Loading...The ERR_SSL_UNRECOGNIZED_NAME_ALERT message in Chrome Prevents Users From Accessing Your Site — Here’s How to Eliminate It from Your Site
Did you see (or did someone else inform you) the SSL protocol error ERR_SSL_UNRECOGNIZED_NAME_ALERT or SSL_ERROR_UNRECOGNIZED_NAME_ALERT on your site?
Let’s explore what this HTTPS unrecognized name error means and how to fix it quickly.
What This HTTPS Unrecognized Error Means
These Chrome and Firefox HTTPS unrecognized name errors mean that the connection is unsecure and that any information exchanged (e.g., sensitive data or credit card details) is at risk of being compromised.
Mozilla describes this unrecognized name error as one that’s caused because the “SSL peer has no certificate for the requested DNS name.”
So, this means your browser doesn’t recognize your SSL certificate because the name and domain don’t match, it isn’t valid for one or more reasons, or the website isn’t configured to load over the hypertext transfer protocol secure (HTTPS). (This is why the error message says your website isn’t available or can’t be reached.)
Examples of These Unrecognized Name Error Codes
- Chrome: ERR_SSL_UNRECOGNIZED_NAME_ALERT
- Firefox: SSL_ERROR_UNRECOGNIZED_NAME_ALERT
So, what does one of these errors look like in the wild? Here’s a quick peek of the error in Chrome.
Image caption: A screenshot that demonstrates the error code that displays to users in Google Chrome.
Now that we know what the ERR_SSL_UNRECOGNIZED_NAME_ALERT error is, it’s time to deal with it once and for all.
How to Fix the Unrecognized Name Error in Firefox and Chrome
- Verify your certificate’s validity and authenticity. Ensure the SSL certificate you’re using isn’t expired and has been issued by a trusted CA or reseller. It also can’t be a self-signed certificate, either, as that won’t be trusted. Lastly, make sure that your domain and SANs are accurately listed and covered by the certificate.
- Check your SSL certificate configurations are correct. For example, ensure your domain is set to load over HTTPS and will deliver the correct certificate (if you have multiple installed). Do you use WordPress? Our quick guide will show you how to configure it correctly.
- Run a server test to identify other underlying issues. Use Qualys’ SSL Labs SSL Server Test tool to see if you can narrow down other configuration-related issues that could be creating the error.
- Reinstall the certificate. If nothing else works, try reinstalling your SSL/TLS certificate.
