Resolve NET::ERR_CERT_DATE_INVALID error on Google Chrome

Written by Valdis Koks

NET::ERR_CERT_DATE_INVALID on Chrome notifies about website’s expired SSL certificate

NET::ERR_CERT_DATE_INVALID issue is a warning alert by Chrome browser that notifies of the expiry of the website’s SSL certificate. The issue comes with “Your connection is not private” alert, implying that visiting such a website is not a safe experience. Sites that have no or expired SSL are treated as unsafe. Even though users can bypass this alert in a couple of clicks, we strongly advise that you do not do so and resolve the issue in proper manner. Either you are a website owner or simply a visitor, we have both situations reviewed in this simple guide.

“Every time I attempt to access any website, I encounter the error NET::ERR_CERT_DATE_INVALID…”, — informs Internet visitor Steven.

You must never ignore NET::ERR_CERT_DATE_INVALID warning as it basically prevents you from possible damage on the aforesaid website. It can imply that any data you convey to it can be perceived in the open text, or there might be other issues such as hazardous and unauthorized downloads in place.

NET::ERR_CERT_DATE_INVALID - Chrome browser

Nevertheless, the problem not always rests on the other end. Specific misconfigured values on your PC, such as wrong time parameters, can also give the error. We’ll review all the methods to resolve the NET::ERR_CERT_DATE_INVALID in the tutorial set forth below.

In case you’re a webmaster, you might proceed to examine the webpage and receive Failed to load resource: NET::ERR_CERT_DATE_INVALID. It is crucial to resolve such issue at once, since it prevents visitors from getting in touch with your website. Furthermore, it may generate an untrustworthy picture of your business or private web page.

It has been revealed that the problem often relates to those websites using LetsEncrypt, upon renewing the license. Even though the SSL certificate might be not expired, the issue comes up. To get back your website back to secure and repair SSL issues, refer to the 2020 tutorial set forth below.

Methods not to try 

Certain web sites may offer you to initiate low-quality and unsafe fixes that at the first glance may seem as capable of dealing with the issue. Nevertheless, we would like to warn you that these actions can result in even worse results.

Certain examples of items you SHOULD NOT implement to repair NET ERR CERT DATE INVALID are set forth below:

  • DO NOT switch off or deactivate your security software or Windows Defender, or mess up with any security-related services. In case you do so and visit a website that’s unsafe, your PC can become contaminated at once.
  • DO NOT visit the said page, even if you believe that it is secure to do so. Unless you’re a experienced IT geek who’s applying a virtual machine or another safe environment, you must not play around websites that are referred to as unsafe. You may end up downloading threats such as STOP/DJVU or something like that.

Verify if the problem is on your end

The initial milestone that you should undertake is checking if NET::ERR_CERT_DATE_INVALID comes up from a trouble on your device, or the webpage itself. Hence, we suggest clicking on the error name as depicted below, and checking the date of the website’s SSL certification expiry.

NET::ERR_CERT_DATE_INVALID - SSL certification expiry

Inspect the Expires on data. In case the date displayed is earlier than the current one, the SSL certificate is no longer valid and thus the website can be blamed for showing the issue for you. Visiting it may case extremely bad consequences.

In case the certificate isn’t yet expired, it means that there could be problems with its configuration OR the issue lies on your end.

You also should inspect the current date area. In case it isn’t correct, then the time parameters on your PC are wrong and you must repair it.

How to Repair NET::ERR_CERT_DATE_INVALID Error? (Webmasters)

Solution 1. Renewing the expired SSL certificate

  • Buy or renew present SSL certificate. Certain web hosting providers render cost-free SSLs, so you might decide to get in touch with your present hosting provider and verify that. Furthermore, you can obtain cost-free Cloudflare SSL if you’re applying their DNS services.
  • You will want to validate your certificate either by means of the email verification (you may get a code) or by means of uploading a file to your web page.
  • Install the SSL certificate on your resource.

You can get more detailed guidelines on SSL certificate providers’ web pages.

Repair NET::ERR_CERT_DATE_INVALID Error on Google Chrome (Visitors tutorial)

Solution 1. Repair your PCs’s time parameters

The most common reason of NET::ERR_CERT_DATE_INVALID Error is improper time and date values on a workstation. This is how you can repair it:

Windows

  1. Right-click on Windows icon to reveal Settings. At this point, proceed to Time & Language. Windows - Time & Language
  2. If the Set time automatically and set time zone automatically are switched off, switch them on.Windows - Set time automatically
  3. But, if you can notice that these values are on but the problem remains, deactivate these settings off and then click Change under Set the date and time manually. Provide correct data and click Change once again. Windows - Set the date and time manually
  4. Inspect if the problem remains. You should no longer encounter ERR CERT DATE INVALID Error in Google Chrome.

