How to Fix NET::ERR_CERT_AUTHORITY

In this article, we will cover how to fix the NET::ERR_CERT_AUTHORITY_INVALID error on Windows.

The following are the solutions to fix this error.

Table of Contents

Run SSL server test

If you installed your SSL certificate just before the error started appearing, there may are a mistake during the installation. this will often happen if you put in the certificate manually, instead of through your web server.

The easiest thanks to checking and see if your certificate is correctly installed is to use an SSL verification tool. You can use GeoCerts. All you would like to try to do is enter the domain where the error occurred and click on the Submit button.

Now, wait a couple of minutes for the results to seem. Ideally, you ought to get an A+, with perfect scores for all of your certifications.

If you do not get an ideal score, scroll down the list of certificates the tool shows you. there’ll be a neighborhood that tells you whether your certificate is valid or not. If the tool gives you a negative result, then you will need to put in the certificate from a chore. Premium certificates offer more benefits, like data breach coverage, encryption for multiple domains, and more.

In particular, for e-commerce sites, it’s going to be worth paying for a premium SSL certificate. If you’re purchasing a certificate, confirm it comes from a legitimate authority, to avoid the NET::ERR_CERT_AUTHORITY_INVALID error.

Get a certificate from an authority

There’s no reason to use a self-signed certificate lately. If cost is that the only factor, you’ll get a free certificate from Let’s Encrypt. Since this is often a legitimate authority, each browser will recognize the validity of your certificate.

certificate authority — Certificate Authority

However, for a few websites, you’ll need one free certificate. Free certificates need to be renewed regularly, which may be a chore. Premium certificates offer more benefits, like data breach coverage, encryption for multiple domains, and more.

Renew Your SSL Certificate

SSL certificates must be renewed regularly for security reasons. The renewal process verifies your domain identity, and without it, certificates lose a number of their value. Let’s Encrypt free certificates renew every 90 days, while the paid options have an extended lifespan.

When the term expires, you will have to manually renew your certificate if your server doesn’t manage it for you. Either way, Let’s Encrypt will contact you when your certificate is close to expire so you’ll renew it first. However, counting on the online host you employ, you’ll not be ready to access the renewal options through your instrument panel.

If you’ve got access to your server, you’ll use the Certbot tool to put in and renew SSL certificates via the instruction.

After renewing your SSL certificate, try reloading your site to determine if the internet: ERR_CERT_AUTHORITY_INVALID error persists.

Try using incognito mode or reloading the page

If none of the above fixes work, it is time to start out troubleshooting directly from your computer.

In many cases, the internet: ERR_CERT_AUTHORITY_INVALID error goes away on its own once you attempt to reload the page. It only takes a second to try to do so, so it doesn’t hurt to undertake.

If the error persists after several reloads, we recommend that you simply attempt to access the location using “incognito mode” if your browser offers this feature.

If the location loads correctly in incognito mode, your browser is trying to load an outdated cached version of the page. this provides you adequate information to resolve the difficulty directly.

Clear browser cache and cookies

If switching your browser to incognito mode causes the internet: ERR_CERT_AUTHORITY_INVALID error to disappear, the matter could also be associated with your browser cache.

Clearing your cache and cookies is straightforward, but the method varies counting on the browser you’re using. Below are instructions for clearing the cache altogether major browsers.

Another possible solution is to undertake to force refresh your site specifically, in order that you do not get to clear your entire cache. However, forced refresh sometimes doesn’t work, so clearing your cache is our recommended solution.

Synchronizing the clock

NET::ERR_CERT_AUTHORITY_INVALID one among the foremost common reasons is because the computer’s date or time is wrong. The device clock can interfere with the browser’s ability to verify website certificates & clarify a mistake within the device.

The good news is that if this is often the matter, it’s easy to repair. If you discover a discrepancy between the pc clock and therefore the current time, you’ll adjust it in seconds. How you’re doing this relies on the OS (OS) you are using.

Windows

Go to the system tray and right-click on the PC time, then select the choice that shows “Set date/time.”

A configuration window will appear. Under “Synchronize your clock”, find the choice that says “Synchronize now” then click on it: Synchronize your computer’s clock.

If you’ve got an online connection, Windows will confirm the date and time are correct. To avoid this problem in the future, we recommend that you simply enable the automated time setting option. This setting should make sure that your computer always has the right time.

If you’re using macOS, the synchronization process is additionally very simple. All you’ve got to try to do is to follow these steps:

Choose System Preferences from the Apple menu.
Click the date and time icon.
Enable the automated date and time option.

Before closing the setup screen, change the zone tab and confirm you’re using the right zone. When you’re done, you’ll check if the internet: ERR_CERT_AUTHORITY_INVALID error still exists.

Conclusion

Now you know how to deal with the NET::ERR_CERT_AUTHORITY_INVALID error. Did we miss anything? Let us know in the comments!

Tony Polanco

Tony, computing writer at Automaticable, covers laptops, tablets, Windows, iOS. Off-duty, he indulges in comics, gaming, speculative fiction, and excessive Twitter use. Non-nerdy side includes rocking out at concerts and hitting NYC bars.

How to Fix NET::ERR_CERT_AUTHORITY_INVALID