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Troubleshoot time-related errors on secure websites
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This article explains why you might see time-related errors on HTTPS websites and how you can troubleshoot them by correcting your system clock.
This article explains why you might see time-related errors on HTTPS websites and how you can troubleshoot them by correcting your system clock.
Content:
Certificates used by websites which are considered to be secure (their URL begins with "http'''s'''://") are only issued for a certain period of time. If a website presents a certificate with a validity period that doesn't match the current value of your system's clock, Firefox can't verify that the connection is secure and therefore opens a "[[What does "Your connection is not secure" mean?|Your connection is not secure]]" error page. Some methods to validate that a certificate hasn't been revoked also depend on your system and the webserver being set to the correct time.
Such issues can be fixed by the correct setting of the date, time and time zone on your system. If this does not solve the problem, it may be caused by a misconfigured webserver.
__TOC__
= List of time-related error codes you may encounter =
If you get a "Your connection is not secure" error page, you can click on {button Advanced} to receive detailed information about the error. One of the following error codes will indicate that the secure connection couldn't be established due to a time-related error:
{note}<sub>SEC_ERROR_EXPIRED_CERTIFICATE<br>SEC_ERROR_EXPIRED_ISSUER_CERTIFICATE<br>SEC_ERROR_OCSP_FUTURE_RESPONSE<br>SEC_ERROR_OCSP_OLD_RESPONSE<br>MOZILLA_PKIX_ERROR_NOT_YET_VALID_CERTIFICATE<br>MOZILLA_PKIX_ERROR_NOT_YET_VALID_ISSUER_CERTIFICATE</sub>{/note}
The text on the error page will {for fx49}warn you when Firefox detects that your system time is probably wrong and also {/for}show the date and time currently set in your system. If the clock settings are incorrect you should set it to the right time{for win, mac} as explained below{/for}. 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 that are caused by a skewed clock on your system can be resolved by setting your correct date, time and time zone{for win, mac}:{/for}{for linux}.{/for}
{for win10}
# Click the Windows Start button or press the Windows key {key [[Image:Windows Key]]}.
# In the Start menu, select {menu Settings}.
# In Settings, select {menu Time & language}.
# In the {menu Date & time} section you can review the current date and time settings. To change your settings click on {button Change} below {menu Change date and time} or expand the {menu Time zone} dropdown menu.{note}If your system is set to manage the time and time zone automatically, you cannot make manual changes.{/note}
# If you are done with your changes, close the Settings window.
{/for}
{for win8}
# From the Start Screen, click the '''Desktop''' tile. The Desktop view will open.
# From the Desktop, hover in the lower right-hand corner to access the Charms.
# Select {menu Control Panel} from the {menu Settings} charm. The Control Panel window will open.
#:[[Image:Control Panel - Win8]]
# In the Control Panel window, click on '''Clock, Language, and Region''' and then '''Date and Time'''.
# The panel that opens shows the current date and time settings. To change your settings click the {button Change date and time} or {button Change time zone} button.
# To confirm your changes click {button OK}.
For more information see Microsoft's [http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/set-clock Set the clock] article.
{/for}
{for win7}
# Click the Windows Start button or press the Windows key {key [[Image:Windows Key]]}.
# In the Start Menu, click {menu Control Panel}.
#:[[Image:Control Panel - Win7]]
# In the Control Panel window, click on '''Clock, Language, and Region''' and then '''Date and Time'''.
# The panel that opens shows the current date and time settings. To change your settings click the {button Change date and time} or {button Change time zone} button.
# To confirm your changes click {button OK}.
For more information see Microsoft's [http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/set-clock Set the clock] article.
{/for}
{for winxp}
# Click the Windows {button Start} button and select {menu Control Panel}.
#:[[Image:Control Panel - WinXP]]
# In the Control Panel window, click on '''Date, Time, Language, and Regional Options''' and then '''Date and Time'''.
# The panel that opens shows the current date and time settings, which you can adjust.
# In order to review and adjust your time zone settings, click on the '''Time Zone''' tab.
# To confirm your changes click {button OK}.
For more information see Microsoft's [https://www.microsoft.com/resources/documentation/windows/xp/all/proddocs/en-us/windows_date_change_time.mspx To change your computer's time and time zone] article.
{/for}
{for mac}
# Click the Apple menu and select {menu System Preferences}.
# In the System Preferences window, click on '''Date & Time'''.
# The panel that opens shows the current date and time settings. In order to adjust them, disable {pref Set date and time automatically}, manually enter the date and time and click {button Save} to confirm your changes.
# In order to review your time zone settings, click on the '''Time Zone''' tab. In order to adjust your time zone, disable {pref 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.
# If you are done with your changes, close the Date & Time window.
For more information see Apple's [https://support.apple.com/kb/PH18804 Set the date and time on your Mac] article.
{/for}
{note}'''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.{/note}
= 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 him of the problem. The website owner might need to renew the expired certificate, for example.
