. Click on the icon in the top right corner of your browser.

Then, click “More tools” and go to “Extensions.”

In a new tab, you’ll see a list of all the Chrome Extensions you have installed. You can click Remove next to each extension to get rid of it.

8. Disable Antivirus Software

To turn off antivirus software in Windows, find the icon for the program on the far right side of the Windows taskbar.

Click right on the icon. Next, choose “Disable,” “Stop,” “shut down,” or whatever else it says.

Keep in mind that in some cases, you will need to open the program and use its menus to turn it off.

Conclusion of How to Fix ERR_CERT_AUTHORITY_INVALID on Chrome

These troubleshooting tips should help you fix ERR_CERT_AUTHORITY_INVALID Error you’ve been getting.

Don’t forget to get an SSL certificate from a Certificate Authority that you can trust. When digital certificate errors happen, it’s often because the browser doesn’t know how to read a cert that was issued by a certificate authority that can’t be trusted.

If that doesn’t fix the problem, try each of the tips in this article.