Did you suddenly get the “Your connection is not private” error while browsing in Google Chrome? This warning means your browser couldn’t verify a site’s security, often due to issues with its certificate, your device settings, or the network you’re using. In this guide, we’ll cover what the error means, why it happens, how it appears across browsers, and simple tips to fix it easily.
The “Your connection is not private error” appears when you visit a website that uses HTTPS, but your browser can’t confirm the site’s SSL certificate is valid. During the connection, the browser checks if the certificate is properly configured, verifies it with a trusted certificate authority, and runs a TLS handshake. If any of these steps fail, the browser stops the connection to prevent your data from being exposed, especially on sites that handle passwords, payments, or personal information.
There isn’t just one reason this error appears. While it often points to problems with the website’s security certificate, it can also be triggered by issues on your end. Below are the most common causes:
The “Your connection is not private” error may look alarming, but in most cases, it’s caused by minor issues that are easy to resolve. Here’s how you can identify what’s triggering the warning and fix it for good.
Make sure you’re visiting the correct website. A simple typo in the address bar can take you to a fake or insecure version of a legitimate site. Also, confirm the URL starts with “https://” and not “http://” because the latter lacks encryption and will trigger warnings on most browsers.
Temporary glitches in your browser, device, or network can interrupt the connection. Try reloading the page to see if the site loads correctly. If it still doesn’t work, perform a hard refresh by pressing Ctrl + Shift + R (or Command + Shift + R on Mac) to force the browser to re-fetch the data.
SSL certificates are time-sensitive and must match your system’s clock. If your computer’s date or time is incorrect, even by a few hours, the browser might think the certificate is expired or not yet valid. Enable automatic date and time syncing in your device settings to prevent future issues.
If you’re on public Wi-Fi (like at an airport or café), the network might be using a captive portal that blocks secure connections until you log in. Switch to a mobile hotspot or another private network and revisit the site. If it loads normally, the public network is likely causing the problem.
Your browser stores information from sites you visit, including SSL data. If that information becomes outdated or corrupted, it can conflict with a site’s new certificate. Go into your browser’s settings, clear cache and cookies for “All Time,” and restart the browser before trying again.
Extensions and stored cookies can interfere with certificate validation. Incognito mode disables all extensions and uses a fresh session. If the site works in incognito, the issue likely lies with a browser extension, cookie, or login session. Disable extensions one by one to find the culprit.
Some antivirus software, like Avast or Bitdefender, intercepts and scans HTTPS traffic using their own certificate. If your browser doesn’t trust it, the error will appear. Go into your antivirus settings and disable HTTPS scanning. Refresh the page, but re-enable the feature once finished for security.
Outdated browsers may not support modern TLS protocols or may fail to recognize valid certificates. Visit the official site for Chrome, Firefox, Edge, or Safari and check if you’re running the latest version. Also install any pending OS updates, which can contain security and networking fixes.
Your computer stores DNS data to speed up site loading, but a corrupted DNS entry can cause certificate mismatches. On Windows, open Command Prompt and type ipconfig /flushdns. On Mac, use Terminal with sudo dscacheutil -flushcache; sudo killall -HUP mDNSResponder. Then restart your browser.
While VPNs and proxies help with privacy, misconfigured settings can interfere with certificate validation or DNS routing. If you’re using one, disable it briefly to see if the error disappears. If the site loads, adjust your VPN’s DNS or tunnel settings before turning it back on.
Sometimes the issue is browser-specific due to corrupted profiles or incompatible extensions. Try accessing the site from another browser (like Firefox instead of Chrome) or a different device entirely. If it works elsewhere, you’ve narrowed the issue to your original browser.
If you’re managing the website showing the error, run a test using a tool like SSL Labs (Qualys) to check for missing certificate chains, weak encryption, or misconfigurations. Reinstall or renew the SSL certificate as needed through your hosting provider or certificate authority.
Most browsers let you bypass the error and continue to the site, but only do this if you’re absolutely sure it’s safe. Never enter passwords or payment information on a site with a broken SSL certificate. This option should be a last resort for low-risk browsing (like reading a blog).
The error means the same thing across browsers, but the wording and codes differ slightly. Here’s how it appears on Firefox, Edge, and Safari, along with the common error messages each one displays.
Firefox: Firefox shows the message as “Your Connection Is Not Secure.” It blocks the page to protect your information and offers an option to view advanced details or bypass the warning, but only if the browser deems it safe to do so.
Edge: Displays the warning as “Your connection isn’t private.” The page explains that attackers might be trying to steal your data and usually includes a button to return to safety, along with technical details hidden in the advanced menu.
Safari: Safari presents the alert as “This Connection Is Not Private.” It warns that the website’s identity cannot be verified and may suggest that the site is impersonating another to steal information. Users must expand advanced settings to proceed manually.
Firefox may display codes like SEC_ERROR_EXPIRED_CERTIFICATE, which means the site’s certificate has expired, or SEC_ERROR_UNKNOWN_ISSUER, which shows the browser doesn’t trust the certificate authority. You might also see MOZILLA_PKIX_ERROR_SELF_SIGNED_CERT if the site is using a self-signed certificate that hasn’t been verified by a trusted source.
Since Edge is built on Chromium, it uses error codes similar to Chrome. You might see NET::ERR_CERT_AUTHORITY_INVALID if the certificate wasn’t issued by a trusted authority, or NET::ERR_CERT_DATE_INVALID when the certificate has expired or your system clock is incorrect. Another common one is NET::ERR_CERT_COMMON_NAME_INVALID, which appears when the domain name doesn’t match the certificate.
In Chrome, you may see error codes such as NET::ERR_CERT_AUTHORITY_INVALID, which means the certificate isn’t issued by a trusted authority. You might also see NET::ERR_CERT_DATE_INVALID if the certificate has expired or your system clock is wrong, or NET::ERR_CERT_COMMON_NAME_INVALID when the domain name doesn’t match the certificate details.
Safari doesn’t typically show raw error codes like Chrome or Firefox. Instead, it explains the issue in plain language. For example, saying the certificate is expired, not trusted, or that the website may be impersonating another. If you want more technical details, you have to click into the advanced section or view the certificate manually.
