When the Google Chrome browser failed to check the SSL certificate of a website, you may face an err_bad_ssl_client_auth_cert error.
The rise in the digital market is directly proportional to the increase in web securities. SSL (Secure Socket Layer) digital certificates are such web securities essential for securing site data and information.
Research by Welivesecurity indicates that almost 51.8% of the websites are HTTPS (Hypertext Transfer Protocol Secure). When a website is protected with SSL encryption security, it shows HTTPS in the address bar and a URL padlock.
SSL certificates secure the web with their robust encryption techniques. Since SSL certificates are used for securing data-in-transit between the browsers and servers with encryption, the browser ensures that the SSL certificate is valid, and properly configured. In case of any doubts, it will display an error. There are many SSL errors, and there are various solutions to fix them.
In this article, we will discuss one such SSL error, i.e., ERR_BAD_SSL_CLIENT_AUTH_CERT. Let’s quickly peep into the reasons as to why this error occurs and how the same can be resolved.
Table of Contents
Cause of ERR_BAD_SSL_CLIENT_AUTH_CERT Error:
This SSL certificate error mainly occurs when Chrome checks the SSL certificate on the website the user is trying to access. Chrome’s security procedure can trigger the above error if Chrome cannot open the site requested by the user because the SSL certificate is issued from non-trustworthy sources.
Many other factors like corrupted Cache data, browser extensions, incorrect date and time, outdated browser, third-party software blocking the site’s access, etc. can also trigger this error. To resolve the same, it is essential to eliminate the responsible factors.
There can be server issues, i.e., the client’s SSL certificate (browser) is rejected by the server. An expired SSL certificate or non-trustworthy SSL may cause this issue.
How to Fix ERR_BAD_SSL_CLIENT_AUTH_CERT Error for Google Chrome?
#1. Sync the Date & Time:
This is the most common cause of any error. Hence the foremost step is to check the date and time on your computer. Wrong date and time are bound to trigger connection errors, and err_bad_ssl_client_auth_cert error is a widespread error caused by the same. The conflicting date and time between the SSL certificate validation date and the system clock is the root cause.
Syncing the system clock may resolve the issue.
Solution:
- Right-click the taskbar > Click date and time option
- Click “Sync Now” for synchronizing the same with Microsoft servers
- Ensure that the set date and time automatically option is “On.”
- Ensure that the time mentioned on the page is correct.
- Check if the error is fixed or not.
#2. Update Google Chrome:
Chrome browser is agonized by many bugs related to SSL certificates. Recently many users of Windows 7, we’re unable to access Google services. Though Google is quick in resolving issues and patching the bugs, being a user, you need to ensure that your browser is updated at all times.
Many times, an SSL error or any other error occurs due to outdated versions of the browser. They may not support the current versions of the SSL certificate, and hence the browser triggers an error.
- ERR_SSL_VERSION_INTERFERENCE
- ERR_CONNECTION_REFUSED
- Err_Cert_Authority_Invalid
- ERR_CERT_COMMON_NAME_INVALID
The same issue can happen, which may cause the error mentioned above.
The best way is to update the Chrome browser and see if it fixes the error or not. You can also uninstall Chrome and later install the latest version on your computer to resolve the issue.
Process:
- Open Chrome by clicking the three dots on the right-hand corner, select Help > About Google Chrome.
- Chrome will check for updates and hence wait for some time. If the screen pops saying the latest version available, update the same.
- Later restart your browser.
If the error persists, move to the next solution.
#3. Clear Browser Data:
Browser data is the storage of cookies, browser cache, and history of sites downloaded. The main reason why the browser stores this data is to give quick access to stored data to users on repeat requests.
But this data may contain expired cookies, cache, and outdated sites, which cause errors.
Clearing this data can fix your error.
Process:
- Open Chrome menu (3 dots)
- Go to More Tools > Clear browsing data
- In Advanced Tab > in Time Range > Select All Time
- Tick all the options.
- Click “Clear Data”. Restart Chrome and check if the error is resolved or not.
#4. Check for Third-Party Software Conflicts:
Web securities and third-party software include anti-virus software, other security software, firewall, etc. Sometimes this software prevents access to genuine sites by the false detection of malicious content. Hence, they may block the site access on the browser.
Hence, it is advisable to check these third-party securities and ensure their non-interference with the browser. You can temporarily disable these securities for the time being, and once the site is visited and your purpose is solved, you can enable the same again.
Note: This is not a safe option.
#5. Change TLS/SSL QUIC Settings:
When Chrome prompts the ERR_BAD_SSL_CLIENT_AUTH_CERT error, many users have reported that disabling SSL/TLS protocols may resolve the error.
Solutions:
- 1st option – Disable the previous TLS versions (TLS v1.1 and TLS v1.2) and enable the current SSL versions (SSL v2 and SSL v3). Save the changes and check for the error.
- 2nd option – Disable QUIC protocol by typing “chrome://flags/#enable-quic” in the address bar. Click enter.
Restart your browser and see if the error is fixed or not.
#6. Remove All Conflicting Browser Extensions:
Browser extensions improve site functionality but sometimes interfere with digital securities. This causes errors and impacts web performance.
Removing browser extensions can erase the error message.
Process:
- In Chrome menu > go to More Tools > Click Extensions.
- Remove the suspicious extensions and later restart the browser
- Check for the error.
In case if the error is still visible then:
- Open Chrome > go to Settings > Click Advanced Option
- Select the “Restore and Clean Up” option > Click “restore settings to their original defaults”.
- Restart Chrome.
#7. Update Windows:
Any outdated system or software triggers errors. An obsolete browser on a new machine or an updated browser on an outdated system can trigger errors. The same goes for the Windows Operating System. If your Windows OS is not upgraded for a long time, it may cause error issues.
Some users also noticed that the above error is explicitly triggered on outdated Windows versions because the browser didn’t accept the obsolete machine’s security certificate. Hence many users could resolve the error by simply updating Windows.
Process:
- Press Win + R and type “ms-settings: windows update.”
- On the Windows update screen, click “Check for updates” and install all the updates.
- Restart your computer and check for the error.
Wrapping Up:
The above mentioned are some quick, simple, and non-complicated solutions to resolve the ERR_BAD_SSL_CLIENT_AUTH_CERT error. Try the same, fix the error, and improve your browser’s effectiveness.