Software⏱️ 3 min read📅 2026-06-11

How to Fix: Tortoise SVN Error Validating Server Certificate

TortoiseSVN error validating server certificate related to unknown certificate issuer.

Quick Answer: Try accepting the certificate permanently or update TortoiseSVN to the latest version.

Tortoise SVN users are experiencing an error when trying to validate server certificates on their repositories. The issue occurs after updating the certificate on one of the sites, causing TortoiseSVN to fail validation. This problem affects users who rely on TortoiseSVN for version control and repository management.

This error is frustrating because it prevents users from accessing their repositories securely. However, with this troubleshooting guide, you can resolve the issue and regain access to your repositories.

⚠️ Common Causes

  • The primary reason for this error is that TortoiseSVN is not configured to accept the new certificate issued by the certificate authority. The old certificate was expiring, but the new one has a different issuer or fingerprint.
  • An alternative cause could be a misconfiguration of the TortoiseSVN settings or the repository URL.

🛠️ Step-by-Step Verified Fixes

Configuring TortoiseSVN to Accept Server Certificates

  1. Step 1: Step 1: Open TortoiseSVN and navigate to Settings > Network > Authentication. Check if the 'Validate server certificate' option is enabled. If not, enable it.
  2. Step 2: Step 2: In the 'Certificate validation' section, click on the 'Advanced' button. This will open the 'Certificate validation' dialog box.
  3. Step 3: Step 3: In the 'Certificate validation' dialog box, select the 'Accept permanently' option and click 'OK'. This will configure TortoiseSVN to accept server certificates issued by any certificate authority.

Configuring the Repository URL

  1. Step 1: Step 1: Open TortoiseSVN and navigate to Settings > Network > Repository URLs. Find the repository URL that is causing the error.
  2. Step 2: Step 2: Right-click on the repository URL and select 'Properties'. In the 'Repository properties' dialog box, click on the 'Advanced' button.
  3. Step 3: Step 3: In the 'Certificate validation' section, select the 'Accept permanently' option and click 'OK'. This will configure TortoiseSVN to accept server certificates issued by any certificate authority for the specified repository URL.

💡 Conclusion

To resolve the Tortoise SVN error validating server certificate, you can try configuring TortoiseSVN to accept server certificates or configuring the repository URL. If neither method works, it may be necessary to investigate further and contact your IT support team or a qualified network administrator for assistance.

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