Avoid Common HTTPS Errors: A Simple Guide

HTTPS keeps your online information safe. But sometimes, you might see HTTPS errors that stop you from visiting websites. This guide will help you understand and fix these errors quickly.

Quick Fix Guide: Common HTTPS Errors

Here’s a simple table to help you fix common HTTPS errors fast:

Now, let’s look at each error in more detail.

1. SSL_ERROR_BAD_CERT_DOMAIN

What it means:

The website’s security certificate doesn’t match its address.

How to fix it:

For website visitors:

• Check if you typed the website address correctly
• Make sure you’re not on a fake website

For website owners:

• Check your certificate details
• Make sure your certificate covers all your website addresses
• If needed, get a new certificate with the right address

How to prevent it:

• Regularly check your website addresses and certificates
• Use a system to keep track of when certificates expire

2. ERR_CERT_AUTHORITY_INVALID

What it means:

The SSL certificate was not issued by a trusted Certificate Authority (CA).

How to fix it:

For website visitors:

• Check if your computer’s date and time are correct
• Clear your browser’s data
• Temporarily turn off your antivirus to see if it’s causing the problem

For website owners:

• Make sure you got your certificate from a well-known, trusted source
• Check if you installed all parts of your certificate correctly

Steps for website owners:

1. Find out who issued your certificate
2. Install all parts of the certificate on your server
3. Set up your web server to use the full certificate
4. Test to make sure everything is working

How to prevent it:

• Always get certificates from well-known, trusted sources
• Set up automatic certificate checking and renewal

3. ERR_CERT_DATE_INVALID

What it means:

The security certificate is too old or not yet valid.

How to fix it:

For website visitors:

• Make sure your computer’s date and time are correct
• Clear your browser data and restart your browser

For website owners:

• Check when your certificate expires
• If it’s expired, get a new one
• If it’s not valid yet, wait until its start date or fix your server’s time

Steps to renew a certificate:

1. Check when your certificate expires
2. Renew/purchase a new certificate
3. Get the new certificate and install it on your server
4. Restart your web server

How to prevent it:

• Set reminders for when certificates expire
• Use certificates that last longer
• Set up automatic renewal

4. NET::ERR_CERT_WEAK_SIGNATURE_ALGORITHM

What it means:

The security certificate uses old, less secure technology.

How to fix it:

1. Inspect your certificate details (it may be using an outdated algorithm like SHA-1).
2. Contact your Certificate Authority (CA) for a new certificate using a stronger algorithm (e.g., SHA-256)
3. Install the updated certificate on your server.
4. Update your server configuration to ensure it only supports secure, modern algorithms like SHA-256.

How to prevent it:

• Regularly check and update your security settings
• Stay informed about the latest encryption technologies by visiting SSL.com’s blog

5. ERR_SSL_PROTOCOL_ERROR

What it means:

There’s a problem with how your device and the website are trying to connect securely.

How to fix it:

For website visitors:

• Clear your browser data
• Turn off browser add-ons temporarily
• Try using a private/incognito browser window

For website owners:

• Check your server’s security settings
• Make sure you support modern security protocols
• Look for any wrong settings

Steps for website owners:

1. Check what security protocols your server supports
2. Update your web server software
3. Turn on newer, safer protocols (TLS 1.2 and 1.3)
4. Turn off older, less safe protocols
5. Set up strong security settings
6. Test to make sure everything works

How to prevent it:

• Keep your server software up to date
• Use extra security settings on your server
• Regularly check your security setup

Best Ways to Keep HTTPS Secure

To avoid HTTPS errors and keep your website safe:

• Use tools that manage certificates automatically
• Change certificates regularly
• Check your security settings often
• Keep all your software up to date
• Use strong, modern encryption
• Turn on extra security features like HSTS
• Regularly check for security weaknesses
• Stay informed about the latest security practices

Wrap-up

HTTPS errors can be annoying for visitors and bad for website owners. By understanding these common errors and how to fix them, you can keep your website running smoothly and securely.