How to troubleshoot time related errors on secure websites

Certificates for secure websites (the address begins with https://) are valid only for a certain period of time. If a website presents a certificate with validity dates that don't match the date on your computer's clock, Firefox can't verify that it is secure and will show you an error page.

Such issues can often be fixed by setting the correct date, time and time zone on your computer system. If this does not solve the problem, it could be caused by other issues, such as a misconfigured web server or an expired certificate.

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List of time-related error codes you may encounter

Note: A Your Computer Clock is Wrong error page almost certainly means that your computer's clock is set to the wrong date. Some time-related errors will show a Warning: Potential Security Risk Ahead error page. For other time-related errors, you'll get a Secure Connection Failed or Did Not Connect: Potential Security Issue error page.

Click More Information or Advanced…, depending on the error page, Advanced… on the error page to view the error code. One of the following error codes will indicate that the secure connection couldn't be established due to a time-related error:

Note: If you get a Your connection is not secure error page, click the Advanced button to view the error code and other details. A Secure Connection Failed error page may also indicate a time-related error.

One of the following error codes will indicate that the secure connection couldn't be established due to a time-related error:

SEC_ERROR_EXPIRED_CERTIFICATE
SEC_ERROR_EXPIRED_ISSUER_CERTIFICATE
SEC_ERROR_OCSP_FUTURE_RESPONSE
SEC_ERROR_OCSP_OLD_RESPONSE
MOZILLA_PKIX_ERROR_NOT_YET_VALID_CERTIFICATE
MOZILLA_PKIX_ERROR_NOT_YET_VALID_ISSUER_CERTIFICATE

The text on the error page will warn you when Firefox detects that your system date and time is probably wrong and will also show the date and time currently set in your system. If the clock settings are incorrect you should set it to the right time as explained below. Even if the displayed time settings seem to be correct, you should make sure that the time zone settings of your system match your current location.

Set your system clock to the correct time

Time-related errors on secure websites caused by a skewed system clock can be resolved by setting your correct date, time and time zone:. Change your date and time settings from the clock on the Windows taskbar or follow these instructions:

If your are on Windows 10:

  1. Click the Windows Start button or press the Windows key.
  2. In the Start menu, selectSettings.
  3. In Settings, selectTime & language.
  4. In theDate & time section you can review the current date and time settings. To change your settings click on Change below Change date and time or expand the Time zone dropdown menu.
    If your system is set to manage the time and time zone automatically, you cannot make manual changes.
  5. If you are done with your changes, close the Settings window.

If your are on Windows 8:

  1. From the Start Screen, click the Desktop tile. The Desktop view will open.
  2. From the Desktop, hover in the lower right-hand corner to access the Charms.
  3. Select Control Panel from the Settings charm. The Control Panel window will open.
  4. In the Control Panel window, click on Clock, Language, and Region and then Date and Time.
  5. The panel that opens shows the current date and time settings. To change your settings click the Change date and time or Change time zone button.
  6. To confirm your changes click OK.

If your are on Windows 7:

  1. Click the Windows Start button or press the Windows key .
  2. In the Start Menu, click Control Panel.
  3. In the Control Panel window, click on Clock, Language, and Region and then Date and Time.
  4. The panel that opens shows the current date and time settings. To change your settings click the Change date and time or Change time zone button.
  5. To confirm your changes click OK.

If your are on Mac OS:

  1. Click the Apple menu and select System Preferences.
  2. In the System Preferences window, click on Date & Time.
  3. The panel that opens shows the current date and time settings. In order to adjust them, disable Set date and time automatically, manually enter the date and time and click Save to confirm your changes.
  4. In order to review your time zone settings, click on the Time Zone tab. In order to adjust your time zone, disable Set time zone automatically using current location, click onto your approximate location in the map and select the city closest to you in the dropdown panel.
  5. If you are done with your changes, close the Date & Time window.
Note: If the clock on your device constantly resets after you power it off, this might indicate that the battery cell that runs the real-time clock is getting low or is empty. Please consult your manufacturer's manual on how to replace the CMOS battery.

Contact the website owner

If you get a time related error on a secure website and you have already checked the correct settings of your system’s clock, please contact the owner of the website which you can’t access and inform them of the problem. The website owner might need to renew the expired certificate, for example.

Bypass the warning

Warning: You should never bypass the warning for a legitimate major website or sites where financial transactions take place – in this case an invalid certificate can indicate that your connection is compromised by a third party.

If you see a Your connection is not secure warning page and the website allows it, you can add an exception to be able to visit the site, despite the fact that the certificate is not trusted by default:

  1. On the warning page, click Advanced.
  2. Click Add Exception…. The Add Security Exception dialog will appear.
  3. Read the text describing the problems with the website. You can click View… to closer inspect the untrusted certificate.
  4. Click Confirm Security Exception if you are sure you want to trust the site.