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How To Solve Windows Security Certificate Error – Tech4Gamers

September 2, 2023
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When you’re online, safety is key. But seeing a ‘Windows security certificate error’ on your browser can be a bit worrying. These errors usually pop up when your browser has trouble checking a website’s safety certificate, and sometimes, the problem is in your own system. 

Key Takeaways

  • Security certificate errors serve as important safety alerts, signaling issues with a website’s security that could compromise your data.
  • Common causes of these errors include incorrect system date and time, expired or invalid SSL certificates, and recent Windows updates.
  • Solutions include adjusting system time, accepting the website’s certificate manually, uninstalling problematic updates, or disabling certain internet settings.

Causes Of Windows Security Certificate Errors

It’s important to understand that these errors serve as a protective mechanism. They are your browser’s way of telling you that something is off with the website’s security, which could potentially compromise your data or privacy. 

  1. Your computer’s date and time settings are incorrect
  2. The website’s SSL certificate is expired or invalid
  3. An untrusted entity issues the SSL certificate
  4. A mismatch between the certificate’s address and the website’s address
  5. Recent Windows updates causing conflicts
  6. Problems with the browser or browser settings
windows security error
Windows Security Error (Credits: Tech4Gamers)

Here is the error message:

Error Message: There is a problem with this website’s security certificate. This might mean that someone’s trying to fool you or steal any info you send to the server. You should close this site immediately.

Also Read: How To Fix Windows Update Error 0x800f0922

How To Fix Windows Security Certificate Errors

Knowing why these security certificate errors happen is a good start to fixing them. These errors are actually your computer’s way of looking out for you. Most of these problems have simple fixes. 

Here are all the methods to fix it:

  1. Correct Your Computer’s Date And Time
  2. Accept The Certificate
  3. Solve Windows Update Problem
  4. Disable The ‘Warn About Certificate Address Mismatch’ Option
  5. Review Your Antivirus Settings
  6. Modify Server Revocation Options
  7. Reset Your Browser To Default Settings

Correct Your Computer’s Date And Time

Sometimes, your computer might be set to the wrong date or time. This can confuse your browser when it checks the security certificate of a website.

Here’s how you can fix this:

  1. Look at the bottom right corner of your screen. You should see the current time displayed there. Right-click on it.
  2. A menu will pop up. Click on the option that says ‘Adjust date/time.’
    Adjust time and date
    Select the Adjust Date and Time option (Credits: Tech4Gamers)
  3. Now, you’ll see whether your computer is set to change the time automatically. If the time and date are wrong, you need to switch this off. Click on the switch to turn it off.
  4. Now you can set the correct date and time yourself. Click on ‘Change’.
    Turn on "Select Time Automatically"
    Turn on “Select Time Automatically” (Credits: Tech4Gamers)
  5. A box will open where you can select the right date and time. Once you’ve done that, click ‘Change’ again.

Accept The Certificate

If you’re sure that the website is safe, you can choose to accept the security certificate manually. 

Here is how to accept it: 

  1. Look for the option that says ‘Continue to this website (not recommended)’ and click on it. This means you’re choosing to go to the website despite the warning.
  2. Now, you’ll see a ‘Certificate Error.’ Click on this.
  3. A new option will appear called ‘View Certificates.’ Click on this.
  4. Now, you’ll see an ‘Install Certificate’ option. Click on this to manually install the certificate.
  5. A message will pop up asking if you’re sure you want to install the certificate. Click ‘Yes’ or ‘Confirm’ to finish the process.

WARNING: Only accept the certificate if you are 100% sure about the website.

Solve Windows Update Problem

Sometimes, a new Windows update may interfere with your system’s security checks, leading to certificate errors. If you’ve started experiencing these issues after a recent update, it might be a good idea to uninstall that update. 

Here are the steps: 

  1. Open your computer’s ‘Settings.’ You can do this by pressing the Windows key and the ‘I’ key on your keyboard at the same time.
  2. In the ‘Settings’ window, look for an option called ‘Update & Security’ and click on it.
    update and security
    Select Update and Security (Credits: Tech4Gamers)
  3. Once you’re in the ‘Update & Security’ section, you’ll see several options listed on the left. Click on ‘Windows Update.’
    Check for Updates
    Click on Updates (Credits: Tech4Gamers)
  4. In the ‘Windows Update’ section, you’ll find a link that says ‘View update history.’ Click on this link.
  5. Now, you’ll see a list of all the updates your computer has installed. Look for an option that says ‘Uninstall updates’ and click on it.
  6. You’ll now see a list of recently installed updates. Find the update that you think is causing problems (it’ll likely be one of the most recent ones). Click on it to select it.
  7. Finally, you’ll see an option to ‘Uninstall’ the update. Click on this, and your computer will begin the process of removing the update.
    Update for Windows
    Select the option indicated in the image. (Credits: Tech4Gamers)

Disable The ‘Warn About Certificate Address Mismatch’ Option

Occasionally, a security certificate error can be triggered if there’s a discrepancy between the address of the website and the address listed on the certificate. In such cases, disabling the ‘Warn About Certificate Address Mismatch’ option can help. 

