SSL Certificates: 7 Ways to Fix the “Your Connection Is Not Private” Error

If you frequently encounter SSL-related issues for your website, like the “your connection is not private” error, you are not alone. Malicious attempts to steal sensitive data are more prevalent than ever.

In this guide, we will learn how to diagnose and fix these issues to ensure a secure and reliable experience for visitors. Let's jump right in.

What Does This Error Mean?

Let's start by understanding the meaning of "your connection is not private."

Basically, when you try to access a website and get a "your connection is not private" error, this means that the connection to said website is not encrypted (even if the site claims otherwise).

The website will send a warning message that the visitor should consider to avoid a potential cybersecurity risk.

Why Does a "Your Connection Is Not Private" Error Occur?

An unencrypted connection is dangerous. It allows hackers to check your website activity and use it for their own malicious end goals.

But the real question is: Why does this error occur?

To understand why it happens, let's first understand the backend process before the warning message pops up:

Step 1: You search for a website.

Step 2: Your browser will check the digital certificates that are installed on the server. This is done to ensure that the website's privacy standards are foolproof.

Step 3: If the certificates are not up to the mark, the browser will prevent you from visiting the site.

Step 4: You will get the "your connection is not private" message.

Note: If you still proceed with the website despite the warning, your device may become more vulnerable to cyberattacks.

Some of the most common reasons why this error occurs include:

• An invalid SSL certificate (which may be self-assigned, may not be recognized by the browser, or may be assigned to the wrong domain)
• Problems with the SSL/TLS protocol, such as unsupported or outdated versions
• Issues with the Wi-Fi network or with DNS cache
• Missing or inaccurately configured intermediate certificates
• Expired SSL certificates or ones that were revoked
• Interference of the antivirus software with the SSL certificate validation

How to Fix the "Your Connection Is Not Private" Error: 7 Strategies Worth Trying

When the "your connection is not private" error pops up, your website's security has not been compromised — at least not yet. That said, you must resolve this alert as promptly as possible.

Here are a few tips you can try:

Tip #1: Simply try reloading the page. If the SSL error occurs due to a temporary issue with your internet connection or website, reloading the page will resolve the error.

Tip #2: Cross-check the website URL for typos, misspellings, etc.

Pro tip: See if the website begins with "https://" instead of "http://." The 's' signals that the website has the required SSL certificates.

Tip #3: Try clearing your browser cache by:

• Heading to browser settings
• Looking for the option to clear browsing data
• Selecting the option to clear the cache
• Retrying accessing the website

Tip #4: Disable your browser extensions. These small add-ons, though often helpful, can sometimes interfere with your browser's ability to establish a secure connection with a website. Here are the steps to follow:

• Access your browser's extension menu. For instance, in Google Chrome, you'll need to click on the three vertical dots in the top-right corner. Then go to "more tools" and select "extensions."
• Next, you'll want to disable the extensions. Navigate to your browser's extension menu. Here, you'll see a list of all installed extensions. Temporarily disable them by toggling the switch next to each extension.
• After disabling the extensions, go back to the page with the "your connection is not private" error. Try refreshing it to see if the SSL error has been resolved.

Tip #5: Try disabling the antivirus software. This, too, can interfere with the SSL certification validation. Once you have temporarily disabled your antivirus software, reload the webpage to see if the error was resolved.

Tip #6: Check your computer's date and time settings based on your time zone. Since the SSL certifications come with an expiry date and rely on your computer's date and time for validation, your date and time settings should be accurate.

Tip #7: Access the website on a different browser. And never use the incognito mode, as incognito browsing can lead to a breach between your website and browser.

Secure Your Website with Vodien

Investing in an SSL certificate is no longer a nice-to-have option. It is a must-have if you want to build customer trust. An SSL arms your website with the highest level of security against advanced hackers.

It encrypts all kinds of sensitive information (think bank details, passwords, and email addresses) and protects your customers' interests without losing a night's sleep.

If you need more help with how to fix your connection is not private error, let our expert team step in to help. Connect with us to get started!