How to fix “ERR_CERT_AUTHORITY_INVALID”. Step-by-Step Guide

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How to fix “ERR_CERT_AUTHORITY_INVALID”. Step-by-Step Guide






How to Fix ERR_CERT_AUTHORITY_INVALID Error: Detailed Guide

Understand the “ERR_CERT_AUTHORITY_INVALID” error in web browsers, its common causes like incorrect time settings or outdated certificates, and follow step-by-step fixes including clearing cache, disabling VPNs, and checking SSL certificates. Use our free chatbot for technical troubleshooting assistance.

Key Takeaways

  • What is the “ERR_CERT_AUTHORITY_INVALID” Error?
    This error occurs when your browser cannot verify the authenticity of a website’s SSL certificate.

  • Common Causes of the Error:
    Causes may include incorrect date/time settings, outdated browsers, ad blockers, VPNs, or issues with the SSL certificate itself.

  • Quick Fixes You Can Try:

    • Check device time and date
    • Clear browser cache/cookies
    • Disable VPNs/ad blockers
    • Run a malware scan using Malwarebytes to ensure your system is free from malicious interference.
    • Update your browser and device. For secure backups during updates, use MiniTool ShadowMaker.

  • Why This Happens:
    SSL-related issues generally arise due to outdated certificates, untrusted certificate sources, or poor browser configurations.

Step-by-Step Guide to Fixing the “ERR_CERT_AUTHORITY_INVALID” Error

1. Check the Date and Time on Your Device

If the date and time on your device are incorrect, your browser might have trouble verifying the SSL certificate.

  • Why This Happens: SSL certificates are linked to specific validity dates. If your system clock is out of sync, the certificate may appear expired or invalid, even if it’s perfectly fine.
Steps:
  • Go to your device settings.
  • Find the “Date & Time” section.
  • Ensure that both the date and time are current.

Expert Tip: Make sure to enable “Set date and time automatically” under system preferences to ensure your device stays in sync with time servers.

2. Clear Browser Cache and Cookies

Sometimes, your browser can store an outdated or corrupted version of the website’s SSL certificate, leading to an “ERR_CERT_AUTHORITY_INVALID” error.

How to Clear Cache in Chrome:
  • Click on the three dots in the upper-right corner.
  • Go to Settings → Privacy and Security → Clear browsing data.
  • Make sure to check “Cached images and files” and “Cookies and other site data.”
  • Click Clear data.

Pro Tip: In addition to clearing cache, try accessing the site in Incognito Mode to rule out any issue related to caching.

3. Disable Ad Blockers or VPNs

Ad blockers and VPNs often interfere with SSL certificates by modifying the data between your device and the web server.

Steps:
  • Temporarily disable any ad blockers or VPNs that might be active.
  • Refresh the page and see if the error persists.

Expert Advice: After disabling the ad blocker or VPN, try switching to an unblocked (non-VPN) connection. VPNs can also route traffic through untrusted servers that might trigger SSL warnings.

4. Check for Certificate Issues With the Website

The problem may not be on your side but with the website’s SSL certificate. Here’s how you can check:

Steps:
  • Click the padlock icon in the address bar of your browser (in Chrome).
  • Review the certificate details and ensure it’s issued by a trusted certificate authority. If the issue persists, secure your troubleshooting process with NordVPN to encrypt communications and prevent potential snooping during diagnostics.
  • If there is a red warning or message indicating it’s from an untrusted source, the issue lies with the website, not your device.

Personal Experience: As a website security consultant, I’ve seen numerous clients unknowingly buy SSL certificates from non-standard providers. Make sure the certificate is from well-known SSL authorities.

5. Update Your Browser

Sometimes, this error occurs due to an outdated browser that doesn’t support the latest SSL/TLS standards.

How to Update Chrome:
  • Click the three dots in the upper-right corner.
  • Go to Help → About Chrome.
  • If your browser is out of date, it will automatically start updating.

Expert Insight: An outdated browser can compromise more than just certificates—it can also introduce vulnerabilities. Always stay updated.

6. Scan Your Device for Malware

Certain types of malware can meddle with SSL certificate verification by altering DNS settings or injecting malicious code into your browser.

How to Scan for Malware:
  • On Windows, use the built-in Windows Defender.
  • On macOS, use a trusted third-party anti-malware tool like Malwarebytes to protect against threats that might compromise SSL certificates.

Expert Opinion: Running regular malware checks helps in general, beyond just resolving SSL issues. Consider doing it weekly.

7. Contact the Website Owner

If the error persists after all the above steps, there’s a chance the issue lies squarely on the website owner’s end. Their certificate may be expired, invalid, or improperly configured.

  • Email the website owner or use their contact form to let them know about the SSL issue.

Advice: Website owners often overlook certificate expiration. Use SSL checkers like SSL Labs to verify SSL statuses.

8. Use Incognito Mode or Switch Browsers

If you’re experiencing this issue only in a particular browser, try using a different one or go into Incognito Mode.

Steps:
  • In Chrome, open an Incognito window by pressing Ctrl + Shift + N (Windows) or Command + Shift + N (macOS).
  • Try accessing the website.

Why This Works: Incognito mode disables extensions and clears stored cache automatically, revealing whether a plugin or stored data is the issue.

9. Check Your Proxy Settings

Incorrect proxy configurations can result in SSL errors, particularly if the proxy server blocks secure connections.

Steps:
  • Go to Settings → Network & Internet.
  • Find “Proxy” settings.
  • Ensure no manual proxy is enabled.

Expert Tip: If you’re using corporate or school networks with proxy servers, SSL errors are common. Ask your IT department if that’s the case.

10. Update Your Operating System

Sometimes, system updates include critical security patches for SSL/TLS protocols, which might resolve the issue.

  • Windows 10/11 Users: Go to Settings → Update & Security → Check for updates.
  • macOS Users: Go to System Preferences → Software Update.

Why This Matters: Security-related errors like SSL mismatches often stem from outdated OS security patches.

11. Reset Network Settings

When all else fails, resetting your network settings can sometimes solve SSL errors related to DNS or connection issues that have been misconfigured over time.

How to Reset:
  • On Windows: Settings → Network & Internet → Status → Network reset.
  • On macOS: Delete the network configuration files and add them back manually.

Additional Resources

  • Best SSL Certificate Providers (External Link): If the problem is due to an expired SSL certificate, you might need to purchase a new one from a reputable provider.
  • SSL Checker: Run an SSL test using SSL Labs to diagnose issues related to the certificate.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q1. What does “ERR_CERT_AUTHORITY_INVALID” actually mean?

This means that the browser cannot validate the source of the SSL certificate for the website. It’s essentially a warning that the connection may not be secure.

Q2. Is it safe to visit a website with “ERR_CERT_AUTHORITY_INVALID”?

Not necessarily. If you’re accessing sensitive information (login credentials, personal data), it’s better to avoid the site until the issue is resolved.

Q3. What if the error only appears on certain websites?

This generally means the issue is with the website’s SSL certificate. You can confirm this by checking the certificate details in the browser’s address bar.

Q4. Can I fix SSL errors without technical knowledge?

Yes, common fixes like updating the browser, adjusting date/time, and clearing cache are easy even for non-technical users.

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