When a website displays a security warning, do not immediately ask customers to ignore it. Possible causes include an expired SSL certificate, a certificate that does not match the domain or a connection the browser does not trust. Other cases involve old HTTP links or settings on the visitor’s device.
Start with the exact message and error code. “Your connection is not private”, “Not secure” and “Too many redirects” are different problems that need different checks.
What does SSL actually do for a website?
SSL remains a common term for certificates and HTTPS connections, although current technology uses TLS. The connection encrypts data between the browser and server and helps the browser verify the domain’s identity through a certificate.
It does not guarantee that a business is trustworthy or that a website is free of malware. If domain and server roles are unclear, read the hosting and domain explanation. SSL protects the connection; domain names and hosting serve different purposes.
Identify the warning first
| Display or code | What to check |
|---|---|
| NET::ERR_CERT_DATE_INVALID | Certificate validity dates and the device’s date and time. |
| ERR_CERT_COMMON_NAME_INVALID | Whether the certificate covers the domain being opened. |
| NET::ERR_CERT_AUTHORITY_INVALID | Trust in the certificate issuer and installation of the certificate chain. |
| Not secure on an HTTP address | Whether the page is still being opened without HTTPS. |
| Mixed content | HTTP resources loaded by an HTTPS page. |
| ERR_TOO_MANY_REDIRECTS | Repeated or conflicting URL redirect instructions. |
This table is an initial guide rather than an automatic diagnosis. Browsers and network conditions can produce different messages. Refer to Chrome’s official error-code guidance and give support the actual code.
1. The certificate has expired or is not yet valid
If a date-related warning appears for many visitors, ask the hosting provider to check certificate validity and renewal. Automatic renewal can fail too; previous use of HTTPS does not guarantee a certificate has renewed.
If only one device is affected, check its date, time and time zone. An incorrect clock can make a valid certificate appear invalid. Do not change the clock to a false date just to dismiss the warning; use the actual date and time.
2. The domain name does not match the certificate
The certificate must cover the domain being opened. Addresses with www, without www and subdomains may need different coverage. This issue can appear after moving hosting, connecting a subdomain or changing DNS.
Give the technical team the full affected URL. Ask them to inspect the certificate actually served for that address, rather than only the certificate shown in the hosting panel. Do not change the main domain or all DNS records by trial and error.
3. The browser does not trust the certificate
Trust warnings may involve an untrusted certificate or an incomplete certificate chain. Different checks may be needed when the warning only occurs on certain devices or networks.
Record the browser, device and network involved. Comparing another device can reveal a pattern, but do not enter passwords or payment details while a warning remains. Do not disable antivirus protection or certificate checks simply to open the page.
4. The website uses HTTPS but still loads HTTP resources
This is called mixed content. For example, the homepage uses HTTPS while page code still requests images, scripts or other files over HTTP. The browser may upgrade some requests to HTTPS or block them, depending on the resource and request conditions.
The technical team can inspect browser Console warnings to identify the affected URLs. See MDN’s mixed content explanation. A fix should ensure the resource is actually available over HTTPS, rather than hiding the warning.
Keep a backup before database changes or bulk URL replacements. Some WordPress data has a specific structure; unsuitable text replacements can break settings. Do not run commands from random guides without understanding their effects.
5. Redirect or CDN settings conflict
If the website repeatedly changes addresses until “Too many redirects” appears, review HTTPS rules across hosting, WordPress and the CDN together. This error does not necessarily mean the certificate has expired.
For websites using Cloudflare, the origin connection settings must fit the hosting configuration too. Cloudflare’s redirect-loop documentation explains how conflicting settings can cause this behaviour. Do not weaken SSL protection or disable HTTPS as a quick fix.
What can a website owner safely do?
- Save the full URL, error code and time of the incident.
- Record whether the problem affects every page or only one address.
- Check the actual date and time on the affected device.
- Compare another device without logging in, submitting forms or paying.
- Tell support about recent changes such as hosting, DNS or domain moves.
If checkout is affected, do not ask customers to continue through a security warning. Also read the WooCommerce checkout troubleshooting guide to distinguish page, payment and order-status problems.
How can you tell the repair is complete?
Ask the technical team to confirm the certificate is valid, covers the domain and is installed completely. Check the main URL and important pages such as contact, login and checkout. Ensure there are no certificate warnings, blocked essential resources or redirect loops.
Testing should match the actual scope. Being able to open the website does not prove every form or payment method has been tested. Removing one SSL warning also does not prove the whole website’s security has been audited.
Need help checking a website warning?
See alfatihstudio Website Repair and include the URL and a screenshot of the error. Hide personal information before sharing images. An initial inspection helps identify whether the problem involves certificates, content, hosting or another configuration before a repair scope is proposed.
Frequently asked questions
Not necessarily. It can result from certificates, HTTP use or connection settings. Separate checks are needed to determine whether malware or other security issues are also present.
Do not ask customers to ignore a warning or enter passwords and payment details while it remains. Resolve the cause and check the affected pages again.
Check that device’s date, time, browser version and network. Device differences offer initial clues but do not establish the cause without further investigation.
An HTTPS page may still request images, scripts or other files over HTTP. Identify and correct the affected resource URLs; installing a certificate alone may not resolve them.
No. HTTPS protects the connection and helps verify the domain, but does not replace updates, access controls, backups and website security checks.