Introduction
If you have been browsing the web for a while, you may have encountered the message “Certificate for this server is invalid” when trying to access a website. If you receive this error message, it means that the SSL certificate presented by the website is not valid, and your web browser cannot verify it.
SSL certificates are used to encrypt data between your web browser and the website’s server, ensuring that your data remains private and secure. When your browser cannot verify the validity of the SSL certificate, it will display an error message, preventing you from accessing the website.
In this article, we will discuss how to fix the “Certificate for this server is invalid” error and get back to browsing the web safely.
Detailed discussion on the certificate for this server is invalid error fix
Check your system clock
In many cases, the “Certificate for this server is invalid” error can be due to an incorrect date and time on your device. You should ensure that your system clock is set to the correct time and the correct timezone.
If your system clock is incorrect, your browser may not be able to validate the SSL certificate properly, resulting in the error message.
Clear browser cache
The error message can also be caused by an issue with your browser cache. Your browser stores a copy of websites visited, including SSL certificates, to speed up future visits. However, the cached version can sometimes become corrupted, leading to SSL errors.
Clearing your browser cache can help resolve this issue. In most browsers, you can do this by going to Settings, clicking on Privacy and Security, choosing Clear Browsing Data, and selecting Cached Images and Files.
Disable SSL scanning in antivirus software
Some antivirus software may include SSL scanning features, which can cause SSL errors if not configured correctly. If you have antivirus software installed on your device, try disabling SSL scanning temporarily to see if it resolves the issue.
Try accessing the website using a different browser
If the above methods do not work, try accessing the website using a different browser. If you are using Google Chrome, try using Mozilla Firefox or Microsoft Edge. This will help you determine if the issue is with the website or your browser.
Manually trust the SSL certificate
If you need to access a website urgently, you can manually trust the SSL certificate to bypass the error message. However, this should be done with caution as it could compromise your security.
To do this, click on the “Advanced” or “Details” option in the error message and choose “Proceed to website…” This will allow you to access the website, but you should only do this if you trust the website and know what you are doing.
Concluding thoughts on the certificate for this server is invalid error fix
In summary, the “Certificate for this server is invalid” error can be caused by several factors, including an incorrect system clock, browser cache issues, SSL scanning in antivirus software, and browser-related problems. To resolve the issue, you can try clearing your browser cache, disabling SSL scanning in antivirus software, accessing the website using a different browser, or manually trusting the SSL certificate.
Always be cautious when manually trusting an SSL certificate, as it could compromise your privacy and security.
FAQs about the certificate for this server is invalid error fix
What does the “Certificate for this server is invalid” error mean?
The error message means that the SSL certificate presented by the website is not valid, and your web browser cannot verify it. This could be due to several reasons, including an incorrect system clock, browser cache issues, or SSL scanning in antivirus software.
How can I fix the “Certificate for this server is invalid” error?
You can try several methods, including clearing your browser cache, disabling SSL scanning in antivirus software, accessing the website using a different browser, or manually trusting the SSL certificate (with caution).
Is it safe to manually trust an SSL certificate?
Manually trusting an SSL certificate should be done with caution, as it could compromise your privacy and security. You should only do this if you trust the website and know what you are doing.