How to Fix the NET::ERR CERT DATE INVALID Error?

Have you ever encountered the ERR_CERT_DATE_INVALID error on Google Chrome, a browser used by 2.65 billion+ people? A common roadblock indicates a mismatch in your computer’s – date and time settings or an issue with the – validity of the website’s SSL certificate.

Displaying the ERR_CERT_DATE_INVALID error is Chrome’s way of alerting you to potential security concerns, akin to the fact that your connection is not a private warning. All that this error wants to indicate is to highlight possible privacy risks involved in proceeding with the connection.

In this article, we will explore the error in discussion in depth.

What is the ERR_CERT_DATE_INVALID Error?

The NET::ERR_CERT_DATE_INVALID error typically appears as a warning in web browsers like Google Chrome. The error indicates a problem with the validity period of the SSL certificate, which could be because – it has expired or isn’t yet valid. This issue typically occurs due to – incorrect system date and time settings on the user’s end.

When you encounter this error, your browser may also display a warning message – Your Connection is Not Private. This pop-up serves as a cautionary note about potential security risks, and ignoring it can expose you to “n” number of security vulnerabilities.

Other browsers also have their own version of the error, such as:

• On Chrome, you would get – Your Connection is Not Private
• On Firefox, you would get – Warning: Potential Security Risk Ahead
• On Safari, you would get – Safari can’t verify the identity of the website
• On Microsoft Edge, you would get – Your connection isn’t private

What causes the ERR_CERT_DATE_INVALID Error?

There are numerous reasons, apart from incorrect date and time settings, that can give birth to the error we are discussing, such as:

• Problem with User’s Computer
• Browser-Related Issues
• Issues with the SSL Certificate Itself

Whatever the reason, the “good news” is that you can make it – Go Away!

How to Fix the ERR_CERT_DATE_INVALID Error?

Utilize the methods mentioned below. One of these methods will get the issue fixed.

1. Refresh the Page
2. Adjust System’s Date and Time Settings
3. Determine Whether the Certificate Has Expired or is Faulty
4. Update Operating System and Browser
5. Temporarily Disable Antivirus Software and Firewall
6. Temporarily Disable Browser Extensions
7. Clear Browser’s Cache and Cookies
8. Clear SSL Cache
9. Change Your Domain Name System (DNS) Server

Let’s explore each method in depth.

Method 1: Refresh the Page

Refreshing the page can resolve the ERR_CERT_DATE_INVALID error in cases where temporary network issues or browser cache problems are at play. A refresh prompts the browser to re-establish a connection and reload the – website’s SSL certificate information.

To refresh the page, you can click the – F5 button. You can also click the – Reload this page icon, placed on the left of the URL address bar.

Method 2: Check Your Date and Time

Sometimes, the issue in the discussion can be because of the system’s incorrect date and time settings. Hence, double-check those settings. If they need to be corrected – modify them.

Follow the steps given below to adjust the date and time settings:

• Click Search, placed on the taskbar.
• Type Set the time zone automatically and press Enter.
• Click on the Set time automatically toggle button.
• Click on the Set time zone automatically toggle button.

Method 3: Determine Whether the Certificate Has Expired or is Faulty

An expired or faulty installed SSL certificate on the website can cause this error. Ensure the certificate is valid and correctly installed. You can also use free online SSL checker tools to learn about the SSL certificate state installed on a domain.

Follow the steps mentioned below to check the SSL certificate:

1. Click the address bar’s View site information icon (the padlock icon).
2. Click the right arrowhead (Connection is secure) option.
3. Click Certificate is valid.
4. The Certificate Viewer window will appear.
5. View the certificate details in the Certificate Viewer window and confirm whether it is current.

Method 4: Update Operating System and Browser

Updating your operating system and browser can resolve the ERR_CERT_DATE_INVALID error by ensuring you have the – latest security protocols and compatibility updates. These updates often include patches for known bugs and improvements in handling SSL certs.

