ERR_BAD_SSL_CLIENT_AUTH_CERT is an error within Google Chrome. It’s a pesky error that can have more than one cause. If you are coming across the ERR_BAD_SSL_CLIENT_AUTH_CERT error, we’re here to help. We have seven proven methods that can make this error go away for good. We suggest trying method 2 first which is to update Windows since it’s the most common cause for the issue. However, if that doesn’t work, try the other methods as well.
The ERR_BAD_SSL_CLIENT_AUTH_CERT means that your browser isn’t accepting the security certificates that come from certain websites. Additionally, it could mean that the server doesn’t trust the issuer.It’s common when trying to access Facebook, Quora, Google, and other high-traffic websites when using the Google Chrome web browser.
What Causes The ERR_BAD_SSL_CLIENT_AUTH_CERT Error?
The issue has been thoroughly investigated and it seems that there are multiple causes for the ERR_BAD_SSL_CLIENT_AUTH_CERT error. Here’s what we found:
Corrupted Data Cache
If the error is only popping up on a certain website, then your browser may have some corrupted cached data. It will make the browser think that the website isn’t functioning.
A Bug
A bug within Google Chrome is another possibility. It’s a well-known fact that Google Chrome has suffered many bugs in its time. One of the most popular bugs is the ERR_BAD_SSL_CLIENT_AUTH_CERT error, which can be easily fixed.
Outdated Windows Security
If your windows security version is severely outdated, this can cause the ERR_BAD_SSL_CLIENT_AUTH_CERT error.
Date & Time Is Out of Sync
If your local machine’s date and time aren’t synced, then you will get the ERR_BAD_SSL_CLIENT_AUTH_CERT error. This is especially true if you are receiving the error on multiple websites.
3rd Party SSL/TLS Protocol Issues
Anti virus software can set SSL-TLS protocol filtering by default, which can affect Google Chrome.
How to Fix The ERR_BAD_SSL_CLIENT_AUTH_CERT Error
If you are continuing to get this message, then you’ve come to the right place. Below are the methods that we have collected that have been proven to make the ERR_BAD_SSL_CLIENT_AUTH_CERT error go away. Here are the methods;
- Reset time and date
- Update windows
- Update Chrome
- Disable SSL/TLS protocol filtering
- Clear browsing data
- Fix third-party software conflict
- Remove extensions
Let’s take a look at these methods more in-depth below.
Method 1:Reset Time and Date
If your time or date is off even by a little bit, it can throw off your entire system, which is why you may get the ERR_BAD_SSL_CLIENT_AUTH_CERT error. To fix this, all you have to do is change the date and time. Here’s how to do it on MAC and PC:
MAC
- Choose the Apple menu
- Go to System preferences
- Click on Date & Time
- Open up the Date & Time Preferences
- Click to set the date and time manually or automatically
- Choose if you want to automatically or manually choose the time zone
- Close and make sure the time and date are correct
- Try to load the webpage again
PC
- Hit the Win + R keys to open the Run box
- Type ms-settings:dateandtime (If using Windows 8.1 or older, use timedate.cpl command instead)
- Press Enter
- Select Date & Time tab in the Settings app
- Make sure the toggles are enabled that say set time automatically & set time zone automatically
- Restart your computer for changes to take effect
- Try the webpage again
Method 2:Update Windows
If your computer is severely outdated and you are running Chrome on it, then it’s possible that you need to update Windows. Some users are saying that the ERR_BAD_SSL_CLIENT_AUTH_CERT error shows up when their Windows security is outdated as well. Here’s how to make sure you have the latest updates installed:
- Press the Win + R keys to open the Run box
- Type ms-settings:windowsupdate (if running Win 8.1 and older, use the wuapp command instead)
- Press Enter
- Once in the Windows Update screen, click on Check for updates and follow the on-screen instructions
- Once it’s done, restart your computer and check for the error
Method 3:Update Chrome
Chrome is no stranger to SSL certificate bugs. One of the more recent bugs is appearing in Windows 7 leaving Google Chrome users struggling to access its services.
Luckily Google is quick when it comes to fixing bugs as soon as they have been reported. However, you need to make sure Google Chrome is up-to-date. Here’s how to make that happen:
- Open Chrome and click the three dots
- Click Help
- Click About Google Chrome
- Let Chrome check for updates then follow on-screen prompts
- Chrome will install the updates if there are any
- Restart Chrome once it’s done and check the website again
Method 4:Disable SSL/TLS Protocol Filtering
As we’ve mentioned, third-party software can cause conflicts with Google Chrome and it’s security features. Antivirus programs and firewalls that support SSL/TLS protocol filtering can cause issues in Chrome with it thinking the website is bad.
The issue was resolved by disabling the SSL/TLS protocol filtering from their antivirus settings. Each antivirus software is different, but you can find the setting in the advanced menu and look for a setting related to SSL/TLS filtering. Turn it off and restart your computer. Check to see if the error is resolved.
Method 5:Clear Browsing Data
When you visit a website the information is saved in a cache. This can clog your browser and cause various issues within Chrome. It saves the information for the next time you visit the website.
It will help it load quicker and save the information you may have put on the website. You can clean this, however, and here’s how:
- Open Chrome and click on the three dots in the corner
- Choose Settings
- Find Advanced and click on it
- Find Privacy and Security
- Click Clear browsing data
- Choose Advanced
- Click on All Time in the Time range menu
- Check each box other than Passwords and other sign-in data as well as Media licenses
- Click on Clear data and wait a few seconds
- Restart your computer and try the website again
Method 6:Fix Third-Party Software Conflicts
As we have said before, antivirus software programs can cause issues with your computer and Chrome. For some reason, these antivirus programs can think that a certain webpage is malicious or non-credible and block access to the website when it’s perfectly fine. To fix that, you should turn off your third-party software applications to see if it fixes your issue.
Method 7:Remove Extensions
Extensions you have added to Chrome or may have found its way onto your browser could be creating some issues with certain webpages. Malicious software can add its extensions as well. To remove these extensions, follow these instructions:
- Open Chrome and click Alt + F
- Navigate to More tools
- Click Extensions
- Click on the recycle bin and choose to Remove
- Reset Chrome and press Alt + F again
- Choose On Startup and click Open a specific page or set of pages
- To see of any browser conflicts are still active, choose set pages if it’s active and overwrite the URL
- Restart Chrome
Conclusion
We hope that the above methods have worked out for you and your ERR_BAD_SSL_CLIENT_AUTH_CERT error issue. It’s a vague error and a nuisance at that. Keep an eye out for more of our tips and tricks for fixing various computer issues.
