An Effective Guide On How To Solve Skype Certificate Error

Skype certification error basically pops up when the users try to login to Skype for Lync online. This error notification mostly appears on the Lync 2010 and Lync 2013 version. 

According to the user’s reports, this error notification displayed to them when they are trying to sign in to Lync after a network outage. 

When this error notification pops up, you will not be able to login to the Lync. This error notification indicates that some problem occurs in the server. This usually occurs when Lync tries to acquire the personal certification to log-in. 

So, if you want to know what is the reason behind this error notification and how it can be quickly resolved, then you are in the right place. 

Because in this article, we are going to discuss why users often face Skype certificate error notification. Also, we will provide effective solutions to get rid of the problem. 

So go through the rest of the article carefully.

Common Reasons Which Lead to the Skype Certification Error Windows 10:

Before jumping to the troubleshooting steps, at first, we will learn the reason behind the certification error in Skype.

After doing a little bit of research on the issue, we have found that Skype certificate error Windows 10 notification can occur for more than one reason. 

Some of them are:

• In 80% of cases, the certificate error notification occurs due to the obsolete or outdated application or Lync client program. 
• If you are using an old version of Microsoft Online Service, then it can also trigger the error notification.
• When the Skype certificate is not obtained by the client, at that time, this error notification can also pops-up.
• Virus or malware attack is also one of the potential reasons behind this problem.

Quick Methods to Resolve Skype Certificate Error:

Now we have learned the common reasons behind the Skype certificate error, it’s time to fix the issue with some effective methods. 

The troubleshooting solutions that we have explained in this article can be a little bit tricky for the new computer users. 

But we will try our best to explain it as simple as possible. 

Solution #1: Change Expired SSL Certification

“Can’t sign in to Lync – There was a problem acquiring a personal certificate required to sign in.” error notification can pop up simply because your SSL certification is expired. 

In this scenario, you have no other choice except changing the expired SSL certification. The process is long so we divide it into four sections to make it easy to understand:

Get the New Thumbprint

At first, launch the Exchange Management Shell as an administrator from your computer. Then execute Get-ExchangeCertificate in it. 

Now, you have to copy the thumbprint of the certificate that has registered the “W” service and then you have to execute get-owavirtualdirectory | Set-OwaVirtualDirectory-InstantMessagingCertificateThumbprint [New Thumbprint] in the Exchange Management Shell. 

Update the OWA Configuration File

After updating the OWA virtual directory with the new thumbprint, open the OWA configuration file by going through the below-mentioned path:

C:\Program Files\Microsoft\Exchange Server\V15\ClientAccess\OWA\web.config

From the current location, you have to find the IMCertificateThumbprint configuration file. If it’s not there, then jump to the next section. 

On the other hand, if you find the configuration file, then change the key thumbprint with the following thumbprint value:

<add key=”IMCertificateThumbprint” value=”[THE NEW THUMBPRINT” />

After completing the above steps, restart the IIS & test IM in OWA and you will be ready to go.

Update Setting Overrides

In case, you didn’t find the IMCertificateThumbprint file in the above-mentioned location, then launch the Exchange Management Shell and execute Get-SettingOverride command in it. 

Once you execute the command, a list of information will be displayed to you. From this list, you have to note the value of ID, Parameters, IMServerName value. 

Next, you have to execute the following command:

Set-SettingOverride -Identity [ID Name] -Parameters @(“IMServerName=[Server Name]”,”IMCertificateThumbprint=[The New Thumbprint]”).

Finally, you have to refresh everything by executing one final command:

Get-ExchangeDiagnosticInfo -Server $ENV:COMPUTERNAME -Process Microsoft.Exchange.Directory.TopologyService -Component VariantConfiguration -Argument Refresh

Now, simply restart IIS and test IM in OWA to complete the whole process.

Solution #2: Download the Certificate

If you are getting this error notification, “Can’t sign in Skype for business- There was a problem acquiring a personal certificate required to sign in” from the get-go, then it is possible that you forget to download and install the certificate. 

If you don’t know how to do install Certificate, then here is the guide for you:

• At first, download the certificate from the official website.
• Then locate the file from the download location and double-click on it to start the installation process.
•  When the installation window pops up, click on the Open button and then select the General tab from the Certificate window.
• Now, from the General tab, select the Install Certificate button and then choose whether you want to install it for the Current User or for all the users. After making your choice, click on the Next button.
• In the next window, choose the Place all certificates in the following store option and then click on the Browse button.
• Now, look for the Trusted Root Certification Authorities folder from your device and then place the file in it. 
• After choosing the location, you have to press the Next button and finally click on the Finish button to complete the whole process.

Once you complete all the above steps, then your device will be restarted automatically. Now hopefully, you will be able to sign in without an issue. 

Solution #3: Delete the Sign-in Info

The Skype certificate error Windows 10 issue can also occur if your sign-in information got corrupted for some reason. 

So, in this case, you can delete the sign-in information and then re-enter all the info properly to resolve the issue. 

To delete the info, you have to open the Skype for Business sign-in window and then click on the Delete my sign-in information. 

Once you click the option, it will erase your saved password, certificates and connection settings from your device. 

Now, simply input the account info again and then check if you are able to resolve the problem or not. 

Solution #4: Clear Lync’s Cache

Clearing Lync’s cache is yet another effective way to resolve the certification error issue. This solution is pretty easy as compared to the other solution. 

So, if the above methods didn’t help you to solve the issue, then give this method a try:

• At first, turn on your device and then follow the below-mentioned path to delete the Session Initiation Protocol folder:

C:\Users\Username\Appdata\Local\Microsoft\Office\15.0\Lync (or Skype)\

• Next, follow the below-mentioned path to delete all the files but do not delete any folder from the location:

 C:\Users\Username\Appdata\Local\Microsoft\Office\15.0\Lync (or Skype)\ Tracing\” 

• After deleting the files, you have to open the Run dialog box by pressing the Windows key + R key and then type regedit in it to open the Registry Editor window
• Once the Registry Editor opens, follow the below-mentioned path and delete the specific user’s expandable sip profile folder (the one that contains the user’s email address to sign in to Lync (or Skype)):

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\office\15.0\Lync (or Skype)

By going through all the above steps, you will be able to erase all the caches related to Lync from your device.

Wrapping Up

Hope these methods are able to guide you properly to fix the Skype certificate error issue of your device. 

We try our best to make the procedure as simple as possible to make it acceptable for all the users. 

If you are still facing the error, then we will highly recommend getting in touch with an expert.