How to Fix ERR_CERTIFICATE_TRANSPARENCY_REQUIRED in Chrome

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ERR_CERTIFICATE_TRANSPARENCY_REQUIRED

Top Ways to Fix ERR_CERTIFICATE_TRANSPARENCY_REQUIRED Error!

Chrome is one of the most used web browsers, and users recognize it for providing a quick and efficient surfing experience. However, particular user issues might arise on Chrome as a result of issues with the SSL certificate. The “err_certificate_transparency_required” error is one example.

An SSL certificate, known as a digital certificate, is used to safeguard connections between web browsers and servers. It guarantees that all data sent and received between the two parties is encrypted and prevents third parties from intercepting the information.

The “err certificate transparency required” issue is one of the most prevalent problems that Chrome users may see; due to issues with the SSL certificates. When Chrome is unable to validate an SSL certificate on a website owing to a lack of transparency in the certificate’s issuing, this error appears. It is a security mechanism put in place to ensure that a trustworthy entity has issued the SSL certificate and that it has not been tampered with.

What is the ERR_Certificate_Transparency_Required?

Google adopted the Certificate Transparency policy as a security feature in 2013 to identify and stop SSL/TLS certificate fraud. This policy requires that all SSL/TLS certificates granted for domains ending in “.google.com” or “.gstatic.com” be recorded in a certificate transparency log that is available to the general public. To strengthen the internet’s security and reliability, Google expanded this policy in 2018 to cover all websites, regardless of their domain name.

The ERR Certificate Transparency Required problem on Google Chrome can be because of several reasons;

  • Registration Issues: Due to issues with the registration process and details, the SSL/TLS certificate the ERR_CERTIFICATE_TRANSPARENCY_REQUIRED error can occur. Particularly when the website’s certificate authority (CA) does not support certificate transparency or if the website administrator has not set up the certificate transparency log properly.
  • Expired Website: Failure to renew the website domain and hosting services can lead to the expiration of the same.
  • Delay in Setting SSL: When the website’s administrator has not appropriately configured the certificate or if there are problems with the certificate’s information.
  • Not Signed by the Root CA: Another factor contributing to the ERR_CERTIFICATE_TRANSPARENCY_REQUIRED error is when the certificate is not signed by a reputable root CA or has been revoked. The user will receive the error message “NET::ERR CERT REVOKED” instead of “ERR Certificate Transparency Required.”

Crucial details regarding the ERR Certificate Transparency Required error:

  • The ERR_CERTIFICATE_TRANSPARENCY_REQUIRED error only affects users using the Google Chrome browser. Other browsers may not display this error message.
  • The Google Chrome browser displays the error message “ERR CERTIFICATE TRANSPARENCY REQUIRED” and a “Back to Safety” button on a red screen.
  • When a website’s certificate does not adhere to the CT policy, which Chrome enforces, an error notice will appear.
  • The CT policy is in effect for all new SSL/TLS certificates issued after April 30, 2018.

What causes ERR_Certificate_Transparency_Required error?

Several possible causes exist for the “err certificate transparency required” issue.

  • One of the causes is when the end user’s browser does not comply with the Certificate Transparency policy. This error message indicates that the SSL/TLS certificate for the website has not been properly documented in a publicly accessible certificate transparency log, which is a system that ensures the validity and integrity of SSL/TLS certificates. Users may find this annoying, and the website owner may suffer a loss of revenue as a result.

The following are some typical causes of this error:

  • The certificate for the website does not adhere to CT policy. As a result, the website’s certificate was not updated in accordance with the CT policy and was obtained before April 30, 2018.
  • The certificate for the website is not correctly logged in a CT log. CT logs are databases that are accessible to the general public and contain data on all SSL/TLS certificates.
  • The CT logs do not correctly verify the certificate for the website. When the certificate has been revoked or if it has not been correctly signed by a trusted certificate authority (CA).
  • Some websites can use self-signed certificates, which are not acknowledged by the browser as being not worth any value.

How to Fix Chrome err_certificate_transparency_required?

So, how can someone fix this error?

Since this policy is designed to improve the security and transparency of SSL certificates, all certificates must be logged in a publicly accessible CT log.

You may do a few things if you see the “err certificate transparency required” issue in Chrome. First, you should verify that the website’s SSL certificate is still valid. If the certificate has expired, contact the website’s administrator and request that it be renewed.

If your SSL certificate is properly set, you may try emptying your browser’s cache and cookies. This might aid in the resolution of any issues produced by outdated information in your browser.

You may also try deactivating any extensions or add-ons that you believe are causing the problem. If none of these methods work, contact the website’s administrator and request that they examine their SSL certificate and make sure it is correctly set. They might be the err_certificate_transparency_required fix and get the website back up and running.

For Website Visitors:

The easiest fix for this problem for website visitors is just to wait and attempt accessing the page again later. This is because updating the CT log might take some time, and until then, the website could not be entirely compliant. If the issue persists, users may also turn off Chrome’s SSL certificate check by going to the settings menu and turning off the “Check for server certificate revocation” checkbox. It’s crucial to remember that removing this option might make the browser less safe; thus, it’s not advised as a long-term fix. If “HTTPS protection” or “HTTPS scanning” is turned on, some antivirus software and firewalls are extremely sensitive to SSL faults. To visit a website for a time, one can temporarily deactivate their antivirus application. Just remember to activate it again when they’re done.

For Website Owners:

Making sure that your website’s SSL certificate conforms with the CT regulation is the best option for website owners. You may accomplish this by requesting an SSL certificate from a certificate authority (CA) that complies with CT, then uploading the certificate to a CT log. Visitors should no longer encounter the ERR Certificate Transparency Required issue after the certificate has been recorded and updated on your website’s server.

The “chrome err certificate transparency required” problem can be resolved, among other things, by acquiring an SSL certificate from a CT-compliant CA like DigiCert or Comodo (Now Sectigo). These CAs will ensure that your certificate is recorded in a CT log and will provide you with the information you need to update the server hosting your website.

The SSL certificate on your website should be checked to see if it has expired or been revoked as another “err certificate transparency required” solution. In such a case, you must get a fresh SSL certificate and upload it to a CT log. To do this, get in touch with your existing CA or look for a different CA that complies with CT.

To potentially resolve the “err certificate transparency required” problem, check the date and time on your device. Ensure that your device’s time and date are set correctly, and then attempt to access the page again.

The CT log function in the server software is another option for website owners. You can enable this feature in Apache or Nginx servers by adding a few lines of code to the configuration file. Once the functionality is turned on, the server will automatically add the SSL certificate to a CT log, and users should no longer encounter the ERR Certificate Transparency Required issue.

Conclusion:

If you are the owner of a website and you are experiencing the err_certificate_transparency_required chrome error after installing an SSL certificate or making changes to the server, we advise inspecting your server or getting in touch with the CA right once to resolve the problem. If you’re a visitor, we advise you to avoid accessing that website if possible because the error is rather severe.

Janki Mehta

Janki Mehta is a Cyber-Security Enthusiast who constantly updates herself with new advancements in the Web/Cyber Security niche. Along with theoretical knowledge, she also implements her practical expertise in day-to-day tasks and helps others to protect themselves from threats.