Your connection is not private means the browser could not verify the site security certificate. That may be a site problem, a wrong computer clock, a public Wi-Fi login page, or software intercepting secure traffic.
Does this affect you?
Use this for Chrome, Edge, Chromebook, Windows, and Mac when a certificate warning appears with codes such as NET::ERR_CERT_AUTHORITY_INVALID, NET::ERR_CERT_DATE_INVALID, or NET::ERR_CERT_COMMON_NAME_INVALID.
Check simple causes first
Most false alarms come from the clock or connection path.
- Check the computer date, time, and time zone and enable automatic time.
- Confirm the website address is spelled correctly.
- Reload the page once.
- Try the site from phone mobile data instead of the same Wi-Fi.
- If mobile data works, troubleshoot the computer or network.
Rule out network and security software
Public Wi-Fi and HTTPS scanning are common causes.
- On public Wi-Fi, open a normal website first to trigger the network login page.
- Temporarily disable antivirus Web Protection or HTTPS/SSL scanning.
- Disconnect any VPN.
- Restart the router by unplugging it for one minute.
- Turn any disabled security feature back on after testing.
Know when not to continue
The Advanced button does not make an unsafe page safe.
- Open Advanced or Details to read the exact reason.
- A recently expired certificate on a familiar site may be a site-owner renewal delay.
- A name mismatch or unexpected warning is more serious.
- Do not enter passwords, card numbers, or private information after bypassing an unexplained warning.
- If it is your own site, fix the SSL certificate through the host.
More control
Antivirus certificates
Some antivirus and parental-control tools inspect encrypted traffic and present their own certificate. If the warning names that product, adjust its HTTPS scanning settings.
Managed networks
Work and school networks may install trusted inspection certificates. That can be normal on managed devices, but the same behavior would be suspicious on a personal home network.
Every secure site fails
If all HTTPS sites show the warning, the likely cause is the clock, security software, or a broken root certificate store, not every website.
Sources
- Google Chrome Help – Why am I seeing a warning about an untrusted site? (2025)
- Microsoft Support – Fix certificate errors in Microsoft Edge (2025)
- Let’s Encrypt / ISRG – Certificate FAQ (2025)