ByIf you have encountered the ‘ERR_CERT_AUTHORITY_INVALID’ error while browsing the Internet, it can disrupt your browsing experience. This error usually occurs when the browser cannot ensure whether the SSL certificate of the website is valid or not. To resolve this issue, follow the steps below.
What is the ‘ERR_CERT_AUTHORITY_INVALID’ error?
This error indicates that the SSL/TLS certificate of the website you are visiting is not verified by a valid Certificate Authority. The SSL certificate ensures the security of the website and provides encrypted connections.
Major causes of this error
The SSL certificate is invalid or expired.
The website’s certificate is issued by an untrusted certificate authority.
Time and date mismatch between the browser and the server.
Website blocked by antivirus or firewall settings.
Browser cache or cookies problem.
Ways to fix the ‘ERR_CERT_AUTHORITY_INVALID’ error
1. Set the correct time and date
Check your system’s time and date.
If the time and date are incorrect, correct it immediately.
Incorrect time settings may affect the authenticity of the SSL certificate.
2. Clear browser cache and cookies
Go to Google Chrome.
Click Settings > Privacy and Security> Clear browsing data.
Select “Cached images and files” and “Cookies and other site data”.
Click Clear data.
This process removes old website data and may resolve the error.
3. Disable browser extensions
Open Chrome browser and go to Settings > Extensions.
Temporarily disable all extensions.
Reload the website.
Sometimes extensions can interfere with the SSL connection.
4. Check antivirus or firewall settings
Temporarily turn off your antivirus program or firewall settings.
Reopen the website.
If the issue is resolved, adjust the antivirus settings.
5. Install the certificate manually
Download the SSL certificate of the website.
Go to Control Panel > Internet Options > Content > Certificates in your system.
Import the certificate in the “Trusted Root Certification Authorities” tab.
6. Allow HTTPS Ignoring (Temporary measure only)
Open Chrome and type `chrome://flags` in the address bar.
Find “Allow invalid certificates for resources loaded from localhost”.
Set it to “Enabled”.
Note that this method is for testing purposes only.
Advanced Solutions
1. Refresh DNS settings
Open Command Prompt.
Type the following commands one by one:
“`
ipconfig /flushdns
ipconfig /release
ipconfig /renew
“`
This may help resolve the DNS issue.
2. Update the browser
Make sure you are using the latest version of Google Chrome.
To update the browser: Go to Settings > About Chrome.
Install the update if it is available.
3. Use another browser
If the error is not fixed on Chrome, try Firefox, Edge, or Safari.
This may help identify the problem better.
4. Contact the website administrator
If the problem is occurring on a particular website, contact the website administrator.
Their SSL certificate may be invalid or expired.
Precautions
Do not enter personal information on unsecured websites.
Be cautious while browsing the website despite the SSL certificate error.
Trust only valid and secure websites.
Conclusion
The ‘ERR_CERT_AUTHORITY_INVALID’ error can cause interruptions in your internet browsing experience. You can easily resolve this issue by following the steps given above. We hope this guide will be useful to you.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q1: Why does the ERR_CERT_AUTHORITY_INVALID error appear?
Answer:
This error occurs when the SSL/TLS certificate of the website is invalid, expired, or issued by an untrusted certificate authority. Apart from this, incorrect system time and date, browser cache, or antivirus settings can also be the cause.
Q2: Can I ignore this error?
Answer:
Yes, you can ignore this error, but it is not safe. Do not enter personal information on such websites as it may lead to data leaks or cyber attacks.
Q3: Is it safe to turn off antivirus?
Answer:
Turning off the antivirus temporarily may be the right solution, but it is not safe to keep it off for a long time. Reactivate the antivirus once the problem is resolved.
Question 4: What to do if this error is only appearing on one website?
Answer:
If the error is only appearing on one website, contact the website admin and ask them to update or repair the SSL certificate.
Question 5: What is the benefit of flushing DNS?
Answer:
Flushing DNS helps the browser remove cached DNS records. This process can fix any DNS-related problem, thereby resolving the SSL error.
Question 6: Can changing the browser solve the problem?
Answer:
Yes, sometimes there are browser-related problems. Using another browser (such as Firefox or Edge) can help you know whether the problem is with the website or the browser.
Question 7: Can I install the SSL certificate manually?
Answer:
Yes, you can install the SSL certificate manually. For this, download the certificate and import it into “Trusted Root Certification Authorities” in your system.
Question 8: What measures should be taken to avoid this error?
Answer:
Keep the time and date correct.
Update the browser and antivirus regularly.
Ensure the validity of the SSL certificate of the websites.
Do not browse on unsafe websites.
Question 9: What to do if the above methods do not work?
Answer:
If these methods do not work, contact a technical expert or seek help from the Internet Service Provider (ISP).
