Software⏱️ 3 min read📅 2026-06-19

How to Fix: How to troubleshoot ERR_CERT_AUTHORITY_INVALID error on specific site, on specific device, on specific browser?

ERR_CERT_AUTHORITY_INVALID error on specific site, device, browser

Quick Answer: Try clearing Chrome's cache and cookies, then check for any certificate updates or changes to the website's SSL configuration.

The ERR_CERT_AUTHORITY_INVALID error is a common issue that occurs when the Chrome mobile browser on an Android phone fails to verify the SSL/TLS certificate of a specific website. This error affects only one device, one browser, and one site, making it challenging to diagnose and fix.

Troubleshooting this issue can be frustrating because it seems like a sudden problem with no apparent connection to any updates or changes on the phone. However, by following a systematic approach, we can identify the root cause and find a solution.

⚠️ Common Causes

  • The primary reason for this error is that Chrome mobile browser has an outdated or corrupted certificate store, which prevents it from verifying the SSL/TLS certificate of the specific website. This can happen due to various reasons such as a failed update process, malware infection, or incorrect configuration.
  • Another possible cause could be a conflicting certificate installed on the device, which overrides the default Chrome mobile browser's certificate store.

🛠️ Step-by-Step Verified Fixes

Clearing Browser Data and Reinstalling Chrome

  1. Step 1: Empty cache and cookies: Open Chrome mobile settings > Advanced > Clear browsing data. Choose the time range and select 'Cookies, site data, and other site preferences.' Click 'Clear data' to clear all browsing data.
  2. Step 2: Reset browser settings: Go to Chrome mobile settings > Advanced > Reset and clean up browsing data. Select 'Reset' to reset all Chrome mobile settings to their default values.
  3. Step 3: Full uninstall and reinstall of Chrome: Open the Google Play Store, uninstall Chrome mobile, and then install it again from scratch.

Using Incognito Mode with Custom Browser Data

  1. Step 1: Open incognito mode: Tap the three dots in the upper right corner of the browser > New incognito window.
  2. Step 2: Load the problematic website: Navigate to the specific website that causes the ERR_CERT_AUTHORITY_INVALID error. Observe if the issue persists or resolves.

💡 Conclusion

If clearing browser data and reinstalling Chrome does not resolve the issue, try using incognito mode with custom browser data to isolate whether the problem is related to Chrome mobile's certificate store or another component. If none of these methods work, it may be necessary to perform a factory reset on the device to restore it to its original settings.

Did this fix your problem?

If not, try searching for specific error codes.

🔍 Search Error Database

❓ Frequently Asked Questions