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How to Fix ERR_CERTIFICATE_TRANSPARENCY_REQUIRED Error in Google Chrome?

Certificate Transparency (CT) is the Internet’s security standard, which is an open-source framework for auditing and monitoring digital certificates. It’s a security standard that enforces the practice of maintaining public logs of the digital certificates issued by trusted certificate authorities (CAs) to avoid mis-issuance and helps with revocation.

One of the common reasons for getting this Google Chrome error message ERR_CERTIFICATE_TRANSPARENCY_REQUIRED is because of the problem with CT logs. Usually, it occurs when an SSL is corrupted, expired, or misconfigured, as CT (Certificate Transparency) requires every issued certificate to be logged correctly.

err-certificate-transparency-required-error-chrome

What Causes the Chrome Error ERR_CERTIFICATE_TRANSPARENCY_REQUIRED?

The two most common reasons you’re getting this Google Chrome error “ERR_CERTIFICATE_TRANSPARENCY_REQUIRED” message are:
  • The SSL certificate installed on the website you’re trying to browse hasn’t been added to a CT (Certificate Transparency) log by the CA (Certificate Authority), which could be due to negligence of the CA or could even be a potential fraud.
  • The website owner might have requested the certificate authority not to add their domain or subdomains to a CT (Certificate Transparency) log to keep their company information private.

How to Solve Error: NET::ERR_CERTIFICATE_TRANSPARENCY_REQUIRED?

For Website Owners

  • Contact the CA from whom you purchased the SSL/TLS certificate and request them to add your website’s name to a CT log.
  • Check if there’s any technical error from their end. If that’s the case, then get your SSL/TLS certificate reissued.
  • If with an intention you requested your CA to not log your domain or subdomain in the Certificate Transparency log report, then apply for the exception policy to manage Chrome/Chromium-based applications with devices.

For Website Visitors

If you’re a website visitor and you’ve read till here, you already must have an idea that this error is the responsibility of the website owner or the certificate authority from whom they’ve purchased the certificate.

Nonetheless, there are some solutions you can try in order to access the website from your browser, despite facing this error – though it will be a temporary solution.

Update Google Chrome

Check whether your Google Chrome browser is updated or it’s an outdated version. If it’s not, then upgrade it to its latest version, as obsolete Google Chrome versions don’t have support for the latest encryption algorithm of the SSL/TLS certificates. To update Google Chrome:
  • Go to the address bar and type: chrome://settings/help
  • Chrome will start updating
  • Once it’s updated, click on the Relaunch button.
update-google-chrome

Clear Cache & Cookies

Cookies and cache files of your browser could be the reason for this error. Go to the settings and clear the cache and cookies to know whether it solves the chrome error message Net ERR_CERTIFICATE_TRANSPARENCY_REQUIRED. To clear the cache and cookies:
  • In the Google Chrome address bar, type: chrome://settings
  • In the settings page at the bottom, click Advanced
  • Click Clear browsing data
  • In the Time Range drop-down menu, select All time
  • Select Browsing history, Cookies, and other site data and Cached images and files and click the Clear data button.
clear-browsing-data

Installed Google Chrome Extensions

Third-party developers develop Google chrome extensions. Your installed chrome extension might be the culprit. To check:
  • In the latest Google Chrome address bar, type: chrome://settings
  • From the menu on the left side, click Extensions.
  • Disable extensions one by one. If the error is resolved, then you’ll know which Google chrome extension is responsible for this error. So, it’s advised to remove that extension.

Clear SSL State

If the issue still persists, try clearing your SSL state.

Go to the control panel of your computer, select Network and Internet and click on Internet Options.

network-and-internet
It will open Internet Properties. Select the Content tab and click on the Clear SSL state option. After completion, click on Apply and then the OK button.
content-clear-ssl-state

Not Recommended

If the issue is still not fixed, the following are some other solutions that might work, but it’s not recommended.
  • There are chances of antivirus software and firewalls being sensitive towards SSL errors – if the HTTPS protection or HTTPS scanning feature is enabled. Disable the option and check if it’s working. If it works, then you can visit the website and later enable the option again when you leave the website.
  • Enable Google Chrome flag:
    • In Google chrome address bar, type: chrome://flags
    • Go to Insecure origins treated as secure option and enable it from the dropdown menu located beside it. (Disable it after visiting the website.)
insecure-origins-treated-as-secure-option
  • Manually ignore certificate errors by:
    • Right-clicking on the Google Chrome icon located on the desktop. Go to properties and select the Shortcut tab.
    • In the target field, type “-ignore-certificate-errors” after /chrome.exe and click on Apply and the OK button. Now, restart your Google Chrome browser.
google-chrome-properties-shortcut

Conclusion

If you’re a website owner and you’re facing this issue after the installation of an SSL certificate or modifying something on the server, then we recommend checking your server or contacting the CA early on to solve the issue. If you’re a visitor, then we would say that the error is quite critical and if possible, it’s better to avoid using that website.

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