Have you ever encountered an invalid SSL certificate error code 526? Wondered what it means and why you are struggling with it? Well, Error 526, also called Invalid SSL Certificate, is a server-side error indicating the inappropriate configuration of the SSL certificate.
The error may affect the overall performance of your website and, thus, needs to be properly addressed. Want to learn more about the same? The guide compiles all the essential details about this Invalid SSL Certificate error, the reasons behind its occurring, and potential fixes. Scroll down to learn more.
What is Error Code 526: Invalid SSL Certificate?
The invalid SSL certificate error code 526 is pretty common and often appears when a browser finds an SSL certificate that Cloudflare doesn’t recognize as valid. This usually happens when the certificate uploaded by the origin server is not issued by a recognized Certificate Authority.
As a result, Cloudflare becomes unable to set up a secure connection between the browser and server, thus leading to this error. Such errors may affect your brand and website’s reliability among users, thus impacting your business negatively.
What Causes Error 526 Invalid SSL Certificate?
There can be different reasons leading to the Cloudflare and Squarespace invalid SSL certificate error code 526, such as expired certificates, incorrect SSL, and much more. Understanding the major reasons behind the error is important to find out the appropriate method to fix the issue.
Some of the causes are outlined here.
Expired SSL Certificate
All digital certificates come with limited validity; hence, it might be possible your website’s certificate is expired and, therefore, generating the error code. Make sure to renew your certificate from time to time to establish a secure connection between a browser and a server.
Incorrect SSL
Sometimes, you struggle with an invalid SSL certificate error due to the presence of an invalid certificate on the website. This usually happens when the certificate doesn’t match the one mentioned on the browser’s list of valid SSL certificates. In that case, you must contact the best digital marketing agency in Dwarka Delhi, which is well aware of the certificates and will provide you accordingly.
Misconfigured SSL Certificate
It’s important that your website’s SSL certificate is properly configured. So, if the configuration isn’t correct, you might receive an invalid SSL certificate error code, and the browser may flag your website due to a lack of secure connection.
Incomplete SSL certificate chain
Another reason for this error appearing on your website is the incomplete SSL certificate chain. It happens with several certificate chains where an intermediate certificate may be missing, further leading to this issue.
How to Fix Error 526 Invalid SSL Certificate?
Wondering how to fix Cloudflare invalid SSL certificate error code 526? Here are some best practices to follow. Check them out and get started.
Switch SSL Mode
The best method to eliminate this error is to secure a connection for your website by switching the SSL mode from Full to full. Full mode allows users’ browsers to establish a secure connection with an invalid certificate; however, it’s recommended to use a valid certificate for security purposes.
So, switch the mode by accessing the Overview tab of the SSL/ TLS section on Cloudflare and see if the error is fixed.
Verify your SSL Certificate
The next option is to verify your SSL certificate to get rid of the error. Verification is mandatory to check the authenticity and relevance of both their ssl_certificate and ssl_certificate_key.
It helps ensure secure access to the relevant domain. Moreover, it also helps save the private key in an HSM-compliant secure storage.
Avoid using self-signed SSL certificates
Another way to eliminate the Cloudflare Squarespace invalid SSL certificate error code 526 is to avoid using self-signed certificates. Instead, you should get your certificates from a trustworthy certificate authority to avoid any hassle later on.
Be mindful that self-signed certificates are only meant for intranet, but you must require a valid and verified certificate to ensure a safe connection between the browser and server.
Renew your SSL certificate
The most common cause of invalid SSL certificate errors is the expired SSL certificate. Hence, it’s better to renew it as early as possible to avoid the error. Renewal of the certificate ensures that data exchanged between the server and browser is secure.
Summing Up
That’s all about the invalid SSL certificate error code 526. We hope our guide has helped you understand the error and the reasons behind its occurrence. Be mindful that these certificates are meant to ensure the safe connection between a browser and server and are, hence, mandatory for every website to survive the digital competition. If you are new to this concept, it’s suggested to hire the best website designing company in Delhi and eliminate the chance of such errors.