Here’s what you need to do: 

  1. Start by opening the ‘Control Panel.’ You can do this by clicking on the search bar and typing in ‘Control Panel’.
  2. Find an option that says ‘View by:,’ usually located in the top right corner. Click on it and select ‘Small icons’ from the dropdown menu.
  3. Now, look for ‘Internet Options’ in the list and click on it.
  4. In the ‘Internet Options’ window, you’ll see several tabs at the top. Click on the one that says ‘Advanced.’
  5. Scroll down through the options until you find the ‘Security’ section.
  6. Within the ‘Security’ options, look for a checkbox next to ‘Warn about certificate address mismatch’. If this box is checked, click on it to uncheck it.
    Uncheck certificate address
    Uncheck this box (Credits: Tech4Gamers)
  7. Finally, click ‘Apply’ to save your changes and then ‘OK’ to close the window.

Related: How To Fix Windows Update Error 0xc1900204

Review Your Antivirus Settings

Your antivirus software is designed to protect your system from threats, but sometimes, it can interfere with your browser and cause issues like security certificate errors. However, tweaking your antivirus settings or disabling it temporarily could solve the problem. 

Here is how to disable antivirus: 

  1. Click on the Start menu, type “Windows Security,” and then select the Windows Security application.
    Windows Security
    Windows Security – (Credits: Tech4Gamers)
  2. On the left pane, select ‘Virus & threat protection’, then click on ‘Settings’.
    Turn off ‘Real-time protection’.
    Virus & threat Protection
    Virus & threat Protection – (Credits: Tech4Gamers)
  3. Remember, this should only be a temporary fix. Never browse the internet without adequate protection against viruses and other threats.

If the error persists, the problem could be with the antivirus software itself. In such cases, you might need to uninstall the antivirus software and check if the error still appears.

If the error is resolved post-uninstallation, consider switching to different antivirus software. Good antivirus software is updated regularly to protect against the latest threats and to ensure compatibility with other applications on your PC.

 Important: Make sure to turn the antivirus on instantly after trying the fix, as keeping it turned off for a long period will put your PC at risk.  

Modify Server Revocation Options

Your system checks for certification revocation to ensure the credibility of the server. However, this setting might sometimes lead to security certificate errors. Modifying the server revocation options can potentially resolve the issue.

Here’s a step-by-step guide:

  1. Press the Windows Key + S simultaneously. This will open up the search bar.
  2. Type “Internet Options” in the search bar and select it from the drop-down menu that appears.
    Internet options pic
    Type “Internet Options” (Credits: Tech4Gamers)
  3. In the Internet Options window, navigate to the ‘Advanced’ tab.
  4. Scroll down to the ‘Security’ section. Here, uncheck the boxes next to ‘Check for publisher’s certification revocation’ and ‘Check for server certificate revocation.‘
    Uncheck the box and click OK
    Uncheck the box and click OK – (Credits: Tech4Gamers)
  5. Click ‘Apply’ and then ‘OK’ to save these changes.
  6. Finally, restart your PC for the changes to take effect. Once your system restarts, check if the security certificate error has been resolved.

Reset Your Browser To Default Settings

If all else fails, restoring your browser to its default settings might just do the trick. This method will clear any configurations that may be causing the security certificate error.

Here’s how you can do this:

  1. In your browser’s URL bar, type “chrome://settings/” and hit Enter.
  2. On the left side of the page, you’ll see an option for ‘Reset and clean up.’ Click on it.
  3. Now, on the right side of the page, choose ‘Restore settings to their original defaults.’
  4. Finally, click on the ‘Reset settings’ button to confirm.

Frequently Asked Questions

What causes a Windows security certificate error?

Windows security certificate errors occur due to several reasons, including incorrect date and time settings on your computer, an expired or invalid website’s SSL certificate, an SSL certificate issued by an untrusted entity, a mismatch between the certificate’s address and the website’s address, conflicts from recent Windows updates, or issues with browser settings.

How can I fix a Windows security certificate error?

Fixing a Windows security certificate error can involve steps like adjusting your computer’s date and time, manually approving the site’s certificate, removing a troublesome Windows update, or turning off the ‘Warn About Certificate Address Mismatch’ setting.

Is it safe to proceed when a Windows security certificate error occurs?

Proceeding when a Windows security certificate error occurs, should be done with caution. These errors are designed to protect your online security. If you trust the website and have verified its safety, you can choose to accept the certificate manually. However, it is recommended to try and resolve the error first to ensure secure browsing.

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