Get Quick And Easy Methods To Fix SSL Connection Error

By Thomas G. Bass | November 15, 2019

SSL or System Sockets Layer is a standard security technology used within most of the web browsers. It helps to establish a secure link between the server and the users. Further, it also helps the users to protect their personal data like debit or credit card numbers, login credentials, etc.

Usually, the data transferred between the web server and the browser are sent in plain text. But, SSL encrypts the data and make it inaccessible for hackers. 

Despite being a popular security technology, users often face the SSL connection error while browsing the internet. This error tells that the users are unable to set a stable or secure connection with the web browser. 

If you also stuck with the same error, then have a look at this guide. Here are the best ways to eradicate this error. So, let’s begin.

What Causes the SSL Connection Error? 

There are several reasons behind this error. Let’s take a quick glance: 

  • A mismatch between the domain name with the SSL certificate. 
  • Incorrect settings of data and time of the system. 
  • The webpage contains insecure data. 
  • The computer is infected by viruses or malware or failure of firewall protection. 
  • Unauthorized, outdated, or untrusted SSL certificate. 

The SSL connection error comes in the form of various error notifications. 

  • Your connection is not private with NET:: ERR_CERT_AUTHORITY_INVALID
  • This webpage is not available or ERR_SSL_VERSION_OR_CIPHER_MISMATCH
  • The clock is behind or Your clock is with Net:: ERR-CERT_DATA_INVALID
  • This server has a weak ephemeral Diffie-Hellman public key or ERR_SSL_WEAK_EPHEMERAL_DH_KEY
  • This webpage has a redirect loop or ERR_TOO_MANY_REDIRECTS

Now, whatever be the reason or error type you must fix the problem at the earliest.

Solved SSL Connection Error: 4 Premium Hacks

If you are facing this error right after installing a new application, then it also can lead to this error. Hence, before performing any complicated solutions you should uninstall the faulty application. Lastly, check if the issue has been solved. 

If not, then don’t worry. There are a number of hacks you can perform to get rid of this issue. 

Fix 1: Change Date and Time Settings

You can easily solve this error by changing the ‘Date and Time’ settings of the system. Even if the time is correct and the date is incorrect, then also SSL connection error can appear. 

How to Change the Date and Time Settings? 

  1. First and foremost, hit the R and Win key from the keyboard to invoke the Run Command box. 
  2. Afterward, type “timedate.cpl” in the Run box and press Enter to proceed (Else, you can also tap on the OK button from the Run pop-up box).
  3. Choose the ‘Change date and time’ option and set the correct date and time. 
  4. Next, tap on the OK button to apply the date and time you have set currently. 
  5. Now, you need to confirm that the time zone you have selected is correct. If the time zone is incorrect, then tap on the ‘Change time zone…’ button. Select the correct time zone and tap OK. 
  6. Lastly, again tap on the OK button and try to open the browser to check if the issue persists. 

Fix 2: Change the Security Level

You can also solve this error by changing the security level of the browser. Here are the steps you need to perform in order to change the security level: 

  1. First, launch the Run box by following the steps as we mentioned earlier. 
  2. Thereafter, you have to type “inetcpl.cpl” in the Run Dialog box and hit the Enter key from the keyboard to go to the target page. 
  3. Now, you need to navigate to the Security tab. 
  4. Next, set the slider to Middle-High. If you see that the slider is already in the Middle-High level, then you can set it to medium state. 
  5. Tap on the Apply button. Go to the Content tab and tap on the ‘Clear SSL State’ option. 
  6. After completing this process, you should tap the Apply button and then finalize it by clicking on the OK button. 

After that, you need to open a web page to check if the error is fixed or not. Otherwise, you should perform the next solution stated below. 

Fix 3: Clear the Data and Cache of the Browser

Sometimes, the data and cache of the browser prevent you from accessing certain web pages. Hence, you should try to clear the data and cache of the browser. 

To do that, perform the steps as follows: 

  1. In the beginning, launch the browser and click on the three-dot signs located at the upper right corner of the screen. 
  2. Then, click on the Settings option from the list. 
  3. Afterward, go to the Privacy tab and click on the Advanced option. 
  4. Scroll down the page to find out the ‘Clear Browsing Data’ option and click on it. 
  5. Set the time range to ‘At the beginning of time.’
  6. Now, make sure that the ‘Images and Files in Cache’ box is checked. 
  7. Lastly, tap on the ‘CLEAR BROWSER DATA’ option. 

After clearing the data and cache of the browser, you need to check if the problem still appears. 

Fix 4: Import/Export SSL Certificate

Exporting and importing the SSL certificate of the browser helped several users to get rid of the SSL certificate error. So, if the above procedures do not work for you, then you should try to export and import the SSL certificate of that particular website. 

How to Export/Import the SSL Certificate of the Browser? 

The procedures of exporting and importing are similar for all the web browsers. Here, we are going to cover the steps for the Google Chrome Browser: 

Step 1: 

First of all, you need to launch the Google Chrome browser. Then, open the site where you are facing the error. If you see it can’t open, then type its address in the address bar and hit Enter. 

Afterward, you need to go to the Homepage of Chrome to open the Menu. Click on the ‘More tools’ option from the list and navigate to the ‘Developers tools’ from the resulting menu. 

Step 2: 

Now, you will see the programming of the particular website. Search for the Security tab and click on it. If you are unable to get to the Security tab, then tap on the double arrow button from the next window. 

Click on the ‘View certificate’ button and then navigate to the Details tab. Afterward, tap on the ‘Copy to File…’ option. It will open a new wizard. Tap on the Next button to proceed further. 

Step 3: 

Again click on Next and leave the settings as they are set in Default. Tap on the ‘Browser…’ button and then go to the location where you have saved the file. Rename the file and click on the Save button. Click on Next and then the Finish button.  

Now, you will see the ‘The export was successful’ message on a pop-up box. Tap on the OK button and click on the ‘X’ mark to close it. 

Step 4: 

Thereafter, you have to open the Chrome menu again and choose the Settings option from the list. Choose the Advanced option from the next window. 

Go to the ‘Privacy and Security’ category and tap on the ‘Manage Certificates’ option. Click on the Import button and then tap on the Next button. 

Step 5: 

Again click on the ‘Browse…’ button and navigate to the location where the SSL certificate file is saved. Afterward, tap on the Open button and click Next. 

Choose the ‘Automatically select the certificate store based on the certificate’ option from the next page and tap on the Next button. 

Step 6: 

Now, once the import process is finished, you should tap on the Finish and then the OK button to complete the procedure. Afterward, restart the computer and check if the issue is resolved. 

With this, we are going to wrap up this post. The above-mentioned solutions are enough to eliminate the SSL certificate error. Hopefully, it will help you to put an end to this error. 

Posted in SSL Error