Software⏱️ 3 min read📅 2026-06-03

How to Fix: How do I restore a missing IIS Express SSL Certificate?

IIS Express SSL Certificate Restore

Quick Answer: Try reinstalling IIS Express and its SSL certificate, or use a tool like OpenSSL to generate a new certificate.

This issue affects users who have set up HTTPS in IIS Express but are unable to load their site using this protocol. The error message 'ERR_CONNECTION_RESET' in Chrome and 'This webpage is not available' in Internet Explorer indicates that the browser is unable to establish a secure connection with the server.

Restoring a missing SSL certificate is frustrating, especially when it's crucial for ensuring the security of online transactions. In this guide, we will walk you through the steps to restore your IIS Express SSL certificate and resolve the issue.

💡 Why You Are Getting This Error

  • The primary reason why this error occurs is that the SSL certificate has been lost or deleted from the IIS Express server. This can happen due to various reasons such as accidental deletion, incorrect installation, or corruption of the certificate file.
  • Another possible cause is that the SSL certificate is not properly configured in IIS Express, leading to issues with the HTTPS protocol.

🔧 Proven Troubleshooting Steps

Restoring the SSL Certificate from the Certificates Store

  1. Step 1: Step 1: Open the 'Certificates' store on your system. This can usually be found by searching for 'certificates' in the Start menu or by typing 'certlm.msc' in the Run dialog box (Windows key + R).
  2. Step 2: Step 2: In the Certificates store, navigate to the 'Personal' section and find the certificate that was previously used with IIS Express.
  3. Step 3: Step 3: Right-click on the certificate and select 'All Tasks' > 'Export'. This will export the certificate in PEM format.

Creating a New SSL Certificate from Scratch

  1. Step 1: Step 1: Open the 'Certification Authority' console on your system. This can usually be found by searching for 'certification authority' in the Start menu or by typing 'caconsole.msc' in the Run dialog box (Windows key + R).
  2. Step 2: Step 2: In the Certification Authority console, right-click on 'New' > 'Request Certificate' and select 'Create a new request'. This will create a new certificate signing request (CSR) for your IIS Express server.

🎯 Final Words

To summarize, restoring a missing SSL certificate in IIS Express can be achieved by either exporting the existing certificate from the Certificates store or creating a new one from scratch. By following these steps, you should be able to resolve the 'ERR_CONNECTION_RESET' error and ensure that your site loads securely using HTTPS.

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