Google Chrome users on Windows 10 can sometimes stumble upon the NET :: ERR_CERT_INVALID SSL error when they visit the most popular sites on the web. As soon as this error appears, it usually takes away from users the ability to continue on their way to their destination, and the following text is displayed on the screen:
This problem could arise for several reasons. This could be due to incorrect date and time settings on your computer. Or, your browser settings have been changed by the influence of some malicious software.
Before we move on to the main methods for solving the NET :: ERR_CERT_INVALID error in Google Chrome, let’s go through some points that will be useful to follow.
- Make sure you have the most current version of Google Chrome installed at the moment. To do this, do the following:
- Write to address bar chrome: // help / and press Enter.
- After that, wait until the end of the search for available updates, which, if available, will be automatically installed.
- Some users claim that disabling or removing their antivirus might fix the problem. Before executing the methods, try uninstalling or disabling your antivirus, and then check for the NET :: ERR_CERT_INVALID error in Google Chrome.
- Disabling your Windows Firewall can also help resolve the issue. Try disabling and enabling your Windows Firewall and then check again for the problem in your browser. To disable Firewall, do the following:
- Press the key combination Win + R…
- Write on a blank line firewall.cpl and press Enter.
- Click on the “Turn Windows Firewall On and Off “…
- Check the boxes “Disable Windows Firewall (not recommended) “ both on a private network and on a public network.
- Click Ok.
Solution for NET :: ERR_CERT_INVALID error
Method # 1 Performing a Google Chrome Reset
Performing a Google Chrome Reset helps solve many problems if they are on your side. Simply put, resetting your browser sets its settings to their default values. So if the error NET :: ERR_CERT_INVALID in Google Chrome occurred as a result of its settings, then the following steps will help you.
- Open Google Chrome.
- Click on the button with three dots to open Settings.
- Go down below the settings and click on “Show advanced settings “…
- Go down even lower and click on the button “Reset”…
- A window with the message “The settings for the home page, quick access page and search engine will be reset, and all tabs will be unpinned … “… Click on the “Reset “…
- Now restart your computer.
These steps will take you back to the default settings in Google Chrome. Now try going to the website you tried to visit earlier.
Method # 2 Change Date and Time Settings
Incorrect date and time can make your browser think SSL certificates are out of date. Setting the Date and Time can fix this problem.
- Press the Win key.
- Select “Settings “…
- Go to “Time and language “…
- Disable the option “Set time automatically “…
- Then turn on “Set time automatically “…
- Close the settings page.
- Reboot your computer.
After restarting your computer, open Google Chrome and check for the problem.
Method # 3 The word “Danger”
This method is not a complete solution to the problem. If all of the above did not work, for some reason, and you are stuck with “such” browser, then method # 3 can help you.
Whenever you receive the message “Either the malicious site is trying to impersonate …” and the error NET :: ERR_CERT_INVALID, click anywhere on the screen and type “Danger“. This will refresh the page and take you to a real address that you can access.
But as mentioned earlier, this method is not a complete solution to the problem, but just a temporary workaround for the error.
Method # 4 Entering the address manually
Sometimes malicious software or a bug can change the address of a website if you try to access it through a bookmark in your browser. When you click on a bookmark, your browser goes to the changed address, instead of the real one you want. The problem is solved if you go to the site using manual entry of the address into the address bar, and not through a bookmark.
You can check this probability quite simply – look at the address bar when you click on a bookmark. If the address is somehow different from the one you are trying to go to, then this tab has been changed.
Method # 5 Checking Proxy Server Settings
Sometimes the Proxy server settings for Local Connections can have problems similar to the NET :: ERR_CERT_INVALID error. In this case, you just need to deselect the option to use a Proxy server for Local Connections.
- Press the key combination Win + R…
- Write on a blank line inetcpl.cpl and press Enter.
- Go to the “Connections “…
- Click on the “Network configuration” opposite the item “Configuring local network settings “…
- Uncheck the “Use a proxy server for local connections “…
- Also check the box next to the “Automatic parameter detection “…
- Click OK.
Open Google Chrome again and check for the NET :: ERR_CERT_INVALID error.
Method # 6 Try another browser
If none of the above helped, then the last thing you can try is to change the browser. Just download any other browser and try to go to the address you need. For example, you can try Firefox or Opera.