= Bypass the warning =
{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.{/warning}
If 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:
# On the warning page, click {button Advanced}.
# Click {button Add Exception…}. The ''Add Security Exception'' dialog will appear.
# Read the text describing the problems with the website. You can click {button View…} to closer inspect the untrusted certificate.
# Click {button Confirm Security Exception} if you are sure you want to trust the site.
Certificates for secure websites (those with URLs beginning 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.
Such issues can be fixed by the correct setting of the date, time and time zone on your system. If this does not solve the problem, it may be caused by a misconfigured webserver.
__TOC__
<!--waiting for list{for fx66}
=List of time-related error codes you may encounter=
{/for}-->
{for not fx66}
= List of time-related error codes you may encounter =
If you get a "Your connection is not secure" error page, you can click on {button Advanced} to receive detailed information about the error. One of the following error codes will indicate that the secure connection couldn't be established due to a time-related error:
{note}<sub>SEC_ERROR_EXPIRED_CERTIFICATE<br>SEC_ERROR_EXPIRED_ISSUER_CERTIFICATE<br>SEC_ERROR_OCSP_FUTURE_RESPONSE<br>SEC_ERROR_OCSP_OLD_RESPONSE<br>MOZILLA_PKIX_ERROR_NOT_YET_VALID_CERTIFICATE<br>MOZILLA_PKIX_ERROR_NOT_YET_VALID_ISSUER_CERTIFICATE</sub>{/note}
{/for}
The text on the error page will {for fx49}warn you when Firefox detects that your system time is probably wrong and also {/for}show the date and time currently set in your system. If the clock settings are incorrect you should set it to the right time{for win, mac} as explained below{/for}. 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 that are caused by a skewed clock on your system can be resolved by setting your correct date, time and time zone{for win, mac}:{/for}{for linux}.{/for}
{for win10}
# Click the Windows Start button or press the Windows key {key [[Image:Windows Key]]}.
# In the Start menu, select {menu Settings}.
# In Settings, select {menu Time & language}.
# In the {menu Date & time} section you can review the current date and time settings. To change your settings click on {button Change} below {menu Change date and time} or expand the {menu Time zone} dropdown menu.{note}If your system is set to manage the time and time zone automatically, you cannot make manual changes.{/note}
# If you are done with your changes, close the Settings window.
{/for}
{for win8}
# From the Start Screen, click the '''Desktop''' tile. The Desktop view will open.
# From the Desktop, hover in the lower right-hand corner to access the Charms.
# Select {menu Control Panel} from the {menu Settings} charm. The Control Panel window will open.
#:[[Image:Control Panel - Win8]]
# In the Control Panel window, click on '''Clock, Language, and Region''' and then '''Date and Time'''.
# The panel that opens shows the current date and time settings. To change your settings click the {button Change date and time} or {button Change time zone} button.
# To confirm your changes click {button OK}.
For more information see Microsoft's [http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/set-clock Set the clock] article.
{/for}
{for win7}
# Click the Windows Start button or press the Windows key {key [[Image:Windows Key]]}.
# In the Start Menu, click {menu Control Panel}.
#:[[Image:Control Panel - Win7]]
# In the Control Panel window, click on '''Clock, Language, and Region''' and then '''Date and Time'''.
# The panel that opens shows the current date and time settings. To change your settings click the {button Change date and time} or {button Change time zone} button.
# To confirm your changes click {button OK}.
For more information see Microsoft's [http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/set-clock Set the clock] article.
{/for}
{for winxp}
# Click the Windows {button Start} button and select {menu Control Panel}.
#:[[Image:Control Panel - WinXP]]
# In the Control Panel window, click on '''Date, Time, Language, and Regional Options''' and then '''Date and Time'''.
# The panel that opens shows the current date and time settings, which you can adjust.
# In order to review and adjust your time zone settings, click on the '''Time Zone''' tab.
# To confirm your changes click {button OK}.
For more information see Microsoft's [https://www.microsoft.com/resources/documentation/windows/xp/all/proddocs/en-us/windows_date_change_time.mspx To change your computer's time and time zone] article.
{/for}
{for mac}
# Click the Apple menu and select {menu System Preferences}.
# In the System Preferences window, click on '''Date & Time'''.
# The panel that opens shows the current date and time settings. In order to adjust them, disable {pref Set date and time automatically}, manually enter the date and time and click {button Save} to confirm your changes.
# In order to review your time zone settings, click on the '''Time Zone''' tab. In order to adjust your time zone, disable {pref 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.
# If you are done with your changes, close the Date & Time window.
For more information see Apple's [https://support.apple.com/kb/PH18804 Set the date and time on your Mac] article.
{/for}
{note}'''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.{/note}
= 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 him of the problem. The website owner might need to renew the expired certificate, for example.
{for not fx66}
= Bypass the warning =
{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.{/warning}
If 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:
# On the warning page, click {button Advanced}.
# Click {button Add Exception…}. The ''Add Security Exception'' dialog will appear.
# Read the text describing the problems with the website. You can click {button View…} to closer inspect the untrusted certificate.
# Click {button Confirm Security Exception} if you are sure you want to trust the site.
{/for}