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How to Fix ERR_CERT_AUTHORITY_INVALID in Chrome
By Crumb Peter
July 1, 2019
SSL Certificate

How to Fix ERR_CERT_AUTHORITY_INVALID in Chrome

The ERR_CERT_AUTHORITY_INVALID error in Google Chrome occurs when the browser cannot verify the authenticity of a website’s SSL certificate. This typically happens when the website’s SSL certificate is issued by an untrusted or unknown Certificate Authority (CA). This error prevents secure connections to websites, and can be caused by several factors such as outdated certificates, incorrect date and time settings, or issues with the browser. Below is a step-by-step guide on how to fix this error.

Step 1: Check Date and Time Settings

Incorrect date and time settings on your computer can cause SSL certificate errors. SSL certificates are time-sensitive, and if your system’s date or time is incorrect, it may lead to the ERR_CERT_AUTHORITY_INVALID error.

How to fix:

  1. Right-click on the date and time in the bottom-right corner of your screen.
  2. Select Adjust date/time.
  3. Toggle Set time automatically to On.
  4. If the time and date are already set correctly, try manually adjusting them.
  5. Once corrected, restart Chrome and visit the website again to check if the error is fixed.

Step 2: Clear Browser Cache and Cookies

Cached data and cookies stored by your browser may interfere with SSL certificate validation. Clearing your browser’s cache and cookies might resolve the ERR_CERT_AUTHORITY_INVALID error.

How to clear the cache:

  1. Open Google Chrome.
  2. Click the three dots (menu) in the top-right corner of the browser.
  3. Select More tools > Clear browsing data.
  4. Choose the time range as All time.
  5. Make sure to check the boxes for Cookies and other site data and Cached images and files.
  6. Click Clear data.
  7. Restart Chrome and check if the error is resolved.

Step 3: Check the SSL Certificate

If the SSL certificate of the website is invalid or not trusted, Chrome will show the ERR_CERT_AUTHORITY_INVALID error. You can check the SSL certificate to see if it’s issued by a trusted Certificate Authority (CA).

How to check the SSL certificate:

  1. Open the website where you’re experiencing the error in Google Chrome.
  2. Click on the padlock icon next to the URL in the address bar.
  3. Select Certificate (Valid).
  4. Under the Certificate Path tab, check if the certificate is issued by a trusted authority. If the certificate is self-signed or the chain is incomplete, the error is likely caused by the website’s SSL configuration.
  5. If the certificate is not issued by a trusted CA, contact the website administrator to resolve the issue.

Step 4: Disable SSL Scanning in Antivirus Software

Some antivirus programs (like Norton, McAfee, Kaspersky) include a feature that scans SSL traffic for security purposes. However, this feature can interfere with SSL certificates and cause the ERR_CERT_AUTHORITY_INVALID error. Disabling SSL scanning can sometimes fix the issue.

How to disable SSL scanning:

  1. Open your antivirus software.
  2. Navigate to the settings or privacy settings.
  3. Find an option called SSL scanning, HTTPS scanning, or SSL filtering.
  4. Disable or turn off this feature.
  5. Restart Chrome and check if the issue is resolved.

Step 5: Update Google Chrome

An outdated version of Google Chrome may not support the latest security protocols, which can lead to SSL errors. Updating Chrome to the latest version ensures compatibility with the latest SSL certificates and encryption standards.

How to update Chrome:

  1. Open Google Chrome.
  2. Click the three dots (menu) in the top-right corner and go to Help > About Google Chrome.
  3. Chrome will automatically check for updates and install any available updates.
  4. Once the update is complete, restart Chrome.
  5. Check if the error persists after the update.

Step 6: Disable Browser Extensions

Some browser extensions, especially those related to security or privacy, can interfere with SSL certificate validation and cause errors. To check if a browser extension is causing the ERR_CERT_AUTHORITY_INVALID error, try disabling all extensions and reloading the website.

How to disable extensions:

  1. Open Google Chrome.
  2. Click the three dots (menu) in the top-right corner and go to More tools > Extensions.
  3. Disable all the extensions by toggling off the switch next to each one.
  4. Restart Chrome and visit the website again.
  5. If the website loads correctly, enable each extension one by one to identify the problematic one.

Step 7: Reset Chrome Settings to Default

If none of the above methods work, resetting Chrome to its default settings can help resolve the ERR_CERT_AUTHORITY_INVALID error. This will remove any corrupted settings or configurations that could be causing the issue.

How to reset Chrome settings:

  1. Open Google Chrome.
  2. Click the three dots (menu) in the top-right corner and select Settings.
  3. Scroll down and click on Advanced to reveal more settings.
  4. Under the Reset and clean up section, click on Restore settings to their original defaults.
  5. Confirm the reset by clicking Reset settings.
  6. Restart Chrome and check if the error is resolved.

Step 8: Use Incognito Mode

Sometimes, extensions or cookies in the normal browsing session can cause issues with SSL certificates. You can test if this is the case by opening the website in Incognito Mode, where extensions are disabled by default.

How to open Incognito Mode:

  1. Press Ctrl + Shift + N (Windows) or Cmd + Shift + N (Mac).
  2. In the Incognito window, visit the website where you’re seeing the ERR_CERT_AUTHORITY_INVALID error.
  3. If the website loads successfully without the error, then the issue is likely caused by a browser extension or stored data.

Step 9: Try a Different Network

Network issues or firewalls might be causing SSL errors. If you’re on a restricted network (e.g., corporate or public Wi-Fi), try switching to a different network, such as your home Wi-Fi or a mobile hotspot, to see if the issue persists.

Step 10: Contact the Website Administrator

If the issue persists for a specific website, it could be related to the website’s SSL configuration. The website’s administrator might need to update their SSL certificate or reconfigure their server to fix the ERR_CERT_AUTHORITY_INVALID error.

What to do:

  1. Contact the website’s administrator or support team.
  2. Report the SSL certificate issue and ask them to check if the certificate is issued by a trusted CA and correctly configured.

Conclusion

The ERR_CERT_AUTHORITY_INVALID error in Google Chrome typically occurs when the browser cannot verify the authenticity of a website’s SSL certificate. This can be caused by outdated system settings, incorrect certificates, or issues with the browser or network.

By following the steps outlined above, you can easily troubleshoot and fix the error. If the problem is isolated to a specific website, it’s likely due to an issue with that website’s SSL certificate, and contacting the website administrator is the best course of action.

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Crumb Peter
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    Crumb Peter is a passionate cyber security enthusiast, driven by a constant desire to stay ahead of the curve in this ever-evolving landscape. With an insatiable thirst for knowledge, Crumb actively seeks out and absorbs new advancements in the web and cyber security niche.