ERR_CERT_DATE_INVALID
Universal DNS/Network
Severity: ModerateWhat Does This Error Mean?
ERR_CERT_DATE_INVALID means either the website's SSL certificate has expired, or your computer's clock is set to the wrong date. SSL certificates have a built-in expiry date — usually one or two years after they were issued. Your browser checks the certificate's date against your computer's clock. If the certificate has expired, or your clock is wrong, the browser blocks the connection to protect you.
Affected Models
- Google Chrome
- Microsoft Edge
- Firefox
- Safari
- All modern browsers
- Windows
- macOS
- Android
- iOS
Common Causes
- The website's SSL certificate has expired and the webmaster has not renewed it
- Your computer's date or time is set incorrectly, making a valid certificate appear expired
- Your computer's time zone is wrong, causing date/time miscalculation
- The CMOS battery on your motherboard is dead, causing the clock to reset on every restart
- The website recently switched SSL providers and has a certificate issued for different dates
How to Fix It
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Check your computer's date and time first. Right-click the clock in the Windows taskbar (bottom right) and choose 'Adjust date/time'. Verify the date, time, and time zone are all correct.
An incorrect system clock is the most common personal-computer cause of this error and takes 10 seconds to fix.
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If your time is correct, the website's SSL certificate has likely expired. Check another website to confirm it is site-specific. If other sites work fine, the problem is the website — not you.
You can view the certificate details by clicking the lock icon (or 'Not secure') in the address bar.
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Enable automatic time sync. In Windows, go to Settings > Time & Language > Date & time. Turn on 'Set time automatically' and 'Set time zone automatically'.
Automatic sync keeps your clock accurate using internet time servers.
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If your clock keeps resetting even after you fix it, your CMOS battery is likely dead. This is a small coin-sized battery inside your computer. A tech shop can replace it cheaply.
A dead CMOS battery costs $3–$10 to replace plus labor. The clock resetting on every restart is the telltale sign.
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Clear your browser's cache and cached SSL certificates. In Chrome, press Ctrl+Shift+Delete, select All time, and clear Cached images and files. Restart Chrome.
Stale SSL certificate cache entries can cause false date errors.
When to Call a Professional
If your computer's clock keeps resetting after every restart, your CMOS battery (a small battery on your motherboard) may be dead. A computer technician can replace this for a small fee. If the error is on your own website, renew your SSL certificate through your hosting provider immediately.
Frequently Asked Questions
My clock is correct but I still see this error. What now?
If your system clock is accurate, the issue is the website's expired SSL certificate. Contact the website's owner or support team to let them know. SSL certificates must be renewed every 1–2 years. Some webmasters forget, especially on smaller sites. You cannot fix an expired certificate on someone else's server.
Can I bypass ERR_CERT_DATE_INVALID to visit the site anyway?
Chrome allows you to click 'Advanced' and then 'Proceed anyway', but this is not recommended for sensitive sites. If the certificate is expired, your connection is technically not fully secured. For a login page or any site where you enter personal information, wait until the site fixes its certificate.
How often do SSL certificates expire?
Most SSL certificates expire after one year. Before 2020, certificates could last up to two years. Many hosting companies now offer auto-renewal, but it is still common for small website owners to miss the renewal. Let's Encrypt — a free certificate provider — issues certificates that expire every 90 days but can be set to auto-renew.