In case you don’t know, when you visit a website that uses HTTPS, it also offers an SSL certificate to the browser in order to verify the website’s identity. Although it may contain lots of things inside it, one of them is the URL of the website. So if the certificate does not match the URL to what you entered, you will most likely get the “Server’s certificate does not match, ERR CERT COMMON NAME INVALID” error which indicates that the connection is not private and the site may try to steal your data but worry not, as this post will guide you in resolving this issue.
To fix the ERR_CERT_COMMON_NAME_INVALID error, here are some suggestions that might help.
Option 1 – Check the website’s certificate
If you own the website where you’re getting the error, then you might have to check if the website’s certificate is installed properly and configured on the server as it could be the reason why you’re suddenly getting the error.
Option 2 – Check the Windows Host file
You can also try to cross-check the Windows Hosts file to find out if the website you are trying to open has been blocked, because if it is, then it’s no wonder why you’re getting the ERR_CERT_COMMON_NAME_INVALID error. There are instances when some third-party application modifies the file and adds some websites to the blocklists. So if the website is indeed blocked, you need to remove it from the list.
Option 3 – Use the Google Public DNS
You might want to change your DNS to Google Public DNS as it could also help you in fixing the ERR_CERT_COMMON_NAME_INVALID error in Chrome. To do so, follow the steps below.
- The first thing you have to do is right-click on the network icon in the Taskbar and select Network and Sharing Center.
- Next, click on the “Change Adapter Settings” option.
- After that, search for the network connection that you are using to connect to the internet. Note that the option might be “Wireless Connection” or “Local Area Connection”.
- Right-click on your network connection and click on Properties.
- Then select the new window to choose the “Internet Protocol 4 (TCP/IPv4)” option.
- After that, click on the Properties button and click the checkbox in the new window for the option “Use the following DNS server addresses”.
- Type in “8.8.8.8” and “8.8.4.4” and click OK and exit.
Option 4 – Run the built-in Malware Scanner and Cleanup Tool in Chrome
In case you don’t know, there is actually a built-in malware scanner and cleanup tool in Chrome that helps you get rid of any unwanted ads, pop-ups, and even malware, as well as unusual startup pages, toolbars, and other things that could affect the performance of the browser. In addition, this built-in tool in Chrome might also help in fixing the ERR_CERT_COMMON_NAME_INVALID error.
Option 5 – Reset Chrome
Resetting Chrome can also help you get rid of the error. Resetting Chrome means restoring its default settings, disabling all the extensions, add-ons, and themes. Aside from that, the content settings will be reset as well and the cookies, cache, and site data will also be deleted. To reset Chrome, here’s what you have to do:
- Open Google Chrome, then tap the Alt + F keys.
- After that, click on Settings.
- Next, scroll down until you see the Advanced option, once you see it, click on it.
- After clicking the Advanced option, go to the “Restore and clean up option and click on the “Restore settings to their original defaults” option to reset Google Chrome.
- Now restart Google Chrome.