Follow the steps mentioned below to update the browser:

• Open a fresh tab in Chrome.
• Click on Customize and control Google Chrome icon (three vertical dots).
• From the list, select Help, and click About Google Chrome.
• The update will start automatically. (If using an older version)

Follow the steps mentioned below to update the Operating System:

• Click Search placed on the taskbar.
• Type Windows Update settings and press Enter.
• The Settings window will appear.
• Click on the Check for updates button.
• Once it’s updated, re-access the site.

Method 5: Temporarily Disable Antivirus Software and Firewall

Antivirus software or firewalls might mistakenly flag a website’s SSL cert as untrustworthy or block certain aspects of the web communication. By temporarily turning off these security measures, you can test if they cause the – ERR_CERT_DATE_INVALID Error.

Follow the steps given below to turn off the antivirus temporarily:

• Click the Search icon, type Windows Security, and press Enter.
• In the left pane, click the Virus & threat protection option.
• In the right pane, click the Manage settings option under the Virus & threat protection settings section.
• Under the Real-time protection section, use the toggle switch to disable it.
• In the User Account Control window, click Yes.

Follow the steps given below to disable the firewall:

• Click the Search icon, type Windows Defender Firewall, and press Enter.
• In the left pane, click the Turn Windows Defender Firewall on or off option.
• Under the Private network settings section, check the checkbox before the Turn off Windows Defender Firewall (not recommended) option.
• Check the checkbox before the Turn off Windows Defender Firewall (not recommended) option and click OK.

Method 6: Temporarily Disable Browser Extensions

Browser extensions can cause ERR_CERT_DATE_INVALID error. To find the culprit, remove each extension individually and check if the error persists.

Follow the steps given below to remove extensions individually:

1. Open a fresh tab in Google Chrome.
2. Click the Extensions icon.
3. Click on the more options icon (three vertical lines) placed adjacent to any extension of your choice (that you want to disable), and click Remove from Chrome.
4. Click Remove again.
5. Reload the website and verify whether the error exists or not.
6. If it does, repeat the process from Step 2.

Method 7: Clear the Browser’s Cache and Cookies

The browser cache stores copies of web pages, while cookies save user preferences and login states. If the cached version of a website or its SSL cert is outdated or corrupt, it can lead to error in question. 

Follow the steps given below to clear cookies and cached data:

• Open a fresh tab in Chrome.
• Click on Customize and Control Google Chrome list (three horizontal dots in the top right corner.)
• From the list, click History.
• The History window will appear.
• In the History window, click the blue Clear browsing data link.
• Click the checkbox in front of the Browsing history checkbox.
• Click the checkbox in front of the Cookies and site data checkbox.
• Click the check box in front of the Cached images and files checkbox.
• Click Clear data.
• If the “Also clear data from these sites?” prompt pops up, click Clear.

Method 8: Clear SSL Cache

Clearing your DNS cache can resolve this error by eliminating outdated or corrupted cache entries that may be causing the issue.

Follow the steps mentioned below to accomplish the same:

1. Click Search, placed on the taskbar.
2. Type cmd in the right pane, and click Run as administrator.
3. The Command Prompt window will appear.
4. In the Command Prompt window, type ipconfig /flushdns.
5. Press Enter.
6. A message stating “Windows IP configuration Successfully flushed the DNS Resolver Cache” message will appear.
7. Re-access the website again.

Method 9: Change Your Domain Name System (DNS) Server

Changing your Domain Name System server can sometimes resolve the ERR_CERT_DATE_INVALID error by altering the path through which your browser retrieves website data.

Switching to a different DNS server, like – Google’s Public DNS, might enable a more accurate and updated retrieval of site SSL cert.

Follow the steps mentioned below to change your DNS name:

• Click Search, placed on the taskbar.
• Type Control Panel, press Enter.
• Click Network and Internet.
• Click Network and Sharing Center.
• Change adapter settings.
• Right-click on your connection and select Properties.
• Select Internet Protocol Version 4 or 6.
• click Properties.
• From the list, select Use the following DNS server addresses.
• Enter DNS (ex – 8.8.8.8)
• Click OK.
• Restart the system.

Conclusion

Addressing ERR_CERT_DATE_INVALID error involves straightforward fixes such as – refreshing the page, adjusting date and time settings, verifying the SSL certificate, updating your browser and OS, and tweaking security settings.