Some users report that their Chrome browser does not accept security certificates from certain sites. The error code associated with this error is »ERR_BAD_SSL_CLIENT_AUTH_CERT«. Some users report that the error occurs on major websites like google.com, facebook.com, quora.com, etc. The problem appears to be unique to Google Chrome.

What is causing the ERR_BAD_SSL_CLIENT_AUTH_CERT error?
We investigated this particular issue by examining various user reports and the remediation strategies that some affected users implemented to resolve the issue.. We also managed to recreate the error on one of our test machines.
Based on what we were able to collect, There are several common scenarios that are known to trigger this particular error message:
-
SSL protocol filtering / Third-party TLS is up and running: certain antivirus solutions are known to perform SSL protocol filtering / TLS by default, which ends up in conflict with Google Chrome.
-
The time and date of the local machine are not synchronized: another common reason for this error is if the local machine time and date are out of sync for some years. If you encounter errors in multiple web browsers, this is most likely the case.
-
Windows is very outdated: this particular problem is also related to Windows security systems that are severely out of date. If that's the case, you can probably solve the problem by installing all pending security updates.
-
Corrupt cached data: if you come across the single website issue, your browser may contain some cached data that make you believe that the website is not working.
-
Error de Google Chrome: Google Chrome has experienced several errors related to SSL certificates. The best way to ensure that this is not the case is to update Google Chrome to the latest versions..
In case you have difficulty resolving the same error message, this article will provide you with a collection of verified troubleshooting steps. Then, you will find a collection of methods that other users in a similar situation have used to solve the problem.
To maximize efficiency, consider following the methods listed below in the order they are presented. Over time, You should find a method that is effective in solving the problem for your particular situation..
Method 1: set the correct date and time (if appropriate)
A common reason Windows users will get ERR_BAD_SSL_CLIENT_AUTH_CERT is that the local machine time and date are out of sync. This is even more likely if you notice that the same websites refuse to load with different browsers..
Multiple users who have encountered the same error message have reported that the issue was completely resolved after updating the date and time on their system. Here's a quick guide on how to make sure the date and time are set correctly:
-
Press the Windows key + R to open the Run dialog. Then type »ms-settings: dateandtime »and press Enter to open the Date and Time tab of the Settings app.
Run dialog: ms-settings: dateandtime
Note: If you are using Windows 8.1 or an earlier version, use the command »timedate.cpl» instead.
-
In Date and time, make sure the buttons associated with Set Time Automatically and Set Time Zone Automatically are enabled.
Set time and time zone automatically
Note: If you don't have Windows 10, go to Internet Time and click Change Settings. Then, make sure the box associated with Synchronize with an internet time server is checked before clicking the Update Now button.
Internet time settings synchronization
-
Once the date and time are up to date, restart your computer and see if the problem is solved.
If you still encounter the ERR_BAD_SSL_CLIENT_AUTH_CERT error, go to next method.
Method 2: apply all pending Windows updates
It turns out that the problem can also occur if you are running Google Chrome on a very outdated machine.. A couple of users who have encountered the same error have reported that the problem is resolved automatically as soon as they have installed all the pending Windows updates.
Some users speculate that the ERR_BAD_SSL_CLIENT_AUTH_CERT error appears on outdated versions of Windows because Chrome thinks the machine is compromised, therefore it will not accept the approval of the security certificate.
Here's a quick guide to make sure your machine has the latest security updates installed:
-
Press the Windows key + R to open a Run dialog. Then type »ms-settings: windowsupdate »and press Enter to open the Windows Update screen of the Settings application
Run dialog: ms-settings: windowsupdate
Note: Windows is used 8.1 the superior, use the command »wuapp» instead.
-
Inside the Windows Update screen, click Check for updates and follow the onscreen instructions to install all pending security updates.
Check for updates in Windows 10
-
After all pending updates have been installed, restart your computer and see if the error message has been resolved.
If you still encounter the ERR_BAD_SSL_CLIENT_AUTH_CERT error, go to next method.
