Over the years, Google has built essential features like Safe Browsing into Chrome. In a similar effort to protect you from attackers, Chrome may also prevent you from loading a web page with a "Your connection is not private" error. This usually occurs when Chrome fails to create an SSL connection or cannot verify the authenticity of the SSL certificate.
In any case, the error prevents the web page from loading. This article lists the solutions to fix the "Your connection is not private" error in Chrome. So let's get started.
TRY THE NAVIGATION MODE IN INCOGNITO
You can start by using Chrome in Incognito mode to browse without caches, cookies, or browser extensions. To open an incognito window in Chrome, click the three-dot menu and select New Incognito Window.
Likewise, you can also open the webpage in another browser to check if the problem is specific to Chrome.
SWITCH TO A DIFFERENT NETWORK
If you are using a Pubilc Wi-Fi from a restaurant, mall or airport that works on the HTTP protocol instead of HTTPS, Chrome may interrupt you with a "Your connection is not private" error. HTTPS is more secure than HTTP and the error is a warning sign indicating the same.
Consider switching to a private network and try loading the webpage again.
CHECK THE DATE AND TIME ON YOUR PC
If your PC shows an incorrect date or time, it can prevent apps and browsers from connecting to a server. Since SSL certificates are only valid for a certain period, setting your PC to the correct date and time is important for establishing a secure connection.
Windows
- Press Windows key + I to open Settings. Switch to the Time and language tab and open Date and time settings.
- Turn on the switches next to “Set time automatically”.
Mac
- Click the time stamp to the right of the menu bar and select Open date and time preferences.
- In the following window, under Date and time, mark the checkbox “Set date and time automatically”. Then, use the drop-down menu to select the time server.
CLEAR CACHE AND COOKIES
If you're still getting the error despite switching networks and checking the clock on your PC, Chrome may be loading a cached version of the webpage.
To make sure Chrome is fetching a fresh copy of web pages, you must first clear the existing cache and cookies from Chrome. That's how.
- Press Ctrl + Shift + Del on Windows (or Cmd + Shift + Del on Mac) to launch the clear navigation panel.
- Select Always in the Time range section and mark the "Cookies and other site data" and "Cached images and files" checkboxes.
- Then hit Clear Data.
- Restart Chrome and try to load the webpage again.
DISABLE THE ANTIVIRUS PROGRAM
Like Chrome, antivirus programs on your PC also actively scan the SSL certificates of websites you visit to protect your data. You can review the settings of your antivirus program to disable HTTPS scanning or temporarily disable the antivirus program to overcome the error.
DISABLE VPN
Using a VPN connection adds a layer of security by redirecting traffic through a different server and masking your IP addresses. But on the other hand, this also makes it difficult for Chrome to verify the SSL certificate, leading to connection privacy errors.
Disable VPN and reload the webpage to see if that fixes the error.
CHANGE DNS SETTINGS
Another solution that has worked for many users when fixing the “Your connection is not private” error is configuring Chrome to use secure DNS. You can also try it. That's how.
- Open Chrome. Click the three-dot menu in the top right corner to open Settings.
- Go to the Security and Privacy tab on the left. Then open Security Settings.
- Scroll down to the Advanced section and enable the “Use secure DNS” option.
Restart Chrome one more time and try to load the webpage up if the problem persists.
