How to Fix ERR SSL SERVER CERT BAD FORMAT Error?

While connecting to a web server, browsers always verify the SSL certificate. If it detects something unusual or against the CA/B standards, an error is encountered and displayed on the screen. One such error is ERR_SSL_SERVER_CERT_BAD_FORMAT.

Until a user doesn’t resolve this error, it’s not possible to access the website resources. So, you should learn how to fix this issue using the solution provided here.

Prerequisites To Understand

Before you learn how to fix this error, you must understand the following terms and concepts associated with SSL/TLS certificates.

• SSL/TLS certificates are used to implement HTTPS for a website.
• Two types of certificates are used – Self-signed and CA-assigned certificates.
• CA (Certificate Authority) validates businesses and issues SSL certificates.
• Self-signed certificates don’t require you to undergo validation and are only used for testing purposes. In addition, browsers don’t categorize self-signed certificates as legit.
• CA-assigned certificates, such as Certera, DigiCert, Comodo and Sectigo SSL certificates, are considered legitimate by the browsers.
• As per CA/B standards, every business should use a validated certificate for their website.

Causes of Err_ssl_server_cert_bad_format Error

Now, you understand the SSL fundamentals. So, let’s see when you see the ERR_SSL_SERVER_CERT_BAD_FORMAT error.

This error occurs when a website uses a self-signed certificate instead of one issued by a certificate authority. When a browser tries to create a connection with a website, the SSL is validated, and the certificate authority is checked.

However, if the browser doesn’t identify the CA on the SSL certificate, the error as mentioned above is shown. There are only a few authorities worldwide, so it’s easy to confirm whether a certificate is self-signed or issued by a Trusted Certificate Authority.

Multiple Ways to Fix ERR_SSL_SERVER_CERT_BAD_FORMAT Error

There are several approaches to fixing this error. Let us look carefully at each of these approaches.

Fix #1: Use a CA-issued SSL Certificate

Removing this error from the end user’s screen is the primary method. However, only the website owner can perform this method.

Following are some of the top Certificate Authorities(CAs), that you may consider:

• Comodo
• Certera
• Sectigo
• RapidSSL
• DigiCert
• Thawte
• GeoTrust

In addition, you should always purchase from the registered authority for a quality guarantee. The error will be eliminated once you start using an authentic SSL certificate.

Fix #2: Modify the Internet Options

Follow the below procedure to solve the error:

Step 1: Use the taskbar to search and open “Internet Options“

Step 2: Once the Internet Options window appears, navigate to the Security tab >> Trusted Sites >> Sites.

Step 3: As displayed in the snippet, input the website URL for which you see this error. Then, click on Add >> Close.

Step 4: Go back to the browser and try to open the website for which you saw the error.

Step 5: If you see any message with the option “Accept risk and Continue,” click on it.

That error will be removed, enabling you to use the website.

Fix #3: Modify Google Chrome Settings

Execute this fix per the below steps:

Step 1: Open the browser and access its settings using the three dots available in the right corner.

Step 2: From the provided options in the left panel, go to “System.”

Step 3: From the options under the system, choose “Open your computer’s proxy settings.”

Step 4: Open the “Network and Sharing Center” provided under network settings.

Step 5: From the Network and Sharing Center window, click on “Internet Options” at the bottom.

Step 6: You can now view the same screen as in Fix #2. In the internet properties, add the URL, and the error will be removed.

In addition to these primary fixtures, there are also some secondary solutions to SSL errors, such as:

Solution #1: Date and Time Modification

 If your system uses an incorrect date and time, it can cause SSL errors. You should navigate the system settings and choose the automatic data and time option. As a result, your computer will correct the information, leading to the removal of SSL errors caused by it.

You can easily access the date and time settings from the system settings, as demonstrated.

Solution #2: SSL State Cache Clearing

Open the Run dialog box using the Windows + R combination to clear the SSL cache. Further, type “inetcpl.cpl” and click on OK.

It will again open the Internet Option. But this time, you must go to the “Content” tab. And under it, click on “Clear SSL State.”

Lastly, restart the Chrome browser, and it’s done.

Solution #3: Browser Data Clearing

Sometimes, clearing browsing data also helps with removing SSL errors. For this, undergo the steps as defined.

Step 1: Open the browser and use Ctrl + H combination to open history information.

Step 2: From the panel provided on the left, click on the “Clear Browsing Data” option.

Step 3: Choose the data to be deleted as the below snippet.

Step 4: Restart the browser and access the site you want.

Solution #4: Temporary Error Removal

For temporary error removal, open your Chrome browser and then go to Properties >> Shortcut. Further, copy the “-ignore-certificate-errors” to the Target input field.

Click on the Apply button. Following and restart the browser.

Solution #5: Update Chrome Browser

If your browser is not updated, it can show your SSL errors. So, you should always ensure that an updated browser version is being used.

To update the Chrome browser, use the three dots, and under them, Help >> About Google Chrome.

Further, you will see a new page showing the current version and available updates, if any. If there’s any pending update, install it to remove errors.

Solution #6: Update Windows OS

To remove the SSL error, you can try to update your Windows operating system using the following steps:

Step 1: Access system settings using the Windows + I key combination.

Step 2: Choose the “Update & Security” option.

Step 3: Click the “Check for updates“. It will tell you about the available updates, if any.

Step 4: if there’s any pending update, install it and then try to open the website.

Concluding Up

The ERR_SSL_SERVER_CERT_BAD_FORMAT error is caused when a website configures a self-signed SSL certificate. Several approaches can be applied at the user’s end to solve this issue.

However, it’s always recommended that the site owner use an SSL certificate from a CA or authorized reseller such as CheapSSLWeb, a reliable source to obtain trusted CA-based SSL certificates at highly affordable pricing.