Method 3: update Chromium to the latest version
Google Chrome has suffered several errors that had to do with SSL certificates. One of the most recent caused many Windows users 7 could not access services related to Google.
The thing is, Google is always quick to patch these things as soon as they are reported. But to make use of the solution, you will need to make sure Google Chrome is updated to the latest version. To do this, follow the steps below:
-
Abra Google Chrome, click the action button (three dots icon) and go to Help> About Google Chrome.
Access to the About Google Chrome menu
-
Wait until Google checks for updates and then follow the onscreen instructions to install the latest versions if a new one is available.
Checking for updates in Google Chrome
-
Restart your Chrome browser and see if the problem has been resolved.
If you still encounter the ERR_BAD_SSL_CLIENT_AUTH_CERT error, go to next method.
Method 4: disable SSL protocol filtering / TLS from 3rd party AV settings (if appropriate)
As some users have reported, There are several third-party security apps that will conflict with Google Chrome's security features. Specifically, any antivirus or firewall that performs any type of SSL protocol filtering / TLS has the potential to cause false positives in Google Chrome. Nod32 Antivirus, Avira and McAfee are among the most mentioned security suites known to cause this particular problem.
Multiple users who encountered the error »ERR_BAD_SSL_CLIENT_AUTH_CERT” they reported that, in your case, the problem was resolved as soon as they disabled SSL protocol filtering / TLS of your AV setup.
If you think this scenario is applicable to your situation, open your antivirus settings, go to the Advanced menu and see if you can find a setting similar to SSL filtering / TLS. If it does, make sure the SSL protocol / TLS is disabled.
Note that the exact steps to do this are specific to the third-party antivirus you are using.. A Nod32 Antivirus, you can do this by going to Settings> Advanced configuration> Web and email> SSL / TSL.

Note: If you can't find the equivalent steps with your antivirus / third-party firewall you are using, look online for specific steps depending on the software you are using.
If you can't find an equivalent option but you still suspect that your antivirus is causing the conflict, another solution would be to completely uninstall the third-party security option from your system. Once the third party package is removed, Windows Defender will automatically spring into action and become your primary security solution.
You can follow this article (here) to make sure you completely uninstall your third-party antivirus from your system; This guide also ensures that you do not leave any leftover files that may continue to cause the conflict..
Once the AV has been removed, restart your computer and see if the conflict has been resolved. If you still see the error »ERR_BAD_SSL_CLIENT_AUTH_CERT” when you try to visit certain web pages, scroll down to the next method.
Method 5: clear browser data
Several users have managed to get rid of the error by deleting all browsing data. This particular solution has been reported to be effective in those situations where only one website displays the error »ERR_BAD_SSL_CLIENT_AUTH_CERT«.
Although clearing all browser data may solve the problem, note that you will lose all passwords, the history and locally saved bookmarks you have previously saved.
If you decide to go ahead with this, this is what to do:
-
Open Google Chrome and click the action button (Right upper corner) and choose Settings.
Google Chrome Settings
-
In the Settings menu, scroll to the bottom of the screen and click Advanced.
Google Chrome Advanced Settings Menu Extension
-
Then, go to the Privacy and security tab, scroll to the bottom of the list and click Clear browsing data.
Clear browsing data in Chrome
-
In the Clear browsing data menu, select the Advanced tab, set the Time Range to All Time and check all the boxes below, apart from Passwords and other login details and media licenses. Once you are ready, press Clear data and wait for the process to complete.
Clear Chrome browser data
-
Once the procedure is finished, restart your computer and see if the problem is solved.
Run dialog: ms-settings: dateandtime
Set time and time zone automatically
Internet time settings synchronization
Run dialog: ms-settings: windowsupdate
Check for updates in Windows 10
Access to the About Google Chrome menu
Checking for updates in Google Chrome
Google Chrome Settings
Google Chrome Advanced Settings Menu Extension
Clear browsing data in Chrome
Clear Chrome browser data



