How To Fix NET:: ERR_CERT_REVOKED Error in Google Chrome

The NET::ERR_CERT_REVOKED error occurs in Google Chrome when a website’s SSL certificate has been revoked. SSL certificates are issued by trusted Certificate Authorities (CAs) and can be revoked for various reasons, such as security concerns or the owner’s request to invalidate the certificate.

When this error appears, it means that Chrome has detected that the SSL certificate for the website you’re trying to access is no longer valid. This can prevent users from visiting the website, as Chrome will block access to ensure user security.

If you encounter this error, don’t worry! There are several methods you can use to fix it. This guide will cover potential solutions for both users and website owners to resolve the NET::ERR_CERT_REVOKED error.

What Causes the NET::ERR_CERT_REVOKED Error?

The NET::ERR_CERT_REVOKED error usually occurs due to the following reasons:

1. SSL Certificate Revocation: The SSL certificate of the website has been revoked by the Certificate Authority (CA). This could happen if the certificate was compromised, the domain owner requested revocation, or there was an issue with the certificate.
2. Outdated Certificate: Sometimes, the certificate might have expired or been updated, but the browser is still trying to use the revoked version.
3. Interception by Antivirus or Firewall: Security software like antivirus or firewalls might be scanning your SSL traffic, causing the browser to interpret the certificate as revoked.
4. Local Cache or DNS Issues: Cached data or outdated DNS information on your browser or computer may be causing the error.
5. Website Configuration Issues: Misconfiguration of the server or the certificate chain might also trigger this error.

How to Fix the NET::ERR_CERT_REVOKED Error in Google Chrome

1. Check Date and Time Settings

Sometimes, incorrect date and time settings on your computer can cause SSL certificate errors, including the NET::ERR_CERT_REVOKED error. If your system’s date and time are incorrect, your browser might falsely detect an issue with the SSL certificate.

Steps to check and fix date and time settings:

1. On Windows:
   • Right-click on the date and time in the taskbar and select Adjust date/time.
   • Ensure that Set time automatically is turned on.
   • Check if the time zone is correct.
2. On Mac:
   • Click on the Apple menu and choose System Preferences.
   • Select Date & Time.
   • Ensure that Set date and time automatically is checked and that the correct time zone is selected.

Once the date and time are fixed, refresh the page to see if the error is resolved.

2. Clear Your Browser Cache and Cookies

Sometimes, cached SSL data and cookies in your browser can cause issues with SSL certificates, including the NET::ERR_CERT_REVOKED error. Clearing your cache and cookies can help resolve the issue.

Steps to clear cache and cookies in Chrome:

1. Open Chrome.
2. Click on the three vertical dots (menu) in the upper-right corner.
3. Select More tools > Clear browsing data.
4. In the pop-up window, select All time as the time range.
5. Check the boxes for Cookies and other site data and Cached images and files.
6. Click Clear data.

After clearing the cache and cookies, restart Chrome and try accessing the website again.

3. Try Incognito Mode

If the issue persists, try opening the website in Incognito Mode. Incognito mode disables all extensions and uses a fresh browsing session, which can help identify if the problem is caused by a browser extension or cache.

Steps to open Incognito Mode:

1. Click on the three vertical dots in the upper-right corner of Chrome.
2. Select New Incognito Window.
3. Try accessing the website again in the incognito window.

If the website loads without the error, it might indicate that a browser extension or a cached file is causing the issue. In this case, proceed to disable extensions and clear the browser cache.

4. Check for Antivirus or Firewall Interference

Some antivirus programs or firewalls intercept SSL/TLS traffic and can cause Chrome to display SSL errors, including NET::ERR_CERT_REVOKED. These tools may incorrectly mark a website’s SSL certificate as revoked if they interfere with the secure connection.

Steps to disable SSL scanning in antivirus programs:

1. Open your antivirus program’s settings.
2. Look for options like SSL/TLS scanning or HTTPS scanning.
3. Disable these features temporarily and try accessing the website again.

If you’re using a firewall, check whether it’s blocking SSL connections. You may need to temporarily disable the firewall to test if it’s causing the issue.

5. Contact the Website Owner

If you’re trying to access a website and you see the NET::ERR_CERT_REVOKED error, it’s possible that the website’s SSL certificate has been revoked. In this case, the website owner needs to resolve the issue by contacting the Certificate Authority (CA) to get a new, valid certificate.

You can check the website’s certificate status using tools like SSL Labs’ SSL Test to verify if the certificate has been revoked.

1. Go to SSL Labs’ SSL Test.
2. Enter the website’s domain name.
3. Click on Submit and wait for the results.
4. Check the Certificate Revocation section in the results to confirm if the certificate has been revoked.

If the certificate has been revoked, the website owner will need to obtain a new certificate from the CA and install it correctly on their server.

6. Disable QUIC Protocol

The QUIC protocol (Quick UDP Internet Connections) is a feature in Google Chrome that can sometimes interfere with SSL/TLS connections, causing the NET::ERR_CERT_REVOKED error.

Steps to disable QUIC protocol:

1. Open Chrome and type chrome://flags in the address bar.
2. Press Enter.
3. In the search bar, type QUIC.
4. Under Experimental QUIC protocol, select Disabled from the dropdown.
5. Restart Chrome to apply the changes.

After disabling QUIC, try accessing the website again.

7. Update Google Chrome

Outdated versions of Chrome can sometimes cause issues with SSL certificates. Make sure your browser is up to date to avoid compatibility problems.

Steps to update Chrome:

1. Click on the three vertical dots in the upper-right corner of Chrome.
2. Go to Help > About Google Chrome.
3. Chrome will automatically check for updates and install them if available.
4. Restart Chrome after the update is complete.

Once Chrome is updated, try accessing the website again.

8. Manually Bypass the SSL Error (Not Recommended for General Use)

While not a permanent solution, you can manually bypass the NET::ERR_CERT_REVOKED error for testing purposes. This is not recommended for general browsing as it compromises security.

To bypass the error, click Advanced on the error page and select Proceed to [Website] (unsafe). However, this only works if the certificate revocation is not enforced by the server. It’s always best to have the certificate issue fixed rather than bypassing it.

Conclusion

The NET::ERR_CERT_REVOKED error in Google Chrome typically occurs when the SSL certificate of a website is revoked. This can be due to various reasons, such as certificate compromise, misconfiguration, or issues with antivirus/firewall software.

By following the steps above, you can troubleshoot and potentially fix the issue, both as a user and as a website owner. If you’re a user, clearing the cache, checking your date and time settings, or disabling antivirus SSL scanning can help. If you’re the website owner, contacting the certificate provider to resolve the revocation and ensuring your server is correctly configured for SSL is key.

If the issue persists, it’s essential to contact the website’s administrator for further assistance.