SSL/TLS certificates are digital securities that secure the web. Obtaining this digital certificate is an easy task since the website owner needs to approach a reliable CA (Certificate Authority) for the same. These CAs also brief the owner about the SSL installation process. However, even if the SSL certificate is installed properly on the website, it may display SSL connection errors on browsers.
These errors are quite frustrating to users and they may refrain from surfing such sites. To prevent such SSL error displays on sites, it is vital to know its causes and its solutions. However, firstly, for the ignorant, let us discuss SSL certificates and their functioning.
What is an SSL Certificate?
SSL/TLS (Secure Socket Layer/Transport Layer Security) certificates are digital certificates used to secure websites and their sensitive data with encryption technology.
These certificates permit the web browsers to identify and establish encrypted communication with the web servers using the HTTPS (hypertext transfer protocol secure) protocol. These security certificates at times display errors that need to be understood and fixed depending on the browser the user is using.
This blog is all about SSL certificate errors, their causes, and their fixations. We will also highlight some of the common troubleshooting solutions, which will guide you in solving SSL connection errors.
What is an SSL Connection Error?
Users come across varied types of SSL certificate errors while surfing the internet. Some SSL errors may be due to server-side issues while some may occur due to issues with the browser. Some errors may be displayed due to the wrong configuration of an SSL certificate on the site. Whatever the reason, these errors can prevent you from accessing your desired site. Usually, browsers do allow users to access such sites at their own risk. Accessing such risky sites can permit intruders to view and misuse the data exchanges made by you on that site.
Different SSL connection errors are caused due to different reasons.
Some Common SSL Connection Errors:
- NET::ERR_CERT_COMMON_NAME_INVALID
- NET::ERR_CERT_AUTHORITY_INVALID
- SSL HANDSHAKE ERROR
- SSL_ERROR_NO_CYPHER_OVERLAP
A specific error message is displayed by the browser, which states the cause of the error, and depending on that message, its solution needs to be implemented to fix the same.
These SSL error messages are different for varied browsers.
SSL Connection Error in Firefox
The above image shows an error message display made by Firefox, whereas the below image shows an error message display made by Chrome.
In short, the site’s SSL certificate may be valid and may be configured properly, but may display errors to its users. So, without further ado, let us check out the solutions.
How to Fix SSL Certificate Errors on Various Browsers?
If SSL connection issues are related to the server, then the site owner needs to check out and resolve the same. Nevertheless, sometimes your device or browser can also pop up such errors. Fixing the same in varied browsers is not as difficult as it seems.
How to Fix SSL Connection Error in Chrome?
- Ensure that your Chrome browser is updated to its recent version.
- Ensure that the date and time on your device are coordinated and correct since incorrect date and time can create error displays/
- Go to Settings > Select Time & Language. Set both the time and date to automatic mode by enabling them.
- In case the user is using MacOS, then click the “Apple” icon > go to System Preferences > tick the “date and time automatically” icon.
- Clear Chrome Cache & Cookies by opening the Settings menu. Click “Clear browsing data” select all the options and later click “Clear Data”
- Clear the SSL state by opening the “Start” menu. Go to “Internet Options” > Internet Properties > Content > Clear SSL State.
In case you are using Mac Operating System, open the “Utility” menu > go to Keychain Access > under Keychains (left-hand side), and select “System”. All the SSL certificates stored on your system are visible here.
Delete all one by one and check for the error.
- Try all the above-stated options to fix the error, and if it still exists, disable anti-virus software and firewall temporarily, access your file, and enable these security solutions again.
How to Fix SSL Connection Error in Firefox?
Generally, the above-stated solutions apply to the Firefox browser too for the elimination of the error.
- Ensuring the correct date and time of the device
- Clear Firefox cookies and cache
- Clear SSL State by opening Firefox > click “History” > go to “Clear Recent History”. Tick all the boxes and clear SSL State.
- Ensure that the SSL configuration is correct.
- Keep Firefox updated to the latest version.
- Check the expiry date of the certificate.
- Restart your device and check for the error.
How to Fix SSL Connection Error in Safari?
The solutions for fixing the error in the Safari browser are the same as stated for the Chrome browser.
- Verify the system’s date and time
- Make Ensure that the SSL configuration is correct.
- Clear all outdated browser extensions, cache, and cookies.
- Make sure that the SSL is activeated (not expired).
- Check whether Safari is updated to its latest version or not.
Check if the error is fixed or not and if not, there can be an issue from the server side. Contact the web owner and update him regarding the same.
How to Fix SSL Connection Error on iPhones and iPads.
Fixing the SSL connection error on iPhones and iPads is similar to the process of fixing the same on MacOS as well as for other browsers.
- Check the date, time of your mobile, and ensure that it is correct.
- Go to Settings > select General > Date & Time, and Enable the “Set Automatically” mode.
- Irrespective of the browser you are using on your iPhone, it is vital to clear all the browser cache and cookies for fixing the error and accessing the website.
If the above-stated solutions do not fix the error, then there can be a server-side issue.
How to Fix SSL Connection Error on Android?
All the same, solutions need to be applied for Android devices too.
- Ensuring the correct date and time is vital for fixing any SSL connection error.
- Go to Settings > click “General Management” > Set the Date & Time to automatic mode by enabling the “Automatic Date & Time” icon.
Note: Both iOS and Android operating systems have withdrawn the “Clear SSL State” option in their latest versions and hence this option will not be applied.
Conclusion
Using 256-bit encryption instead of 128-bit encryption since the latter is vulnerable and provides less security as compared to the former can be resolved by the web owner to fix the SSL error. Secondly, purchasing and installing an SSL certificate from a trustworthy CA (Certificate Authority) can also help to fix the error. This issue too can be resolved by the site owner.
Example: The site owner can use the highest validation certificate like DigiCert EV SSL certificate, Sectigo EV SSL, etc., which provides the maximum level of assurance, and helps garner user trust. When the same is installed properly, it is bound to provide the users a smooth and error-free navigation.
SSL errors are easy to fix and with the above troubleshooting solutions, you can easily access your desired site in an error-free way.
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