Mac

  1. On Mac, check Apple icon in the top left area, and choose System Preferences. At this point, proceed to Date & Time.
  2. You will require admin’s access to edit these values, so click on the lock icon, provide administrator name and password to continue:
    1. Automatically: Open Date & Time and afterwards select Set date and time automaticallyoption. If needed, select network and time server for your location. Inspect if you can still encounter NET::ERR_CERT_DATE_INVALID in your browser.
    2. Manually: Initially, uncheck the automatic date and time selection box. Afterwards, click on the current day in the calendar, enter current time and don’t forget to apply Save.
  3. At this point, proceed to Time Zone, and amend the time zone accordingly:
      1. Automatically: Select Set time zone automatically using current location.Mac - Set time zone automatically using current location

     2. Manually: Uncheck the automatic option, then select your location on the map, afterwards click the Closest City pop-up menu, and select a city that is the closest to your place.

The issue now should be fixed on your Mac.

Solution 2. Experiment with Google Chrome plugins

NET::ERR_CERT_DATE_INVALID Error on Chrome often takes place because of plugins and extensions that can cause undesirable issues. To verify if this is the reason, you need to first attempt to load your preferred website using the Incognito mode in Chrome.

Vefity whether Google Chrome plugins are causing the problem:

  1. When your browser is open, use the Ctrl+Shft+N hotkey to open such window. Alternatively, you may click on three dots in the upper right area and choose New Incognito Window.Google Chrome -NET::ERR_CERT_DATE_INVALID
  2. Provide the website’s name into the address field and hit Enter.

In case you can load the website without encounering the problem, it means that certain plugins that are enabled in the normal Chrome browsing mode are to blame. This is what you should do then.

Deactivate troubled Chrome plugins

You’ll need to experiment with available plugins a little to idenfity which one is causing the trouble. This is what you should do to repair ERR_CERT_DATE_INVALID:

  1. Start Google Chrome and specify this line in the URL bar: chrome://extensions/, hit Enter.
  2. At this point, switch off (deactivate) one add-on at a time. Upon deactivating an add-on, open a new tab, and attempt loading the website that’s causing you the error alert. Repeat until you locate the extension to cause the problem.  chrome extensions - deactivate

Solution 3. Clearing the Google Chrome cache

Overloaded browser memory can be blamend if you can’t load a website because of NET::ERR_CERT_DATE_INVALID issue. Here’s how to repair it by means of clearing the cache:

  1. Start Chrome browser and click the three-dots in the upper-right area. Select More tools > Clear browsing data.
  2. Be sure you’re in the Basic tab. Choose Time Range: All time, afterwards check all three options (browsing history, cookies and other site data, and cached images and files), afterwards choose Clear Data. (img)
  3. Investigate whether the problem remains.

Clearing the Google Chrome cache

Solution 4. Modify your Internet connection

In certain cases Your Connection is Not Private – NET::ERR_CERT_DATE_INVALID takes place whe you’re connected to unsafe Wi-Fi or certain other network. If this is so, your browser is OK. Hence, we suggest switching to another, safe connection and attempting to get in touch to your preferred website once again.

Solution 5. Scan your PC with antivirus

One of the causes why you might be facing NET::ERR_CERT_DATE_INVALID issue is malware available on your device. So, you should identify and delete it as soon as you can. You can implement system scan and delete present infections by means of antivirus you now apply, or download one right away. No need to worry – there are both free and paid solution to select from. You can investigate some reviews here.

Solution 6. Clearing SSL cache

Clearing SSL cache can resolve NET ERR CERT DATE INVALID issue. It is a simple and trouble-free solution that you can choose.

  1. Press down Win+R keys simultaneously to start Run prompt.
  2. In Run, provide inetcpl.cpl and hit Enter.
  3. Go to Content tab.
  4. Select Clear SSL state. Windows - Clearing SSL cache
  5. Select Apply and OK  for completion.

Solution 7. Reinstalling Google Chrome

This is the final solution you can attempt to perform. For reinstalling Google Chrome, perform the following:

  1. Just proceed to Control Panel > Uninstall a Program, locate and choose Google Chrome and select Uninstall.
  2. Follow guidelines on your screen. As soon as they are completed, proceed to the official download page and obtain the latest browser version.
  3. Click on the download to start the installation wizard, and follow the given guidelines.

Done! We hope that our rendered tutorials helped you to repair NET::ERR_CERT_DATE_INVALID on Google Chrome. If you have found some other solution, please feel free to share it with us in the comments area.

About the author

Valdis Koks

Security engineer, reverse engineering and memory forensics

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